SeaTech PEX fittings

[Van]

Have you priced copper lately,Pex is cheaper and better, in freezing weather it wont bulge and break like copper it is really good for RV use not like the old gray poly pipe that was used for years in RV's

Or CPVC. We just did a total re-do. Straight sticks and brass fittings. Home depot is your friend here.

[dtcerrato]

Imho cheaper yes better no. 42 years in service.. Copper will expand if froze. Yes copper is gold because once & done forever, just like the 68 yo oem copper & brass piping designed in these antique beasts of beauty... That's my story & I'm stickin' toit. 

[chessie4905]

Yes, copper will expand if frozen, but only a few cycles before it fails. Also, all the brake plumbing has changed to non copper over the years. At least copper has scrap value if replaced.

[luvrbus]

Copper is ok if protected, PEX is tough to beat in RV it
is so easy to work with, I haven't seen copper used in a RV in 30 years maybe longer and they are still around too.I wanted to add another heat exchanger to my Aqua Hot lol price the silicone 1 inch hose for hot water copper is cheap

[luvrbus]

Yes, copper will expand if frozen, but only a few cycles before it fails. Also, all the brake plumbing has changed to non copper over the years. At least copper has scrap value if replaced.

Cooper gets hard with age replacing  air valves on the old buses plumbed with copper can be a nightmare

[richard5933]

Custom Coach used copper in the conversion on my bus. I can say with absolute certainty that it will burst if frozen, as I had about half dozen repairs to make when we got the bus.

Pex will expand somewhat, but the fittings will not. Proper winter precautions still need to be taken.

[Jim Blackwood]

I'm a big believer in copper with brazed joints instead of soldered. That's what I used for my shop air lines 20 years ago and have been more than happy with it. There is a fluxless brazing rod you use with a plumber's torch that really works great. If I plumb the bus that way and route the lines so they are self-draining and always remember to winterize, the only leaks that occur will be from other sources, not the plumbing itself. Also, plumbing in the RV does not have to be 1/2" ID line like residential. 3/8" is quite adequate. That cuts the cost a bit and makes routing easier. Later replacement of fittings can be a chore but that is what threaded connections are for. Do it once, do it right, and never think of it again. That's my opinion, and so far I haven't seen a need to change it.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Codes in some areas call for sliver stick when using copper now I been using silver stick for over 20 years for copper joints in the buliding trade some call it brazing

[dtcerrato]

I noticed quite a bit of oem copper is brazed or soldered then flared or compression. Most our house conversion copper is soft refrigeration copper, very easily shaped and all fittings are flare which I flare all the tubing myself. Few compression. Main lines like to & from the HWH are 1/2" od all branch lines are 3/8" od. Absolutely issue free for 42 years now.
When in the big home improvement box stores seeing all the newer fandangled plastic brainstorming - it make me feel good I'm a dinosaur from an ealrier time....

[luvrbus]

I noticed quite a bit of oem copper is brazed or soldered then flared or compression. Most our house conversion copper is soft refrigeration copper, very easily shaped and all fittings are flare which I flare all the tubing myself. Few compression. Main lines like to & from the HWH are 1/2" od all branch lines are 3/8" od. Absolutely issue free for 42 years now.
When in the big home improvement box stores seeing all the newer fandangled plastic brainstorming - it make me feel good I'm a dinosaur from an ealrier time....

The FDA did copper in not the box stores for drinking water,a complete house plumbed with refrigeration copper that took some work to find fittings I bet since the OD is different

[dtcerrato]

Refrigeration tubing goes by OD. Water piping copper goes by ID so 3/8" refrigeration tube uses 1/4" ID water fittings & so on - so fittings are absolutely no issue. Dad was a pipefitter by trade so I learned before being a busnut. 

[luvrbus]

Refrigeration tubing goes by OD. Water piping copper goes by ID so 3/8" refrigeration tube uses 1/4" ID water fittings & so on - so fittings are absolutely no issue. Dad was a pipefitter by trade so I learned before being a busnut. 

All the refrigeration tubing I bought in the last few years comes in MM and I cannot find fitting to work on the stuff

[dtcerrato]

All the refrigeration tubing I bought in the last few years comes in MM and I cannot find fitting to work on the stuff

Just about anything that is sized in metric is coming from overseas - not necessarily China but from overseas. When it comes to plumbing fittings & tube, pipe, etc. if you don't stay with SAE NPT, flare, etc. it becomes a nightmare real fast. BTDT. Italy manufactures some of the best valves in the world but could be a pita if it's not SAE. FWIW. British plumbing and USA SAE don't mix either.

[Van]

I am reactivating this thread to explore this one question.  Are sharkbite type PEX fitting suitable for a vibration environment, such as a bus. 

Or should I go the route of buying the crimper tool and such?

Seb

[buswarrior]

Just about anything that is sized in metric is coming from overseas -

If the US would stop acting like the British Empire in decline used to, and get with the program...

The rest of the world uses metric, even the British have given up...

Your turn?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior