What is the trick to getting the superthane ether tube into the gland nuts on top of the 2.2 kW water cooled motor? My fingers are not strong enough to squash the tube to fit into the gland nut.
If you warm up the hose with a hair dryer, lighter, or heat gun it’ll get more plyable. You can always cut the inch or so off if you get it too warm
I heated the end of the tube to the melting point with a heat gun and could not stuff the tube into the gland nut. I have ordered M8-1 threaded 8 mm diameter barb fittings and hose clamps on Amazon for $22 Canadian.
The 6 mm diameter bard fittings are too small to engage the tubing (5.5 actual OD). I ordered these by mistake for my flow indicator and could not get the tubing to seal to the barb fittings.
Ok.
I’m sorry you’ve had trouble with this, as it’s not one i can recall hearing before now.
I personally cut my tubes at an angle and once I worked them in, I cut them flush and pulled them back slightly to be able to start the nuts. It’s a finger workout!
Cut the tubing on a 45° or steeper and you can pull it through the coupling, then cut it off square, pull it back through just enough and then thread on the coupling.
On a side note… this is why the Kool-Connectors are so popular.
Quick question…is there something that I can put on the silicone hoses to keep them from spinning with the nut when I tighten them on the spindle? I know, I know, I should’ve just bought the Kool Connectors. LOL
I don’t want to put something on them that will degrade the silicone and cause issues later on. TIA
I’m not aware of anything. The only thing I can think of is pre-spinning them the opposite direction a dozen or so rotations, so when you tighten it, it straightens out.
Might look a little janky but you could cut a 4" segment of hose, then use a couple of barbs and hose clamps or zip ties. Of course the 4" is arbitrary, and if you have a place that would suit better.
Adding more connectors will increase the likelihood of leaks, so be aware of that.
I use 1:4 50/50 glycol to distilled water for coolant. When I got some of this fluid on the tubing I was able to turn the nuts on the tubing.
That sounds like it is diluted way too much.
50%, straight
25%, 1:1
12.5%, 1:2
6.25%, 1:3
3.125%, 1:4
The benefit is that it was slow heating up, not allow for freezing, and have anti microbial aspects.
I use 1:3 of antifreeze concentrate to distilled water for 25%
I’ll use a bit of coolant and see if that loosens them up to tighten the gland nuts. Thanks for the suggestion!
