Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Plumbing => Topic started by: CountryBoyJohn on October 02, 2013, 10:33:14 AM

Title: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on October 02, 2013, 10:33:14 AM: Ok, I quite surprised I haven't seen any discussion on this matter. I had a HECK of a time getting my water heater side of my brazed plate exchanger hooked up without leaking this week. I think I had it hooked up and removed 3 times! What a pain. I found out that the threads on the exchanger is not a typical tapered pipe thread. Standard teflon tape will not be sufficient! I finally got it to stop leaking by using heavy duty teflon with a bead of pipe sealant "dope" on top of the tape. Then I cranked down with a wrench till the cows came home. Has anyone else had trouble sealing up this side of their plate exchangers?
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: yoderheating on October 02, 2013, 11:54:07 AM: Nope, I just use pipe dope and a big pipe wrench and it always works on the ones I use. However there are any number of manufactures I assume.
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: Scott7m on October 02, 2013, 01:43:34 PM: Yep I used to have that issue all the time on plate exchangers til I discovered the blue monster pipe thread and pipe dope.

I now have some that have tapered threads that seal easier...
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: Michael on October 02, 2013, 06:34:12 PM: I used the flexible connecting tubes with rubber gaskets on each end similar to the ones to hook up hot water heaters.
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: Scott7m on October 02, 2013, 06:48:01 PM: Quote from: Michael on October 02, 2013, 06:34:12 PM
I used the flexible connecting tubes with rubber gaskets on each end similar to the ones to hook up hot water heaters.

Anything with o rings works well. It's hard to find 1" stuff at most plumbing stores around here

1" pex swivels are great too
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: Flyfishjt on October 02, 2013, 08:38:58 PM: Will these work I'm thinking about using on my platehttp://www.sharkbite.com/sharkbite/wp-content/uploads/PEX-Swivel-Adapter.jpg
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: RSI on October 03, 2013, 04:02:11 PM: Quote from: Flyfishjt on October 02, 2013, 08:38:58 PM
Will these work I'm thinking about using on my platehttp://www.sharkbite.com/sharkbite/wp-content/uploads/PEX-Swivel-Adapter.jpg

Unless the plate heat exchanger has weird ends on the fittings they should work good. Here is a picture of some I just took.
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on October 04, 2013, 05:04:33 AM: Wow! I think that would've been MUCH easier! The fittings I used looked exactly like that, but 1 solid piece with no gaskets. That swivel adapter looks like that would work too! If I'd have known I was going to have that much trouble, I would've checked with you guys first! Thanks!
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: Flyfishjt on October 09, 2013, 08:55:48 PM: RSI are those shark bite brand swivel fittings and where did you find them? Also I wonder if heat will cause any problems with gasket. Thanks
Title: Re: Plate Exchanger Pipe Threads
Post by: RSI on October 09, 2013, 09:07:07 PM: Yes, they are Sharkbite brand. The plastic is about the density of pex. I think it will hold up better than rubber. I ordered them from my local plumbing wholesaler. I am still waiting for the 1" thread x 3/4" pex barbs to come in.