Stainless flexi hoses

[smileypete]

Hi,

I've got a R410A outdoor unit that may need to be moved after installation to get behind it, so am looking for suitable flexi hoses.

I understand the stainless corrugated ones don't permeate, and the right type ones will take the pressure fine.

Can anyone recommend a good place in the UK that will make them to order?

I've looked up a few places on the web, so if anyone has good (or bad!) experiences with the following I'd like to hear about them:

http://www.kellysearch.com/partners/80014186/8001418D.005005.htm (Arnold Hose)
http://www.proflexhose.co.uk/hose_couplings/proflex.php
http://www.artifex.org.uk/
http://www.flexej.co.uk/Content/P12.htm

Also what are the best end connections to have, ones that can be flared or threaded ends to use with an adapter?

cheers,
Pete.

[NoNickName]

Why stainless?

http://www.wigam.com/web/indexing.htm and download the catalogue. They are made with nylon braid outside and high tensile composite inside. Available with welding or flared ends up to 2"

[Peter_1]

We often install those of Carly on counters.
http://www.carly-sa.fr/english/fs_prod.htm

[aawood1]

Hi Smileypete,
We use stainless flexi hoses on Ammonia for pump downs now. But in the past we had them on some old plate freezers working on Ammonia at-38oC and .5 Bar working pressure, We used to change them every 3 years. The only place where we had any leaks was at the joint's. The ones we have are made up for us at Parkers Hyd Ltd part of Parkers refrigeration now.
Arthur.

[smileypete]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies,

Peter_1 and aawood1, what terminations did the hoses you've used have?

Were they plain pipe for flaring or a threaded connector?

If they were threaded, what sealant if any was used to seal them?

Thanks again,
Pete.

[Peter_1]

Smileypete,
You can buy these threaded or plain pipe (stainless steel).
The threaded ones, just make the normal flare on your copper pipe as you normally do, that's all.
Perhaps use a little bit of Leaklock on the thread if moisture can enter the thread and can be frozen afterwards.

[US Iceman]

Has anyone ever seen the braiding on these hoses come loose from where the braid is anchored into the ferrule on the ends?

[Peter_1]

Yes, I've seen this but this is due to the fact that they wring instead of only bending.

You must look very carefully that the movement of the attached equipement only makes that the flexible bends instead of bending and wringing.

You can feel this very well if you hold both ends in your hands and makes the movement the equipment will make. If you feel a twist in your hand, then it's not OK.

The end and the beginning of the flexible must be in the same horizontal and/or vertical straight surface, , straight in line with the movement it will make (difficult to explain in English)

[US Iceman]

The reason I asked the question... I have seen some of these flex-hoses fail because of ice getting into the ferrule. Almost all of the failures I have seen are on low temperature applications. The end that seems to fail always is the end closest to the movement.

[aawood1]

Hi Smileypete, The hoses we use are made up with 1/2" BSP or NPT threaded flat face ends and sealed with
alu. or ptfe washers.

[javeedsalam]

Hi Smileypete,
We use stainless flexi hoses on Ammonia for pump downs now. But in the past we had them on some old plate freezers working on Ammonia at-38oC and .5 Bar working pressure, We used to change them every 3 years. The only place where we had any leaks was at the joint's. The ones we have are made up for us at Parkers Hyd Ltd part of Parkers refrigeration now.
Arthur.
Dear Arthur ,

where ru from man can i have ur contact no please