How to uncoil PEX?

 
User avatar
swyman
Member
Posts: 2355
Joined: Mon. Apr. 13, 2015 9:50 pm
Location: Blissfield, MI
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman-Anderson 260M Leisure Line AA-220 Boiler (FOR SALE)
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Pea

Post by swyman » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 6:33 pm

I guess this is the right section....so I ordered 100' of barrier PEX from PEX universe and went to attempt to install it tonight and once I cut the tape nothing happened. This stuff seems to be permanently stuck forever in coil form! Wow this stuff seems impossible to work with??? So what's the trick? Could I put it in the bathtub under hot water to loosen it up? There has to be a way??? Please help!


 
User avatar
Lightning
Site Moderator
Posts: 14658
Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Olean, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite

Post by Lightning » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 6:39 pm

You'll need to unroll it like a fire hose on a reel so it doesn't twist.

 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 6:42 pm

I like the bath tub idea S. Let it soak for a bit.

 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7486
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 6:53 pm

When I received my insulated 100' roll of PEX from Badger, I thought the same thing. This stuff will not unroll! The fact that it's stone cold doesn't help.
I ended up connecting one end together and plumbed the other end into a zone on the boiler. Then power purged the air out of it and ran boiler water through it. After a few minutes I was able to roll it out strait in the driveway. I kept a few concrete blocks on it so when it cooled down it didn't coil up again.

-Don

 
User avatar
franpipeman
Member
Posts: 689
Joined: Fri. Jan. 11, 2008 4:27 pm
Location: Wernersville pa
Stoker Coal Boiler: efm 520 stoker fitzgibbons pressure vessel
Hand Fed Coal Stove: harman, russo
Coal Size/Type: rice
Other Heating: alpine propane condensing boiler radiant floor

Post by franpipeman » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 7:33 pm

I have put 1500 fyi of 1/2 per into a existing joist cavity space between a a exist drop ceiling. I bought a uncoiled. that is a device many by up honor to be able to manage it like a civilized human being . 250 but worth if especially if working alone
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&s ... 8675299997

I could not have done it with out it and I am a rube goldberg if you know what that means
Lend it to you if you where in the neighborhood.

 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 7:43 pm

Holy crap F, that price is a whole year of feedin critters. I'm still likin the hot water concept. Nice call Don.

 
User avatar
hotblast1357
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Location: Peasleeville NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1984 Eshland S260 coal gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace

Post by hotblast1357 » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 7:45 pm

It’s nothing but a pain! Many hands make light work.

I’ve done all of my pex work by myself and it’s nothing but tough. But I think it’s still easier than black iron and copper and cheaper.


 
User avatar
franpipeman
Member
Posts: 689
Joined: Fri. Jan. 11, 2008 4:27 pm
Location: Wernersville pa
Stoker Coal Boiler: efm 520 stoker fitzgibbons pressure vessel
Hand Fed Coal Stove: harman, russo
Coal Size/Type: rice
Other Heating: alpine propane condensing boiler radiant floor

Post by franpipeman » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 7:47 pm


 
User avatar
tsb
Member
Posts: 2616
Joined: Wed. Jul. 30, 2008 8:38 pm
Location: Douglassville, Pa
Stoker Coal Boiler: Binford 2000
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: LL Pioneer top vent
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Saey Hanover II
Baseburners & Antiques: Grander Golden Oak , Glenwood # 6
Coal Size/Type: All of them

Post by tsb » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 8:19 pm

You can buy straight lengths ! I found out after is was done wrestling my coil.

 
User avatar
swyman
Member
Posts: 2355
Joined: Mon. Apr. 13, 2015 9:50 pm
Location: Blissfield, MI
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman-Anderson 260M Leisure Line AA-220 Boiler (FOR SALE)
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Pea

Post by swyman » Mon. Dec. 11, 2017 9:35 am

tsb wrote:
Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 8:19 pm
You can buy straight lengths ! I found out after is was done wrestling my coil.
I seen them and they are in stock at Menards.....I think I am going to send that coil back for a refund and just go with the 5' sticks. I have the crimp tool so it should go together fast and be waayy easier to handle. Was hoping for a simple solution for the coil and I guess not using it at all will suite me best!

 
User avatar
hotblast1357
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Location: Peasleeville NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1984 Eshland S260 coal gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace

Post by hotblast1357 » Mon. Dec. 11, 2017 9:36 am

I didn’t think it was that bad That I would return it and end up using a bunch of crimps everywhere..

 
User avatar
windyhill4.2
Member
Posts: 6072
Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Mon. Dec. 11, 2017 9:42 am

I installed over 1000' of the 1" pex & didn't think it was that bad, the 1/2" pex was easy.

I had no idea that i could have bought a strait piece @ 250' long .. but, i don't have anything to haul a piece that long, not even 180' long .

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17977
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Mon. Dec. 11, 2017 9:54 am

Pex fittings are restrictive, having a bunch of them in a piping run will add a lot of resistance to flow.

I have done the same as Don and run hot water through it to soften it.

 
User avatar
hotblast1357
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Location: Peasleeville NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1984 Eshland S260 coal gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace

Post by hotblast1357 » Mon. Dec. 11, 2017 10:07 am

I’ve done 1/2,3/4,1, and 1/1/4 insulated, it’s really not worth having 140 crimp connections...

Really the biggest thing is don’t let it kink, and use lots of hangers as you go, and it will hang nicely, and have extra hangers because when t first heats up it’s going to drop in a lot of spots it’s not supported.

 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Mon. Dec. 11, 2017 10:28 am

Yep, most times, easier does not equal betterer.


Post Reply

Return to “Stoker Coal Boilers Using Anthracite (Hydronic & Steam)”