Rmlow
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2016
- Messages
- 30
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Melissa Lynn
- Vessel Make
- Selene 53
Thanks for the responses.
Yes this is for the domestic water system
After more research I found that this is Pex AL Pex. Pex with an aluminum core liner.
Once I figured that out I was able to find fittings.
Thanks for the responses.
Yes this is for the domestic water system
After more research I found that this is Pex AL Pex. Pex with an aluminum core liner.
Once I figured that out I was able to find fittings.
It is PEX or cross-linked polyethylene piping.
Used in RVs and some homes as well.
Interesting, when I was researching Pex for replumbing the boat I only saw Pex A and B. Never came across Pex AL Pex. After this thread, I now have learned something new. I ended up using Pex A because it allowed me to buy a cool Milwaukee expander tool!
Still, I'd like to find appropriate adapter fittings with pipe-thread ends to transition to straight PEX tubing. If anyone has found a source for those, I'd love to hear about it!
If only it were that simple. Pex-AL-Pex is not fitting-compatible with any PEX tubing. The fittings are Kitec, which has been largely discontinued following some class-action litigation. It's still easy enough to find Kitec adapter fittings in 1/2" and larger sizes, but the tubing used in the Selenes has a 9.2mm ID / 14mm OD. If you find replacement fittings for that size tubing, there is the added complication that the tubing does not take a reset very well unless you cut back to fresh tube ends (very inconvenient at a Tee).
I've had better luck so far simply disassembling the fitting from the tube, applying 5200 sealant around the O-rings on the fitting (being careful to keep sealant away from the open ends of the fittings) and reassembling carefully.
Still, I'd like to find appropriate adapter fittings with pipe-thread ends to transition to straight PEX tubing. If anyone has found a source for those, I'd love to hear about it!
Also Supplyhouse.com was a good source as well
Aha, the much-lamented Pex-AL-Pex! Where are you getting fittings to replaced those?
I ordered from company called fittings space although I ordered 1/2” fitting as that’s what the lines appeared to be. If they are metric then not sure where to go
I'm familiar with Fittings.Space, and they're an excellent resource generally, but unfortunately not for anything smaller than the 1/2" ID tubing. The ID on my tubing is 9.2mm (23/64") which is much closer to 3/8". I'd be willing to try out a 3/8" Kitec adapter if I could find one.
What year is your Selene? Maybe your tubing is larger gauge than mine. If the OD is roughly 0.55" then you have the same tubing as mine, and those 1/2" couplers won't work.
Our Selene is 2001 (first 53 built). OD on our tube is .63” measured with calipers. This matches spec for 1/2” line size.
I’ve not seen anything smaller than 1/2 offered by any vendors but maybe in your case maybe a call to a few vendors might yield results.