custom ballast hose connection sealant

chopper515 · Criminal Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 68 City: St. Louis

I noticed that a lot of people use a combination of PVC and regular garden hose to plumb their custom ballast systems. This is very economical but every garden hose I've ever used leaked a little bit at at least one connection. Anyone have any input on what to use to seal these connections?? Will regular white plumbers tape work?

03parksridr · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 256 City: Edmond

I am using garden hose on mine, but I am cutting the ends off and using hose clamps on the hose rather than trying to use the fittings. I'll have all of my ballast system pics up after this weekend. Those should help you out

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

You should be able to use sealant tape to put around the threads so it seals better. You can ask them for the stuff at home depot, they'll know what you mean.

03parksridr · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 256 City: Edmond

It is actually called teflon tape, so you'll sound like you know what you're talking about Wink

jonsmith2340 · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 370

They actually make the same product in a tube, as a cream that I have had great luck with. I like it because I never have to stop and think which direction to wrap the teflon tape so that I don't unwind it while I screw my connection together. Either product applied correctly should stop all leaks.

And as 03parksridr said I would use radiator clamps just to reinforce the hose to fitting connections, much easier to put them on now then wish you had them after it's all installed.

Da Boogieman · Posted: Mar 01, 2005 11:11 am Post subject:

or you could go to your local plumbers shop and ask for some plumbers tape

gus_jd · Outlaw Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Posts: 140 City: Milwaukee, WI

Have you guys found that standard garden hose is stiff enough to handle the suction from Simers?

chopper515 · Criminal Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 68 City: St. Louis

I scrapped my garden hose and I'm now using black heater hose and pvc hose. Works great, less problems with kinks.

wesgardner · Posted: May 18, 2005 3:27 am Post subject:

Hey All,

As chopper points out, if you're using garden hose, use good stuff or it will kink or collapse on the suction side of the pump....

teflon tape, barbed fittings with 2 hose clamps....whatever, if you use the actual garden hose end, be sure the rubber washer is in the female side or it WILL leak....alot!

Wes