Melting Airhose line

[screaminleeman]

Help,

I have been using air pumps like walmart, petsmart, whisper etc . . .

I run over 20 tanks and probably close to 50 (or more) sponge filters. I bought two relatively inexpensive high powered air compressor with a metal 12 way gang valve. I think it is around 100 watts. The metal gang valve is very hot to the touch (Not like buring though!).

I have always used the blue silicon air hose tubing from Petsmart with no problems. The silicon air hose tubbing when put on the hot 12 way T-gang valve begins to soften and expand, and within a couple days, it is too loose and is "blown" off the air nipple! I then have to cut around 1/2" off, and get a couple more days before repeating the cycle.

The Silicon air tubing is $1 more expensive than the clear plastic stuff. I bought that and will try a short section of it between the air nipple and the check valve, and then leave the blue line past the check valve where no heat is generated.

Has anyone else delt with this issue? What are the possible solutions if the clear cheaper air tubbing does not hold up much better than the silicon air tubbing?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; i do not have a quick solution to the problem but may have an educated guess as to why it is happening. I often use an air compressor and have noticed that the tank gets hot when the compressor runs a lot. I think the hot tank is a result of a couple of factors. One is the friction and mechanical action of the air pump and perhaps the larger effect is the condensing of the heat in the air. For example, a room full of air with a volume of 1000 cubic feet and an ambient temperature of 80 degrees is compressed into a space of say 10 cubic feet. Not only is the air concentrated at a higher pressure, but but much of the heat energy is concentrated as well. This may be going on at a smaller scale with your setup.
One thing that comes to mind is to run the output of the pump into a sealed metal can of some sort. This might allow the heat to radiate from the can before being transfered to the gang valve.
Another way may be to run the air thru a length of metal tubing for some distance before it gets to the gang valve.

 

[brich999]

If it isn't like burning hot, silicone tube should work since silicone is very heat resistant

 

[nfored]

What about using the 1/4 tubing they use for Ice makers, I also have a walmart air pump and had to use that tubing in a pinch one day and it worked just as well as air line. Its harder and seems like it might be stronger.

 

[screaminleeman]

If it isn't like burning hot, silicone tube should work since silicone is very heat resistant

I would estimate 110 - 120 F.

There is 6" of the 1/2" of metal reinforced hose between the compressor and the 12 way t-gang valve. The heat is somehow transferred at least that distance. Here is a picture from E-bay of the pump that I am having the "cjhallenge" with.



Also it is a 112 watt unit to be precise.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; In garages where a lot of air tools are used I have seen setups using what appears to be PVC pipe. They have taps in several places for hooking up the various air tools. I saw an auto TV show featuring a comercial setup that can be purchased so you would not have to fabriciate one from scratch.

more brainstorming. Perhaps you could split the air into several lines with a sets of gang valves in place of the one big gang valve. This might spread the heat load enough.

Have you tried to secure the air lines that soften and come lose with something like nylon zip ties? I have used them on fuel lines that way.

 

[Pharaoh]

Never seen that problem before. There might be something up with that pump that might be causing it to get too hot. I had the Coralife model just like it and never had an issue. I would look into possibly replacing the pump. Jehmco has some reasonably priced models that will be more efficient, quieter, and won't overheat.

 

[KaiserSousay]

There is 6" of the 1/2" of metal reinforced hose between the compressor and the 12 way t-gang valve.

With that in place, you really shouldn’t be transferring much heat to your gang valve.
Heck, your pump shouldn’t be generating that much heat to start with.
If you are getting so much heat that it softens the tubing at the valve, the pump body must be like a cigar lighter.
Best guess is a wonky pump.
No way should it get that hot.

run the output of the pump into a sealed metal can of some sort.

An expansion tank could treat the symptom, but not cure the problem.
The problem is your compressor.