Question about 3/8 line upgrade.

[JCJR]

I ordered all the parts to upgrade my original LQ lines. I have the original saddle clamps and I am assuming that I need to replace those with one of the "62175 Male Adapter Nylon Fitting". How do I drill out the hole? Do I have to tap? Also, Rabbit's post has this quote "You will need a 1/4 inch NPT pipe tape to do this right." What does this mean?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Yes, you have to drill and tap for the male adapter. It's easy to drill and tap plastic pipe.

On a side note, I only upsized the outlet side line to 3/8" and I can get the flow meter to peg out high. I will eventually upgrade the inlet side, probably this winter sometime.

 

[JCJR]

Do you think "You will need a 1/4 inch NPT pipe tape to do this right" means I need a 1/4 inch tap?

1/4 inch seems small for the plastic adapter from the list. I went to Home Depot and the guy in plumbing had no clue and the guy in tools said I need a 1/2 inch tap which they did not have.

 

[Bama Rambler]

You need a 1/4" NPT pipe tap. If you look at the fitting the left (barbed) end is 3/8" tubing, the right (threaded) end is 1/4" NPT pipe. I know it seams strange but 1/4" pipe is larger than 3/8" tubing.

[EDIT]- When I first did mine I misplaced my 1/4" NPT tap so I cut the 1/4" tubing at the saddle clamp end about 2" long and forced the 3/8" tubing over it and put a ty-rap around it. it was a snug enough fit that it didn't leak. Since it was on the suction of the pump there was very little pressure to deal with. [END EDIT]

 

[TRW]

I just finished my install/conversion last weekend and I found the 1/4" pipe tap at Lowes, Home Depot did not have one. Also I found at Lowes some plastic fittings that were 1/4" X 3/8 male tubing that were "L" shaped that worked perfect for the inlet side that made it easier to tie the tubing down to the pipe (a cleaner install). Also I am currently using the box that the LQ came in to cover the unit to avoid sun exposure, I plan on using the box as a template to make a fiberglass box to cover the unit from the sun. I will keep you guys posted with pics.

 

[JCJR]

TRW, I found the tap in Lowes. Thanks. Just so there is no confusion, there are different types of taps. NPT is a standard that some how the size correlates with the inside diameter not the outside. You can find a 1/4 NP and a 1/4 NPT and the NPT will be larger.

I am going to install later, but I have one more question. Can I just drill using the tap on the hole that I already have? I beleive it is a 3/8 hole from the initial Hasa installation.

 

[Bama Rambler]

If you mean can you just drill out the existing hole? Yes, just drill it out and then tap it. Only run the tap in about half way or a little less. Since it's tapered threads the hole gets bigger the farther you run it in.

 

[JCJR]

When you say "drill it out" I assume is to make the hole bigger to accept the tap. I serached instructions but could not find only that some 1/4 NPT taps come with a 7/16 drill bit and some charts say to use a 7/16 drill bit.

So I am going to use a 7/16 drill bit and the follow with the tap only. Bama states to run the tap only 1/2 way. Since this is PVC pipe, how tick is the wall and how do I know it is only 1/2 way?

Thanks.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Yes, drill it out to 7/16" then tap.

When I said run the tap only 1/2 the way in, I meant to run it half way up the tap. I.e. if the threaded part of the tap is 1" long only run the tap into the hole 1/2".

 

[JCJR]

Well, I did the conversion and it took about 45 min due to not having the tools and parts on hand. I had to search for teflon tape and a small adj wrench. I drilled like Bama said but stopped a a quarter up the drill bit and spot tested to see if the fitting fit. It was too tight so I drilled some more a little at a time until the fitting felt snug when tightening. I did not get to the 1/2 way mark of the bit. I used pipe dope.

When completed my flow rate was at 2.5 on the flow meter. That was kind of strange because that was less than the original 1/4 in line. I mounted the flow mwter about two feet above the LQ for easy adjustments. Once I lowered the flow meter below the LQ water line, the meter went to 5. (I was using the pump on low).

I'm going to continue to monitor and adjust until I get CL between 4-6.

Thanks to all that helped.