Airline Coupler

[indy4x]

Am planning the new compressor install, not bought it yet but am getting all of the plumbing together to run lines around the garage.

I am looking to run 16mm plastic pipe from the proposed location of the compressor across the garage to where the airline hose reel is mounted. Will also have 16mm take offs for the plasma cutter and then a 12mm run to where the lathe & mill are situated.

I want to be able to remove the compressor easily so if needs be I can chuck it in the Disco and take it where it needs to go. Can't imagine this will happen very often but the quick disconnect option would be sensible.

I have been looking online and the biggest quick release couplings I can find are PCL100 series however the bore of the fitting is 10.3mm while the ID of the plasic pipe is 12mm.

Might seem like stupid question but am I better off going for a claw type coupling you see on hydrovane compressors or am I being overly fussy?

 

[gaz1]

plastic pipe is not the best to use better off using copper pipe or iron pipe instead

its also better to get heat out of the pipes as well

 

[indy4x]

I did contemplate copper but ££ but then plastic isn't that cheap either

The route is a little tortuous and knowing me it will get changed in a few years so for simplicity plastic it is

 

[Turbo]

Why not use a pressure washer quick release coupling, the 3'8 bsp ones are large bore.

https://cleantec.biz/19-4mm-quick-release-plug-socket-set-3-8-bsp-female.html

The downside is they have no auto shut-off but the upside is there will be way less restriction. So you will need to add ball valves on either side, which are a good idea anyway!

 

[dai]

Use alkathene pipe not plastic

And pcl xf fittings will take 120cfm at 8 bar

 

[steviec_lj]

What about Q Type Couplings?

https://www.alliedelec.com/m/d/48d4dc9a9bcafe532d125e7ed825de47.pdf

 

[dcocks]

PCL fittings all the way, Q type are way to big and heavy for a workshop in my opinion

http://www.pipefittingsdirect.co.uk/contents/en-uk/JohnGuestRingmain.pdf
Bet it's not cheap but do it once and do it right

 

[steviec_lj]

PCL fittings all the way, Q type are way to big and heavy for a workshop in my opinion

Sounds like it’s going to be one connection, which is probably on the compressor under a bench. Then a short piece of hose with a claw to pcl connector.

 

[dai]

Don't use plastic pile for airline,I don't timhink it's rated for the pressure and will burst

 

[dcocks]

Don't use plastic pile for airline,I don't timhink it's rated for the pressure and will burst

All depends on the spec of the pipe

 

[Farside]

Don't use plastic pile for airline,I don't timhink it's rated for the pressure and will burst

PVC isn't, fortunately PVC pipe this side of the pond isn't generally and as cheaply available in airline sizes as it is in the US, which is why many people over there go with it. Unfortunately for them, PVC gets brittle and lets go, releasing shards which are dangerous. PVC for airline is specifically warned against in the US safety literature.
The PEX pipe I've used won't do that - if it lets go it will simply split. PEX will get soft when hot, thereby reducing its allowable pressure, which is why I don't connect it directly to the compressor tank. The flexible pipe from tank to the main lines will be in a suitably rated steel reinforced hose, once I finalise exactly where the tank position will be.

 

[Munkul]

PE80 blue water pipe. No problems with brittle fracture as far as i know

https://www.buteline.com/aus/buteline-plumbing-system/polyethylene-tech-info/working-pressure/

rated for duty no problems. I used it in my shop but also with kuterlite fittings because I didn't trust plastic fittings at the time

 

[galooph]

I've used John Guest air line and fittings, works well and is quick to install – http://www.pipefittingsdirect.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d29.html

 

[indy4x]

Thanks for the replies folks

Quick answers to the above

@steviec_lj Yes it's going under a dexion rack and the coupler will be the direct output from the tank that feeds the garage

The coupler I was referring to in the original post was the Q type and was fitting a 1/2" BSP full bore valve in front of it to shutoff the tank if required

@dai the pipe is pneumatic hose so rated for the pressure as are the push fit connections

Use PCL XL on all my tools but was concerned about pressure drop

 

[jordhandson]

I've used John Guest air line and fittings, works well and is quick to install – http://www.pipefittingsdirect.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d29.html

I use John Guest bing bang bosh job done good stuff simple and fast, and no leaks

 

[dai]

Thanks for the replies folks

Quick answers to the above

@steviec_lj Yes it's going under a dexion rack and the coupler will be the direct output from the tank that feeds the garage

The coupler I was referring to in the original post was the Q type and was fitting a 1/2" BSP full bore valve in front of it to shutoff the tank if required

@dai the pipe is pneumatic hose so rated for the pressure as are the push fit connections

Use PCL XL on all my tools but was concerned about pressure drop

Normal pcl fittings have a flow rate of 43 cfm at 100 psi

Pcl xf fittings are rated to 118cfm at 100 psi

 

[armalites]

@indy4x I have a couple of PCL 100 couplings that came off a air hose reel I bought if you are intested.

I think they are PCL 100 coupling 3/8 BSP female

 

[knighty]

stick pretty much anything on.... the fittings will be a restriction but they're so short it'll make next to no difference

 

[MetalMonkey]

+1 for John Guest stuff, it is really nice and easy to do rings and drops. A few lengths of copper will make a cooler which you can install between the compressor and the plastic pipe, that will help condense the majority of the water out before it gets to your airline. If you don't want to install a quick-connect on the compressor you can just use a couple of ball valves and some rubber hose, easy enough to isolate and whiz off a hose clamp if you aren't moving it frequently.

 

[Brad93]

Parker rectus fittings **** all over PCL