Quick question about loop filling/draining

[Organized_Chaos]

I was planning to make use of a removable line to use for filling and draining my loop (fill through one port of my multi-port top on the res and then connect the line to the ball valve at the bottom of the reservoir when it's time to drain). Obviously you want to use good tubing that won't leech plasticizer for an actual water loop, but most of the info I have seen on that subject would insinuate that said leeching occurs over longer periods and with heated fluid. Would I be correct in assuming that for a filling tube, it would be fine to use cheap vinyl tubing from the hardware store? I figure since the liquid will only meaningfully contact the filling tube for a very short time that it would probably be fine..?

 

[bfun_x1]

I've used hardware store tubing before. The first time I used it for a whole production loop and it lasted for years without any issues. The second time I bought some for a testing loop. I got it from the exact same store but it was different and only lasted about 4 weeks with minimal use before it started getting yellow and hard. So I guess I'd say there would be some risk as you'll never know what kind of product you'll end up with.

 

[Charlie22911]

IMHO it'd be better to just use purpose made tubing since you will presumably be ordering it anyway. Some coolant additives can cause issues with tubing like that, I've even had tygon plasticzer free tubing turn yellow on me with Mayhems Aurora premix.

But seeing as how this line in question is not a permanent fixture and will only be used for filling and draining then you should be fine.

 

[aigomorla]

why not just use a 3 way fitting at the lowest block or port on the res, and then hard line the draining part?

But most tubing will go bad over time even without plasticizer.

 

[Organized_Chaos]

I have a ball valve on the inlet port of the res but I may regret not using a 3 way on the outlet port instead. I ended up just buying some flex tubing and an extra compression fitting because I ended up having to order a few other things anyway.