mjenc
New Member
Can an expansion tank be connected with 24 inch flex pipe?
Expansion Tank Connected with Flex Pipe
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mjenc
New Member
Thank you for your response.
I plan to install both new 55 gal. HWT and 2 gal ET as early as next week. I've assembled a small shelf [ with a hole in it much like a toilet seat ] to support the weight of the ET, which will sit a few inches higher but not more than 21 inches away from HW tank. I planned the MNPT pointed down and connected with a 24" flex pipe; which will need to be looped, but not too tightly.
GTOwagon
Member
Do you think one largeexpansion tank might work rather than two smaller ones?
There are thermal expansion tank calculators. The temperature that your incoming water is, and the temperature that you set the WH to, and the size of the WH all figure in for the best calculation. Bigger than needed is OK, so if in doubt, go bigger. I think you might want to step up a size.
THERM-X-TROL ST-8 3.2 gallon or ST-12 4.4 gallons (maybe more available) would be my choice.
http://www.amtrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MC8520_07_17_TXT_Sizing_Chart.pdf
THERM-X-TROL ST-8 3.2 gallon or ST-12 4.4 gallons (maybe more available) would be my choice.
http://www.amtrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MC8520_07_17_TXT_Sizing_Chart.pdf
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GTOwagon
Member
One of these instead of two smaller ones will most assuredly do the job
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Amtrol-143N164-THERM-X-TROL-ST-25V-Expansion-Tank-10-3-Gallon-Volume
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Amtrol-143N164-THERM-X-TROL-ST-25V-Expansion-Tank-10-3-Gallon-Volume
GTOwagon
Member
In th euser guide on page six, there are some tables that make it simple. The tank I listed there might be overkill but you have two heaters, if I need the future you decide on a larger replacement tank or a third tank, or if you have high water pressure, this will account for that. I am a fan of overbuilding when's feasible as i like to sleep at night. Murphy's law and all that, and I guess you could afford it if you are the type of fellow putting in double water heaters...
https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.supplyhouse.com/manuals/1260456420315/20372_PROD_FILE.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.supplyhouse.com/manuals/1260456420315/20372_PROD_FILE.pdf
GTOwagon
Member
I misinterpreted your comment, MJENC I thought you wanted to use (two) small expansion tanks! I stand by oversizing the expansion tank a tad. Bigger is better. Do you have city water? Do you know what the pressure is?
GTOwagon
Member
I retract all my comments as I misinterpreted (due to a caffeinated coffee shortage in my system) and I second everything Reach4 has said. I see the O.P. Is only installing ONE WATER HEATER AND ONE EXPANSION TANK. My bad. When I see the word "both" and then "2" I misunderstood. I really thought you were putting two WHs in series or something. Please send me strong coffee and I will shuddup now.
mjenc
New Member
Its ok GTO. You responded. And that makes all the difference to a jack-leg plumber reaching out for opinions that only the -learned- can provide from their own experiences. I'll tell you what: I expect to pick-up and will have installed my new system in less than 10 days coming. And I will post a photo of it for your review and comment on it if it matters to you.
mjenc
New Member
Thank you Reach4. But I've already purchased the Falcon EXPT2 ("2-gallon volume"). It's got a 5-year warranty. And it's rated to withstand up to 160F with a 50 gallon tank [A.O. Smith E9-55H55DV]. It was suggested to me by one local to wrap Teflon on male threads and smear pipe dope on the females'. My little bit of experience suggests that's over kill. But I don't see how it could hurt. In any event I'm paying myself $500 bucks tackling the job myself. I've heard, and have actually seen, some shady work performed by licensed plumbers. But this is not to disparage those who are good ones.
Reaching out to the community around me, and this forum, and receiving even one-word answers have help me formulate a plan A. And a plan B, if plan A don't pan-out as expected. And yes, I will lay down a drip pan and 4-half brick pavers (1.5" thick) within it, and sit the tank upon them. In any event I'm ready to rock-n-roll. If you're interested I'll post a photo when all's said and done. Thank you for your responses.
GTOwagon
Member
Did you say you had city water?
If your connector hose has a rubber gasket, use silicone grease on that, and not the PTFE tape.
For tapered threads and no gasket, PTFE tape and pipe dope is good.
Dj2
In the Trades
Just a question: why do you want to use a flex connector and not a solid pipe?
mjenc
New Member
I've learned that pipe already in place is generally not switched-out unless for cause. Flex is easier to deal with. I've learned as well that much of flex pipe brands are as well within CODE considerations. Besides that, my current HW tank has been attached via Flex to CPVC since 1992. Yes, the existing tank is that old. And if you're into reading tank date code data here's what' stamped on the tanks plate as part of its serial number; the first 4 of which references Year and Week of manufacture. It reads: 9223. I've been lucky. But I don't want to press that luck much longer.
mjenc
New Member
Yes.
Master Plumber Mark
Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
you should go with the larger 5 gallon therm tank... the small ones always wimp out and get
waterlogged
waterlogged
GTOwagon
Member
Expansion tank is something that it doesn't hurt to oversize. Especially if you have city water or foresee changing out to a larger water heater or second water heater somewhere. As I said once though "I am good at spending other peoples' money." But I would do that myself. These days it seems like we all have closed systems, or may soon end up with a closed system, city water pressure can spike, and water heaters are changed more frequently. Plus I am a fan of overbuilding anything that can be overbuilt.
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