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TK-510u-i PVC Air Intake Won't Fit

josephny
josephny Member Posts: 346
in THE MAIN WALL

I'm thoroughly stumped by this.

The TK-510u-i has a 4" exhaust port and I've got what I believe are the correct z-vent components.

But everywhere I read indicates that the air intake port is 3" and 3" PVC will fit (and be appropriate).

I have tried 2" and 3" PVC pipe and fittings (elbow, coupler) and none fit. The 2" are clearly too small, but the 3" also doesn't come close — neither the pipe nor fitting fit.

Is there an adapter or some other part that I'm missing to make 3" pipe (or fitting) fit properly on the intake port?

Here is a video I made showing my experiments.

Does anyone have a solution?

Thank you.

https://streamable.com/nzd7ld

Comments

  • Teemok
    Teemok Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 712

    3" alumaflex or single wall 3" sheet metal with foil tape? Your just directing air. 3" pvc pipe sealed over the collar with mastic tape or polyurethane caulking. Make sure the total effective length of the intake and flue pipes are within specs.

  • Kaos
    Kaos Member Posts: 412
    edited January 26

    On the condensing units, you put a coupler on the PVC pipe. This fits into the stainless pipe on the unit which has a interior gasket to seal. Has to be schedule 40 pipe.

  • josephny
    josephny Member Posts: 346

    @Teemok I could fabricate the adapter, but it seems odd that there isn't an already made solution.

    @Kaos I thought the same would work on the non-condensing units. Maybe I'm working with the wrong types of fitting.

  • josephny
    josephny Member Posts: 346

    Could the difference in wall thickness between sched 40 PVC and DWV pipe be the explanation?

  • Teemok
    Teemok Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 712

    No, it's non-condensing. Your measuring tape tells the tale. Just under 3", slips inside S.W. pipe three screws and some tape. Don't over think it.

  • josephny
    josephny Member Posts: 346
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1837960#Comment_1837960

    I'm sorry, but I'm not getting it.

    Put a piece of 3" smooth wall rigid pipe over it, secure with screws, and then tape to bridge the gap between 3" rigid and PVC?

  • Teemok
    Teemok Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 712
    edited January 26

    I don't know your lengths or the specific details of your install so my advice is worth what you are paying for it. Single wall metal all the way was what i was saying. PVC if you prefer. A bit of the right sized foam weather stripping might close the gap well. Three evenly spaced screws with spacers would attach the pvc to the collar. Tape to seal. I don't think it matters that much what you use as long as it's installed well, durable enough, the right size for the air flow. I've done a couple of those with less than 6ft of flexible aluminum dyer duct to a screened sidewall vent cap. Zero problems.

  • josephny
    josephny Member Posts: 346

    Got it — thank you.

    I still it's bizarre that Takagi does not identify the necessary components, or at least the specifications for what is required.

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