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ridgid propress copper fittings

ChrisL
ChrisL Member Posts: 121
in THE MAIN WALL
Check this recent thread for pics on a Propress joined copper piped system.

http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&Thread_ID=10613&mc=21

ChrisL

Comments

  • bob eck_2
    bob eck_2 Member Posts: 10
    ridgid propress copper fittings

    i am looking at replacing my oil fired boiler (hot water) next summer and i was just wondering if any of you professional heating contractors have ever used the ridgid propress copper fittings.
    if so please let me know how these jobs turned out. if you have pictures lets see them. how easy or hard were these fitting to install. any leaks or problems using these fittings?
    thanks for your help.
    thanks bob eck
  • Phil_6
    Phil_6 Member Posts: 210
    pro press

    just got one and it's great. The time savings is incredible. The extra cost of the fittings is worth it by far. I can see I'm going to stock fittings though, as the local supply is kinda hit or miss.
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    I'm a little nervous

    about putting all my faith in a skinny EPDM sealing ring. I've had some bad experiences with early vintage EPDM tubing over the years, and O2 issues :)

    Also it seems some of the conditions inside US hydronic systems can attack just about any product.

    I suspect the Europeans, with their strict DIN standards, are more watchful of water quality in their systems.

    Isn't that where the whole "I told you so" oxygen barrier debate started? Hense the beffy, aluminum O2 barrier on the rubber tubing we see today.

    I'd like to see a more hi-tech sealing ring, and perhaps two, similar to the PAP compression fittings. Just trying to think 10, 15, or 20 years down the road :)

    Could a pro press fitting be silver soldered, just in case?

    hot rod

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  • kevin coppinger_4
    kevin coppinger_4 Member Posts: 2,124
    I'm just waiting...

    for the first pictures,using the propress for a steam install....wouldn't that be interesting.....kpc
  • ALH
    ALH Member Posts: 26


    I agree with hot rod. I dont trust the EPDM rings long term. Is it worth some time savings when you have to make a significant investment in tools and inventory with the future possibility of having thousands of joints leak? Sweat soldering with good quality solder is tried and true and imho looks better than pro-press when done well.
  • SeattleNick_3
    SeattleNick_3 Member Posts: 16
    We bought one a few

    years ago when a factory rep and the local distributor demo'd one to our maintenance department. I asked them specifically about using the Propress on hydronic heating systems and they told me it was not approved for that application or others that may have oils present, even manufacturing residue. Maybe that has changed or these salesmen guys were full of it? I don't think I asked about glycol either. I was quite disappointed because it sure seemed like an ideal tool for working inside a wall or anywhere a fire hazard exists....I am too damn traditional about some things, including soldering copper. Sure like the no-hub cast iron pipe though....:)
  • bob eck_2
    bob eck_2 Member Posts: 10


    the propress fittings are rated up to 200 psi and up to 250 deg. i was also told by my ridgid rep that these fittings can be used on hydronic heating systems (steam systems???). i will check into if they can be used in a system where there is antifreeze used in the system. i would assume that down the line if a fitting did leak that you could braze it shut. i will check into that. i was also told this system is in use in europe fo about 18 years. i am sure the water is different here from across the pond. thans for your input. talk to you soon.
  • Tony Conner
    Tony Conner Member Posts: 549
    I Suspect...

    ...that steam would cook the 'O' ring, and the thermal expansion cycling in a steam system would eventually cause it to leak. I'd bet that this system would be similar to Victaulic in it's service restrictions.

    I doubt that you could successfully silver solder the Propress joint as a repair. How would you get the 'O' ring out?

    Does anyone know if ASME has approved this system for applications like compressed air? If it has, that would really interest me.
  • BOB_23
    BOB_23 Member Posts: 19


    you can use these fittings on copmpessed air lines if the system psi is 140 psi or less.
    you can braze these fittings at a later date if they were to leak. no need to remove a leaking o'ring just braze it.
    i just spoke with my ridgid rep and he said on a residential water boiler system the crimp fiting alone would hold 80 -90 psi and with the o'ring the ratting goes to 200 psi.
    these fiting should be great on residential water boilers in america where almost all boiler systems are 30 psi or less.
    the water should never touch the o'ring.
    and you can use these fittings on boiler systems where you would be putting antifreeze in the system.
  • Tony Conner
    Tony Conner Member Posts: 549
    The Ridgid...

    ...rep I spoke with said that they're registered for use under ASME B31.9, which is the Building Services Piping Code. For the work I do, I need to verify that they're also approved under the ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code and to a lesser extent, the B31.3 Process Piping Code.

    It would be nice if they can find another 10 PSI on the air rating. There are a lot of plants where the safety valves on the compressed air systems lift at 150.
  • SeattleNick_3
    SeattleNick_3 Member Posts: 16
    They probably send

    the Cheechako road reps out West to our area...maybe he thought I said "hydraulic" instead hydronic? Thanks for posting your info!
  • SeattleNick_3
    SeattleNick_3 Member Posts: 16
    http://www.ridgid.com/propresssystem/faq.asp

    Here is the FAQ's on the Propress site....even a steam rating

    http://www.ridgid.com/propresssystem/faq.asp
  • Tony Conner
    Tony Conner Member Posts: 549
    Good Link...

    ...but they'll need to reference the specific ASME piping code approvals for people to use them on steam, compressed air, nitrogen, etc systems where the safety valves lift at anything over 15 PSIG. And I hope the Ridgid guys can do that, because it would be very nice in a lot of applications, especially in plants where getting a hot work permit is quite a production. An added bonus would be that on small jobs in these plants, we wouldn't need a second body as firewatch.
  • SeattleNick_3
    SeattleNick_3 Member Posts: 16


    Below is the Babel version of this page....
    http://www.viega.de/servlet/PB/menu/1001281/index.html

    I see also they have a fitting approved for oil/gas...in Europe anyway. "Optically clean installation" = easy on the eyes?

    "Professional-press with sports club Contur Professional-press is a copper tube connecting system with modern press connection technology in the dimensions from 12 to 108 mm. Examined after DVGW paper W 534, with DVGW permission. For the employment in the complete house installation as well as in industry -, Anlagen-und building of ships Area of application: Drinking water installations according to DIN 1988 for all Trinkwaesser, which correspond to the requirements of the amended drinking water regulation (TrinkwV) in connection with DIN 50,930, part of 6 In pump hot water heating plants as Boiler -, and equipment binding Armature connection Cellar distribution and riser Heating element binding Characteristics: unique press link variety the press links are made of copper, the thread transitions made of red brass Professional press links have a Sports club Contur - it is a function at the sicke of the press link, which shows a unverpresste connection when filling the plant by wasseraustritt visibly. Zylindi rohrfuehrung before the sealing element - it prevents tubing tilting and possible damage of the sealing element Use arguments: Professional-press makes possible a fast processing and a maximum on Professional press links have a Sports club Contur, which shows unverpresste connections when filling the plant by wasseraustritt visibly. Security for the connection up to 110°C and 16 bar Ideal employment with repairs - after-dripping water is not a problem No gas and oxygen cylinders - no fire risk No burning isolation, thus no Nachisolieren necessarily Optically clean installation Doubled grouting before and behind the sicke - twice hexagonal meant higher security against course and torsion loads"
  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
    Switching to ProPress...........

    is not something I did on a whim. I researched it for months and talked to a few contractors I look up to (Thanks, Andy Stack!) that have switched and to a man, said it was a good move. Gregg Jackson has been using ProPress on 4" copper since they were introduced with no issues at all. That was good enough for me.

    Aside from the tool (cordless model) I have brought in almost $2K worth of inventory. After using it, I also believe it to be a good move. Not for everyone, I'm sure. There is a little learning curve for using the fittings, but I can see that the tool and fittings will pay for themselves in reduce time on the job in a short time period.

    Viega warranties the fittings for 50 years. System should be clean of any residual oils, etc., but that's good piping practice anyway. It would take a whole lot of oil to damage the seals. Chances are, they wouldn't be the only thing ruined, dont'cha think?

    The fittings are compatible with most glycols at 100% concentration. They will work with steam systems less than 35 psi, although I'm not sure I would ever consider using copper for steam though!

    Now if I can get the MultiPress heads from Wirsbo to fit my machine...........

    hb



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  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
    Another advantage.

    You know all of the soldered 90° elbows that add to the pressure drop of the system. With the ProPress, fagetabowtit! The long radius of the ProPress 90° makes pressure drop virtually non-exsistent. Just thought I throw that in the mix.

    hb

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  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,980
    Thanks H.B. !

    I've been using this tool since June, and am thorougly impressed. We started using it as a suggestion on the pictured job. All the large joints are 21/2 inch. We had to figure the pull and switch, to get the fittings straight, but after a couple of "big joints", it became real easy.

    We liked it so much...we bought the tool. We got the 1/2 to 2" cordless kit, and I can't even begin to speak of the time saved to date. I'm gonna stick by my guns on this one, I like it, and will continue to use it to the fullest extent. Chris
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,883
    Chris

    You beat me to the punch. Nice photo :)

    Once the Knight job is done, we'll show those.

    Scott

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