torque on LP hose

[jefffalcone]

I just got my new XTX50 in the mail. The octo hose is not tight and I need to attach my gauges. The owners manual specifies the torque to which the hose should be tightened. Do I need to get a torque wrench and tighten to this exact torque, or can I just do something like hand tight and then 1/2 a turn?

 

[bolantej]

I just make sure not to over tighten them. you'll know when you've tightened it enough.

 

[spectrum]

Hand tight and just a barely firm push beyond that. Just enough that you know it's seated. It's an O-ring seal, not a tapered pipe thread so the 1/2 turn is not applicable. In use the pressure end load the threads and makes it even less likely that something will move.

If you have silicone grease available wiping the o-rings with a greasy finger will help them slide home nicely as they get entrapped in the connection. You want to just make them shiny, no grease volume.

Pete

 

[DA Aquamaster]

a half turn past snug would snap the threads off. As indicated above you will feel when it is tight and the o-ring is what does the sealing not the threads. Basically you want it just barely past hand tight - just enough so it will not come loose in normel use.

use an open end wrench, but choke up on the handle and very gently snug it past hand tight - 1/16" of a turn would probably be too much.

 

[jefffalcone]

Thanks guys.

 

[redacted]

Scubapro calls for 80 inch pounds. I tested that once on an HP port plug. With a new o-ring (duro 70), it was 1/4 turn past hand tight. With a used o-ring (which had takesn a set) it was 1/8 turn. When in doubt, go light. You can always retighten if necessary.

 

[Nemrod]

I hand tighten and then perhaps an 1/8 turn or a single flat past hand tight. The 80 inch pounds is not very much. In order to use a torque wrench you need a good 1/4 drive wrench and a 1/4 crows foot open end. When using a torque wrench with adapters like a crows foot always use the adapter at 90 degrees to force in order to set torque at the amount on the dial. Or, you can use simple equations ot calculate torque for other positions of the adapter other than at 90 degrees to the wrech handle. The wrench and crows foot are available from your friendly SnapOn dealer at a cost equal to a good regulator--lol.

N, A&P, Airframe and Powerplant rating, professional mechanic

 

[bureau13]

Hmmm, I know the OP mentioned LP hoses. I just put my gauges on my new Oceanic reg and I got a pretty severe leak from the HP hose fitting until I used a wrench and tightened it way down. Now...I have no idea what torque I used, or how far past hand tight it really was, but it took a good deal of force before it stopped leaking. This was with a new O-ring. The gauges and hose are several years old, but seemed to be in good shape.

jds

 

[Nemrod]

You should not have to tighten it "way down." The seal is from the O ring not the tightening. HP or LP, about a flat past hand tight or a touch more. "Way down" indicates a problem or will soon cause one.

N

 

[Otter]

ya, double check the connection...something else is likely to be going on.