Mainship 40 - Water Manifold "T" connector leak

[jefndeb]

Our Mainship water manifold has numerous Tee fittings through its distribution lines...

One of the hot water lines has a small leak and before I went and jacked it all up I thought I would just ask here if there was any recommendations as to how they disconnect reconnect, leak fixes etc.

Special tool, washers ????

Looks kinda like that Pex stuff I have seen before..

please see the pics a a reference...

 

[Xsbank]

It looks to me like it releases like Pex. I use Visegrips tightened loosely around the pipe so it doesn't grip the hose.

 

[Comodave]

I replumbed a previous boat with pex but it was a bit different. It had a sotra ring around the fitting that you pushed in or pulled out, can’t remember which, and the pipe would release from the fitting.

 

[Prospective]

Those are quick connects. You need to compress the ring closest to the PEX toward the body of the fitting. This will release the tubing. Sometimes there is a "clip" that is inserted behind the ring to keep it from compressing. This would have to be removed first. But I don't see it in the picture of your valve. They do make a special tool to do this but I've often been able to do it with channel locks or even my fingers. To re-install, just re-insert the tubing until fully seated.

 

[vacser]

Look at the fitting or pipe for size, my Mainship was 15MM. 1/2" will go on but leak.

 

[Comodave]

Yes, indeed it could be metric. As to reinserting the tube, the tubing I had would seem like it went in but it took 2 times to get it seated properly or it would blow out when pressurized. It would feel like a click sorta and it took 2 clicks to seat fully. Yours may be different but make sure it goes all the way in. If you cut it it has to be cut with a pipe cutting tool or it will damage the seals in the fitting.

 

[Bacchus]

An open end wrench works well as a removal tool if you don't have the Pex tool. Find the wrench that fits the tubing closely and use it to compress the outer ring towards the fitting.
The tube end had to be cut clean and perpendicular to the tube. Any of several tools meant for this works well.

 

[Dougcole]

It’s not actually pex. They are sea fit fittings, pex won’t work because the tubing is metric as mentioned above.

You push in the little ring and pull out the tube to remove it. Just push the tube in for install. I get the fittings at a website called fresh water systems, they have a huge selection.

 

[rgano]

It’s not actually pex. They are sea fit fittings, pex won’t work because the tubing is metric as mentioned above.

You push in the little ring and pull out the tube to remove it. Just push the tube in for install. I get the fittings at a website called fresh water systems, they have a huge selection.

Close, they are SeaTech. In May 2018 I had the SeaTech fitting under the galley sink work itself up to a leaking condition, and I had a heck of a time finding a replacement - nothing within a hundred miles. I finally ordered the 15 mm part from freshwatersystems.com. I ordered a few spare connectors just in case. The directions for cutting the ends of tubing are very specific. Probably some videos on youtube.

 

[Dougcole]

Close, they are SeaTech. In May 2018 I had the SeaTech fitting under the galley sink work itself up to a leaking condition, and I had a heck of a time finding a replacement - nothing within a hundred miles. I finally ordered the 15 mm part from freshwatersystems.com. I ordered a few spare connectors just in case. The directions for cutting the ends of tubing are very specific. Probably some videos on youtube.

Yep. I seem to make that mistake every time, calling the Sea Fit, I must be starting to slip.


I've gotten a FEW fittings at West Marine, but their selection is very limited. Freshwater systems has a ton. I recently added a FW wash down hose under our summer kitchen by tapping into the line that leads to the sink. It was easy and works great. I just used a T, a ball valve and some tailpieces.

 

[rgano]

Yep. I seem to make that mistake every time, calling the Sea Fit, I must be starting to slip.

Nah, just a lot on your mind, unlike mine which is always in the dumped mode when looking at the next issue.

 

[Prospective]

It’s not actually pex. They are sea fit fittings, pex won’t work because the tubing is metric as mentioned above.

You push in the little ring and pull out the tube to remove it. Just push the tube in for install. I get the fittings at a website called fresh water systems, they have a huge selection.

PEX stands for Cross Linked Polyethylene. It comes in metric and standard sizes. Watts/Aqualock/SeaTech manufactures fittings in both size ranges. Of course, figuring out ones pipe size is always the challenge. Mine is 3/8 which is a bit of an odd ball. But once you find your size it's nice to be able have multiple spares on hand.

 

[Dougcole]

PEX stands for Cross Linked Polyethylene. It comes in metric and standard sizes. Watts/Aqualock/SeaTech manufactures fittings in both size ranges. Of course, figuring out ones pipe size is always the challenge. Mine is 3/8 which is a bit of an odd ball. But once you find your size it's nice to be able have multiple spares on hand.

Thanks for the info, that makes sense.



I'm pretty sure my boat uses 15mm tubing, and the only fittings I have been able to find for it are SeaTech, which are the OEM fittings as well (or at least I think they are).

 

[catalinajack]

Not so much of an oddball. On my 1983 DeFever 44, all of the tubing is 3/8 OD and I imagine that most DeFevers are the same. I use John Guest fittings. They work just as well as the double-in-cost brass Sharkbite fittings. I bought a removal pliers that works great in removing fittings. Yes, a wrench will work but I found it to be with great difficulty. The pliers pops the fittings off with ease, one of the best tools ever in my toolbox.

PEX stands for Cross Linked Polyethylene. It comes in metric and standard sizes. Watts/Aqualock/SeaTech manufactures fittings in both size ranges. Of course, figuring out ones pipe size is always the challenge. Mine is 3/8 which is a bit of an odd ball. But once you find your size it's nice to be able have multiple spares on hand.

 

[Prospective]

Not so much of an oddball. On my 1983 DeFever 44, all of the tubing is 3/8 OD and I imagine that most DeFevers are the same. I use John Guest fittings. They work just as well as the double-in-cost brass Sharkbite fittings. I bought a removal pliers that works great in removing fittings. Yes, a wrench will work but I found it to be with great difficulty. The pliers pops the fittings off with ease, one of the best tools ever in my toolbox.

You sure it's 3/8 OD? I am no expert on this but have spent a lot of hours researching on the internet. 3/8 OD is pretty small stuff, for things like water purifiers and ice makers. My pex is labeled 3/8 which I believe is 3/8 CTS or "copper tube size". I think this is 3/8 ID and is a more standard unit of measurement in plumbing like when someone is looking for 3/4 or 1/2 copper for house plumbing. I've made the mistake in buying 3/8 OD fittings and they definitely are too small and won't fit my 3/8 pex.

Would love a plumber to chime in...

 

[Prospective]

Thanks for the info, that makes sense.



I'm pretty sure my boat uses 15mm tubing, and the only fittings I have been able to find for it are SeaTech, which are the OEM fittings as well (or at least I think they are).

Sea Tech was the brand name of fittings manufactured by Watts. They've recently changed the brand to Aqua Lock. But a lot of the fittings still say Sea Tech and nothing has changed with the actual fittings. I believe Whale also makes fittings in MM like 15mm. I think they're from the UK. You can buy them from places like Defender.

 

[Seevee]

Those appear to be the 15mm x 1/2 Seatech PN 1110-0815 Connectors, Lewis Marine has them, but Fresh Water Systems have them, too (better selection):


https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/watts-aqualock-seatech-female-connector-15mm-x-1-2-nps


Be sure you have good O rings, I was unable to buy them separate so I just bought extra fittings. Easy to disconnect, as mentioned, use a needle nose to push the collar in and it comes apart.



That cutter on the FreshWater site for $15 looks pretty good. I bought one for about three times that much (Grrr), but works great, and you must have a clean cut.