Swaping out Polycarbinate Tank Tube, for ???

[Lyle Devine]

Polycarbonate Tubing in Tanks is an interesting problem, and many of us trying to figure out how to fix, here is what info I have up till now, and some of the arguements:

Problems (Percieved or Actual)

Plastics (polycarbonate) BPA leaching into e-liquid, unless BPA Free. (I will not argue about if the amount of BPA that is leached is dangerious) personal choice.

Cracking -despite what many think this is not about "bad" e-liquid, but about the varying degrees of material incompatibility, polycarb-plastic degrades/weakens when exposed to various solvents, this creates the clouding or cracking, solvents including substances like e-liquid... I feel fairly safe in saying that all e-liquid is incompatible, just some do the job quiker than others.

Answer:

Glass or Stainless Steel, but sizes??? length??? Diameter??? Liquinator, MAP...

 

[my4jewels]

Well, I only have experience with the common cartomizer tanks. The standard size for most of the tanks out there use a 5/8" id x 3/4" od tube. Length varies by the size of the endcaps, and also depends on what type of carto is used, xl or regular.

I am sure that many of you are familiar with my quest for a tank tube that has longevity and is reasonably safe to use. For longevity, my vote goes to polypropylene, the plastic that syringe tanks are made from. I vape lots of fruit juices, and the "cracking issue" with polycarbonate is important to me. I mean LOTS of fruit juices! I DIY, and I have about 30 different flavors in my arsenal(so far), and each one has its own tank. Cost is also an important factor for me.

I can't afford glass, and breakage is an additional worry since I carry my tanks around everywhere. Loud scary tools freak me out, and I don't know how to cut and polish stainless steel. I also assume that SS would be much heavier.

If given a choice between polycarbonate and polypropylene, I'd choose polypropylene. If I could afford it, I'd give it a go with stainless steel.

Sorry if this is repetitious from my previous threads...

 

[Lyle Devine]

Thanks for the responce, I think once the polycarb tank goes on the liquinator I am going to go with polypropyline too. seems to be the best alternitive, may even dress it up a bit with a clear smoke color stick on to make the frosed glass look more intentional.

 

[my4jewels]

The polypropylene comes with a very slight curve. I ordered 4-12" lengths from McMasters. The curve is not noticeable when it's cut. It looks really, really nice, just like frosted glass. I like it better than if it were clear. I've been using it for a few weeks and it really performs well. Since other folks are no doubt watching this, too, I'll take a pic tomorrow.

 

[Lyle Devine]

I think what moders are swiching to is clear PVC, and that is the big secret... LOL, And much better than polycarbinate if plasticiser are not added, it's the plasticisers in PVC that are carcinogenic. But can be had without the plasticisers. but most health warnings for PVC are in medical use were the PVC is made to be very flexable with said additives, the preferd substituted material for this use POLYPROPYLINE... LOL

 

[Lyle Devine]

Seems you found the perfect inert plastic juice container, thanks for all your work, hope that what I have posted just makes you feel better about using it, seems you are way ahead of the pack on this.

 

[escaladedude]

Do you guys have a link for this polyprolene nonsense id like to order some... dang and i just got 10 feet of poly carb from usplastics

 

[lion6255]

Does anyone have a good source for SS?

 

[my4jewels]

Here you go: http://www.mcmaster.com/#polypropylene-tubing/=fs0sjk. I feel your pain. I have 8" of polycarbonate tubing in my spare bedroom as well.

Do you guys have a link for this polyprolene nonsense id like to order some... dang and i just got 10 feet of poly carb from usplastics

 

[oplholik]

How tightly does the 5/8" grommet fit in this tubing, I like to syringe fill and I'm wondering how that's gonna work.

The polypropylene comes with a very slight curve. I ordered 4-12" lengths from McMasters. The curve is not noticeable when it's cut. It looks really, really nice, just like frosted glass. I like it better than if it were clear. I've been using it for a few weeks and it really performs well. Since other folks are no doubt watching this, too, I'll take a pic tomorrow.

 

[oplholik]

I have been using the polycarbonate tubing, Chibi and diy, since October with no hazing or cracking of the tanks. So apparently my diy juices are not a problem in that area, so that just leaves the possible problem of whats leaching into my juices from the polycarbonate tank, and how much. Unfortunately that may be something we will never know. If it is a serious problem, wow, there are a lot of these tanks out there being used, and more sold each day.
Ayy, what to do.

 

[my4jewels]

I have some of those grommets, 5/8" od with a 3/8" hole. I think they are too loose in either the polycarbonate or the polypropylene. I have ordered a food safe silicon adhesive to attempy gluing the grommets permanently into the tube, so there will be no sliding.

How tightly does the 5/8" grommet fit in this tubing, I like to syringe fill and I'm wondering how that's gonna work.

 

[oplholik]

Have you run across any of the other types of vinyl end caps that are being used?

I have some of those grommets, 5/8" od with a 3/8" hole. I think they are too loose in either the polycarbonate or the polypropylene. I have ordered a food safe silicon adhesive to attempy gluing the grommets permanently into the tube, so there will be no sliding.

 

[my4jewels]

Someone recommended these to me. Q Slip Joint Washer Bag # 38809B by Danco Company. I have some, and they fit very nicely into the tubing, so that's good. The carto fits very tightly into the hole, but I just find it too tight for me. I prefer to fill by sliding the carto down, filling, and pushing the carto back into place, and it's just too tight for that. Works great otherwise. The person who told me about these(sorry, can't remember) uses them and really likes them.

Have you run across any of the other types of vinyl end caps that are being used?

 

[oplholik]

Thanks, I'll check on these. I know the makers of the different tanks are getting the different endcaps somewhere, just like to find them.

 

[my4jewels]

Oh a whim, I just ordered some P slip joint washers to see if it will let up on some of the tension and still hold a tight seal.
P Slip Joint Washer Bag # 38808B by Danco Company

 

[oplholik]

In looking at those, I didn't see what they were made of. But I'll be anxious to see what you think of them.

Oh a whim, I just ordered some P slip joint washers to see if it will let up on some of the tension and still hold a tight seal.
P Slip Joint Washer Bag # 38808B by Danco Company