1/2" Silicone to 3/8" Copper

[Kyle]

Just got a new setup with a cfc that has 3/8" copper coming out but the system has 1/2" Silicone tubing. If I just use hose clamps on the tubing will that be okay?

 

[porterpounder]

Should be fine. Do a leak test with hot water first.

 

[str1p3s]

Just got a new setup with a cfc that has 3/8" copper coming out but the system has 1/2" Silicone tubing. If I just use hose clamps on the tubing will that be okay?

I don't think you're supposed to use hose clamps on silicone. It can work, but I've tried it and it doesn't take much to tear up the end of the hose with the clamp digging into it.

 

[andrewmaixner]

I had this issue. I got a brass 1/2" to 3/8" PEX coupler
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...PEX-Barb-Reducer-Coupling-UC009LFA/202270567\
and ran 3 inches of 3/8" silicone to the chiller. You might even be able to use a 1/2 to 1/2, if the silicone is stretchy enough, to reduce the flow restriction.

I used hose clamps on both sides (can't recall if they are the plastic herbie clips or the stainless expensive smooth screw hose clamps, but I use both throughout my system).

Note my inital attempt to clamp the 1/2 ID tube directly to the 3/8 OD chiller tubing was NOT successful, and leaked like crazy.

 

[Kyle]

Did you notice any restriction with using the 1/2 to 3/8 You recommended? Problem is all the hardware has 1/2 Silicone with camlock fittings and i already placed an order for more camlocks for the other end to attach to the kettle and thought it would be okay to clamp the tubing to the cfc. Trying to avoid more shipping charges to convert the ends of the cfc to a male camlock

 

[IslandLizard]

You can slide a 1-2" piece of 3/8" ID vinyl tubing over the 3/8" copper ends, to widen them to 1/2" or a tad more. Then clamp your silicone over that. The band clamps are the best for silicone as they are smooth inside, the worm threads remain on the outside.