Buckeye Hydro 1/4” Hose to Eva Barrier/Duotight Fitting

[pinemarten]

Howdy. I have a Buckeye Hydro system that uses a push to connect 1/4” OD LLDPE tubing. I’m looking for a fitting that will allow me to connect this tubing to 8mm OD Eva Barrier tubing. I’m sure it’s easy enough to find 1/4” to 8mm adapters on McMaster, but I’m thinking I might need something designed for the correct tubing type on both sides. The LLDPE tubing is very different than the Eva Barrier. Its exterior surface is smooth, much harder, and may require different internals to bite properly. Has anyone found something that works for this?

If curious, the reason I want to do this is I have my RO system plumbed and setup. When I’m purging kegs, I like to fill, cap, pull the PRV and then push in a bit more water with tap pressure until it’s overflowing out of the PRV. Where I do this, I have the output of the RO system’s 1/4” hose. I want to connect that to a Duo Tight ball lock, flip the bypass on the RO system, and fill that way.

 

[Deadalus]

I have Duotight couplings on SS tubing. I haven't done it but you can score the surface I think a pipe cutter is used. You just need a 6.35mm x 8mm reducer coupling in ptc. Duotight makes one.

I think just one circle around is what is done not any extensive scoring. But you just want to make sure the collet is seated right for smoother tubing.

 

[Bobby_M]

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/pushreducer.htm

It will bite onto anything softer than stainless. Even on stainless, I just put my tubing cutter on the end (about 3/8" from the end) and spin it to make one shallow score and the teeth bite in just fine.

 

[tracer bullet]

Where I work the shop / lab has all sorts of silly connections to silly things and I'll agree that they do work. PTFE tubing included. Always fine.

If in doubt you could get a few barbed fittings the right size, with say 1/8" NPT threads on those ends, and then a 1/8" coupler. Use good clamps and pipe dope.

 

[pinemarten]

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/pushreducer.htm

It will bite onto anything softer than stainless. Even on stainless, I just put my tubing cutter on the end (about 3/8" from the end) and spin it to make one shallow score and the teeth bite in just fine.

Thanks Bobby. You’ve always got the unicorn fittings. Ordered.

This got me thinking, why don’t people use this LLDPE tubing for beer and gas line applications? This stuff is so strong I could repel down a mountain with it and it push fits and releases like a champ.

 

[tracer bullet]

LLDPE tubing for beer and gas line applications

O2 and gas permeability, perhaps.

Even with pressurized CO2 in the line, the lack of oxygen in that line means oxygen can permeate through from the outside.