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Leaking Gycol Chiller

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Turbogator

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Joined
Mar 25, 2019
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Location
St. Louis
I recently acquired an SSBrewtech Glycol chiller and a 14-gallon Chronical fermenter. I’m currently fermenting my first batch with the chiller attached. The hoses SSBrewtech provided are the standard vinyl type. Yesterday I noticed that the glycol solution was leaking form where the hoses attached to the hose barbs on the Chronical. I have the hose clamps as tight as I can get by hand but still there is a leak. The glycol is leaking onto the neoprene jacket and dripping onto the basement floor and making a mess. I think that the chilling liquid is chilling out the hose too much and making it too stiff to maintain a solid seal on the hose barb, but that’s just a guess really.
Does anyone have any advice for this situation? Is there a better type of hose to use? Should I be using silicone hose? Is there a better type of connection fitting than a hose barb?

Thanks for your advice
 
you can actually cause a leak by overtightening them... also are you sure its glycol and not condensation? they can sweat and drip quite a bit..
I use vinyl with no leaks. the cold temps actually make the silicone brittle.
 
Yeah its definitely glycol. Its actually allowing a bit of air in the line at the point of the leak, you can see the bubbles. I loosened and retightened the hose clamps without any effect.
 
You probably tightened them so much that you cut through the tubing. Trim off the ends and reattach them, no need to go Godzilla on the clamps...
 
Yup I agree with the responses . Probably put on too tight . Mine aren't even clamped on it's just a plastic slip connector thingy majig. Lol 20190727_143421.jpg
And it's never leaked
 
What you might do is when you trim the ends and reattach over the barb is stick the ends in some warm water, like maybe 130-140 degrees or so. Soften it up so when you LIGHTLY tighten the clamps it'll conform to the barb.
 
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