U.S. vs. European Plumbing Q about Sizing

[Scott Free]

I have a German-made photo processing machine with an internal water heater. That heater is broken and replacing it will cost more than the processor is worth. I plan to bypass the internal water heater and use an external heater instead. I seem to remember, though, that there are differences between US and European fittings. Anyone know if I'm going to have problems with this?

Scott

 

[not2sharp]

Anyone know if I'm going to have problems with this?

What are you connecting to where? Would hot tap water work, or do you need distilled/warmer water?

n2s

 

[Scott Free]

No. Hot water or straight tap water won't do it. The water has to be specific to the particular process that I'm running. I'm only doing black and white now, so the temp is 68 degrees. Between the water heater and the processor is a temperature control mixing valve. Hot and cold water run into it, 68 degree (or whatever I dial it to) comes out and into the processor. Doing all this shouldn't be a problem if Euro and US sizes are compatible.

Scott

 

[A.W.U.K.]

In the UK, and as far as I know the rest of Europe, plumbing pipes, whether copper or plastic, come in outside diameters of 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 22mm, 28mm and larger. Old British imperial sizes referred to the inside diameter of copper pipe. Though Imperial 1/2" is near enough compatible with 15mm.

I don't know if it is true, but I have read that Continental European fittings use Whitworth threads, not metric.

Dunno if that helps.

 

[not2sharp]

So the key is hooking up hot and cold water supplies to your temperature regulating valve.

 

[Scott Free]

So the key is hooking up hot and cold water supplies to your temperature regulating valve.

No. Getting hot and cold to my external mixing valve is not a problem. Getting the output of the mixing valve hooked up to the processor is where I may have difficulty. I haven't torn into it yet to see the fittings. Even if I can see them though, I'm not sure if I'll have a problem until I take things apart.

Scott

 

[synghyn]

Scott
Really shouldn't be a problem. Your average big box store will usually carry a selection of fixtures in both scales, and some converters. Just take the two sides you need connected with you and play with stuff till you find an arraingement that fits.

I'm a photo-industry repair tech and I have done that exactly before, shouldn't be a problem.

If you can't find anything, drop me a PM or e-mail and I'll see what I can find for you.

Jon

 

[Gollnick]

Yes, there will be slight differences. But you can get the US pipe size that's closest and then use a flexible hose between them with pipe clamps.

 

[ErikD]

Yes, there will be slight differences. But you can get the US pipe size that's closest and then use a flexible hose between them with pipe clamps.

Exactly. Get the closest possible pieces, and if they won't fit just get some flexible tubing and some hose clamps. This setup works just great, and gets rid of the headache of trying to fit together different size pipe with fittings that may be hard to find or non existent.

 

[HoB]

Yes, there will be slight differences. But you can get the US pipe size that's closest and then use a flexible hose between them with pipe clamps.

I second, or rather third that. But I would recommend to go on both sides to barb hose fitting + pipe clamps and then to flexible hose. You can get metric sizes and imperial sizes from Swagelok (the barb hose fittings for example ask your local plumbing supply or go online. The brass versions are pretty inexpensive), conversions from on to the other is more difficult. This is tube fitting that I am talking about. If you have pipe or hose fittings you can work out something similar.