Constant-torque hose clamps

[Northern Spy]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

So I misinterpreted the fact that these clamps aren’t best! What is their drawback other than cost?

Belleville washer corrosion in a marine environment would be my greatest concern. Size may or may not be an issue, depending on where they are located.

Once, years ago, after changing the oil on my wife's 740 turbo brick wagon, on a whim I shimmed the wastegate with a couple of washers and took it out for an Italian tune-up. After terrorizing the neighborhood for a bit in first, second and third gears, there was a tremendous BOOM from under the hood and a sudden loss of hoon.

Horrified of what I would find, and while trialing excuses in my head, I opened the hood to merely find that the silicone hose from the turbocharger to the intercooler had blown off. I paid my neighbor off in beer to not tell my wife.

I suppose a constant torque clamp would have helped me in that situation.

PS: I un-shimmed the wastegate.

[caltexflanc]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

So I misinterpreted the fact that these clamps aren’t best! What is their drawback other than cost?

Cost. And in most applications, unnecessary cost at that.

[LarryM]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

Not sure if I follow the logic here. Everyone agrees that constant torque hose clamps are best. So my question is how much more money will it cost for the average boater to replace his existing clamps with the improved once? Are we talking thousands of dollars? Hundreds of dollars? Maybe less? A few beers? So now we are putting a value of your life and those with you. Do you buy health insurance?

SMH

I purchased 36 Breeze CT 200, 250 and 300 (2", 2.5" and 3" nominal) 5/8" band and paid average $6.10 each. This was from Hose Clamp Kings Industrial Hose Fitting | Large Hose Clamp | Pipe Fittings | Breeze Clamps | Hose Clamp Kings last September.

For the purposes of this discussion, I replaced all of the CT clamps on my Cummins 6BTA's. These are what the factory used so all I did was replace them . . . . . well, I did upgrade to the HD 5/8" bands after a brief discussion with a Breeze Clamps regional rep. I think the standard 9/16" bands are about a dollar less.

I also used use CT clamps on the hose connections to the raw water pumps because of engine vibration and the thick, stiff hose construction. Interestingly, that is what this thread is all about in the first place.

All of the rest of the raw water supply, strainers, seacocks etc. were double-clamped with ABA (AWAB) 316 SS clamps. IMO, these are the most reliable where contact with salt water is a possibility. They are embossed clamps with rolled edges so are easier on hoses than conventional Ideal-style clamps.

The Breeze CT clamps are are comprised of:
301 SS Belleville springs (five)
304 SS band and housing
410 SS hex cap screw

While they are robust, these alloys are not as resistant to salt water as 316 SS.

That's about all I've got

[Bigsfish]

So it appears cost is the main reason not to use the more expensive hose clamps. Scott I have pissed away more money on certain unnamed things and persons since I made enough money to do so that a few extra dollars on hose clamps that may be overkill doesn’t bother me. Sinking my boat or having a problem with the engine 300 miles from nowhere would make saving a dollar very unworthwhile.

Just my SSO

[psneeld]

yes, but I think the consensus is that using them is thevequivalent to you wrapping your new boat hull in another couple layers of glass because its better.

is it?

[Bigsfish]

Scott

Great idea, I wish I thought of that before I had the hull waxed. Do you think I can add a few extra layers of glass to the inside? LMAO

[FF]

"Everyone agrees that constant torque hose clamps are best"

They are usually required for the soft silicon hoses that hook turbos and other items with this soft high temp hose.

They will work with harder rubber hose , but are probably not "the best" as many will bottom out with the torque required to get a tight seal .

BESTITIS is a disease!