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Author:
gmum (IL)
I have to solder a joint close to a dialeteric union on water heater. How close can I solder to the union? (seeing there is plastic in there).
Also, are the unions universal? Can you re=use the male bottom of the union with a new nut?
Im trying to avoid taking it apart if necessary. I was planning on soldering a coupling about 4-6 inches from the union. I was simply going to wrap it with a wet rag... is that sufficient?
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Author:
m & m (MD)
If you wrap it as you suggest with a wet (soaked) rag, you'll be fine at that distance. Or have a helper spray the union with water from a detergent spray bottle.
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Author:
gmum (IL)
I wrapped a wet rag around it and put a pair of vice grips on the pipe right above it.
It still got warm. But the orange ring appeared ok. I assume that would melt before any innards?
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Author:
gmum (IL)
If I were to replace the diaelectric unions with flexible supply lines... or a 6" nipple. How do I remove them?
I don't see a way to attach a back up wrench to the nipple on the tank to remove the bottom (male) portion of the union.
Also if I were to use either the brass nipple... does that mean I remove the factory installed nipples? doesn't that void a warranty?
Alternatively, flex would go right onto those stainless nipples on the tank and there no galvanic corrosion concern correct?
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Author:
steve (CA)
There's not enough nipple sticking up to grab with a pipe wrench? The nipples aren't(or 99.99999% of the time) stainless steel, just plated steel. Some unions have a male thread on one end. Is it possible yours are male threaded and there's no separate nipple between the tank and the union?
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Author:
gmum (IL)
there are nipples, the hot side has less exposed nipple surface to put a wrench on than the cold side. I wouldn't be able to use a pipe wrench on it... maybe a pair of channel locks but they would be laying flush with the top of the tank.
I could simply not back it up and remove both the nipple and the union at once by just wrenching the union nut?
If I remove the plated steel nipple that way, I can replace it with a 6" brass nipple instead? Or do I need some sort of heattrap/diaelectric nipple of some sort?
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Author:
steve (CA)
Usually the hot and cold nipples are just plastic lined steel nipples, but some have the dip tube or the anode attached to them. You can unscrew the union and if the nipple unscrews with it, then decide whether to separate the nipple and reuse it or replace with brass.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
If it is a "modern" heater, the nipples into the tank ARE "dielectric" devices.
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Author:
gmum (IL)
Its a new heater. So if I remove the nipple, replace with 6" 3/4" brass nipple I can simply connect a 3/4 female copper adapter to the nipples?
Are the nipples factory installed? So I would be voiding a warranty doing this?
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Author:
steve (CA)
Sometimes they're factory installed, sometimes factory provided(not installed). As far as warranty goes, you'd have to contact the manufacturer.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
t what is wrong with the factory nipples?
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