Heater Hose PSI Rating...

[Dennis C.]

OK, OK, Not exactly Corvette related. I need to use a 10" long piece of 5/8" ID rubber hose to transmit drinking water. Pressures could be up to 60 PSI. Can I use a piece of (Corvette) heater hose or are there better options out there? Thanks, Dennis

[Craig S.]

Re: Heater Hose PSI Rating...

Dennis - I am sure heater hose is not considered safe for potable (drinkable) water. At Ace hardware, they have a white hose for potable water with normal hose couplers in 3-5ft lengths, that you could cut. I am pretty sure you can get it in 5/8" ID if you check. It is drinking safe, and has reinforcement mesh in there so it can withstand normal 70psi or so house water pressure. I would think this is a better option.....Craig

[Duke W.]

Re: Heater Hose PSI Rating...

I looked in my Gates catalog, and it lists their basic black heater hose working pressure as 60 psi, so it should be okay, especially if it only has to carry cold water. Their "Red Stripe" and "Firewall" (red) heater hose is also speced at 60 psi working pressure, but will last longer in a high heat environments - both the water and surrounding air temperature.

I don't think heater hose will cause any contamination to potable water.

The other readily available type you could consider is dishwasher hose. I don't know what its rated working pressure is, but I expect it's at least as high as heater hose.

Duke