A BETTER HOSE CLAMP

 February 3, 2014
 


OLD STYLE CLAMP     NEW JCS HIGH-GRIP 


Those of you who have been following our blog are aware of the problems we have had with hose clamps that fail.  More than once we have lost a tank of fresh water into the bilge due to a failed hose clamp.  In every case the band separated.  No fun, especially when we are hauling fresh water instead of Bob making it.

 Last week when the clamp failed on the hot water I was low on clamps.  So I motored off to Budget Marine to buy some more. After looking all through the plumbing section I finally asked for help.  "Oh yes" the young man replied, " The cashier has them behind the counter." I soon learned why.  The cashier selected the size I requested and proceeded to check me out. The price for the 35mm clamp was $17.43TT( $2.73 US). About twice as much as I had paid for the clamps I purchased in the US.
       

After looking at them closely I could see why, as the pictures will show. The band was almost double the thickness of the old ones and the screw appeared to me much stronger. Also the threads on the band of the old one perforated the band where as the new one had the threads forged into one side of the band. The extra band thickness is critical as it adds strength to the clamps.
On returning to the boat I promptly installed the new clamps. They operated smoother and clamped noticeably tighter, without damage to the clamp, than the old style. I have had trouble with the cheaper clamps slipping if over tightened. I could not over tighten the new style and they did no damage to the hose, as the old style can.

ENGINE HOSE CLAMP FELL APART IN MY HAND

     I was so pleased that I decided to replace all of the clamps on the engine as well, 17 or so. These are all clamps that came with the engine, 1250 hours. It's good that I did. As I was removing 2 of the clamps the band separated.  Both of these were on the closed loop cooling system for the engine.  If they fail while underway, the engine overheats.  Repairs would have to be made in the open water making everything more difficult.

I have included some pictures of both the new and the old style. Budget Marine in Trinidad is the only place I have found them. The are
JCS HI-GRIP made in England. Very high quality and I believe will be worth the extra money.  I will now keep a good stock of these clamps and will be more vigilant with regards to checking there condition.