OK, OK... let's just say that sometimes even I show a casual disregard for the fine print of the code. So, take this post as a confession (good for the soul), and not, heaven forbid, as an encouragement to violate the "Holy Writ" of the NEC.

I took a ammo box, formerly used for 40MM ammo:



I added some charcoal:



I set the pipe and cover like so:



The pipe used is schedule 80, 1" PVC. Before long, it drooped like this:



From this, wearing gloves, I made this nice, unscorched bend:



But, alas, all was not happy. I had some heat damage to the asphalt. While I was able to patch (using roofing cement), I took heed and added a pair of pieces of strut to the bottom, to let some air flow under the box.

John, you don't like heat blankets?

Or were you looking for a way to cook a burger and bend pipe at the same time?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just cut the stub-out shorter and use either back straps or the strut?

I like the idea of the portable BBQ in the ammo box...might keep the nosy back a few yards

Oh, I could have cut the pipe a wee bit closer, etc., etc.,... but this is but one example of several bends I had made.

I have two things against heat blankets:
a) They cost much more than ammo boxes; and,
b) They require electricity to work...and, ironically enough, I was in the process of bringing power to this outbuilding.

John, I don't understand why you needed to make an offset, though.

Shock, it's not clear from the pic, but that trim at the corner would have interfered with the LB. With hindsight, I wish I'd placed the hole a wee bit better.

I also probably should have 'dry fit' the pipe before gluing it together!

I feel we should point out the NEC rule here.


At least we should be aware of the code before we ignore it.

I admit I have field bent RNC with equipment that was not 'identified for the purpose'.

Bob,



John,
I have to admire your ingenuity(sp??).
Not a bad solution really, if the heat can be reasonably controlled.

This is one thing I miss about all the Army surplus stuff drying up over here, it's really hard to get and way over-priced if you can get it.

Bob, you are, of course, absolutely right. Code requires the use of listed equipment. Someday I might even see that requirement complied with!

Mike, the coals seem to be pretty self-regulating. An even bed of coals = an even heat...and with the clearance you see, it seems to be 'just the right temp.' Best of all, when doing several bends, it is not necessary to "turn it off" between uses.
I think that the hot gasses from the coals help them to heat the pipe more evenly than, say, a radiant heater.

Otherwise, Mike, for some silly reason we seem to have no shortage of empty ammo boxes these days. It seems almost as if the Army is emptying them on purpose....

I think you have the start of a nice little portable 'smoker' add another Ammo box, change your fuel to wood....

Oh, I see.

After taking a closer look, it appears that the RNC run is right up against the wood trim to look nice and neat.

Then when you went to install the LB it wouldn't sit flush up against wall.

Been there, done that. In fact the same thing happened to me yesterday while doing a service but I caught onto it before I glued the pipe.

I have to get a digital camera so I can start posting some of my work.

Everybody has their own way of doing things. If I need a tool for a job, I just go out and buy it. I hate to borrow tools from other electricians. I once borrowed a pvc blanket from a fellow electrician, I returned it the next day and purchased one the next day. I have used it 3 times since and it paid for itself. I did a service change that was pretty tough, I had to put the extension ladder on the corner of a building with someone footing the ladder, the next day I purchased an attachment for the ex. ladder, I use it all of the time. Another service I did was on very uneven ground, I went out and purchased a new ladder with self adjusting legs, It's great.

Electric heat gun and some gentle shifting got the 1/2" PVC into shape for me...

Problem is easily remedied with a sharpie and proper identification of the ammo box as a PVC bending device.

Close, Steve, but not quite.

To comply with the proper marking requirements, it shall be marked in the following manner:

1: Letters shall be 1" or larger, stencilled type only;
2: Letters shall be yellow or white in color, using high-temperature paint;
3: Markings as above shall be on both sides of the longest dimension of the can;
4: Device shall be identified as follows, no abbreviations allowed:

"Device, Heating, Non-metallic electrical conduit, charcoal fueled. For aid in bending listed non-metallic electrical conduits only."

Additionaly, the following text must be placed on all sides and top, using lettering as specified above, in RED high-temperature paint:

"CAUTION - HOT SURFACES WHEN IN USE"

Now it will be a compliant item for conduit heating.

(But you can't guess I spent over 10 years in the Air Force)


edited to fix html

[This message has been edited by mxslick (edited 09-29-2006).]

Those Forked tree trunks can make nice offset bends in 2 1/2 RMC. A sidewinder would have been nice to have, sometimes you have to improvise. Only a one time deal though. Code violations are not my cup of tea.

OK i'll admit it too... I have used a MAPP gas torch on a few occassions... But that was after the blanket gave me a nasty shock.... I took the torch to it too after that....

And I too would have even put the nipple end of the LB through the wall - no bend at all.

OK, I fess up! I HAD to put the LB away from the side!

Why? Well, to refresh my memory, I returned to the site. Just inside the wall, the pipe is run on the surface of the 2x4 frame. Since there is a 90 degree bend, just as the pipe is exiting the wall....I needed some room for the bend to complete. I could not cut the pipe any closer, withpout the LB being canted to one side. I decided that an offset was prettier then a 'crooked' LB.

Anyone ever tried one of these?

Pipe Viper

Yep, some sales rep was trying to sell them at the supply house untill we let him know that local codes dont allow PVC above grade here. We rarely use PVC except for in-slab, and PVC 90's are fast&cheap. And for underground service all I have to do is get one foot past the property line, the rest is POCO. And I dont think they make one for 3-4"?

e57, that's a good 'unasked' question. I didn't explain earlier, as my focus was on making bends, and not the choice of material.

This instal is for some preliminary sewage treatment. PVC was chosen (sched 80) because of it's resistance to corrosion and chemicals. Care was taken to route the pipe so as to limit any physical damage.

Which also leads to the choice of the bend to photograph; many of the bends are slight, and might either not really show in a pic, or look 'sloppy,' when, in fact, they were following ripples in the basin.

I've seen the glorified springs sold, but I am sceptical; if nothing else, it's a bit hard to get the necessary grip for a bend near the end of a pipe.