Technical Advantages of Gel-clear 'Helix' Kink-Resistant Hose for Cabinet Pumps.

Years of experience in drainage maintenance revealed that a significant number of condensate pump failures were attributed to kinked discharge hoses. Despite extensive efforts to source a more reliable hose, the available options proved inadequate for the demanding conditions.

Condensate pumps require periodic servicing, which involves drawing them out for maintenance. In practice, the hoses are routed through confined spaces with limited physical and visual access, making them highly prone to kinking. This not only disrupts proper drainage but also leads to operational failures of the pumps.

Recognising the critical need for a hose that could reliably resist kinking under these conditions, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of existing hoses in the market. However, none met the performance criteria required for this application. This challenge prompted us to innovate and develop a custom solution tailored to address the specific demands of condensate pump installations.

'The Problem With Conventional Hose for Condensate Pumps'

When using common 12mm braided hoses, kinking is a frequent issue due to the mechanical properties and inherent handling characteristics of the material.

1. Twisting During Manufacturing and Storage: All hoses wound onto a reel develop inherent twists due to the coiling process. These twists remain in the hose even after it is unwound, creating residual stress and an uneven internal structure.
2. Low Resistance to Bending: Braided hoses, while reinforced for pressure resistance, typically lack sufficient structural rigidity to prevent deformation under bending forces. This makes them susceptible to collapsing or kinking, especially when twisted.
3. Interaction Between Braiding and Core Material: The braided reinforcement, designed to enhance pressure tolerance, can contribute to uneven stiffness along the hose's length. This uneven stiffness, combined with the inherent twisting, exacerbates the likelihood of kinking.
4. Dynamic Conditions During Operation: As the hose flexes during operation, the residual twists interact with any applied bends or curves, significantly increasing the risk of localised kinking. This constricts the internal flow path, potentially leading to blockages.

Technical Advantages of Gel-clear 'Helix' Advanced Kink-Resistant Hose

Our hose is specifically engineered to overcome the limitations of common 12mm braided hoses, ensuring reliable performance in demanding condensate pump applications. Below is an in-depth explanation of its technical advantages:

1. Kink-Resistant Design Unlike standard 12mm braided hoses that are prone to kinking due to inherent twists from manufacturing and handling, our hose incorporates advanced structural features that prevent kinking, even in confined spaces. The reinforcement ensures consistent flexibility without compromising structural integrity, maintaining an open flow path under dynamic conditions.
2. Twist-Free Operation Braided hoses typically retain residual twists from their coiling process, which exacerbate kinking and blockage issues. Our hose is designed with a manufacturing process that minimises internal stress and eliminates the twisting behavior, ensuring smooth and reliable routing during installation and operation.
3. Optimised for Tight Spaces Condensate pumps are often installed in areas with restricted access and limited visibility, where traditional hoses fail due to their susceptibility to deformation under tight bending radii. Our hose is engineered to retain its shape and resist compression, making it ideal for these challenging environments.
4. Enhanced Durability Common braided hoses, while pressure-rated, often lack the resilience required for frequent handling and movement during maintenance. Our hose is constructed with high-quality materials that resist wear, abrasion, and fatigue, providing long-term reliability and reducing the risk of pump failure.
5. Purpose-Built for Condensate Pumps This hose was developed through extensive field testing and industry experience to meet the specific needs of condensate pump applications. It combines flexibility, kink resistance, and durability to deliver a solution that outperforms all existing alternatives on the market.

By addressing the common failure points of traditional braided hoses, our kink-resistant hose ensures optimal performance, minimises maintenance downtime, and significantly extends the service life of condensate pumps.

How Does it Compare on Price?

Priced at ￡27.99, the Gel-clear Helix Hose is competitively positioned for: Below the average market price of ￡32.17 for common 12mm braided hoses. Significantly less expensive than the highest-priced alternatives (￡44.73). While it is slightly higher than the lowest-priced hoses (￡23.03), the superior performance, durability, and reliability provide exceptional value for money.

The feedback for the Gel-clear Helix Hose has been exceptional: A 700% increase in conversions from sample to sale was achieved through product mailings, far surpassing previous campaigns. Specified by three major retailers and regularly purchased by contractors in the UK and Ireland.

* At the Chillventa Expo, the product attracted overwhelming interest from both end users and wholesalers, establishing itself as a game-changer in the industry. This positive response underscores our commitment to creating innovative, high-quality solutions that meet the market's evolving needs.?

You can buy Gel-clear 'Helix' in the UK direct here; https://www.gel-clear.co.uk/product/25-year-warranty/

For Ireland, Gel-clear hose is readily available from RSL Group

And for the EU; Linumgroup | 100% together