Hydraulics Run Through Electrical Conduit?

[DaveMcLain]

I was wondering if it is permissible to run hydraulic hoses through a wall using electrical conduit?

My camshaft grinding machine uses hydraulics for the wheel dresser and for the rapid in and out on the grinding wheel. The power unit is somewhat noisy and I was thinking about building a little house for it so that I could set it outside of my shop. Then just have a couple of hoses made up to cover the distance. The 3 phase electric supply would run separately in its own conduit.

I'm thinking that some 1-1/2 or so would be plenty big to fit two -6 lines.

 

[mm08822]

W/o any electrical in it, no one should care. Really no different than "mechanical tubing"

 

[dkmc]

Have a power unit that is also noisy, built a box that fits around the pump, from 3/8 plywood lined with sonic foam.
Much better now.

 

[larry4406]

I think the conduit with bushings would be fine for running hydraulic hoses thru and not chaffing the hoses. Add some duct seal when done to stop air-leakage in/out if you heat the space.

 

[tarmy]

Most automatic underground pool covers put hydraulic hoses to the cover pit run the opening/closing mechanism in either Schedule 40 PVC or electrical conduit. Mine has them…

 

[LXCam]

I’d do it.

 

[Firebrick43]

I wouldn't have much qualms about doing it in Steel conduit except cost and possibly heat with long cycles. Heat is generated is significantly different on a machine tool ran for hours than a pool cover or vehicle lift used for just a few mins at a time. If you did I would not use PVC conduit.

SS or painted steel hydraulic hard line is significantly cheaper than hose per foot and flows better with less friction losses than hoses plus cools the fluid better. Steel/SS lines will outlive hoses by a large margin as well. Benders can be picked up reasonably on Ebay and a flaring tool could be borrowed or done by a hydraulic shop. All the machine tools I worked on use hoses just a the flex point and hardlines for the long runs. Many hydraulic construction equipment does the same thing.

 

[BillK]

Have a power unit that is also noisy, built a box that fits around the pump, from 3/8 plywood lined with sonic foam.
Much better now.

But then you end up with it running too hot and causing feed inconsistencies. BTDT with my surfacing machine.

 

[DaveMcLain]

The system only runs at 200psi and after I've been grinding for an hour or two it gets slightly warm to the touch but never hot. This machine came from Crane and it was modified some time probably back in the early '70's or so to have hydraulics so that it is more like the Berco RAC 1500.

Thanks for the info. Now I need to check it out and see if a -6 hose can bend through an LB fitting.

 

[Jim greengo]

The system only runs at 200psi and after I've been grinding for an hour or two it gets slightly warm to the touch but never hot. This machine came from Crane and it was modified some time probably back in the early '70's or so to have hydraulics so that it is more like the Berco RAC 1500.

Thanks for the info. Now I need to check it out and see if a -6 hose can bend through an LB fitting.

I'd use a big pull box,rather than an LB.
I think 2" sch 40 pvc might be quieter than emt.

 

[LXCam]

The system only runs at 200psi and after I've been grinding for an hour or two it gets slightly warm to the touch but never hot. This machine came from Crane and it was modified some time probably back in the early '70's or so to have hydraulics so that it is more like the Berco RAC 1500.

Thanks for the info. Now I need to check it out and see if a -6 hose can bend through an LB fitting.

I’d do a box as Jim suggested. If you are set on an LB get a mogul LB so you can maintain a clean radius.

 

[DaveMcLain]

Today I finished up the moving of the hydraulic power unit outside and I think that it turned out great. It is MUCH quieter when I'm grinding cams and that is nice. Pulling the hydraulic hose through the 2in PVC conduit including the LB was very easy. I used my fish tape and some lube and it only took a few minutes.

To do this took about 70ft of -6 hose and 4 fittings. I lucked out and bought a large roll of it at an auction for about $30. I ran the 3 phase power through a second conduit. This is 1/2in PVC.

I built a little house for the hydraulic unit using some left over metal from my shed so it matches my accent color. So far, so good:


House for hydraulic power unit


I had one spot that I could use to run the conduits through the wall where they would clear everything and I used my heat gun to put a little bend in the PVC.



Lines and power come up from the machine along the mast that holds my light fixture.