Better tape to hold a portable air conditioner hose in the window?

[Yeshuasdaughter]

We own a portable air conditioner. There is custom cut plexiglass in the window, with a hole just the size of the hose.

The plexiglass is held on the window with Gorilla Tape. The hose is secured in the hole with gorilla tape as well.

Every few weeks, it seems that the heat from the exhaust melts the glue on the gorilla tape, and the hose falls out.

It's the middle of the night. I was having trouble sleeping, because it was so muggy in the house.

I go over to the window and see that the hose is hanging out of the window, and hot moist air is being exhausted inside my bedroom.

It's a real hassle to redo, as gorilla tape is super strong. You need a lot of arm strength to peel back the layers upon layers that we initially put on the window.

We used the rest of the Gorilla tape securing it. Lots of layers, stretching out far, to really anchor the hose.

Most likely it will fall out within the next month.

Is there a better tape? I know of HVAC tape, but I don't know about it. All I know is that it says HVAC on it, and that it's expensive. 45 feet is ten dollars.

Is it stronger than Gorilla tape? Can you use it on windows? Will the glue melt from the heat and moisture kicked out of the hose?

Is there a better tape to use?

Please help, as it isn't all that fun for two women, barely awake, and kinda overheated, to have to fumble with duct tape at one a.m.

 

[Forest Cat]

I think a construction sealant would be better to use around the hose. Like this one for example, Sikaflex:





There are several different brands and types. You probably just need a small tube, not a big one like in the pic. You need a special tool to use the one in the pic. You just put some sealant on the hose, slide the hose into the hole and then jam some more of this around the hose. After a while it turns hard and should keep everything in place. I think. You might need to use some tape or a string to hold the hose in the right position until the sealant hardens.

 

[AuAL]

@Yeshuasdaughter, another solution might be, if you can find or get someone to make you a plastic pipe flange, to set up something like this:

The duct tape could be substituted by Sikaflex or similar. And gunge up any cracks around it, though the losses through minor gaps would be negligible. This would be a mechanically solid, fixed solution.

 

[Alexej]

@Yeshuasdaughter, another solution might be, if you can find or get someone to make you a plastic pipe flange, to set up something like this:

View attachment 133021
The duct tape could be substituted by Sikaflex or similar. And gunge up any cracks around it, though the losses through minor gaps would be negligible. This would be a mechanically solid, fixed solution.

I agree with AuAL that trying to get something on the other side of the hose is a good idea.

My idea was along the lines of a jubilee clip, ie something mechanical that would stop the hose from falling into the room.

 

[Forest Cat]

@Yeshuasdaughter, another solution might be, if you can find or get someone to make you a plastic pipe flange, to set up something like this:

View attachment 133021
The duct tape could be substituted by Sikaflex or similar. And gunge up any cracks around it, though the losses through minor gaps would be negligible. This would be a mechanically solid, fixed solution.

I think a simple and cheap flange could be made with a plastic funnel. Just cut the funnel and adjust it a little, then glue it to the plexiglass with some construction glue, put the hose through it and jam some sealant around the hose. And then Bob's your uncle, as they say in Britain.

 

[AuAL]

I agree with AuAL that trying to get something on the other side of the hose is a good idea.

My idea was along the lines of a jubilee clip, ie something mechanical that would stop the hose from falling into the room.

Jubilee clip (= hose clamp) would be a good, “quick and dirty” fix. You can get them from most auto spares shops.

 

[Hypnalis]

You can drill holes in plexiglass.

 

[Judge]

I think a construction sealant would be better to use around the hose. Like this one for example, Sikaflex:

View attachment 133020



There are several different brands and types. You probably just need a small tube, not a big one like in the pic. You need a special tool to use the one in the pic. You just put some sealant on the hose, slide the hose into the hole and then jam some more of this around the hose. After a while it turns hard and should keep everything in place. I think. You might need to use some tape or a string to hold the hose in the right position until the sealant hardens.

Sealants, caulking, whatever. For what it's worth, I suspect you are closer to an answer in this regard. Something more resistant to both weather and thermodynamic considerations, and ultimately more effective- and versatile than mere tape.

Reminds me of something like this product, periodically advertised on television:

https://www.asseenontvlive.com/product/flex-seal/

 

[saturnv]

If you know a 3d printer enthusiast, this might be a fun project for them.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Dryer duct to wall connector. Screw it onto your plexiglass (after drilling pilot holes), then attach your hose.

 

[Forest Cat]

Sealants, caulking, whatever. For what it's worth, I suspect you are closer to an answer in this regard. Something more resistant to both weather and thermodynamic considerations, and ultimately more effective- and versatile than mere tape.

Reminds me of something like this product, periodically advertised on television:

https://www.asseenontvlive.com/product/flex-seal/

I have been using this for a while. C-Tec CT1. Hybrid polymer adhesive and sealant. Waterproof and antifungal, can be used on any material, metals, glass, wood, polystyrene and more. It's a very good all-round product I think. It would work well on Yeshuasdaughter's hose and plexiglass.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

View attachment 133040
Dryer duct to wall connector. Screw it onto your plexiglass (after drilling pilot holes), then attach your hose.

Mechanical fastening probably best solution. If you want to use adhesive 2K urethane best bet or some 2K epoxy.
with some fiber glass based flexible strip.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

We are just two girls without much technical prowress. I live high up like 40 feet or more in the air. I can't really rig something fancy, and I don't know much about glues. Not really anywhere to spray it outdoors either (I don't want to get all lightheaded off of glue). I'd have to go down the block to find a good spot, and that's just a lot of extra stuff, especially waiting outside for it to dry.

Thank you everyone for the tips. It's just way over my head complicated and I don't want to fall out a window doing something dangerous, carefully.

I ended up getting the HVAC foil tape. The AC vent is holding in the window for now with the gorilla tape, but once the glue melts again, we'll work together, peeling it off. And then we'll tape on the HVAC tape.

It says it's rated for heating systems, so hopefully it'll hold up to the hot, moist air the ac kicks out.

Thanks again everyone. I'll let you know how long this holds up.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Update: The HVAC tape is working beautifully to hold the AC hose inside the hole in the plexiglass.

It is very sticky and doesn't melt in the moist hot exhaust.

The hose is staying put. Satisfied customer. Hopefully it stays this way.

But one thing, it doesn't bear weight well, so around the edges, we've had to reinforce it with just a little gorilla tape.