The internal hose in my slider has disintegrated.? Felder is out of stock both here and in Austria.? They forecast an 8–10 week delivery delay for a replacement.? Further, some years ago, David Best recommended against using Felder hose and favored Air Handling's AH Plus product.? Air Handling no longer has that product designation but offers a few abrasion-resistant choices at a significant up charge.??
So now, my questions:? 1.? Can I substitute a slightly larger 4" hose for the 100mm original?? 2.? Is there a method to fit a 4" hose (internal circumference 12.42") onto the rectangular chute that measures 4.75" x 1.75" (outside dimension 13")?? 3.? How can I form the reinforcement wire in the hose from a circle to a rectangle, just bend the wire?? 4. How does one install this stuff one-handed via the minuscule access opening?? 5.? Are there any outside the box solutions like (a) commissioning a metal or 3-D printed rectangle-to-round transition or (b) sealing all of cabinet openings (except for the blade assembly) and evacuating the whole plenum with a 6" vacuum line?
It has already occurred to me that a few inexpensive changes at the design and manufacturing end would have minimized this annoying problem, but I don't have a time machine so that is out.? Any other suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.?
Thanks.
Jim Fleming
Jim Fleming