Split in Cruisair Freon Line

[John Dickson]

I recently had to move one of my Cruisair units and the copper freon discharge line split and the suction line crimped, both right at the compressor unit attachment nut. Is there a way to splice some additional copper tubing onto the old line to repair before I have the system evacuated and replenished or is this repaired some other way?
thanks

 

[REBrueckner]

Just use heavy wall tubing, at Home Cheapo labled "refrigeration tubing", and use a style of nut/connector you prefer...traditional flare fittings are my preference...but you can also use the compression type with the "rings"...

 

[spcoolin]

Your A/C guy that does the evac & recharge should have the copper & torch to solder in a new section.

That's the least leak prone way...

Steve~

 

[REBrueckner]

Steve has a good point,, I thought mine had flare connectors but maybe soldering, done right, is superior...I would not solder it myself because I don't know how to keep stuff from to interior of refrigeration lines and orifices in the system a very sensitive to contamination....

Any special approach required on refrig or air conditioning soldering???

 

[spcoolin]

Steve has a good point,, I thought mine had flare connectors but maybe soldering, done right, is superior...I would not solder it myself because I don't know how to keep stuff from to interior of refrigeration lines and orifices in the system a very sensitive to contamination....

Any special approach required on refrig or air conditioning soldering???

You also bring up a good point Rob...In the factory they use low pressure nitrogen to constantly purge any oxidation inside the tubing while soldering...

But many times that is not feasible in the field...We have been soldering joints for many years with not much problem, and using a lower temp solder can help by not getting the copper hot enough to oxidize inside while making that joint...

Sometimes when the copper is very dirty (aged) and you can't clean it well enough (access is limited) for soft (low temp) solder to "take" to the copper, you must use a Oxy/Acetylene torch & high temp silver solder...But there are also cap tube strainers out at the air handler to catch any contaminates...Yes they can plug too but it's not done very often...Most times those contaminates (flakes) will suspend themselves in the compressor oil and not be a problem.

Often times I will cut out the flare joint connections for the air handler, and use a coupling with soft solder (Stay Brite) and a propane torch...This insures that vibration will not cause a flare to leak and cause me a comeback call for free...Flares also need to be "perfect" to hold refrigerant...

Steve~