DIY Chatroom -  DIY Home Improvement Forum
    DIY Forum     DIY Blogs     Photos     Woodworking     Extreme How To     Advertise     Contact Us  
Go Back   DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum > Home Improvement > HVAC


CLICK HERE AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY TODAY...IT'S FREE!
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 11-02-2009, 11:16 PM   #1
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Default Any tips or tricks on installing a line set ?

I have installed a line set before, and wasn't too comfortable with the bends.

I need to install another line set in a ceiling area, and it basically will look like this. The long line of xxxx's are in a trough above kitchen cabinets, not an open joist run. After turning at location Y, I am installing it on the outside of the kitchen wall and boxing it in to match the other cabinet structure. Real PITA. It is going in a 40 year townhouse with a slab so you can imagine.

Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...(Location Y)
.....................................x
.....................................x
.....................................x
......................................x
.......................................x
........................................x
........................................x
........................................x
........................................E

E ends run down to equipment. Length is about 50 feet, 2 ton heat pump 3/4 " suction line.
Anyone have a link on tips and tricks to installing or bending ?

**Would it be ok to put a 90 degree connectors at the E's where it goes down to the equipment and at location Y, rather than try to bend it in.**

I don't think I have the room to meet the bend radius in location Y and I couldn't imagine trying to push it through at one end and at the same time trying to bend it out at location Y.
Thanks.

tuckerz is offline   Reply With Quote
Join DIYChatroom.com

Join the #1 DIY Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

DIYChatroom.com - Are you about to start a new home improvement task and need some help? Do you need advise on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that DIY Chatroom is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free.

Join DIYChatroom.com - Click Here
JOIN FOR FREE


Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. DIYChatroom.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any home improvement task!
Old 11-03-2009, 08:31 AM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 34
Default

Braizing 90's on the E's is your best option. Purge dry nitrogen through the lines while braizing so the copper doesn't oxidize inside the lines.
Marty S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 10:19 AM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marty S. View Post
Braizing 90's on the E's is your best option. Purge dry nitrogen through the lines while braizing so the copper doesn't oxidize inside the lines.
^^^ what he said.

I'd also use the long radius style elbows. Brand new 3/4" copper tubing is pretty easy to make gentle bends in but for anything more then that use fittings.

Avoid slumps in the line because they can collect oil. Try to keep the line as horizontal as possible up until the point where you need to do vertical.

You can also use Stay brite silver solder instead of brazing. It's stronger and you can skip the Nitrogen flow. However preparing the joints is more unforgiving then brazing.
hennyh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 04:15 PM   #4
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hennyh View Post
^^^ what he said.

However preparing the joints is more unforgiving then brazing.
Could you please explain why ? Thanks.
tuckerz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 04:33 PM   #5
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Default

I have a similar scenario as the OP. I am installing a 1.5 ton mini split and need to do a 90 degree bend right where the tubing exits the wall (outside). Inside Unit in on the wall (and we have very thick walls) so that leaves no room left to bend the copper that is coming out of the evaporator.

Can I use this fitting? The female end of the fitting will screw on the pipe from the inside unit and then I will attach the line set to the male end.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

The reason I was doubtful was that the male end on the inside unit is intended for flare fittings and didn't know how well it would mate with the female end of this adapter.
fazlis85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 04:53 PM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuckerz View Post
Could you please explain why ? Thanks.
When using Stay Brite silver solder the joints need to be perfectly clean. You also need to apply just the right amount of flux and solder. Technique is also important.

Brazing (w/sil phos) is much more forgiving to prep. of the joints and technique. However the higher temps mean you need a Nitrogen purge.

Last edited by hennyh; 11-04-2009 at 10:10 AM.
hennyh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 08:30 PM   #7
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hennyh View Post
When using Stay Brite silver solder the joints need to be very perfectly clean. You also need to apply just the right amount of flux and solder. Technique is also important.
Is there a specific method you use for cleaning ?
tuckerz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 09:05 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuckerz View Post
Is there a specific method you use for cleaning ?
Scotch brite until they're shiny and then acetone to clean. after that the Stay brite flux and solder will do the rest.
hennyh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 09:56 PM   #9
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hennyh View Post
Scotch brite until they're shiny and then acetone to clean. after that the Stay brite flux and solder will do the rest.
Would a good idea be to scotch brite and acetone the surface before the cut as to keep any contaminates out ?
tuckerz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 10:30 PM   #10
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuckerz View Post
Would a good idea be to scotch brite and acetone the surface before the cut as to keep any contaminates out ?
Yes, once cut the inside of the tubing needs to be kept contaminant free.
hennyh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2009, 08:24 AM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 34
Default

Staybrite 8 is the kind of silver solder being refered to,not plumbing solder. Maybe you knew that already tuckerz, just making sure.
Marty S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


More On This Topic

I’m Lee. I have a degree in architecture and about ten years construction experience, and we’re installing a new dishwasher. The water inlet, which is, everything’s located on the bottom. You just want to take some Teflon tape and... Read More »

Hi this is Jon on behalf of Expert Village in this video clip we will be installing the top. After installing the bottom piece I went ahead and flip up my chest of drawers up onto the work bench, this will really help when installing the top. The first... Read More »

I’m Lee. I have a degree in architecture and about ten years construction experience, and today we are replacing the hot water pipe and valve. Now we’ve already installed the valve, which is a two outlet valve- one for the sink and one for... Read More »

Now, a lot of people don't have a lot of room to store things, and they forget about little sneaky places in their kitchen. For example, the back of their cupboard. Now, what can we put there? If you want, you can take little bottles, maybe the little... Read More »

Purchasing a home is a major investment. Finding the right home that meets all of your needs, is located in the right location, and looks and feels like the home of your dreams is indeed a process. Here are some tips to make a home buying checklist which... Read More »

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Do I need to prime my oil feed line? 1parkpointer HVAC 3 10-22-2009 08:52 PM
Replacing damaged BX line in kitchen wall fishnyc22 Electrical 5 02-17-2009 02:40 PM
Any Tips on Installing Plastic Molding? 1655graff Remodeling 4 11-28-2008 09:36 PM
tips for installing Provent insulation baffles? txdiy2607 Roofing 4 07-03-2008 07:03 PM
Line set size for Central AC JoeFL77 HVAC 5 05-21-2008 11:23 AM

Top of Page | View New Posts


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© 2003 - 2009 The Building Network LLC