Silver soldering copper lines

Thanks for your help, in advance.

Tom

Do not solder refer pipe without using a cover gas inside the pipe, of Co2 or Nitrogen. I use nitrogen because it also removes moister as it purges the oxygen. Clean both inside and outside of the fittings and the outside of the pipe. DO Not use flux of any kind!!! Use act/oxy and heat back towards the where the fitting reduces adding 15% silver solder at the pipe/fitting joint letting the solder flow into the joint. Any other method will cause a leak within a short time because of viberation.

You will need to pump the system to 29.950hg THREE times to remove the moister or the moister will combine with the refer oil causing an acid that eats the motor windings, usually within 6mths. For this reason I strongly suggest you pay to have the pipes put in by a professonal. Yep it's $500 now or $1200 later when you replace the compressor!!!

I don't care what hype Harris puts out about the no silver solder filler rod, it sucks. A one pound tube of 15% is $45 and worth every penny.

This is one job that has to be done correct with alot of special equipment and it's pay me now or pay me latter but your gonna pay me!

T_Bone

If your local code permits soft solder, Harris makes a staybrite 8 silver bearing solder that works good. Just use their flux and clean the fittings and tubing good and proceed as if you were soldering copper water pipes (can use you propane torch here).

If the code requires brazing you will need to purge the line with nitrogen while you braze.

This is all explained at JW Harris website I will post a link for you. Look at Soldering Alloys, also look at their brazing products.

Tom R

• Solders

Sorry I forgot to respond to the second question.

Refrigeration tubing is classified by OD. While tubing for water is sold by nominal pipe size (� copper water pipe is actually 5/8" OD). It is best to use Wrot Copper refrigeration fittings for this even if you have a line set that �" or � " water line fittings will fit.
I would recommend you use a long radius 90� if you have the room to do so.

Hope this helps Tom R.