How to sweat/join residential HVAC pipe? 1

[dyerger]

Is the method of joining the copper pipe between the compressor and evaporator any different from sweating plumbing pipes?

Is special solder needed?

Also any suggestions on getting a prebundled pipe (3/4", 3/8" copper) with the a shut-off wire (14-2 w/ground) and thermostat wire bundled in?

 

[Cooky]

It's very different!!.

If you use conventional 'plumbing' solder, the joint will almost certanly fail. The joint produced will not withstand the higher pressures or possible vibration from the compressor.

All refrigerant pipe joints should be made as brazed joints. It's basically a copper rod with small amounts other metals added to improve the resulting brazed joint.

Ask for brazing rod at any refrigeration supplier.

 

[VEEKRISH]

Dyerger,
use only brazed joints or use flare connections. Normal plumbing will not be able to withstand the pressures that exist.

 

[mechtech1]

All you need is 15% silver soldier. You will have to use a torch set with a brazing tip or a turbo tip on a plumbing rig. This is a harder soldier and higher melting temp(2500 degree), were soft soldier for plumbing melts around 400 degree, and cracks under vibration. This is alot easier to use than copper rods.