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Why braze refrigerator compressor fittings?

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Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,820
    a 1# disposable cylinder can make a fair bit of fire for a while.
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,271

    My concern is ignition of somethings else. 
    It could get out of hand quickly. 

    Also I don’t think the liability insurance has caught wind of the change and I don’t want to be the test case!
  • JackW
    JackW Member Posts: 236
    edited August 2023
    @pecmsg, it's 134A. I think I will use Stabrite #8; what size would you suggest? Also, can I do this with MAPP gas alone, or do I need to add Oxygen? I have both. Thanks.
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,271
    What size what?
    You do know you need to be licensed to deal with refrigerants and that's just the start!
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,004
    Silver rod does not need flux , solder needs flux to bond . Flux is acidic . A acidic mix flowing through the system will break down the compressor windings . Same reason we displace the oxygen in the system when we braze ....

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,260
    Big Ed_4 said:
    Silver rod does not need flux , solder needs flux to bond . Flux is acidic . A acidic mix flowing through the system will break down the compressor windings . Same reason we displace the oxygen in the system when we braze ....
    Silphos rod uses phosphor as the flux but it's only good for copper to copper connections.  Steel, stainless etc needs flux 
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,364
    @JackW

    To answer your question 1/8" diameter stay brite #8 is what is normally used but you could use smaller on the small tubing you have either one will work.

    The flux used is called STAY Clean by the same manufacturer.

    with 134A stay brite is fine.

    Mapp gas alone will have plenty of heat you don't need but you can use oxygen but you don't need much heat.

    Think of soldering plumbing stay brite works the same as regular solder
    JackW
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,282
    Over 54 years ago we (allegedly 🤪) landed on the moon, and we can't make a non ozone depleting refrigerant that doesn't go BOOM!? We're actually going backwards. 
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,364
    @HVACNUT

    We have one. It's been around since the 1850s in France and the 1860s here

    Ammonia

    LOL
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,282
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    @HVACNUT We have one. It's been around since the 1850s in France and the 1860s here Ammonia LOL
    Even if if wasn't flammable, I could do without the bursts of urine odor while hooking up gauges. 
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,271
    edited August 2023
    Big Ed_4 said:

    Silver rod does not need flux , solder needs flux to bond . Flux is acidic . A acidic mix flowing through the system will break down the compressor windings . Same reason we displace the oxygen in the system when we braze ....

    If that discharge stub is steel than 35 - 55% rod WITH flux is needed!

    N2 is used to prevent the copper from forming copper oxide. That gets into the bearings and destroys them along with plugging screens.
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,004
    I learn every day , thanks

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,260
    There are no "safe" refrigerants.
    R22 with oil is very flammable.

    R22 also makes some very bad stuff when burned like phosgene gas.

    Ammonia is a fine refrigerant, as is propane.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,364
    Ammonia is a good refrigerant with good capacity.

    Problem is you can't use it with copper tubing
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,271
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    Ammonia is a good refrigerant with good capacity. Problem is you can't use it with copper tubing
    and it’s Toxic as all hell!
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,260
    pecmsg said:
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    Ammonia is a good refrigerant with good capacity. Problem is you can't use it with copper tubing
    and it’s Toxic as all hell!
    That's why we're supposed to make systems that don't leak.


    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,271
    ChrisJ said:
    pecmsg said:
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    Ammonia is a good refrigerant with good capacity. Problem is you can't use it with copper tubing
    and it’s Toxic as all hell!
    That's why we're supposed to make systems that don't leak.


    Tell that to the government!

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