In the next hvac adventure, we will find you on top of the international space station working on the 2ton Goodman they're using for climate control. Excellent job. Thank You...
I’ve always rapped the valve, BUT I use a rose bud so I can heat it faster so the heat has less time to travel! If that makes sense to you . You just need to learn heat control, flame further, closer depending on pipe size, plus the flame will wrap around the smaller pipe sizes. It does work!
I was thinking along the same lines. I was hoping he was brazing with nitrogen at the time. I couldn’t be sure. I was waiting to see him put a 90 degree bend in the brazing rod for reaching the backside of the joint but I didn’t see it didn’t see it. That being said, he completed one of the most difficult brazing tasks out there. Hats off to his dedication to a quality job!
I don't even have an AC unit for my house but I truly enjoy watching an ethical and skilled tradesman doing his job so skillfully... I have watched dozens so far
Whoa, what a job! Why oh why is that thing up in the air like that? You outdid yourself on this one, nice brazing and all. I know about being wet, I've been rebuilding my deck and in 5 to 10 minutes I'm soaked. Nice job my friend, keep on rockln'.
Man that is an angry flame. I was taught to use my ears as part of setting the flame on a tourch. You are looking for the quite flame that is lifting about 1/6-18 off the tourch tip. Then bump it up ever so slightly.
You get hazardous duty pay for that one ! To hot and I've never seen AC units mounted up there like that making it really difficult to service or repair. You do great work for your customers and I enjoy watching your videos.....I was a generator service and repair tech and worked out in the field for a while. Roof tops, ships ladders, hot dark basements......Happy to be retired.....Nice job Curtis...
Awesome job Curtis. Right off the bat I felt like i could smell what you were doing…lol. It’s amazing at some of the precarious positions that we have to get in to make the job happen. Oh yea man you gotta utilize that Trade Fox Umbrella on days like this brother…
Definitely a perfect scenario to use your cordless vacuum pump. Man my hat is off to you such a dangerous work area. And my question is y are the units in the air? So no-one steals them?
I agree with the comments below. You’re a better man than me, brother… that’s a tough job when it’s on the ground.. I hate replacing reversing valves… I know theres is not much room, but you could definitely use a pair of hands.. plus you breathing all that phosphorus gas in your lungs..hell of a job!
Curtis you can use a wet rag to clean flux residue from a solder joint after it has cooled naturally. However, you should avoid shocking the joint with water while it's cooling, as this can stress it and damage the joint!
Great job Curtis. What was that spray you shot on the connections before heating and brazing? You know those compressor fittings are copper coated steel. Copeland says to use 5 percent rod I forget the composition and perhaps some flux. Do you just use the normal 15 percent silver sil phos?
Great video ! Tips for you - 1) Buy the White shop towels in a box at home depot & use them for " wet rags " they are a lot thinner than using the Restaurant towels u are using. 2) Tear the Rags into 1" strips & dip them in a 1 Gallon bucket. 1 gallon bucket can be got at home depot too. 3) use the towels in 1" wide strips to wet rag stuff. stuff can be wrapped thinner & keeps cold surface away from welding area. Makes it alot easier to weld. 4) i would have used a scissor lift on that job if the guy with the cage was not available. i Rent a " Scizzor Lift " & Have it delivered to the Job site. They pick up when i'm done with it. They are not expensive to Rent. Saves My Butt on Roofs with Terrible access & u can lift equipment up with it too. Saved My derrière on a Package unit changeout across a Double Level Roof. 5) Spread " White brazing flux " on joints before removal to thin 15% solder. can be picked up in any supply house. makes it easier to reinstall reversing valves because solder is thinner & Valve pushes right on. same with any fitting. i'll have to do a video. also takes less heat to remove pipe. try it. you will like it. Why are those units in the Air anyhow? Snow ? ❄️
Many people are skeptical of using Staybrite8. No, it’s not normal solder, has 8%silver and 30,000 psi burst strength when used properly. Doesn’t always replace high temperature brazing, but it certainly has its place.
I hope you got plenty $$$ for the job plus hazardous duty pay. The guy that put those up in the air should be ashamed. I'd much rather work on a rooftop (which I have) cooking my feet; pulling parts up with a rope than that job. I may have passed on that job. That being said; nice job.
Wow, I'd simply disconnect that condenser and set it on the ground to do the work, then put it back up and reconnect it. Way too dangerous to do it up there on the light weight wobbly structure. What were you thinking, LOL???
Question from the rookie again exclamation! Why couldn't you have braised the leak instead of replacing the whole thing? And why don't you clean your connections first with Emory paper? Would love to learn
Curtis i know this is a very random question, very nice video btw i love your content. I wanted to ask you what is the brand of your Watchband for your Apple Watch, Thank you!!!!
thanks bc iam fixing to do an RV on an Rheem Hp almost same Model # boy thees are not fun to get too & good idea I may use un sweat the discharge line frm compressor 1 st
You did it the (HARD WAY) man... You should have did like you did with the discharge small line, brazed the RV outside the unit, but brazed up (3) 8"-10" 3/4 copper pieces while outside also, then measured and cut the pipe on up once inside during a "MOCK UP"... Cut the factory pipes, then grab the RV with the 8-10" stubs you already welded on outside the unit and swage them once you measured to cut them at the right length, braze them to the factory pipes that you could have sanded/cut with a cutter clean on up the valve... This way the welding of the valve is much (MUCH) more controlled outside, kept cool, quality joints, and the 8" of pipe coming off the valve could be slightly bent etc and made solid pipe to pipe connections... Heck.. Even a 3" stub off the RV is better than trying to braze directly to the RV inside the unit... You nailed the compressor harness also, which is another issues about tight spaces... Take the hard stuff out of the equation.. Does it make more "CONNECTIONS"?!? SURE! But they ae direct pipe/to pipe and if it has another reversing valve failure, it probably needs replaced anyways.. Food for thought. Adam
I’m not sure how possible it would have been on this job but I would have liked to have taken the electrical panel off to do that repair. And I frequently change out Dehumidification valves which look similar to reversing valves just with 3 pipes instead of 4 and I use the Viper Wet rag and it is a game changer compared to using traditional wet rags, I build it up right to the swages and braze them in with a rose bud tip, get in and get out and it works well for me.
I don't know! In hind sight, would it not have been quicker (and safer for you) to lower the unit for repairs...... No, whatever you got paid, it wasn't enough.
That was one of the most craziest and difficult job I’ve seen so far. Never mind that heat and humidity. You look spent after that job brother! Now for some cold ones 👍
I almost think I would have put it on the ground to fix it.....only having to mess with a couple of crimp fittings and an electric line up in the air (plus the recharge) sounds a lot easier.
Man the pucker factor on this one is a bit high for me. No thanks. Not sure that the money'd be worth it when I slipped off the roof and ended up in the hospital or worse.
I WOULD HAVE REMOVED THE WHOLE UNIT TAKE IT BACK TO THE SHOP YOU GOT TO RECOVER WHOLE SYSTEM ANYWAY WAY WAY EASIER TO DO THIS JOB SAFELY PLUS NO HEAT STROKE ON THE ROOF PLUS LESS TIME fussing about it btw WHAT IS THE SPRAY YOU WERE USING WHEN YOU WERE SOLDERING THE REV VALVE?
In the next hvac adventure, we will find you on top of the international space station working on the 2ton Goodman they're using for climate control. Excellent job. Thank You...
Anytime
They can't just open a window. lol
I think I would have replaced unit instead of just valve.
I’ve always rapped the valve, BUT I use a rose bud so I can heat it faster so the heat has less time to travel! If that makes sense to you . You just need to learn heat control, flame further, closer depending on pipe size, plus the flame will wrap around the smaller pipe sizes. It does work!
I was thinking along the same lines. I was hoping he was brazing with nitrogen at the time. I couldn’t be sure. I was waiting to see him put a 90 degree bend in the brazing rod for reaching the backside of the joint but I didn’t see it didn’t see it. That being said, he completed one of the most difficult brazing tasks out there. Hats off to his dedication to a quality job!
Well Curtis as everyone has said you earned your money on this one man the design of some of these systems is ridiculous another great job
Now Curtis is not only the Guru of of Georgia, he the Guru of the Sky's over Georgia. Wow is their No Limits to Curtis Genius.
I don't even have an AC unit for my house but I truly enjoy watching an ethical and skilled tradesman doing his job so skillfully... I have watched dozens so far
Thanks
Great work under very challenging conditions. Not only the heat, but the height...hope you charged accordingly...
You picked a good day to use the magnetic tray!
Suggestion from a pure novice; possibly mark the depth of your assembly with a Sharpe as you do when using the pressure connections.
That whole corner panel pops off for easier access to the refrigeration components.
Whoa, what a job! Why oh why is that thing up in the air like that? You outdid yourself on this one, nice brazing and all. I know about being wet, I've been rebuilding my deck and in 5 to 10 minutes I'm soaked. Nice job my friend, keep on rockln'.
Above and beyond the call of duty. Great video and great job.
Much appreciated
Great job Curtis. Another rough one in the books.
Yes it was!
the blue shop towels from costco soaked in water make the perfect heat sink imo ..
I felt for you on this one, take care of yourself. great work.
Nice work Curtis. Betcha it feels good to hit the shower and just chill at the end of the day.
Man that is an angry flame. I was taught to use my ears as part of setting the flame on a tourch. You are looking for the quite flame that is lifting about 1/6-18 off the tourch tip. Then bump it up ever so slightly.
I love work...can sit and watch people doing it all day long! Just kidding lot's of respect for you my friend
Well done Curtis, even at that height 👍 Au
Wow, awesome job Curtis!
Thanks!
Wow. Good Job Curtis
Thanks
Awe man, just when you think you got it made, you remember something you forgot to do. Ouch! 😂Great job! 👍
Thanks 👍
You get hazardous duty pay for that one ! To hot and I've never seen AC units mounted up there like that making it really difficult to service or repair. You do great work for your customers and I enjoy watching your videos.....I was a generator service and repair tech and worked out in the field for a while. Roof tops, ships ladders, hot dark basements......Happy to be retired.....Nice job Curtis...
Thanks
wow i can't believe you fit down inside the unit very tight fit there working inside trying to get to that valve.
Awesome job,Curtis!
Thanks!
Awesome job Curtis. Right off the bat I felt like i could smell what you were doing…lol. It’s amazing at some of the precarious positions that we have to get in to make the job happen. Oh yea man you gotta utilize that Trade Fox Umbrella on days like this brother…
Goooooooood ! Job Curtis as always another job well done thanks for the video
Man,feel for you, Curtis
Youre a Real Super Tech.
Thousands of guys and girls just like me doing the same things every day
Definitely a perfect scenario to use your cordless vacuum pump.
Man my hat is off to you such a dangerous work area. And my question is y are the units in the air? So no-one steals them?
Flood area and theft prevention. Both flavors.
I agree with the comments below. You’re a better man than me, brother… that’s a tough job when it’s on the ground.. I hate replacing reversing valves… I know theres is not much room, but you could definitely use a pair of hands.. plus you breathing all that phosphorus gas in your lungs..hell of a job!
Good job bro, Very enjoyable.
Cut the line set and put the condenser on the ground.
Great video. You’re non stop and hard working!!
What kind of flame is that ? Oxidizing?
Almost taking it down, fix and put back up would be easier. Tractors are my friend
As he has a tractor lift available surely it would have made much more sense to disconnect the outdoor and drop it down on the floor.
That's one thing I haven't changed yet and I don't think I want to either 😅
Curtis you can use a wet rag to clean flux residue from a solder joint after it has cooled naturally.
However, you should avoid shocking the joint with water while it's cooling, as this can stress it and damage the joint!
Thank god for supply house credit accounts. Those S man’s are expensive but worth it.
Great job Curtis. What was that spray you shot on the connections before heating and brazing? You know those compressor fittings are copper coated steel. Copeland says to use 5 percent rod I forget the composition and perhaps some flux. Do you just use the normal 15 percent silver sil phos?
Stay Brite 8 in those tight spots ? HVAC. Heating Ventilation and Contortionist !
Great video ! Tips for you -
1) Buy the White shop towels in a box at home depot & use them for " wet rags "
they are a lot thinner than using the Restaurant towels u are using.
2) Tear the Rags into 1" strips & dip them in a 1 Gallon bucket. 1 gallon bucket can be got at home depot too.
3) use the towels in 1" wide strips to wet rag stuff. stuff can be wrapped thinner & keeps cold surface away from welding area. Makes it alot easier to weld.
4) i would have used a scissor lift on that job if the guy with the cage was not available. i Rent a " Scizzor Lift " & Have it delivered to the Job site. They pick up when i'm done with it. They are not expensive to Rent.
Saves My Butt on Roofs with Terrible access & u can lift equipment up with it too. Saved My derrière on a Package unit changeout across a Double Level Roof.
5) Spread " White brazing flux " on joints before removal to thin 15% solder. can be picked up in any supply house. makes it easier to reinstall reversing valves because solder is thinner & Valve pushes right on. same with any fitting. i'll have to do a video.
also takes less heat to remove pipe.
try it. you will like it.
Why are those units in the Air anyhow? Snow ? ❄️
It's certainly not for snow in that location... my guess is theft deterrent.
Your a trooper
Many people are skeptical of using Staybrite8. No, it’s not normal solder, has 8%silver and 30,000 psi burst strength when used properly. Doesn’t always replace high temperature brazing, but it certainly has its place.
Great job 👍
Wow nice work even though not easy place to work…
Thanks
I hope you got plenty $$$ for the job plus hazardous duty pay. The guy that put those up in the air should be ashamed. I'd much rather work on a rooftop (which I have) cooking my feet; pulling parts up with a rope than that job. I may have passed on that job. That being said; nice job.
He finally got that magnetic screw holder from Harbor Freight everyone 🙌
You’re a better man than me Curtis. I would have just replaced outdoor unit and called it a day. Reversing valve repairs are hard enough as is
Wow, I'd simply disconnect that condenser and set it on the ground to do the work, then put it back up and reconnect it. Way too dangerous to do it up there on the light weight wobbly structure. What were you thinking, LOL???
What is that bag you have for your torches? I like.
Curtis getting high on the job. lol 😎
😂
Is this a twist on the ladder to success? 😀
Question from the rookie again exclamation! Why couldn't you have braised the leak instead of replacing the whole thing? And why don't you clean your connections first with Emory paper? Would love to learn
That's a set of gauges😮
Sky’s the limit Curtis
lol
8:15 sounds like a pissed off bumble bee.
why dont you use sta brite 8 instead of brazing the lines ?
STAYBRITE-8 works the best for reversing valves. Low heat applications with all the strength of a silver alloy joint! Should try it?
Curtis i know this is a very random question, very nice video btw i love your content. I wanted to ask you what is the brand of your Watchband for your Apple Watch, Thank you!!!!
I heard from one HVAC tech that he uses a wet cloth to wipe off any flux because that will cause the copper to change color and oxidize?
Glad u came up with some sort of lift world may I introduce u to the new peter Parker good job spider man 😂😮😊
Are these units mounted that high off the ground to prevent vandalism?
Theft
Arizona we used to use swamp coolers and they would freeze you out, as long as it was not after a thunderstorm
I have worked in buildings with those and you can keep them. Cold and still sweating, God awful.
Our humidity is so high they don’t work well in the South. Humidity is terrible. I’m moving to Arizona! Lol
What did you do on the defrost board to make the reversing valve shift?
Jump from Y to Blue
Why can't they put threaded connections on reversing valves would make changing them a lot easier
What's the reason for the units being so high off the ground
curtis what side do you dump the nitrogen in when you so the pressure tests
Both
thanks bc iam fixing to do an RV on an Rheem Hp almost same Model # boy thees are not fun to get too & good idea I may use un sweat the discharge line frm compressor 1 st
What Olympic sport is this?
you don't need to clean the old tubing when brazing it together? I am used to soldering water pipes never did brazing.
A+++
Is that the high water mark or does that town have condenser eating coyotes?
These houses have been under water twice
@@HVACGUY So that is the high water mark? Frightening.
Would you ever consider using Staybrite 8 on that? Read it’s good for 10,000 psi.
Why is the condenser up in the air? Flood waters? Noise?
@35:00 i hope that Red and black wire to the compressor isn't important
You did it the (HARD WAY) man... You should have did like you did with the discharge small line, brazed the RV outside the unit, but brazed up (3) 8"-10" 3/4 copper pieces while outside also, then measured and cut the pipe on up once inside during a "MOCK UP"...
Cut the factory pipes, then grab the RV with the 8-10" stubs you already welded on outside the unit and swage them once you measured to cut them at the right length, braze them to the factory pipes that you could have sanded/cut with a cutter clean on up the valve...
This way the welding of the valve is much (MUCH) more controlled outside, kept cool, quality joints, and the 8" of pipe coming off the valve could be slightly bent etc and made solid pipe to pipe connections...
Heck.. Even a 3" stub off the RV is better than trying to braze directly to the RV inside the unit...
You nailed the compressor harness also, which is another issues about tight spaces... Take the hard stuff out of the equation.. Does it make more "CONNECTIONS"?!? SURE! But they ae direct pipe/to pipe and if it has another reversing valve failure, it probably needs replaced anyways..
Food for thought.
Adam
Why place the condensers so high up?
Surely Mossberg or Remington would insure no copper theft out in the country
I’m not sure how possible it would have been on this job but I would have liked to have taken the electrical panel off to do that repair. And I frequently change out Dehumidification valves which look similar to reversing valves just with 3 pipes instead of 4 and I use the Viper Wet rag and it is a game changer compared to using traditional wet rags, I build it up right to the swages and braze them in with a rose bud tip, get in and get out and it works well for me.
Tell the customer they need to add some platforms on each side of the condenser unit in order to make it safer to work on the units!!!
Now why would anyone put the outside unit up that far in the air???
I would have disconnected the unit and use the lift to lower the unit to the ground
How did she ever get anyone to install the compressor units like that?
I don't know! In hind sight, would it not have been quicker (and safer for you) to lower the unit for repairs......
No, whatever you got paid, it wasn't enough.
You're talking about the manifold gauges right? I'll take the broken one if trashing it.
I don't have any and trash would try to fix it
Don't set your bridgett legs on fire 🔥
I think maybe I would have used the tractor to remove the condensing unit to the ground and work on it there. but you seem to have it under control.
They in a flood zone?
Christian from a rookie. Why could you have just soldered where the leak was? Maybe somebody could help me with that answer
Why are the units on that platform? Seems unnecessary and dangerous.
Two reasons. Flood plain, and theft.
@@HVACGUYI was guessing that flooding was an explanation.
Yes hvac guy is exactly right I always say there's a reason for everything!!!
That was one of the most craziest and difficult job I’ve seen so far. Never mind that heat and humidity. You look spent after that job brother! Now for some cold ones 👍
You could have more than 8 hours in the job.
Garentee platform is not osha approved!
I almost think I would have put it on the ground to fix it.....only having to mess with a couple of crimp fittings and an electric line up in the air (plus the recharge) sounds a lot easier.
good job. But why put them why up there. Flood zone? but if got to be that high for that then need raise the house.
Lol i guess they wanted better airflow not realizing that the back end doesnt even have fins 😂
Man the pucker factor on this one is a bit high for me. No thanks. Not sure that the money'd be worth it when I slipped off the roof and ended up in the hospital or worse.
id put that fan downstream of the smoke so i dont gotta breath in all that phosgene
I cringe every time you yank on the wires.
I WOULD HAVE REMOVED THE WHOLE UNIT TAKE IT BACK TO THE SHOP YOU GOT TO RECOVER WHOLE SYSTEM ANYWAY WAY WAY EASIER TO DO THIS JOB SAFELY PLUS NO HEAT STROKE ON THE ROOF PLUS LESS TIME fussing about it btw WHAT IS THE SPRAY YOU WERE USING WHEN YOU WERE SOLDERING THE REV VALVE?
Bad neighborhood or what?