Ive been in the HVACR field for 13 years now, and I still find it fascinating to watch other HVAC professionals doing their thing. Even after getting home from a day of doing the same thing.
I have never been in the field, but I will say that Chris makes it interesting with his superb presentation. I have learned a ton from these videos, just enough to be dangerous. Do not worry. Your jobs are safe.
Not actually into HVAC and if you asked me why I keep watching these videos religiously I wouldn't have an answer ready for you, but I used to be an IT tech and watching other techs do their job was a big part of the whole thing. The good ones teach you how to do things better, the bad ones teach you how not to (and make you laugh every now and then). It suggests alternative ways that might work better than yours, refreshes what you already know and keeps you up to date with new stuff.
Take a little advice from an old timer here. When dealing with nasty leaky pitted copper - after cleaning and before soldering - grab a can of brake parts cleaner and give everything a good spritz. Let the fumes clear then start soldering. It completely removes any leftover oil residues and makes for a cleaner looking repair. Also , turn your torch down. A slightly longer heat up will pay dividends when you don’t blow holes through the copper. I thoroughly enjoy watching your channel and keep up the good work!
Yes, I used to use denatured alcohol to clean up oil and shit before brazing, but your right us old timers knew stuff, and yes please let it air out before attempting to braze cause an alcohol fire is hard as shit to see until it is too late.
I did that with Tstat wire once on a little reducer I blew a hole in. I was hour away from a parts house so gave it a shot. Stripped the wire. Wrapped the reducer and just covered the whole thing in solder. Worked great. Looks like crap. But it’s held up
Talk about a Tech's Nightmare watching those holes open up one after another. Great job Chris and you truly are a professional and the customer is lucky to have you on the roof getting every last minute of use from thos dumpster fires...LOL. Thanks so much and have a great evening.
I started using a Map gas torch on really thin pitted copper like you had there. It gets plenty hot to braze those smaller tubes and you don’t have to worry about blowing a hole in it. The part at the end when you got yourself in the doghouse with your wife was hilarious!! Great job with the repair!
I like to use a map gas torch when laying braze on thin copper, makes for easy work and doesnt blow holes in the pipe as easily. Thanks for doing these videos, love leaning any tips possible.
For me, this turned out to be rather more interesting than the title suggested. The techniques you showed, I hadn't seen before. But yet again the devil is in the detail, not just with the actual repair work but when pulling a vacuum the vacuum pump oil was an important point made and demonstrated. I haven't seen anyone show how oil level and oil quality can affect the ability for the vacuum pump to work properly. Thanks for this, Chris, I learned something.
I do a lot of residential refrigeration. 134a units, when we're in high sulfur areas, it was the worst copper to deal with. On top of that, add the gulf cost salt air.
Wow. I had the exact same unit in almost the exact same spot today. Mine was on circuit 2 about 16 inches above where your leak was. Easy fix when ya can just remove the cover like you did.
All HVAC Contractors are NOT the Same. We have used the Same HVAC Contractor for Over 30+ years. If it “Ain’t” Broke, Don’t Mess with it. That Simple. 👍🙏
I used to run my flame a little rich, less oxygen and a longer cone, on real thin crap like that. It always seems you're chasing one leak after another.
I was thinking that exact thing. I like my inner flame a little longer. I find it doesn't make holes near as much. I hear your reasoning though. Old copper on that rooftop must've been a real pain to deal with! Impressive patch work. I'm always fascinated by your skills. 👍
Chris some of that stuff is like trying to braze/ wield cardboard or Swiss cheese. I had one I started out with 4 leaks, and by the time I was done with 7 sticks of Slifos and 12 leaks later I had to resolder the whole stinking end plate, but the coil was 6 months out and $4K. The funny thing is it lasted another 8 years leak-free before the unit was replaced. :)
I take 14 gauge copper wire, tightly wrap it with several loops, and cover the area of the tubing and 180s and weak points before I heat them up. and have had great success over brazing with alloy, I find it keeps me from chasing new holes, it takes the heat much better and adds some structural integrity, some times on the thin stuff it is also helpful to use a turbo torch, it has a much softer flame, ( I teach newbies on regular brazing to start with a turbo as well, just a little slower action till they get a feel for it)
Waste Nitrogen? It’s the most prominent thing in our atmosphere…I get it though we gotta buy dry nitrogen to test our equipment and it’s costs $$ Great job on getting this unit working bro!! Excellent excellent job for real Lennox is good equipment 🤣 for real I’ve replaced at least 5-10 2016-17 evaporator coils just this year they all leak man, maybe commercial stuff is better 🤷♂️
Chris. Did you notice how when you turned the pressure down on the torch you had more control ? The 1st time you were blasting the gas so hard, no one is going to fill a hole like that. Think finesse. And a little more time.
chris try using map pro gas torch for coil repairs. acetylene is way too powerful for such thin, pitted copper tubes. try it at least once and then you'll never go back
The u bends are very thin even before the erosion. Be brazing would be hard and a normal cutter doesn’t fit. Theoretically you could use just a hacksaw blade to cut the bends out but you would need a 180 double female coupling. And brazing fresh would melt the male parts of the original coil
Great video of a repair. I would think in manufacturing, they would come up with a way of keeping the copper in one solid complete piece, and bending it all to shape in the factory so there is no solder joints.
Next set of leaks will be in the coil not on the bends. They are a lot more interesting to fix but by the look of that coil, you'll be back sooner rather than later..
one of the customers I did work for would say lets get the condenser coils and replace them. They would order the wrong coil and say install it still when it is bigger than the original. Did not like they would do that and say we gave them wrong information. They would go off their own records. Glad I am no longer out in the field and now at one location.
Is any patching copper tubes available? I mean not to resolder those eaten u-shaped tubes, but to replace them with new copper parts? Or this repairs are rare?
So a little late and I'm not a HVAC guy but if you suspect thin walls with small/micro-leaks and you know the equipment has to be replaced sooner or later, wouldn't it be easier to do a coating with epoxy or jb weld? I'm sure it aint best practice and I don't know if it would potentially contaminate the system but it shoud make your life easier, wouldn't it?
I also had this 50 dollar idea to have scab patch copper manufactured. It would be a little thinner wall than type K And playable to fit to form around elbows and such. It would be in little square sheets Someone DO IT please lol
I really would love it if parts houses carried these "U" bend peices. RTUs are horrible for bend leaks. Especially right where you found these leaks. And from what ive seen the last 12yrs there Almost all the same size .. great job man that not the easiest thing to braze with out more issues arrising.
@HVACRVIDEOS May I suggest you get some copper foil to wrap around those large holes prior to soldering so the pipe is not filled with solder and makes a better seal !
Chris your brazing skills are awesome. I wish I could braze like that. Hopefully this unit will last a little while longer and the customer will have it replaced.
That thing is eligible for your taillight warranty. Warranty period is as long as the customer can see your tail lights. As soon as you left the parking lot, good luck. Thats not even polishing a turd, just scratching it into a somewhat nicer shape. Did you ever try to solder on a cutoff piece of copper pipe as a patch? I find it rather hard to stack up the solder like that. Not to forget about the risk of dropping a hughe glob of solder into the tubing. (Not that it would harm anything on that specific unit)
Hey Chris, can you explain your vacuum process on a unit like this? When you cant get your vacuum to 500 microns. How low is ok? Is it the remaining oil that doesnt allow it to go lower? How long would you let it go on the decay test? Is it just the best you can do in a situation like this? 16:44
im really surprised if you cant by those copper bends pre made to swap out on coils that are just like this . surely that would be a good market since its faster and cheaper than changing out a whole coil or at least gets you by unti one can be ordered
At what point do you go from trying to coat the condenser with solder to trying to convince the owner to buy a new condenser or unit, also do you have to flux the elbows when doing a process like this?
What about soft solder for the pinholes? It would require less temperature and without, or with the right, flux it should be fine. Especially since this is not structural
@@HVACRVIDEOSwell, then i applaud your attention to detail. The time you spent and the rod you used was probably worth more than that old coil that needs to be replaced lol.
Does anyone know what brand solder is being used? It may be just an aesthetic thing but I really like the “rods” he’s using as opposed to the “flat sticks” that my area has.
Wouldn't it be worth hanging onto some scrap copper pieces, specifically curved/bent like this? Then you can just cut one to fit across, and braze it in place.
What would you recommend for someone young wanting to get into hvac is schooling need or training by someone that is well experienced? How did you get into it?
Nothing is worth than popping a hole in copper when you're trying to braze something together. Well, it's also bad when you are putting panels back on coils and a screw is too long and punches right into the coil. All you can do is listen to the sweet release of refrigerant death.
I had seen Steve here and there on youtube but started watching him fairly often the last few months. What a character. I started using his "Give her the ole How Ya Doing Mamma".
I have a question, as a fellow technician. Why do you close your gas ballast at 1000-1500microns? When the manual for the Fieldpiece vacuum pump says to close it at 3000 microns. No judgement here, I just want to hear your theory.
What kind of coating should this have had, and what type of business does this kind of coating? Thank You my friend. BTW You are a magician with the solder.
hey, great channel to watch, I would like your opinion on Dakin vs Lennox roof top package units? pros and cons. I am in Australia so we do have different climates to control.
Ive been in the HVACR field for 13 years now, and I still find it fascinating to watch other HVAC professionals doing their thing. Even after getting home from a day of doing the same thing.
Same her Brother...
Ive been 2 years in the field now, so its like cheating to me🤣😆
@armandodeleon5047 at least your trying to learn 👍
I have never been in the field, but I will say that Chris makes it interesting with his superb presentation. I have learned a ton from these videos, just enough to be dangerous. Do not worry. Your jobs are safe.
Not actually into HVAC and if you asked me why I keep watching these videos religiously I wouldn't have an answer ready for you, but I used to be an IT tech and watching other techs do their job was a big part of the whole thing. The good ones teach you how to do things better, the bad ones teach you how not to (and make you laugh every now and then). It suggests alternative ways that might work better than yours, refreshes what you already know and keeps you up to date with new stuff.
"It's my company and I'll use as much solder as I want." - Chris
Take a little advice from an old timer here. When dealing with nasty leaky pitted copper - after cleaning and before soldering - grab a can of brake parts cleaner and give everything a good spritz. Let the fumes clear then start soldering. It completely removes any leftover oil residues and makes for a cleaner looking repair.
Also , turn your torch down. A slightly longer heat up will pay dividends when you don’t blow holes through the copper. I thoroughly enjoy watching your channel and keep up the good work!
Definitely good advice. I was saying to myself the whole time that he has too much heat for this job.
Yes, I used to use denatured alcohol to clean up oil and shit before brazing, but your right us old timers knew stuff, and yes please let it air out before attempting to braze cause an alcohol fire is hard as shit to see until it is too late.
Brother the way you patched that 1/4” hole in the U bend was pure art and skill. Great technique
My father had a great trick. Use one strand of copper from some electrical wire and wrap it around the end pass before brazing. works great!
I’ll Have to try this. Thanks!
I did that with Tstat wire once on a little reducer I blew a hole in. I was hour away from a parts house so gave it a shot. Stripped the wire. Wrapped the reducer and just covered the whole thing in solder. Worked great. Looks like crap. But it’s held up
Talk about a Tech's Nightmare watching those holes open up one after another. Great job Chris and you truly are a professional and the customer is lucky to have you on the roof getting every last minute of use from thos dumpster fires...LOL. Thanks so much and have a great evening.
Thanks 👍
@@HVACRVIDEOShello hvacr videos it’s me Riley
I started using a Map gas torch on really thin pitted copper like you had there. It gets plenty hot to braze those smaller tubes and you don’t have to worry about blowing a hole in it. The part at the end when you got yourself in the doghouse with your wife was hilarious!! Great job with the repair!
I like to use a map gas torch when laying braze on thin copper, makes for easy work and doesnt blow holes in the pipe as easily.
Thanks for doing these videos, love leaning any tips possible.
To solder like that you must be a artist. Seeing and sculpting the silver solder to fill it all up. Nice job!
Master Chris
For me, this turned out to be rather more interesting than the title suggested. The techniques you showed, I hadn't seen before. But yet again the devil is in the detail, not just with the actual repair work but when pulling a vacuum the vacuum pump oil was an important point made and demonstrated. I haven't seen anyone show how oil level and oil quality can affect the ability for the vacuum pump to work properly. Thanks for this, Chris, I learned something.
I do a lot of residential refrigeration. 134a units, when we're in high sulfur areas, it was the worst copper to deal with. On top of that, add the gulf cost salt air.
Wow. I had the exact same unit in almost the exact same spot today. Mine was on circuit 2 about 16 inches above where your leak was. Easy fix when ya can just remove the cover like you did.
Always love watching you brazing!! With or without the music.. Always love watching you brazing!! With or without the music..
This is high level HVAC work. I'm at my third year and learning from you a lot. Great work.
All HVAC Contractors are NOT the Same. We have used the Same HVAC Contractor for Over 30+ years. If it “Ain’t” Broke, Don’t Mess with it. That Simple. 👍🙏
Salute to ya my guy , I work at a hospital just started in the field but I’ve been watching you since I’ve been in school . 👏🏽👏🏽
I used to run my flame a little rich, less oxygen and a longer cone, on real thin crap like that. It always seems you're chasing one leak after another.
I was thinking that exact thing. I like my inner flame a little longer. I find it doesn't make holes near as much. I hear your reasoning though.
Old copper on that rooftop must've been a real pain to deal with!
Impressive patch work. I'm always fascinated by your skills. 👍
Chris some of that stuff is like trying to braze/ wield cardboard or Swiss cheese. I had one I started out with 4 leaks, and by the time I was done with 7 sticks of Slifos and 12 leaks later I had to resolder the whole stinking end plate, but the coil was 6 months out and $4K. The funny thing is it lasted another 8 years leak-free before the unit was replaced. :)
Nice work Chris. Another one brought back from the dead.
Always love watching you brazing!! With or without the music.😀😎
I take 14 gauge copper wire, tightly wrap it with several loops, and cover the area of the tubing and 180s and weak points before I heat them up. and have had great success over brazing with alloy, I find it keeps me from chasing new holes, it takes the heat much better and adds some structural integrity, some times on the thin stuff it is also helpful to use a turbo torch, it has a much softer flame, ( I teach newbies on regular brazing to start with a turbo as well, just a little slower action till they get a feel for it)
That's enough silver that the tweakers will steal your repair
Waste Nitrogen? It’s the most prominent thing in our atmosphere…I get it though we gotta buy dry nitrogen to test our equipment and it’s costs $$ Great job on getting this unit working bro!! Excellent excellent job for real Lennox is good equipment 🤣 for real I’ve replaced at least 5-10 2016-17 evaporator coils just this year they all leak man, maybe commercial stuff is better 🤷♂️
I would wrap some copper mesh or at least wire on the pipe first so that the solder has some attachment to stay on over the bigger holes.
Chris. Did you notice how when you turned the pressure down on the torch you had more control ? The 1st time you were blasting the gas so hard, no one is going to fill a hole like that. Think finesse. And a little more time.
You were blasting that torch man
Have you ever tried making u bends out of soft copper and fixing it that way
Honestly this is the way. A small stub of swaged 3/8" in each tube and a new return bend. You can buy new 180s pretty cheaply. Cheaper than silphos
@@mikeoxlong6797 I have done it before and it works better than that
nice job fixing that hole that blew out on you.
chris try using map pro gas torch for coil repairs. acetylene is way too powerful for such thin, pitted copper tubes. try it at least once and then you'll never go back
Question: is it possible to just change the copper pipe instead of soldering the holes? Remove the old hole infested pipe and replace with a new one?
The u bends are very thin even before the erosion. Be brazing would be hard and a normal cutter doesn’t fit. Theoretically you could use just a hacksaw blade to cut the bends out but you would need a 180 double female coupling. And brazing fresh would melt the male parts of the original coil
Yes. Cut the bends in half with tin snips. Pull them out out and replace with swaged stubs of 3/8" that you weld a 180 into
Great video of a repair. I would think in manufacturing, they would come up with a way of keeping the copper in one solid complete piece, and bending it all to shape in the factory so there is no solder joints.
the tubes need to be run through the aluminum fin stock holes.
Fair play, i have done plenty of jobs similar to that one, i call it Polishing a Turd, well done to you😅😅
Wonderful!
Next set of leaks will be in the coil not on the bends. They are a lot more interesting to fix but by the look of that coil, you'll be back sooner rather than later..
If I burn holes in the condenser bends like that cut them out and use two 90 elbows
Works every time 🙌🏼
Impressive patch job. I use little squares of shaped copper for temporary fixes.
one of the customers I did work for would say lets get the condenser coils and replace them. They would order the wrong coil and say install it still when it is bigger than the original. Did not like they would do that and say we gave them wrong information. They would go off their own records. Glad I am no longer out in the field and now at one location.
yes you are perfect technician
10:01 Wouldn't be easier to just replace those U links instead of trying to patch them?
Is any patching copper tubes available? I mean not to resolder those eaten u-shaped tubes, but to replace them with new copper parts?
Or this repairs are rare?
So a little late and I'm not a HVAC guy but if you suspect thin walls with small/micro-leaks and you know the equipment has to be replaced sooner or later, wouldn't it be easier to do a coating with epoxy or jb weld? I'm sure it aint best practice and I don't know if it would potentially contaminate the system but it shoud make your life easier, wouldn't it?
I like to cut a piece of copper in half long ways and then trim a scab to size and apply over holes. That was amazing work with just solder
I also had this 50 dollar idea to have scab patch copper manufactured. It would be a little thinner wall than type K And playable to fit to form around elbows and such. It would be in little square sheets
Someone DO IT please lol
I remember a few years ago when I was still working in fast food the unit inside the walk-in sprun a leak on one of those bends.
I really would love it if parts houses carried these "U" bend peices. RTUs are horrible for bend leaks. Especially right where you found these leaks. And from what ive seen the last 12yrs there Almost all the same size .. great job man that not the easiest thing to braze with out more issues arrising.
A 2x flame some times helps fill in those holes. But you definitely have yourself a job there!!
@HVACRVIDEOS May I suggest you get some copper foil to wrap around those large holes prior to soldering so the pipe is not filled with solder and makes a better seal !
Chris your brazing skills are awesome. I wish I could braze like that. Hopefully this unit will last a little while longer and the customer will have it replaced.
Your a good man..... exhuming dead equipment
Very nice job polishing that turd, Chris. 🤣🤣🤣
That thing is eligible for your taillight warranty. Warranty period is as long as the customer can see your tail lights. As soon as you left the parking lot, good luck. Thats not even polishing a turd, just scratching it into a somewhat nicer shape.
Did you ever try to solder on a cutoff piece of copper pipe as a patch? I find it rather hard to stack up the solder like that. Not to forget about the risk of dropping a hughe glob of solder into the tubing. (Not that it would harm anything on that specific unit)
Hey Chris, can you explain your vacuum process on a unit like this? When you cant get your vacuum to 500 microns. How low is ok? Is it the remaining oil that doesnt allow it to go lower? How long would you let it go on the decay test? Is it just the best you can do in a situation like this? 16:44
That was some fancy brazing! But, i don't think it should be legal to risk refrigerant on a system that sketchy.
im really surprised if you cant by those copper bends pre made to swap out on coils that are just like this . surely that would be a good market since its faster and cheaper than changing out a whole coil or at least gets you by unti one can be ordered
that the ends leak means the rest of the tubes are on the way out. Coils are paper thin. He'll be chasing leaks on this till it gets ripped out..
@@richardbartlett6932 yeah I understand that just thinking it's an option to have in the van to save time
Why you didnt cover it with copper plate, and then solder?
Phoeee that's a rabbit hole 😮 , respect for working an a another ones crappy condenser.
At what point do you go from trying to coat the condenser with solder to trying to convince the owner to buy a new condenser or unit, also do you have to flux the elbows when doing a process like this?
What about soft solder for the pinholes? It would require less temperature and without, or with the right, flux it should be fine. Especially since this is not structural
Thx for the good solid content
Tripple evacuation and the good ole tap on compressor sump can get out the trapped noncondenseables.
Your brazing is top notch, question leaks on the condenser are they not an attempt to not take on?
Awesome video that's a little scary great brazing job
Chris my question to you would it not be better to replace coil rather than fix these leaks business wise
I think he would agree based on what I've seen him say in the past, but some units are critical and need temporary fixes
What did you use to prep the copper for brazing? A dremel?
What brazing rod did you use?
Just sand paper, and I used 15% silfos
@@HVACRVIDEOSwell, then i applaud your attention to detail.
The time you spent and the rod you used was probably worth more than that old coil that needs to be replaced lol.
Good job Chris, The coil is crap, not your fault.
Damn your videos are addictive
Have you tried using corrosion grenade for your costal systems to prevent salt corrosion?
Does anyone know what brand solder is being used? It may be just an aesthetic thing but I really like the “rods” he’s using as opposed to the “flat sticks” that my area has.
It's made by Solderweld its their 15% round rod
@@HVACRVIDEOS thank you sir.
Lol your going for the dog house ❤
Did you switch solder mid braze? If so for any reason?
Here in Melbourne Florida and we have the same demand issues here. Uggggg
do you not add a little more than factory charge to compensate for the drier
?
.
Is it cheaper for the customer to replace the entire package unit or just the condensers?
Was the filter drier put in wrong direction?
This is why i quit repairing coils unless it's an emergency. The leaks just keep coming.
Are there standard thicknesses for the copper in the condensers?
Wouldn't it be worth hanging onto some scrap copper pieces, specifically curved/bent like this? Then you can just cut one to fit across, and braze it in place.
At what distance to the ocean would you start recommending a coating?
4:45 blame the copper all day long. The copper was hardly the problem. Way too much heat. Dial it down or pull back
What would you recommend for someone young wanting to get into hvac is schooling need or training by someone that is well experienced? How did you get into it?
Nothing is worth than popping a hole in copper when you're trying to braze something together. Well, it's also bad when you are putting panels back on coils and a screw is too long and punches right into the coil. All you can do is listen to the sweet release of refrigerant death.
when will 2xl shirts be available in the flag shirts?
"She's a leaker mama!" -Steve Lav
I had seen Steve here and there on youtube but started watching him fairly often the last few months. What a character. I started using his "Give her the ole How Ya Doing Mamma".
Leak search and repairs are the worst part of the job
Performing miracles out in California! Damn what a shit show air conditioner! They better start ordering that thing now.
I dig holes all the time lol
Big blue is the best
Out of curiosity, have you ever tried to use something like copper tape to help braze up those large holes?
Just braze it. If you can’t braze a penny sized hole shut. Buy some rod and practice. Will come in handy
I have a question, as a fellow technician. Why do you close your gas ballast at 1000-1500microns? When the manual for the Fieldpiece vacuum pump says to close it at 3000 microns. No judgement here, I just want to hear your theory.
What ear piece do you have?
Installed 2012 is an "old unit" --- LOL!!!!! Ok Chris.
Hey buddy, theres a lennox dealer in irvine.
Hey Chris do you use flux when brazing?
I didn’t know a hole that big in the tubing could be closed up just by soldering
What kind of coating should this have had, and what type of business does this kind of coating? Thank You my friend. BTW You are a magician with the solder.
What tablet and keyboard are you using
Oh Man talk about polishing a terd. Hope they plan on replacing soon.
No 80s music while brazing anymore? I am both saddened and angry!
#donttellJill.
I understand 🙏🏼
I wouldn't know from experience but that soldering looked both miserable to do and skillfully executed... wow.
hey, great channel to watch,
I would like your opinion on Dakin vs Lennox roof top package units? pros and cons. I am in Australia so we do have different climates to control.