pipes

[potkit]

i've seen in fridges and a/c units that the places where a valve is supoosed to be to charge, etc it's like chopped and sealed. how do they do that? and how do they service them?
i'm curious


regards

[runmc]

They use a piercing valve. (http://www.stridetool.com/tools/autospecialty/actoolaccess_02.html)

[potkit]

and how do they seal the pipe after the piercing?

[[XC] 2long4u]

They leave it on.

[wdrzal]

I'll post some pics of the 2 tools needed in the next day or so,I just formatted my drive and didn't load the software for my camera yet.

[runmc]

You recrimp the tube and then take the valve off. - Walt (wdrzal) will show us how to do it.:)

[Xeon th MG Pony]

It is called a service tube adaptor, it is like a compression fitting that you can screw on and off, the tool for sealing screws or clamps on and compresses the tube while they remove the adaptor and braze it shut.

To service? Well it was not designed to be serviced, how ever we get around that with a bullet valve (Line piercing valve). I usually, after recovering, braze in a schrader to the service tube if it is possible.

Eventually I'll be buying a service tube kit I'll post the whole procedure as I'm going to start fabricating totally hermetic systems as they are much better for shipping as there is no where for it to leak!

I sort of hacked together my own elcheapo unit by using a compression fitting bolted into a 1/4SAE flare nut. To seal the tube while removing it I used a ball Bering and some vice grips in a very unconventional way! (It was a night mare and I suggest you don't try it if you value your sanity! it did work though)

[wdrzal]

Guys I had the tools ready yesterday but the battery in camera was dead and the 2 extra batteries and charger I removed from it's normal location then forgot where I put it . I will track it down and post pics as fast as possible.