How to Solder A/C Lines
It's okay to solder copper tubing for some of the lines in an air conditioner. Other A/C lines contain high pressure and need brazed or welded joints. Some copper air conditioner tubing has contracted and expanded ends that fit together for joining. For straight tubing, a technician expands one end of adjoining pipes to make it big enough for the mating pipe to fit. Soldering a joint together is a quick process in either case.
-
Insert a pipe expansion tool into an end of one of the pipes you want to join. Rotate the outer crank clockwise until the end of the pipe stretches wide enough to fit the mating pipe. This step is not necessary for air conditioner tubing that has expansions for joints.
-
Clean the insides and outsides of the adjoining pipe ends with sandpaper and a round wire brush. Rub sandpaper on the outsides and along the cut edges, and rub the insides with a wire brush.
-
Brush rosin flux over the outside of the smaller pipe end that will push into the expanded pipe. Brush flux onto the inside of the expanded pipe end.
-
Lay a fire blanket under the adjoining pipe sections. Put on work gloves. Push the smaller pipe end into the expanded pipe end. Light the open flame torch and heat the outside of the pipe joint for about 10 seconds.
-
Place lead-free solder against the top of the joint where the outer pipe meets the inner pipe. Apply pressure to the solder stick as you heat it with the torch until solder melts and drips all around the joint.
-
Wipe away the solder from the outside of the joined A/C lines with a rag quickly after you solder copper tubing. Clean away the excess before the solder dries and hardens.
References
Warnings
- Use caution while working around an open-flame torch. Do not light the torch near flammable objects. Solder copper tubing outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. Avoid inhaling the fumes from soldering. Avoid skin contact with heated pipes.
Writer Bio
Jonra Springs began writing in 1989. He writes fiction for children and adults and draws on experiences in education, insurance, construction, aviation mechanics and entertainment to create content for various websites. Springs studied liberal arts and computer science at the College of Charleston and Trident Technical College.
Photo Credits
- Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
More Articles
