Making a Suction Line?

[4Qman]

Making a Suction Flexible Line

Hello Lads, New here and my main concern these days is building my first Phase then onto Cascade around January time. Anyway...

Question

Whats the Materials needed to make a decent Flexible suction Line., My friend said it could be possible to use a pipe similar to whats used on cars brake system and adapt the end or Evap so it would screw on. "havent got Pics as at work"

Trying to make it cheap but fairly decent, :yumyum:

 

[Ham]

I don't know how knowlageable this friend of yours is. But id never use a line similar to the breakline on my car. Are you talking about the flex alone or the whole suctionline from evap to compressor?

 

[4Qman]

I think he must have got the idea as the amount of pressure used in a braking system in a car could possibley make it ok for a Suction line. Also he got the idea as he see a chap use Refrigeration Hose also.

Ive seen some examples where the Suction line is corrugated stainless and thread on the end that attaches to a modded Evap. Like in pic below.

I was just curious what would be better, the method in picture or have some copper 3/8 Brazed to the end of the line.

Thanks for the fast reply Ham

 

[Ham]

Brazing would probably be better, but i assume the screw-on approach is sealed with an o-ring.

Flexlines are nromaly made out of corrugated steel tubing. Then often re-enforced with stainless steel braiding for the extra strength to withstand even higher pressures.

The break lines are made from some kind of rubber, and the flex line gets very cold. Cold rubber cracks.

It would probably be a good idea to look up some of the well established phasers in the same country/region as you and see if they have anything for sale.

 

[4Qman]

Ham

Thanks Mate, just trying to get my head around all the aspect of building them. I have a few decent compressors NF11, FR7.5,SC12. And some R404a along with the required tools to get it alive.

Ill keep my progress post here when i attempted my first Unit this weekend or the weekend after.

Oh This forum is probably the best layout and look i have ever used. :worship:

 

[Ham]

Out of intrest where'd you get the comps from?

And you have a vac pump? or planning on using compressors?

 

[4Qman]

Vac Pump

I built this Vac using a few old Compressors

Its pulling enough to Boil off water altho it requires the water to be Warm So im going to add another spare compressor i have and see how it goes.



Compressors were gained from keeping my eyes wide open whilst i work on this site im at, All work fine. Altho the NF11 is from a Friend :yumyum:

 

[NoL]

Hey 4QMan, good to see you here.

You need to get a corrugated steel line, some flux, and some high content silver brazing rod (45%+++) then braze it up. Don't ever apply heat to the steel though.

As for cascades, you'll most liekly need to buy a braided flex line, doing the braid yourself is very hard without alot of experience. I even buy my braided flex's.

Also as for your vacuum pump, its good to sorta start out with. But make sure you do a triple evac if you have inert gas, and get a good FEW DAYS of vacuuming in. I also suggest getting some quick disconnects and ball valves for your gauge set, as well as eventually either a digital vacuum gauge to tell you what micron level you can acheive, or a true vacuum pump. Especially if you ever want to sell units, you must have almost every high quality tool imageinable to keep the units clean on the inside, well plumbed, and properly vac'd.

~Welcome again mate!

 

[nathan]

wooo, nol has someone to play with

 

[NoL]

Hahhaha

Don't scare him away please!

 

[4Qman]

Cheers for the Welcome NOL .

I have a Ball Valve and a second hose on its way also. Was recommended it from a good friend who said its well worth the extra.,

The Vacum Pump Needs some more attention, Ill Vac the unit down inside my house with a decent heater on it to help boil of the water. I agree tho im keeping a Eye out for a Vac Pump altho as you know they ain't cheap.

Im using Mapp from Tin to braze at the moment. I have a Propane Torch and im just waiting for the Cylinder to come along "Over fence Job" hehe

Ive got 2 Suction lines from a UK Phase fella, Just wondered how easy they are to make as i hate paying for stuff im sure i could make cheaper.

 

[NoL]

Its not easy nor does it really make it cheaper.