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Old 01-03-10, 04:25 PM   #234
Joe
Lurking Renovator
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AC_Hacker View Post
Joe,

The brazed plate heat exchanger really is an excellent choice.

However, if you are worried about whether a DIY soft copper heat exchanger would be able to withstand the stresses, keep in mind that both house plumbing and refrigerant lines use this material. Plumbing solder would be strong enough for water pressures, but not for refrigerant use. Silver/phosphor brazing will be suitable for refrigerant, and more than strong enough for water pressure.

This has been a very intense project, more intense than any I've ever undertaken, and I needed to take a break.
But my 'gumption bucket' has filled back up, and now I'm ready to push on...

Regards,

-AC_Hacker
I know the feeling, I have no doubt that a well made soft copper heat exchanger would hold up well, its my soldering/brazing skills I am worried about, I have never brazed and done very little soldering(yet) so I'm going to get a friend that does hvac to help me braze in an evacuation/charge port and the FPHE for now.
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