Quote:
Originally Posted by Xringer
...After a while, it was most likely one of the many high pressure runs that blew a pin hole (weak spot?) in the copper tube right above the compressor.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it...
|
OK, I misunderstood the history of the failure, but I disagree with your explanation of the mode of failure.
I seriously doubt that a properly brazed joint would exhibit a pinhole leak, even under conditions of fatal stress. In fact, if all of your joints were properly brazed, it is more likely that an overpressure failure would have resulted in burst tubing.
Pinhole leaks are very a common failure of improperly brazed joints... usually a result of excessive pressure of inert purge gas during brazing. But they can also result from dirty joints, contaminated flux, or insufficient heat.
I suspect that you bought a unit with a joint that had a hidden pinhole defect, that was not quite 100% through, and that the pressure and vibration of use caused the hidden defect to manifest.
* * *
I maintain that our erstwhile EcoRenovator should continue fearlessly on.
Best Luck to him...
-AC