Mini Split install

jeff5may · 12-06-13, 02:24 PM

@Mark,

Crows foot flare nut for the toque wrench.
I bought a set from Harbor freight and ordered a big one off eBay.
I would not buy any of these again. I have torqued a lot of bolts and have a good feel for how tight they should be and in the end if they leak nitrogen they are not tight enough or can’t hold a vacuum.

As with many fittings and fasteners, especially smaller/lighter sizes, the torque applied is not a perfect or absolute value. But for the average DIY installer, having an approved, tested value to go by can mean the diffference between a complete mess and something that is "almost perfect". For someone who has little or no experience with cutting or sealing flare fittings, a tool that works well is worth much more than its purchase price.

I really did not need the manifold gauges for these installs.

In theory, with a precharged, factory-matched system with short linesets, a pressure gauge or manifold set is not absolutely necessary in every install. In practice, however, an instrument you can trust is priceless. A spray bottle full of soapy water is no substitute for a gauge. Even brand new systems develop unexpected problems. Just because your systems have worked well for a few days doesn't mean something will not go wrong next week or next month. So you may not be done using that instrument yet.

12-06-13, 02:24 PM	#11
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	@Mark, Crows foot flare nut for the toque wrench. I bought a set from Harbor freight and ordered a big one off eBay. I would not buy any of these again. I have torqued a lot of bolts and have a good feel for how tight they should be and in the end if they leak nitrogen they are not tight enough or can’t hold a vacuum. As with many fittings and fasteners, especially smaller/lighter sizes, the torque applied is not a perfect or absolute value. But for the average DIY installer, having an approved, tested value to go by can mean the diffference between a complete mess and something that is "almost perfect". For someone who has little or no experience with cutting or sealing flare fittings, a tool that works well is worth much more than its purchase price. I really did not need the manifold gauges for these installs. In theory, with a precharged, factory-matched system with short linesets, a pressure gauge or manifold set is not absolutely necessary in every install. In practice, however, an instrument you can trust is priceless. A spray bottle full of soapy water is no substitute for a gauge. Even brand new systems develop unexpected problems. Just because your systems have worked well for a few days doesn't mean something will not go wrong next week or next month. So you may not be done using that instrument yet.