Flushing lines on a mini split - R410a to R22 - Page 2

r290r600 · 02-17-14, 04:26 PM

Hi all, just to clarify.... I originally put an R410a mini split on my caravan (trailer) and tried very hard to source flexible refrigerant lines as I anticipated there would be some movement between the chassis and the body. There were lots of flex hose systems available in Europe, but the cost of having them made up and shipped to Australia was rather costly. So I flared up my copper lines.... and they fractured and the R410a escaped. I did manage to make up some flexible hose 'tails' to go to the outdoor unit with the help of the local hydraulic hose franchise using Gates hose and Parker fittings. To catch any moisture and acid residue I put a bi directional filter drier in the liquid line. I attempted to charge the system with propane by measuring superheat at the evaporator as advised by a fellow ecorenovator, but sticking to 10-15 degrees superheat, it was cool but not cold. Talking to a local HVAC guy, he said that since the price of refrigerants locally was so high and only a HVAC tech could buy them, it was cheaper to just go and buy another unit. So I have bought a unused R22 mini split, and will bolt the new bits on my existing pipe work, no modifying or brazing, heating etc, involved. Just want to make sure that there is no residue left in the copper/flex pipes before I put the new system together.

jeff5may · 02-18-14, 03:23 AM

Australia, the land of moonshine and propane!

02-17-14, 04:26 PM	#11
r290r600 Lurking Renovator Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 19 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi all, just to clarify.... I originally put an R410a mini split on my caravan (trailer) and tried very hard to source flexible refrigerant lines as I anticipated there would be some movement between the chassis and the body. There were lots of flex hose systems available in Europe, but the cost of having them made up and shipped to Australia was rather costly. So I flared up my copper lines.... and they fractured and the R410a escaped. I did manage to make up some flexible hose 'tails' to go to the outdoor unit with the help of the local hydraulic hose franchise using Gates hose and Parker fittings. To catch any moisture and acid residue I put a bi directional filter drier in the liquid line. I attempted to charge the system with propane by measuring superheat at the evaporator as advised by a fellow ecorenovator, but sticking to 10-15 degrees superheat, it was cool but not cold. Talking to a local HVAC guy, he said that since the price of refrigerants locally was so high and only a HVAC tech could buy them, it was cheaper to just go and buy another unit. So I have bought a unused R22 mini split, and will bolt the new bits on my existing pipe work, no modifying or brazing, heating etc, involved. Just want to make sure that there is no residue left in the copper/flex pipes before I put the new system together.

02-18-14, 03:23 AM	#12
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Australia, the land of moonshine and propane!