HVAC Inside Leak Sealants

Not too way back, I used to be underneath the impression that each one inner leak sealant merchandise had been equally damaging to air con or refrigeration methods.  A couple of yr and a half in the past, there was a heated debate relating to such merchandise on My HVAC Hub powered by HVAC Know It All on Fb.  I argued that they may, in a matter of time, doubtlessly plug up valves, and presumably trigger failure of check instruments, resembling my Testo 557 or Sensible Probes.  I started to dig a bit deeper into the topic and talked to a number of technicians.  The conclusion of the discussions had been that polymer primarily based sealants will doubtlessly crystalize inside a system presumably proscribing valves and openings if moisture is current.  If that is the case, when a system is opened up, air and moisture are launched, will the polymer primarily based sealant crystalize in place?  There are stories of this occurring.  It wasn’t lengthy after this, I used to be contacted by Cool Air Merchandise to check out samples of AC Sensible Seal Fast Shot and AC Sensible Seal Exterior.  Fast Shot is an inner leak sealant developed particularly for air con and refrigeration methods, it’s oil primarily based and got here with the promise of non clogging and non poisonous.  It additionally accommodates dye, and lubricant.  

I had an ideal subject candidate for Fast Shot.  It was a sixteen yr previous two ton cut up cooler unit.  The unit had a historical past of gradual leaks that will take roughly six to seven months to disclose itself.  A couple of years of cost changes and refrigerant tags, after fixing what was regarded as the leak location, it was time to strive one thing totally different.  This cooler had 100% redundancy within the type of a again up unit, which made it much more tempting to experiment.  I added Fast Shot utilizing the reusable straightforward inject.  My fancy Testo gauges had been additionally on the system on the time.  Roughly ten months later, my gauges are nonetheless treating me kindly and the system is leak free and working nicely.  Why is that this excellent news?  Formicary corrosion, often known as ant nest corrosion is a significant issue, particularly on evaporator coils.  The very best resolution for that is to interchange the coil and or system.  Not that straightforward, there are price range restraints, scheduling points and different obstacles.  Having a viable buyer resolution is your job as an organization and technician.  Simply keep in mind, this product is for low leak charges, not giant apparent leaks.

The video under is an experiment that was carried out to disclose that AC Sensible Seal doesn’t crystalize when in touch with air or moisture.  

This video was recorded mid summer season of 2019.  After the Sensible Seal utility the system ran efficiently the rest of the yr and in addition all of 2020. 

AC Sensible Seal Exterior

It took me nearly a yr to open up a roll of Exterior.  I witnessed a video on social media of somebody utilizing it and wished to strive it myself.  AC Sensible Seal Exterior is a sealing putty that can be utilized in distinctive conditions, it’s actually a real truck inventory merchandise that when wanted, might be value its weight in gold, particularly on aluminum coils. The opposite factor that involves thoughts, whereas brazing, except you’re carrying a respirator, you’re inhaling fumes that don’t belong in your physique.  To not point out burning oil and refrigerant, not enjoyable stuff by any means.  We deal with AC and refrigeration models like treasured gems nevertheless it’s uncommon to see the tech deal with their physique in the identical method.  I put it to the check within the video under to see the way it stacked up towards a brazed joint.  

This text was nearly a complete yr within the making, I wanted to undergo the motions to make sure these merchandise labored earlier than I might use them within the subject.  Once more,  my Testo 557 gauges weren’t effected through the use of Fast Shot.  As a technician within the HVAC subject, we should be diligent in our determination making and educated concerning the instruments and merchandise we use.  

Gary McCreadie

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