Brazing Alternate options for the Progressive HVACR Technician

Brazing Alternate options for the Progressive HVACR Technician

In the event you make point out to the HVAC/R hardcorest there could be options to brazing (that work), you would possibly get a kind of mad face emojis thrown up at your remark!

The actual fact is, brazing is a stable connection that lasts for a few years and is a elementary ability that each one HVAC/R professionals want to hold out their work.

One factor I’m not satisfied of is the “brazing is an artwork” remark.

Artwork is a singular expression, and brazing is “supposed” to be a repeatable course of with the identical outcome again and again. 

Okay, some braze joints seem like they need to be in an artwork gallery, however not for a superb purpose.  

There are some within the social media world that are inclined to assume I don’t like brazing or maybe don’t consider in it.

That may’t be farther from the reality.

I simply take pleasure in taking a look at and experimenting with new know-how at any degree to spice up my data within the HVAC/R commerce.

I’ve been impressed with the SolderWeld merchandise recently and the way nicely the rods move.

Why Not Brazing?

There are some good causes that brazing options have been developed and can proceed be. 

I keep in mind one facility I labored at a few years in the past required a 4-hour hearth watch after the torch went out.

I perceive why the constructing was constructed with wood beams.

Though I perceive why, that lengthy of a hearth watch may be very time-consuming and never sensible for a lot of busy techs in most conditions.  

Others explanation why brazing options have been developed additionally need to do with hearth. 

Hearth is harmful; hearth is dear, and “scorching work” fires occur extra typically than you assume.

Here’s a hyperlink to a PDF with some extra information on scorching work fires.

It’s possible you’ll now perceive why increasingly buildings are tightening guidelines round torch lighting.  

There are well being points that encompass brazing, particularly indoors with little air flow.

Brazing/ welding fumes within the air include many substances that we shouldn’t breathe in.  

I used to work in lots of information facilities; these rooms are usually sealed to maintain the setting at a relentless temperature and humidity with specialised gear.

If I had been brazing in these rooms, the fumes would linger for hours, leaving myself, the IT workers, and different occupants to breathe.

Take a look at this article from the College of Alabama on brazing and well being.  

Some environments, medical, pharmaceutical, or different industries could not enable brazing because of the surrounding setting.

Alternate options

After I focus on brazing options, I can solely speak in regards to the merchandise I’ve checked out and put my arms on personally; I’ll undergo just a few of those. 

Professional Match Fast Join

The RectorSeal PRO-Match Fast Join is the primary one we’ll sort out right here.

My expertise on the time of writing this text is simply on a bench.

I’ve not subject put in one but.

Nonetheless, I’ve had many friends on-line speak positively about them and used them in conditions comparable to repairs in attic or crawl areas the place it could be tough to get a set or torches into.  

Like all pipe becoming procedures, the pipe should be totally cleaned earlier than use.

The pipe should even be marked with a depth gauge to make sure the “push” becoming is inserted to the right depth on the pipe.

I can see a bonus to utilizing the PRO-Slot in eventualities the place a fast restore is required.

The place a torch can’t be lit or if the time to tug a hearth allow, gather torches, nitrogen, and all different hearth mitigation gear can be put the setting to be cooled or heated in jeopardy comparable to a server room, lab, or one other crucial setting.

AC Sensible Seal Exterior

The primary time I used AC Sensible Seal Exterior in a real-life software was just a few years again inside a server room or information middle, as some could name it.  

There was a rub-through on a capillary line on a water regulator valve, and the system misplaced its cost.

This was an ideal state of affairs to do that product.

As a substitute of lugging torches as much as the room, I utilized the putty-like substance across the leak website.

It held below a strain take a look at and evacuation.

It additionally held cost for a complete 12 months till the entire valve was changed.  

I prevented pulling hearth permits and brazing in a sealed room with little to no air flow and inhaling fumes created by the brazing course of.  

Fixquick

FixQuick is an attention-grabbing product that I’ve solely bench examined, nevertheless it held roughly 400 PSI.  

It’s a two-part system that consists of a liquid and a powder accelerant.

I consider it could be an important different to brazing in sure conditions.

One which involves thoughts is, repairing a pinhole evaporator leak that has succumbed to corrosion and can be in jeopardy of additional harm if a flame had been to come back into contact with it.  

Speedy Locking System

For restore and set up initiatives, Speedy Locking System undoubtedly has the flexibility to overcome each. 

With a big lineup of fittings, valves, filter driers, and sight glass assemblies, most initiatives can be accomplished with their press device and jaws.  

Personally, I haven’t accomplished a full set up challenge however have talked to many who have with constructive outcomes.

I used to be primarily a service tech with my former firm till I launched McCreadie HVAC.

I’ve accomplished many repairs with RLS, additionally changed filter driers, and accomplished a few unfinished set up initiatives by others.

I personally loved each minute of prepping, and urgent with RLS. 

It’s undoubtedly a know-how that one should get used to however, extra importantly, experiment with it to grasp it higher.

RLS does intensive coaching with their product, and I recommend you attain out to them if you’re curious about extra data.

Conclusion 

These are only a few brazing options on the market.

However I consider that is simply scratching the floor.

The know-how will advance, enhance, and turn into extra out there as soon as belief and traction start to dig its heels.

My prediction, on a grand scale, much less and fewer torches might be lit over the approaching years.

My recommendation, keep updated on new know-how because it hits the market.  Information is energy!