HVAC Silver Soldering vs Brazing vs Brazing While Flowing Nitrogen!

In this HVAC Training Video, I Show Low Temperature Silver Soldering, High Temperature Brazing, and Brazing While Flowing Nitrogen. I Show What the Inside of the Tubing Looks Like and Discuss the Problems with Cupric Oxide and Flux! Supervision is needed by a licensed HVACR Tech while performing tasks as Experience and Apprenticeship garners Wisdom and Safety.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
Information in this video is intended for educational purposes only. Any work related to the topics in this video should be performed by licensed technicians or by apprentices under the supervision of licensed technicians. AC Service Tech LLC is not responsible for any possible damages or injuries caused by the use or misuse of any information provided.
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[westhavenor]

Hey, I just wanted to thank you for all your wonderful HVAC videos. I installed a mini-split in my garage workshop a couple years ago using one of your videos as a guide. I hired a local HVAC company to come out and check my work, pull a vacuum and release the refrigerant. They were really surprised that it was a DIY install--said it looked very professional and had thought I was a retired HVAC tech or electrician. I said no, but I learned from the best!

[mousetowndude]

I agree with the few long term tradesmen who have responded about ditching the old high temperature method of silver solder (fluxed) and sil fos and going with the Harris Super 8 low temp method using a minimum of flux placed properly.

I always loved how 15% silver sil fos was so sociable and forgiving but I'll be happy to ditch it for an easier and well accepted low temp method. Only wish Harris Super 8 had gained acceptance sooner ... the old ways die hard but I'll celebrate the passing of this one. Now retired after 38 years in the trade.

[acservicetechchannel]

Just to be clear, through our research, non-corrosive fluxes are only non-corrosive at room temperatures, such as rosin. Rosin flux for example is used for soldering on electronics because it has the appropriate acidity when heated when there are more hydrogen ions present but when it cools to room temperature there are less hydrogen ions and the acidity drops to near neutral so no corrosion occurs at normal room temperature. The problem here is that the compressor and reversing valve sections are hot. The electrical windings are in the compressor. Some compressors use the low temperature refrigerant vapor to cool the windings while others actually use the discharge vapor. There are various types of compressors and we just want techs to be aware and educated on what they are doing. Thanks to everyone who diligently takes pride in their work every day in order to take care of their family, company, and customers!

[TheRealoldcar]

I have been using Harris SB8 for decades on my customer systems with no issues related to using it. The key is to use much less flux than shown.. the main benefit has been zero impact to valves and txv or sensors. Saves time and labor when working on RTUs and attic installations by reducing equipment/tools I need to carry up

[Internutt]

Very well composed video! It was great to see the examples of the Solder Vs Purge Vs non-purge techniques and what gets left on the inside of the joint. I've watched HVAC techs braze the connections for both of my home AC systems neither one purged with nitrogen, but now I know to make sure the tech that does the work goes through the proper process to insure a clean braze area inside of the joint. I will also applaud you for taking the time to demo the proper handling and shut off of the torch and purge regulator I used to use acetylene at work for soldering joints and seams for splice sleeves in lead sheathed telecom cables, and knowing how to handle the torch was a big safety item.

[rickl]

Craig - another great video. So many of the things you do I did too. I'd like to add something: when I was done brazing I never stopped the nitrogen flow until after the tubing was cooled to prevent cupric oxide formation after brazing. Please keep them coming, Thanks, Rick.

[idanko]

Your book is fantastic. It should be mandatory reading because I can guarantee there are guys out there in the field who would benefit from it. Thanks for another great video!

[dannyl]

Thank you for taking the time to do a job right.
You are my go to refrigeration Guru.

[twolfe]

I've used silfos for 30 years of brazing while flowing N2. It has a very long term success with the use of a 400 micron vac and a 250 lb N2 pressure test for leaks. I've used stabrite with success also but prefer silfos as it has a higher plastic range. One down side to N2 flow is
if there is backpressure it can blow out the fillet and lead to pin hole leaks.
Some have indicated that they stabrite the stubs and then use the press fittings and tool to connect the tubing. Remember that cleanliness
is next to perfection when it comes to hvacr piping. Good video.

[travishoward]

Another great video illustrating what takes place where you can’t see it.

[jeromebullard]

I got a job at an HVAC company and they had NEVER used nitrogen on thousands of systems. They laughed at me for using it. I showed them what it did on the inside of the pipe without nitrogen. They just said “if it mattered we’d have thousands of issues with TXV’s and pistons”….. I’m not sure what to think. Some of them admit that it can cause premature wear on compressors. Which they’re ok with because that just means a future sale and likely out of warranty by the time it becomes an issue. This is a wild trade.

[robno]

No one has commented on vibration, i will take a brazed joint over a soldered joint ever time they will not come apart.
Just get a nitrogen tank and do the job the way that all manufacturers recommend.

[Maven]

This is a great video with example comparison's. 👏
I will admit, I do prefer silver solder as often as possible. Knowing the effects is definitely important. Thank you. You are the best

[bairfamilyfarm]

I made up some test pieces for work using these 3 methods. A flow regulator isn't necessary but handy, I just shoved the end of the hose into the pipe and cracked the regulator until I barely felt a flow. Let it flow for a few seconds and braze came out clean. The staybrite solder flows like water compared to plumbing solder, the swedge has to be very tight, to the point of just barely fitting over the pipe. If you make the swedge too big or have any gaps, it'll open up as soon as you remove the heat. Braze with nitrogen is still my preferred method.

[jeffreykreft]

If you worried about that little bit of flux that’s in the tube, don’t! It will get washed away with the refrigerant oil and eventually it will get collected into the filter dryer where it will do no harm there. Been using this system since it came out and NEVER ONCE had a problem with it. Now that is only for the inside acoil joints. The outside joints I still like to braze only because if the unit getting moved the soldered joint will tend to fail if allot of stress is put on it. Don’t really have to worry about that inside the house because that really is never really moved or touched for that matter so it’s fine, but outside I would definitely recommend brazing. Also the advantage to silver soldering the acoil is the lower temperature has allot less likelihood of damaging the txv valve. Seen many times where this valve gets fucked up because of too much heat from brazing and it’s hard to keep this thing cool. And on these new acoils changing the txv valve is a real bitch due to they are now brazed in at the factory and there is no fucking room to work on these pieces of shit! As you can tell I’m not a very big fan of txv valves. I always use the piston system and once again, never had a problem with these, but boy problem after problem with the txvs, usually within the first five years these shit things fail and I end up just changing the whole acoil to a piston system and had them run 20 plus years with no issues! That concludes the lesson of the day!

[YimmyyaRashoo]

Great info. As I use the Red Glue on copper joints, no heat required, it's a great product works up to 700 psi, you just clean the copper real good apply the red glue put the pieces together and turn them works through friction to seal...it really works, I've used it for years.

[George-bzfi]

For Stay Brite#8 soft silver solder use the Stay Clean liquid flux, not the paste, wipe on sparingly with clean rag or brush, residue will burn off when you heat up the copper. This prevents flux from entering the system, and cleans the copper beautifully. I've done this for years and never had a problem. Wear gloves, the liquid flux is very acidy and you don't want it on your hands

[zahedaminullah]

God bless such a great teacher, well explained. Your videos will give way more confidence and better teaching to the new generations coming into the trade!

[ulairecantea]

Im thankful for all of the knowledge you've shared through the last several years. This time brazing skills hurt to watch and not the greatest to be direct. Big fan here.

[ghffrsfygdhfjkjiysdz]

Good video. Just an FYI, I've seen two types of braze rods; those with phosphorous and the rods without phosphorous. The brazing rods without phosphorous require the use of brazing flux.