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HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

How to Repair Aluminum Leaks

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bryan Orr

Training, Careers, Airconditioning, Self-improvement, Hvac, Business, Education, Refrigeration, Heating, Ac, Apprenticeship

4.8985 Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2018

⏱️ 41 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Have you ever struggled to repair a leak in an all-aluminum coil? Lance Robinson with SolderWeld talks about his product to do just that and makes a convincing case for aluminum repair.

We've been using aluminum for several decades before the shift to copper; unlike copper, aluminum is corrosion-resistant. However, copper is typically better for brazing due to its heat transfer properties and ductility. If we can get to a point where we can use aluminum for the same uses as copper, we will probably see a shift to aluminum due to its durability.

SolderWeld has recently made an aluminum repair product. Alloy-Sol is a solder, meaning that it works below 840 degrees Fahrenheit, and it gives techs plenty of time to work without worrying about melting the aluminum. Alloy-Sol works with a powdered flux, which goes on in a white paste that bonds to the aluminum and cleans it. When the flux turns clear, you can begin applying the solder to join the surfaces. You can melt the rod into your repair so long as you have that bond. You can use Alloy-Sol to perform COMPLETE aluminum repairs, not just temporary repairs.

When applying heat, make sure you apply heat perpendicularly to the repair. Repairing aluminum requires perhaps a bit more focus and finesse than copper brazing, but it is still a relatively easy process. We may not have considered aluminum repairs in the past, but they are worthwhile with the correct solder products.

Bryan and Lance also discuss:

  • Aluminum's low melting point
  • Torch usage and heat application
  • Working with microchannel coils
  • Training techs to repair aluminum
  • Cleaning aluminum
  • Fittings for aluminum piping
  • Aluminum repair limitations
  • Alloy-Sol in the auto body industry
  • SolderWeld's history

Learn more about SolderWeld HERE and Alloy-Sol HERE.

Check out Refrigeration Technologies HERE.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:16.0

This episode of the HVAC School Podcast is made possible by our great sponsors. Carrier and Mitsubishi Electric cooling and heating.

0:20.0

Also want to thank UEEI their hub smart kits, specifically their thermal hygrometers, which are the induct temperature and humidity measuring probes,

0:30.0

their pressure probes, as well as the temperature probes that go along with the pressure probes.

0:35.0

They are the Hub 6 kit for all of them together, the Hub 4 kit for the pressure probes and clamps,

0:39.5

and the Hub 2 kit for the thermohogrometers.

0:41.5

They are available now at many fine retail

0:44.0

establishments including true tech tools.com. TRU tech tools.com. Also want to

0:49.3

thank refrigeration technologies, makers of the wet Rag product that helps protect your work from being

0:55.9

damaged when braising or soldering, great product as well as their Viper line of

1:00.3

cleaners, Nylog, Assembly Lant, and thread sealant, and especially their new pan and drain

1:06.9

spray, which can often take the place of what many of you are using pan tabs for.

1:11.8

Lasts a long time, it does a great job at breaking down the stuff that

1:14.8

grows and drain pans over time. Also thank you to Air Oasis, their bipolar in air handler

1:21.9

product that mounts on the side of a blower housing that helps create

1:25.0

bipolar ions that go out and attach themselves to particles in the air stream and help disrupt

1:30.3

live organisms that are growing in your air that you don't want and their

1:33.8

nano product which is another great induct product for actively treating air.

1:38.7

Meet Zoomlock the 10 second flame-free refrigerant fitting from Parker.

1:43.0

Reduce labor costs by 60% with no braising, no flame, and no fire spotter.

1:48.0

Discover how Zoomlock can help you be more efficient and productive.

1:52.0

Visit Zoomlock.com for more information.

1:55.0

You know that friend who keeps interrupting your great story to adjust your facts?

...

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