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Member Post posted an update
March 26, 2025 (edited)
@Member Post
“Good evening, just curious has anyone ever had any luck repairing a leak in carrier micro channel coils? Model is a 30rbd-60# per circuit 410a. Recommendations on a suitable alloy or procedure appreciated. @ 8k to replace a single coil I’m willing to give it a shot before replacing the whole coil. Thanks.”
Member Post13 Comments-
man i would just replace it and move on to the next
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Most OEMS have a procedure similar to what you see below, some recommend using water and soap. I melted through the first 2 I tried, and had some issues with some different rods, but have since done around two dozen repairs without issue.
AL822 Brazing Rod (most welding shops should stock it) and a map gas torch I have found works well for me.
The key is preparation, and taking it slow.
Aluminium is a little less than 1/3 the density of copper, so it will absorb heat substantially faster to get up to its melting point. The melting point of the rod, and base metal is also only a couple hundred degrees apart, and I burned through with oxygen acetylene, so I switched to map gas.
The key is preparation, and patience.
1. Clean everything as much as possible with a degreaser.
2. use some needle nose to pull out the little fins around the area.
3. clean the area with a dremmel.
4. clean it with alcohol and a stainless brush.
5. clean it with alcohol again and a second stainless brush just before you light the torch. (Must be spotless, aluminum will begin to oxidize immediately, and oil will provide a barrier).
You got it brother!
Let us know how it goes1-
@the-chiller-guys Oh I’ve fixed a lot of them, we usually just replace them because that’s what they want, like I do a lot of HEBs and they just go for the coil because of warranty on the new one
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the AL822 (i believe) is an excellent rod for aluminum repairs. patience and heat control are your friend, can also try pulling a slight vacuum during repair to help suck in the material. good luck!
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@micheal-bemko 100% I agree!
Thats smart as hell with the vacuum, I never thought about that. Thanks for helping brother!
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@the-chiller-guys only learned that trick because I struggled with an aluminum repair and the tech who came behind me to try again ended up being successful after hooking up his pump to the circuit. I was upset I wasn’t able to come back and try again but glad to learn the new trick lol.
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@micheal-bemko Yeah, that does suck, but at least he told you how he got it lol some guy wont
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I have before, but its hit or miss. You have to get that spot immaculate. No oil, dirt or any residue.
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I have been successful multiple times using the kit below. Clean the crap out of the thing first. Use lots of flux only map gas! carful to not get it to hot or the hole will increase in size very quickly. here is the link might need to copy paste it & good luck. https://solderweld.com/products/copy-of-hvac-aluminum-coil-repair-tech-bag
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@zac I checked it out, thats badass man, is that your company?
We are going to try and allow links on this platform, as long as guys don’t start posting their sisters Onlyfans lol
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Haha, no not my company I wish that was the case. I’m a service supervisor for ABM building solutions in California (Bay area). I have thought our team how to use this product and it work great!
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