A/C Hose Crimping

[Ian Bissett]

I am about to start on the ac system. I was wondering whether the ac hose crimps are best done by a specialist company with the right crimping tool or whether it is worth buying a tool. The cost of a crimping tool is quite pricey (around £140 for a mechanical device and £500 for a hydraulic one) so it seems hard to justify spending this much for only 15 hose crimps. Can I ask what other people have done with their hose crimps?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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[Brett James-McCall]

Ian,
I got mine done at Pirtek. Cost me £10

Brett

 

[Dimi Terleckyj]

I got all my hose and fittings then cut the hose to size and fitted it on to all the fittings in the car where they are supposed to be and marked the hose and fittings to get the correct orientation and then took them to my auto aircon guy where I bought the fittings from and had him crimp them up for me which he did at no charge as I had bought it all from him.

Dimi

 

[Seymour Snerd]

Can I ask what other people have done with their hose crimps?

I haven't used these, but Vintage Air offers a fitting attachment system intended for DIY; http://www.vintageair.com/catalog10/2010 VintageAir Catalog web hi-res (Page 70).pdf

 

[czan]

You should be aware that there are some requirements concerning AC-system when we talk about fitment and crimping.

The system must fulfill an overpressure of 35 bars and a temperature of at least 100 grC.

 

[Andy Sheldon]

Ian

The Guy who charges the system will crimp your hoses for you

Thanks

Andy

 

[SteveB]

Ian

I used the older traditional hose with the crimped fittings, these were done by the traveling aircon man when the system was charged.

The hoses are very stiff and unyeilding to get tight bends etc. The aircon man showed me the new type of fittings that he now uses, that uses hose that is more flexible and less bulky. It was too late for me but I would use this newer type next time.

Here is a link to a maker of the hose and fittings. 'Burgaclip'

Burgaflex - Manufacturer of air conditioning hoses, refrigeration hoses, hose fittings and hose assemblies.

Steve

 

[Ian Bissett]

Thanks for all the tips.
Much appreciated
Ian

 

[David Sturch]

Ian,

I would do what James did.(have some one hydraulicly crimp) Main concerns with aircon assembly is seating of O-rings dirt, foreign matter etc. Use proper O-ring oil and torque correctly also. My guy does a vacume test first and if it does not pass he charges the system with nitrogen and checks all fittings with a small flame, if the flame glows brighter that's where the leak is. Saves on refrigerent, and some sniffers can't detect leaks under normal pressure.
Dave

 

[John]

I found a crimping tool on eBay - barely used. It worked out fine!

John

:thumbsup:

 

[Ian Bissett]

I found a local a/c guy; he'll come out and crimp the hoses for me now, and then will come back later to charge the a/c system when I'm ready.
Many thanks
Ian

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Ian,
Call him back and ask if he expects expansion on the hose when crimped. Sometimes you can experience a up to 5-6mm per end depending on the hose and type of crimp, which means you hoses may not follow the same path you spent time setting up.

Brett

 

[Ian Bissett]

I'll check.
Thanks Brett
Ian