Installation of a Split Type Air Conditioning Unit.

I live in a hot tropical climate and air conditioning is a nice luxury to have. One of my brothers asked me to install one for him Since air conditioning is a hobby (not profession) of mine. We installed a split type unit (12000 btu). Please note that this instructable is not a detailed step by step guide but rather an overview of how the job was done.

The first step is to position the blower/evaporator unit. Mount the bracket and then find a location for the compressor unit outside. Make a wall penetration for the refrigeration lines and water condensate line.

Step 1: Install the Compressor Unit, Connect the Lines and Pull a Vacuum on the Lines.

After the compressor unit is installed outside, the refrigerant lines need to be connected using a spanner. These connections are made at the blower and compressor unit. They have to be secure and tight but not so tight to damage the threading. The excess tubing can be cut and the ends re-flared to allow the nuts to be used again but in this installation I chose to simply loop the excess tubing behind the compressor unit.

Connect the vacuum pump via the manifold Gauge to the port of the compressor and open the low pressure Gauge valve. The low pressure hose (blue) goes to the compressor unit. The yellow hose goes to the vacuum pump. A vacuum pull for 30 minutes is needed to evacuate all the water vapor in the copper lines. You will see bubbles in the oil sight glass of the pump and mist briefly from the discharge of the pump.

Step 2: Braze the Mechanical Connections With Solder.

I like to use electronics grade solder to hermetically seal the nuts on the ends of the copper lines. This guarantees zero leaks and long life of the system. My propane torch was used to carefully heat the nuts and apply solder to melt into the spaces and threads.

This was done while the vacuum was pulled.

Step 3: Apply Pressure and Make the Electrical Connections.

At this point the valve for the low pressure Guage must be closed. The liquid (thinner) line valve is the first one to be PARTIALLY allowed open using an Allen key. Next is the gas valve to fully open. The manifold Gauge will register pressure. The vacuum pump can be removed.

Carefully and quickly disconnect the manifold from the compressor unit since refrigerant and oil will spurt out. Never remove the manifold without pressure in the lines since you don't want water vapor being sucked back into the lines. Now FULLY Open the liquid line valve.

Make the electrical connections inside and out. This part was the easiest.