Can Any Stainless Hose Line work for A/C Systems?

[AusTx68]

Summit sells stainless steel braided lines that have pressure ratings from 750 psi and up. I searched for the max presure of a 134a system and based on temperature it *appears* to stay below 350 psi.

The lines needed are -10 AN and -6 AN for my Vintage Air system. The Summit Lines ratings are 750 and 1000 psi each. Seems safe enough but I wanted to find out if anyone has successfully used the lines for their A/C system. Thanks

[passthebuck]

I don't think it's so much an issue of pressure but the size of the refrigerant’s molecule. 134 has a smaller molecule than 22 & hence needed a different hose construction (barrier hose I think it's called). Is braided stainless hose barrier hose? I can’t answer that one...

Your local AC guy should be able to supply you with the correct hose. I found this on Google:

http://www.ackits.com/c/Barrier/Barr...se+-+Bulk.html

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&so...0l1.7.3.1l12l0

[AusTx68]

Hey thanks for the reply. That would explain why the rubber hose they provide is so thick. I noticed the stainless steel lines provided by Vintage Air are made of teflon covered with stainless steel braiding. I used the same stuff for my PS lines. They have a 3k PSI rating.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by AusTx68

Summit sells stainless steel braided lines that have pressure ratings from 750 psi and up. I searched for the max presure of a 134a system and based on temperature it *appears* to stay below 350 psi.

The lines needed are -10 AN and -6 AN for my Vintage Air system. The Summit Lines ratings are 750 and 1000 psi each. Seems safe enough but I wanted to find out if anyone has successfully used the lines for their A/C system. Thanks

The hose you need is not rubber...134 will go right through it. Godman Hi Performance has a teflon lined hose that will handle the pressure AND is impervious to R134. FBC1000 is the 10 AN and the FBC0800 is 8 AN but bear in mind, the aluminum AN fittings DO NOT work on this hose. It takes the FCE stainless steel fittings and they are not cheap. An 08 90 degree fitting is $30.00. They look great when you're done, though.

[AusTx68]

Great info! Thanks Fitz!

[biggestjohn]

Or you can use the hose that they (summit) sells designed for A/C

http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...?Ns=Rank%7cAsc

[stich626]

u want teflon lined , everyone makes it russel/areoquip/no name summit..

[biggestjohn]

Originally Posted by stich626

u want teflon lined , everyone makes it russel/areoquip/no name summit..

That link takes you to Summits site for AEROQUIP A/C hose. They are the only ones that I have found that makes a braided hose that they say will work in A/C systems. Check Russell, Earls, or even Summit no name, none of them recommend Teflon for A/C.

[stich626]

Originally Posted by biggestjohn

That link takes you to Summits site for AEROQUIP A/C hose. They are the only ones that I have found that makes a braided hose that they say will work in A/C systems. Check Russell, Earls, or even Summit no name, none of them recommend Teflon for A/C.

pssstt... it's the same hose
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell