Self-Piercing Saddle Valves

[dandersen (David Andersen, TN HI# 40)]

Sometimes they are located in inaccessible areas and your client will not know they are there if they start leaking with age.

They may like to know they are there, and where.

If they are not leaking, just recommend subsequent observation…

[belliott (Bob Elliott, 450.0002662)]

There ya go guys.
Charlie,David and myself agree.
The Universe has lined up.

[belliott (Bob Elliott, 450.0002662)]

…and darn I used to hate installing the galvanised version saddles.
You had to drill a hole in the side of the pipe which is not always easy as the bit tends to slip around not to mention the galv pipes often had corroded insides which blocked the outlet of the saddles openings.

[dandersen (David Andersen, TN HI# 40)]

@cbottger

Let the old man give a little history about saddle valves. When I first took note of a saddle valve they were called four-in-one valves because they had a insert for different size copper lines and they were used as a temporary valve to check refrigerant in the system that did not have factory service valves such as window units, refrigerators and home type freezers. If the system was low on refrigerant due to a leak a permanent valve was installed and the saddle valve was removed and the puncture hole was brazed closed. The saddle valve was originally thought of as temporary but soon after was used for everything including water. I still think of one as a temporary valve. Do I write them up no unless they are leaking

And another History lesson…

How many 4-n-1 valves fail at install?

Al Gore was proposing legislation to remove all service valves from HVACR equipment so it would not cause global warming.

Sent him a nasty-gram stating that service valves should be required, not removed. How are we going to add 6 oz. of refrigerant to a HVACR without adding a valve that may or may not hold and there is a potential to loose the whole 4 lbs?!

That Bill did not pass…
Gore sold his stock in 4n1 valves…

[rstrand (Rick Strand)]

I called out one last week, only because it was installed in a plastic pipe, PolyB to boot! Anyone know if any manufacturers allow installation in plastic?