I have an LG 1.5 ton AC. It stopped cooling. The Service eng. checked it and identified a coolant leak at the joint of the aluminum condenser and the copper tubing.
He explained that welding it is not possible between the aluminum condenser and the copper tubing. He wants me to replace it with a copper condenser.
I just want to confirm if it is correct that you cannot weld this leak?
What is the expected life of an aluminum condenser in an AC?
Best Answer
Welding of aluminium to copper is frequently done by pressure welding. During that process both materials are pressed together under very high pressure thereby creating a durable bond. Such welding can not be done by a service engineer. So for him the only option is to select two materials of the same kind. Copper tubing and also copper condenser and braze the two together.
Therefore the technician is right.
As far as the expected life of the aluminium condenser is concerned. If the environment is more or less neutral, a long life can be expected. In your case you were just unlucky the joint failed.