Mini Split Line Set Insulation I.D. vs copper O.D? too much air space?

[TimberMan]

Hi Folks, the line set that came with my Senville mini split has quite a bit of gap / air space between the inner diameter of the insulation and the outer diameter of the copper as shown in the photo. It seems like this is a condensation risk but I have no experience on the matter.

Does the setup in the photo look to be OK or should i cut the insulation off and redo it with 6' sticks of insulation with the same ID as the pipe OD?

Thanks

 

[fitter30]

That from a insulated line set? Pre insulated line sets are not very tight against the piping coming from overseas. Refrigeration copper is measured by O.D. Plumbing is I.D. Refrigeration tubing is clean and dried marked ACR refrigeration in blue and is L copper. Plumbing is marked in red for M or blue for L.
Refrigeration
1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8
Plumbing
1/4 O.D, 3/8 O.D. , 1/2 I.D , 3/4 I.D

 

[TimberMan]

Yes, that’s the insulated line set that came with my Chinese Senville mini

 

[Codyboy]

That from a insulated line set? Pre insulated line sets are not very tight against the piping coming from overseas. Refrigeration copper is measured by O.D. Plumbing is I.D. Refrigeration tubing is clean and dried marked ACR refrigeration in blue and is L copper. Plumbing is marked in red for M or blue for L.
Refrigeration
1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8
Plumbing
1/4 O.D, 3/8 O.D. , 1/2 I.D , 3/4 I.D

My Blueridge lineset had pretty snug insulation on the liquid line. None on the pressure line. No idea why OPs has at on there.

Anyhow, I wouldn't wory about snugness.
Hell it gets cold in there . All your trying to do is keep the outside humid air from getting to the pipe to prevent sweating. Once the air inside the insulation gets cold it will be the same temp as the pipe. Tape it up and seal it at the ends , it'll be fine I'm sure.
But I'm not an hvac guy as we all know I have ac troubles right now.

 

[pcmeiners]

Actually the big air gap adds insulation valve IF there is no air exchange within the insulation. If you want to replace it Supplyhouse carries high R value insulation, you do not want to replace it with the box store ****.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/K-Flex-Pipe-Insulation-26880000

 

[TimberMan]

I would never use box store retail stuff but it seems hard to find that insulation in continuous rolls...none of the HVAC supply houses near me have it in anything but ~6' sticks. I wonder if the risk of introducing moisture at the **** joints would out weigh the risk of moisture by using the supplied line set insulation?

 

[pcmeiners]

If you add a sealant to both ends of the continuous insulation it should stop air exchange. Have used K flex insulation on water supply line, Gorilla duct tape will seal the joints guaranteed, K-flex is far superior to the usual line set insulation quality.

 

[Codyboy]

I bought some Armacell or Armaflex , cant remember what it was called , when I had to redo some of the insulation on my lineset inside the wall.
I got it from an HVAC supply (he will sell to anybody) .
100 times better than that junk at the big stores.
That stuff is thick and dense. The stuff I got was easily 3" in diameter for a 3/4" to 1" pipe size. And they have a special black cement for it too. Works like contact cement.

 

[pcmeiners]

Aeroflex? Looks pretty good

Aeroflex USA | AEROFLEX EPDM™ Closed-Cell Elastomeric Foam Insulation

Closed-Cell Elastomeric Foam Insulation uniquely formulated for success in mechanical, refrigeration, HVAC, and plumbing systems.

aeroflexusa.com