Protective shield for AC line set

[MichaelP]

I want to cover the line set of my AC with something similar to wide Greenfield cut along its length. It would protect the line set bundle (tubing, foam and low voltage wire) from being pulled apart by my dog when he's hunting small animals in the yard and uses his paws. I only need to protect about 6-8 ft of the bundle traveling from the unit to the wall, and the protector should be flexible (vs. something like PVC pipes, sheet metal constructions, etc.).

I saw flexible downspout extensions and similar items, but they look bulky and not sturdy enough. Currently looking into stainless 200 mesh cut into 2-3"-wide strips and used as a bangage. I guess something like Liquid-Tight flexible conduit may work the best, but I have no idea where to buy 3-4" dia one in this length.

I'd like to avoid building a fence around the area as there are different structures nearby that will make it complicated and ugly looking.

P.S. Yes, I discussed it with my dog, and he couldn't guarantee a better behaviour.

 

[Stuart in MN]

There are PVC covers that go on the wall to hide and protect the line set, but I'm guessing you're talking about the short distance from the condensing unit to the wall where they are exposed and within a dog's reach?

Edit: Duh, you already said that... I should have read the whole post.

 

[PCustoms]

They make flexible line set covers. I'm a little thrown off by the fact you have 8 ft exposed at ground level...

Maby put up some sort of a fence around the unit to keep the dog away?

 

[Firebrick43]

The easiest is probably going to be Airex covers and might be enough for what you want.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.supplyhouse.com/product_files/Airex-72E-B-Brochure.pdf

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Airex-Line-Set-Covers-33960000

More expensive but substantial

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Fortress-84028-3-5-Flexible-Elbow-LF92I-Ivory

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.supplyhouse.com/product_files/Fortress-LF92I%20Brochure.pdf

And cheap but still very protective

Section of PVC/vinyl down spout, not the flexible kind, same size as aluminum down spout. Cut one of the wider side down the middle with a pair of aviation snips and cut again removing a 1/2 strip, leaving just a big enough gap to get your fingers in. Pull it apart over the line set. Wear mechanics gloves when pulling it apart and its somewhat difficult to do. It helps to have another hand to tuck lines into the gap that the other person opens but its super cheap and durable. After it gets old and brittle they will break sometimes as the PVC looses its flexibility but they are so cheap, just 10 dollars for a white 10' section at menards.

Menards white vinyl gutter

 

[Firebrick43]

They make flexible line set covers. I'm a little thrown off by the fact you have 8 ft exposed at ground level...

Maby put up some sort of a fence around the unit to keep the dog away?

Especially if the dog is marking its territory on the outdoor coils

 

[MichaelP]

Fortunately, he doesn't.

I wonder if you ever had a chance to handle the flexible elbow from the Supply House. Does it feel more like the Liquid-Tight conduit than the flimsy flexible downspout extension? It certainly looks like Liquid-Tight on the picture (which is good). And if you had a chance to handle it, do you think it'll work (doesn't come apart) if I slit it along the length? Naturally, after placing it over the line set, I'll use cable ties over the flex elbow.

As for using a non-flexible downspout, as I mentioned, it won't work because the line set is not straight in this area: it goes down and up around a corner. It's, probably, not 8', but closer to 6' total.

 

[carlaisle]

How about a piece of solid corrugated drain pipe? Slit it to install and you can use zip ties to cinch it up.

 

[mm08822]

Maybe this.....