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.....

 

[Renegade1LI]

I used 3/4" white pvc board & built a raceway & it's easy to remove if I ever need to.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Cover Guard 3" Expandable Lineset Cover

Cover Guard 3" Expandable Lineset Cover Cover Guard"s Line set covers fit a single zone (3" interior width) and are available in paintable white, brown and gray options. The cover expands in depth to hide pipes and to save you time and money.

rectorseal.com

Cover Guard 3" Expandable Lineset Cover set fit a single zone (3" interior width) and are available in paintable white, brown and gray options. The cover expands in depth to hide pipes and to save you time and money.

 

[TEXACMAN]

Did you say it was 8 ft from the wall?

 

[mike93lx]

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

Solid is not how I would describe corrugated drain pipe. It's better than nothing but won't hold up to any real damage.

 

[carlaisle]

Solid is not how I would describe corrugated drain pipe. It's better than nothing but won't hold up to any real damage.

OP said he needs to protect the refrigerant lines and low voltage wire from his dog chasing small critters. I'm not really sure how the dog would damage these in the pursuit of said critters, but that must be a concern or this post would not exist. Corrugated drain tile/drainage pipe would be entirely adequate to protect the indicated items from incidental damage of the sort anticipated. If the concern was defense against a wayward brush cutter, fire, backhoe damage, etc., an alternative solution would certainly be indicated.

 

[MichaelP]

Did you say it was 8 ft from the wall?

Not exactly. It's about 18" from the wall, but the line set travels around the corner. I need to protect, at the most, 6-8ft of the run. I'd say 4'-6' will be plenty.

So far, the options presented by Firebrick and MM08822 look the most suitable. They are not bulky as corrugated pipes and, unlike those, will not provide perfect living quarters for mice and chipmunks. Those would manage destruction of the pipe content even without my dog hunting them.

 

[whateg01]

For a run along a wall, I think I prefer the style that is basically a box tube. Then at the end of that, where the lines leave the wall and head for the compressor, it switches to a flexible covering of some sort.

 

[MichaelP]

It comes to the wall at a higher point that doesn' need protection.

 

[whateg01]

It comes to the wall at a higher point that doesn' need protection.

But isn't it going to look weird if only part of it is covered?

 

[pcmeiners]

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

This pipe wrap is good, flexibility is important. I place the sealing area towards the bottom in case there is ever liquid intrusion. Used Gorilla tape (white) for sealing.
If you are going to use Airex outlets make sure you order the large diameter size which just the size for my lineset installs, the smaller sizes will not fit a 1/4-3/8" lineset without a struggle.

 

[MichaelP]

But isn't it going to look weird if only part of it is covered?

No, it runs under the deck and is not really visible.