What is Automotive Air Conditioning Hose

Before we talk about car air conditioning hose, we should know where the A/C hose is used.

The A/C hose is part of the car air conditioning system, the car air conditioning system is responsible for keeping you cool and comfortable during hot summer days.

The A/C hoses are responsible for carrying the refrigerant during different components.

In the car air conditioning systems, there are two different of AC hoses. One is the high-pressure hose and low-pressure hose. The high pressure A/C hose transfers the refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser, the low pressure A/C hose carries the refrigerant from evaporator to the compressor.

The Material of A/C Hose

Normally the A/C hose is made of durable rubber material and designed to withstand high pressure and temperature, when the car air conditioning system is working.

The Types of A/C Hose

For the A/C hose, there are many different types, including, but not limited to the following:

Type A- Elastomeric, Textile Reinforced

Type B- Elastomeric, Wire Reinforced

Type C- Barrier, Textile Reinforced

Type D- Thermoplastic, Textile Reinforcement, Elastomeric Cover

Type E- Veneer, Textile Reinforcement

Type F- Veneer, Barrier, Thermoplastic Liner

Type G- Thermoplastic, Textile Reinforced, Thermoplastic Cover

All different types of A/C hose follow the same standard SAE J2064/SAE J3062, their function is same, the different is that different car model need different of types of A/C hose.

The most common types of A/C hoses are Type B, Type C and Type E A/C hoses.

For the Type B A/C hose, it is wire reinforced A/C hose, most customers think this A/C hose is more durable and strong than other types A/C hose. It is used in the heavy vehicle, like the bus, coach.

For the Type C and Type A/C hose, both are textile reinforced A/C hose. Normally it is used in the different vehicles, like cars, trucks, light-duty, heavy-duty trucks, construction and agricultural vehicles. It means almost all vehicles can use Type C and Type E A/C hoses, even if for the bus or coach.

The different of Type C and Type E A/C hose is about the refrigerant. For type C A/C hose, the refrigerant is R134a and R12. For type E A/C hose, the refrigerant is R404a, R134a, R12 and 1234yf. You can see more different refrigerant for type E A/C hoses.

For refrigerated cars, it will use the type E A/C hoses, because the refrigerant is R404a.

The Structure of A/C Hose

As to the structure of A/C hose, people will defined it based on different layers.

For Type A and Type B A/C hose, it is three layers A/C hose.

For the Type C A/C hose, it is five layers or seven layers A/C hose. If the reinforcement is one braided textile, it is five layers A/C hose. If the reinforcement is two spiral textile, it is seven layers A/C hose.

For the Type E A/C hose, it is four layers or six layers A/C hose. If the reinforcement is one braided textile, it is four layers A/C hose. If the reinforcement is two spiral textile, it is six layers

The sizes of A/C Hose

There are a wide range of A/C hose sizes, different car model may need different sizes of A/C hose. But there are several sizes can meet most of vehicles in the following:

#6---5/16” size A/C Hose

The inner diameter is 8.2mm, the small size of A/C hose

This hose is connects the air conditioning evaporator, receiver/drier, and bottom connection of the condenser. Sometimes, we also call it liquid refrigerant A/C hose

#8---13/32” Size A/C Hose

The inner diameter is 10.5mm, the middle size of A/C hose

This connects the air conditioning compressor to the top connection of the condenser. We also can it discharge refrigerant air conditioning hose.

?#10---1/2” Size A/C Hose

The inner diameter is 13mm, the big size of A/C hose

This hose connects the air conditioning evaporator to the compressor.

#12---5/8” Size A/C Hose

The inner diameter is 16mm, the big size of A/C hose

This hose connects the air conditioning evaporator to the compressor. Same function as the #10 1/2 inch hose.

#16---7/8” Size A/C Hose

The inner diameter is 22.2mm, the big size of A/C hose

This hose is used in the bus and coach

#20---9/8” Size A/C Hose

The inner diameter is 28.5mm, the big size of A/C hose

This hose is used in the bus and coach

The Thickness of A/C Hose

For the auto A/C hose, it also can be dived into Standard Barrier A/C hose, Reduced Barrier A/C hose.

Standard Barrier A/C Hose also called Thick Wall A/C hose, because the cover of A/C hose is very thick. We can recognize it by eyes.

Reduced Barrier A/C Hose also called Thin Wall A/C hose, because the cover of A/C hose is thin compared to Standard Barrier A/C hose. The reduced barrier hose is more flexibility.

For the Standard Barrier(Thick Wall) A/C hose and Reduced Barrier(Thin Wall) A/C hose, the hose inner diameter is same, the different is the outside diameter.

The Features of A/C Hoses

Strong Construction

To handle high pressure and high temperature, when the car air conditioning system is working

Refrigerant Compatibility

The A/C hose transfer the refrigerant in different components of car air conditioning systems. It is designed to be compatible with different refrigerants

Low Permeation

A/C hoses are constructed with materials that have low permeation properties. This means that they minimize the loss or leakage of refrigerant from the car air conditioning system. Low permeation helps maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the car air conditioning system.

Pressure Resistance

A/C hoses are designed to withstand the pressure levels encountered in automotive air conditioning systems. They are constructed with reinforcement layers, such as textile or steel braids, that provide strength and resistance to internal pressure

Temperature Resistance

A/C hoses are engineered to withstand the temperature extremes found in automotive air conditioning systems. They can handle high temperature associated with the hot refrigerant gas as well as the low temperatures of the liquid refrigerant.

Flexibility

A/C hose are flexible to allow for easy installation and routing in tight spaces within the vehicle. The flexibility of A/C hoses enable efficient installation and improves the overall performance of the car air conditioning systems.

Compatibility with fittings

A/C hoses are designed to be compatible with different fittings. This ensures proper connection and minimizes the rise of leaks.

Hope this article can help you to know more about auto A/C hose.