HVAC Question

There is no easy way to win.
All you can do is try and explain the cost/time implications when there is a problem later on. Put your concern in writing preferably with some financial cost benefit analysis. Copy it, to all concerned. Keep a copy yourself.
That's all you can do.
Del

Money. Money and a lawyer is the only way one can coerce a contractor to follow a contract. However, trying to enforce a written contract can quickly become more of a problem than the non-compliance itself.

My point is that you do not have an engineering problem. You have a business contract problem. Forget the discussion you had with a salesman or engineer about what would be done. Read your contract. If the valves and drier are specifically written into the contract then this contractor should install them, regardless of any opinions.

When you figure out how to do this, please post your answer. Who knows, you might even be nominated for some sort of award. Your task is somewhere between difficult and impossible. Even if you convince them, you will be forever shunned. Follow Del's advice, follow your bosses instructions. Don't ever try and collect the "I told you so", it will only shorten your career. Look at it this way, when it fails, and you have to spend days fixing something, you will earn plenty of over time or comp time.

You may be qualified to fix this system when it fails, but I've never known anyone who can fix stupid.

adding any filter/drier is adding a slight restriction and pressure drop.so if you want to split hairs on a technical argument you can't deny these facts but a drier will always remove moisture and acid before they become problematic and are a good idea to have in the LIQUID LINE. do not add to the suction line unless cleaning the sustem, do not leave in the system for normal operation.

re: valves. any quality pump down equipment come with them, no need for redundancy but are always useful for future service and maintenance. I'd rather have them

I too was going to say do what the boss says, ESPECIALLY if he is a dumb-ass! (UNLESS you are requested to do something, which might potentially endanger someone's life; then, shout till someone of authority hears you!) HOWEVER just remember to ALWAYS get DOCUMENTATION! Tell him you are keeping a log for your next performance review, and you want to see how well you are following orders, and improving in your duties! Just have him to sign off on EXACTLY what you are supposed to do, and how well you did what he told you to do. This is a win-win for you. You have your records for your own protection if you were told to do something stupid; and, IF you have ALSO documented just how stupid you think it might be; so, his boss can recognize just what a 'team playing' asset you are when the feces hits the oscillator!