I love a tradesman that can explain it in simple terms. I am not an HVAC Tech but I have replaced a few compressors. Find the lbs, and ozs from the specs put the bottle on a scale, and charge the system. This method of watching for line frost is so intuitive and straightforward that it blows my mind. Simply that's what we are looking for. Thank You. Worth a Subscribe.
Johann, thanks for posting these videos. I was very surprised to see you vent R-134a into the atmosphere since it's a potent greenhouse gas. Just 1kg of R-134a has the same warming effect as 1.43 metric *tons* of CO2 (R-134a GWP is 1430). Here in the US there's an effort underway to phase out high GWP refrigerants like R-134a. R-12 is even worse since it's a CFC that breaks down the ozone layer as well as being an extremely powerful greenhouse gas. R-12 was banned under the Montreal Protocol that was pun in place after we realized that CFCs were responsible for ozone depletion. R-12 has a GWP of 10900, so venting 1 kg of R-12 is equivalent to releasing almost 11 tons of CO2! To put that into perspective, that's the amount of CO2 released from burning a little over 4000 liters of diesel in a vehicle engine. Crazy, huh? Though it *seems* harmless to release the charge from a fridge, I hope my info shows you that's not the case. Please will you consider capturing the gas and having it destroyed properly? I know SA isn't subject to the environmental laws that apply in many other countries, but the atmosphere and climate doesn't really care where the release occurs. We're all in this together. Met groot respek en dankie.
Its cost effective to capture the gas. It can be dried and reused. I'm suprised the company who supplies the gas you use doesn't pay you for recovered gas.
Hi Johann... I have a KIC super cool fridge. The freezer does it's part in a matter of mins, but the fridge is not as efficient. It cools but stuff doesn't get as cold as it would on a normal operating fridge. Could it be a gas leak?
I have a new Embraco compressor with 3 rubber factory stub plugs. Is there a trick to pulling them out because the heads want to tear off. They are hollow and I was thinking that maybe you push a blunt wire in the there to stretch the plug and then they come out but what is your opinion? I like your tips about dealing with factory braised solder on the connections. I plan on using Harris Stay Brite 4% silver wire which melts at a much lower temperature than brazing.
If the rubber plugs break off inside the compressor, I would, if I can get one of the 3 out, put gas pressure into the compressor through the one that you've managed to get out and with a gas welding torch heat the others up and they will just pop out.
Does it help to use liquid on brazed pipes to check for leaks? I recall before charging an AC minisplit you must maintain steady vacuum prior to charging. Not with a fridge?
If you are unsure of a weld it is a good idea to use a liquid leak detecting solvent. I draw vacuum in the whole system for about 2 minutes that's all you need to remove all the air from the system before charging.
Hi Johann, lekker video. i would be able to do it myself if i had the gas and tools for soldering.. anyways. I want to ask can you, as in your company, replace my AEG fridge compressor, it ran on CCl2F2. it should be the same physics as the newer R-134 gases right? the comp is making a high pitched whistling noise. I am in CPT though...
Hello. I enjoy your videos! When you determined the line was frosting, and the system was overcharged, you released some gas. Since you were connected to the suction side, and the system was running, did you turn the system off briefly to allow it to build up pressure before releasing pressure, or how did you manage the release of gas? My thinking was if the release was attempted through the suction side while the system was running, you would pull in outside air. Just trying to see if there was a trick to doing it that I overlooked. Thanks., and keep the videos coming!!
If your suction pressure runs in a vacuum you have to switch the compressor off, but with R12 the suction very seldom goes near a vacuum, so you can blow off the gas while the compressor is running.
But it’s an r134 system that you vented to atmosphere. Certainly not R12. Unless you retrofitted the entire system. This video has far too many problems.
anybody can answer this my system use ptc system. I am not sure if I use the correct ptc but I hear and see the overload activited and working. is that mean the ptc is correct and motor stuck .. what happens if ptc fits but wrong ..
You have to run the compressor through an amp meter and see whether the compressor draws the correct current according to the manufacturers specifications.
Can you use a regular propane soldiering torch? Or do I have to get a MAP gas torch? Can I use regular soldering fill? I want to thank you for sharing this DIY repair to help me save money during these trying times.
Just found your channel and wanna thank you for what you do sir. My refrigerator has a leak is a KitchenAid 5 door is expensive but got it for cheap I added a car freon stop leak can r134a what is your take on that?
On a fridge thats warm the pressure on the gas in the fridge will be exactly the same as the pressure as the gas cylinder outside the fridge. When the fridge starts running the suction pressure goes down & the high side pressure will go up. The longer the fridge runs, the lower the suction pressure gets. The highside pressure will reach maximum pressure shortly after the fridge starts up and as the fridge cools down that pressure will drop slightly. The pressure depends on what type of refrigerant or gas you use.
If the system is clean I do not flush it. If the system is dirty there is a few different types of flushing agent available for different applications.
Hi, Thx. helpful video. Question: I am rebuilding sub zero refrigerator running R134a. 1.Other than adapting connections, is there any reason why cannot use automotive R134a in new installed residential Embraco compressor and new evaporator? 2. Do you need any oil additives for new residential AC system? Thx.
134a whether automotive or domestic or commercial is the same thing. As far as my knowledge stretches 134a is not used in household air conditioning. They use R22 or 407c or 410
I'm assuming the replacement compressor utilizes ester oil, since you're mixing r12 & 134a? Either that or you meant you're refilling with *r12a* which is basically propane, sans the odor additive?
All compressors are marked with specifications, either with codes that you can look up what displacement, BTU & power consumption or some mark the power consumption on the compressor itself. If there is no markings you can use an educated guess according to the size of your fridge.
Very helpful video but I’m not sure I understood a comment you made to someone. I will use map gas torch. I wasn’t understanding WHAT solder or flux to use from your video or comments. What would I ask for or look for in the store?
I use acetylene welding which creates a hotter flame than map gas but there is no problem with using map gas. We get lots of different grades of silver solder in South Africa with different types of silver content. The one with the highest silver content is called mattibraze 34. The flux powder I use is the same that is used on precious metals - for silver brazing alloys at temperatures up to 800 degrees celcius. We used Easy-flo flux powder.
I wish to know how may I switch a 220vac compressor into 12vac. How to rewind it, what wire gauge to use, etc. I wand to operate my refreg on battery without using an inverter. Is it possible?
Sir please solve these problem how do you test that you did not block the filter drier after welding it in and how do you test a working compressor that it will be able to run with gas
If the gas circulates it means there is no blockage. A quick test - put power on the compressor let it run for a few seconds while holding your finger on the high side tube to feel if it builds up pressure.
Yes because it is a filter & no matter how clean or hygienic you think the job is done, there is always a little bit of impurities and secondly a drier is a very inexpensive part.
Thanks for the video. Why do you aim for 10psi? I've seen numbers from 0-4in vacuum all the way up to 22psi. Is this a fridge only or a fridge/freezer? Thanks!
Different gasses work on different pressures. In this video the fridge was charged with R12. If I had used a different gas my initial charge would have been a different pressure.
@@JDNelRefrigeration understood. Thanks! Any suggestions for r134a in a fridge/freezer? Pressure/temp tables lead me to believe that around 0psi is ideal for this situation.
@@JDNelRefrigeration thanks! Yes, I mean aiming for 0 psi when the fridge/freezer is fully cold. I have about 3psi right now when cold/running and it's about 13 when the compressor is off. Seems like it could be a bit lower - there is frost on the suction line, almost to the compressor.
yea i was wondering about that too. i guess the work space there is well ventilated. i checked wiki ,it seems R134a has an insignificant ozone depletion potential, but i agree it should be saved/'recycled'.
@@chrispfeif5552 Yea, but he also purged and vented R12, which one of the first refrigerants that were banned. It is much greater as far as ozone depletion, along with R11, R22, and R500. South Africa agreed to follow the Montreal Protocol on January 15, 1990, so he is required to recover the refrigerant.
On a dual compressor fridge the one compressor will work the fridge side & the other compressor will work the freezer side. On a single compressor. One compressor works both the fridge and freezer.
Just out of curiosity why didn’t you just cut the suction and high pressure side lines rather than un soldering them off. It looked like you had enough line to complete the job. Thanks for the informative video
@@JDNelRefrigeration awesome I’m getting ready to do my compressor swap later today. Also when pulling a vacuum does it remove any moisture from the system?
We do in Canada, also for who can purchase. My experience has the vast majority of retailers have no idea about asking for the certification, before the purchase. I regret taking the course because the government is doing nothing about enforcement.
Why did you not recover the refrigerant? South Africa agreed to follow the Montreal Protocol on January 15, 1990, which makes it illegal to vent ozone depleting gasses, including R134A and R12 refrigerants. Hope no one with authority to enforce it sees your video. just cut the lines. Just running your vacuum pump for two minutes does not prove you had a good vacuum. You did remove your service valve and resealed the process tube, which is very good.
Sorry, but no mater what you should use a recovery refrigiration equipment and not just vent it to the air to increase the ODP and GWP. If you past and have your EPA license you know that you can be fined for this actions.
The type of service valves we get in South Africa has a plastic seal inside and from the heat of the compressor I find that after a couple of years it can develop a leak.
I'm a pretty well off late middlle-aged guy. But, I'm PISSED about my twenty year old inherited GE refrigerator (probably) dying. )-; I lost a leg of power back in July, and the surge probably doomed the compressor. There is a humming noise, the light inside (along with lights in my house) dim, and it clunks towards the end of it's -all too frequent now-cycle. The surges FROM the fridge have probably taken out my HVAC transformer for the second time. This repair looks complicated. I cleaned the coils in back and slots in the cardboard today. These puppies used to last forever in the OLD days.
@@JDNelRefrigeration I did an experiment last night. I unplugged the fridge for ten minutes, and STILL had flickering lights. What's Really Weird is that when I turn on an overhead light near the fridge, it sounds almost normal. But, when it's OFF, it makes that "dying" sound. I am DEF calling the electrician today
You don't vent gas to the atmosphere... You don't put random amounts of gas in, you weight it to the correct amount... There's lots of good info here but please don't take these shortcuts.
I'm was surprised seeing the R134a being vented to the atmosphere... The use of obsolete R12 and no real measurement of the quantity of refrigerant... Here in the USA they would be all over you with large fines over the depletion of the ozone layer... Must be nice not having government all over you...
I previously put that it is harmless, that is a pretty loose statement, I wouldn't go scuba diving with it lol, all joking aside it should properly be recovered.
To be frank, I stopped watching the video when I saw the refrigerant being wented to atmosphere. Not like there's rules about how to handle refrigerants environment friendly. And not likes those rules are there for a reason. But hey... it's YT, every non-professional can show off and act like he's doing good work. Some click and some more cents from from YT make it worth to vent refrigerants doing a ton of damage to the climate to the atmosphere, yes? God grief.
