DIY regassing a small fridge compressor...

V1701

V1701

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Hi everyone,

In order to add refrigerant from a can of R134A to my fridge compressor that has a 1/4" Scrader valve I need an adapter with a 13 mm fitting. Does anybody know where I might get one please? I've tried Kooltech but they don't seem to stock them, ebay search didn't come up with anything but maybe my search terms were off. The wee pipe with the schrader valve on the end isn't long enough to get a piercing valve on but I assume I could use the pipe on the other side of the cylinder that runs to the cooling plate?

(Please refrain from advising me to call in a professional, if I felt out of my depth I would, of course, do that...)

Thanks,
David.
 
V1701 said:
Hi everyone,

In order to add refrigerant from a can of R134A to my fridge compressor that has a 1/4" Scrader valve I need an adapter with a 13 mm fitting. Does anybody know where I might get one please? I've tried Kooltech but they don't seem to stock them, ebay search didn't come up with anything but maybe my search terms were off. The wee pipe with the schrader valve on the end isn't long enough to get a piercing valve on but I assume I could use the pipe on the other side of the cylinder that runs to the cooling plate?

(Please refrain from advising me to call in a professional, if I felt out of my depth I would, of course, do that...)

Thanks,
David.
Click to expand...
The other side that you talk of is the compressed gas side, the pressure will stop you getting any gas in there.
I made up a fitting from can to 1/4" to use the lo side but I cant remember what the thread is on the can
 
From memory, the valve sizes depend on the gas type, so it is possible that you are trying to add the wrong refrigerant. How old is the compressor?
 
pvb said:
Only if the compressor is running?
Click to expand...
Depends on ambient temperature etc. Plus its a pain popping a bit of gas in, run the system, observe whats happening, shutting down, letting the system settle, pop some more in, yaddy yaddy yaddy. If you wanted to fill it by weighing then you would have to vacuum the system to get it empty, if you had the vacuum kit then I would argue you would have the adaptors! IIRC I silver soldered a 1/4" schrader valve connector to a cut and shut can connector.
 
SpiderMoobs said:
From memory, the valve sizes depend on the gas type, so it is possible that you are trying to add the wrong refrigerant. How old is the compressor?
Click to expand...
He isnt, the little cans of 134a that are available have a thread that fits a connector that fits a hose that has a weird modern car ac system fitting on the other end. On American vehicles vehicles and early cars over here the fittings were 1/4", our boat fridges, even modern day ones, are the same.
 
V1701 said:
Hi everyone,

In order to add refrigerant from a can of R134A to my fridge compressor that has a 1/4" Scrader valve I need an adapter with a 13 mm fitting. Does anybody know where I might get one please? I've tried Kooltech but they don't seem to stock them, ebay search didn't come up with anything but maybe my search terms were off. The wee pipe with the schrader valve on the end isn't long enough to get a piercing valve on but I assume I could use the pipe on the other side of the cylinder that runs to the cooling plate?

(Please refrain from advising me to call in a professional, if I felt out of my depth I would, of course, do that...)

Thanks,
David.
Click to expand...
Never seen one to buy but a couple of years ago silver soldered one together for another member on here, another option is to get a 1/4” service hose and crimp it onto the bottle adapter hose.

do check the the oil in the can is compatible with your fridge as car AC often use a different oil type.

not trying to tell you as you state not out of your depth, but as a “professional“ I do tend to have to help others when they screw it up, often costly when they knacker the compressor from over charging.
 
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