R-22 refrigerant

[dj43]

One of our compact air conditioning units, seems to be not reaching temperature, ( hot) suspect that it needs topping up with gas, as R-22 refrigerant is no longer available to purchase, looking for someone that has access to recycled R-22 gas as I believe that this is the only way that they can be topped up, and worked on, or anyone looking to have some R-22 disposed of ?
As they are indervidual units, can be transported

 

[paulajayne]

Search for R22 drop in gas. There are alternatives.

 

[Portofino]

When you say “ ( hot ) “ do you mean it’s not reverse cycling ? You are uk based ?

If so they have a reversing switch which sticks if unused .A sharp tap with a rubber malet normally un sticks it and the unit will now throw out hot air .

 

[Mr Googler]

You need @superheat6k ?

An actual expert.

I happen to know where a cylinder of R22 is in Gosport. The owner is in Australia currently though!

 

[dj43]

When you say “ ( hot ) “ do you mean it’s not reverse cycling ? You are uk based ?

If so they have a reversing switch which sticks if unused .A sharp tap with a rubber malet normally un sticks it and the unit will now throw out hot air .

Yes apologies should have explained better, they are marine air systems, compact range with reverse cycle , unfortunately uk based, in eleven seasons only had on cool a handful of times, the reverse cycling seams to be working, already tried the tapping test?, solenoid seams to open and you can feel differential of temps from the three pipes when switching from hot to cold, unfortunately if it's the reverse valve going to need gas top up hence the post
Recommendations for someone to check also apriecated south coast, as they are compact units not a problem to remove and transport

 

[Seastoke]

If it has lost some ,will it not leak again.

 

[dj43]

You need @superheat6k ?

An actual expert.

I happen to know where a cylinder of R22 is in Gosport. The owner is in Australia currently though!

Yes hoping superheat wil be along , in no rush so if the r-22 in Gosport is still available , will definitely be interested in purchasing some or all

 

[dj43]

If it has lost some ,will it not leak again.

I suspect after twenty years of use , the last twelve or so with me ,they are due a top up, I am able to check with gas detector, but have not done so yet if a repair is not possible

 

[dj43]

Search for R22 drop in gas. There are alternatives.

Did try but came up with that existing equipment will need modifications and probably not cost effective, this was for using an alternative gas R410A but have not had any professional advice,

 

[Mr Googler]

Yes hoping superheat wil be along , in no rush so if the r-22 in Gosport is still available , will definitely be interested in purchasing some or all

I’ve messaged him ? Will pm you in due course

 

[dj43]

Excellent thank you

 

[superheat6k]

Oh dear ! I am afraid it is now illegal to charge R22 into any system anywhere in the EU and the UK. It was banned from 'Service' use (re-charging for any reason) in 2014. However, it remains perfectly legal to run a serviceable system still holding R22, just if the gas comes out for any reason, that's it - it is illegal to recharge it.

However, there are several direct replacements that would likely work, but getting a small quantity might be an issue.

R417A (Isceon MO59); R422D (Isceon MO29); R438A (Isceon MO99) would all likely work just fine.

R407C might work but would require several oil changes which are near impossible on hermetic compressors.

If you add R410A you will kill your unit in short order. R134a just won't work to produce much if any cooling.

Although another possibility is if it is a reverse cycle heat pump too then the device that causes the reverse cycle - the reversing valve, might be stuck. Because these valves rarely operate when they do they can stick either in cooling or heating mode. Sometimes a sharp tap with a mallet can jerk them free. The valve is a cylindrical device with 4 pipes into it and a solenoid coil. As they normally operate in cooling mode the solenoid will only energise when demanding heating mode.

Happy to have a look sometime if you are close to Hamble, and we have at least R417A and R438A at our factory.

But the R22 would need to be properly decanted and consigned for disposal, and this would not be cheap. You may find someone who will do this for you by another means, but I am afraid getting a reputation for venting refrigerants is not something that would enhance my business, so I personally will not do it.

 

[dj43]

Oh dear ! I am afraid it is now illegal to charge R22 into any system anywhere in the EU and the UK. It was banned from 'Service' use (re-charging for any reason) in 2014. However, it remains perfectly legal to run a serviceable system still holding R22, just if the gas comes out for any reason, that's it - it is illegal to recharge it.

However, there are several direct replacements that would likely work, but getting a small quantity might be an issue.

R417A (Isceon MO59); R422D (Isceon MO29); R438A (Isceon MO99) would all likely work just fine.

R407C might work but would require several oil changes which are near impossible on hermetic compressors.

If you add R410A you will kill your unit in short order. R134a just won't work to produce much if any cooling.

Although another possibility is if it is a reverse cycle heat pump too then the device that causes the reverse cycle - the reversing valve, might be stuck. Because these valves rarely operate when they do they can stick either in cooling or heating mode. Sometimes a sharp tap with a mallet can jerk them free. The valve is a cylindrical device with 4 pipes into it and a solenoid coil. As they normally operate in cooling mode the solenoid will only energise when demanding heating mode.

Happy to have a look sometime if you are close to Hamble, and we have at least R417A and R438A at our factory.

But the R22 would need to be properly decanted and consigned for disposal, and this would not be cheap. You may find someone who will do this for you by another means, but I am afraid getting a reputation for venting refrigerants is not something that would enhance my business, so I personally will not do it.

Thanks Superheat6k for comprehensive explanation, I was under the impression that Recycled R-22 could still be used , as this unit is in the bedroom, it has been always used in reverse cycle mode, for heat output only, think it started to play up when I changed the settings to cool, I have tried tapping the reverse valve and when you alter temp setting you can feel heat being diverted to different pipes, but unsure if fully opening
We are in east cowes, we have met over beers, but some time ago, it's not a problem for me to pop over to Hamble, boat folk have a marina there , so if it was possible would be greatly appreciated if at sometime you could have a look, or happy to weight untill you are afloat again if that's more convenient to you

 

[Hot Property]

Oh dear ! I am afraid it is now illegal to charge R22 into any system anywhere in the EU and the UK. It was banned from 'Service' use (re-charging for any reason) in 2014. However, it remains perfectly legal to run a serviceable system still holding R22, just if the gas comes out for any reason, that's it - it is illegal to recharge it.

However, there are several direct replacements that would likely work, but getting a small quantity might be an issue.

R417A (Isceon MO59); R422D (Isceon MO29); R438A (Isceon MO99) would all likely work just fine.

R407C might work but would require several oil changes which are near impossible on hermetic compressors.

If you add R410A you will kill your unit in short order. R134a just won't work to produce much if any cooling.

Although another possibility is if it is a reverse cycle heat pump too then the device that causes the reverse cycle - the reversing valve, might be stuck. Because these valves rarely operate when they do they can stick either in cooling or heating mode. Sometimes a sharp tap with a mallet can jerk them free. The valve is a cylindrical device with 4 pipes into it and a solenoid coil. As they normally operate in cooling mode the solenoid will only energise when demanding heating mode.

Happy to have a look sometime if you are close to Hamble, and we have at least R417A and R438A at our factory.

But the R22 would need to be properly decanted and consigned for disposal, and this would not be cheap. You may find someone who will do this for you by another means, but I am afraid getting a reputation for venting refrigerants is not something that would enhance my business, so I personally will not do it.

What gas did you have to dump when we were in the Gulf Trev?