Re gassing a fridge - Swanwick area

[npf1]

Does anyone know of a man that can in Hamble/Swanwick/Burseldon area?

If not, is it possible/cost effective to do a DIY job using an aerosol car aicon R34 refill kit?

I've rejigged the galley including putting in a new fridge box using the Waeco cooling unit (12 months old) from my existing fridge. However, I lost some of the gas whilst removing the cooling kit from the old box, so the cooling unit probably needs topping up. The compressor is easily accessible and uses R34.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Serck in Portsmouth?

 

[chamac]

Try searching these forums. I am sure I have seen the method described in there somewhere. I believe it is possible by trial and error. You basically run the fridge and note where the frost forms. If there is too little, ie unfrosted parts on the evaporator you add some more. If there is too much ie frost on the pipes, release some. Make sure the gas is the same or you risk ruining the compressor. The old gas is not compatable with the new.

http://www.rparts.com/forum/list.php?f=4

http://kollmann-marine.com/phpBB/viewfor...11bea53e28a0751

 

[PBooth]

Hi, did you loose refrigerant as a gas or liquid? if gas, it will sound like you lose more than you actually do. A hermetic compressor like yours won't be damaged by running when low on gas, I sugest that you try running the fridge and see if it cools ok before trying to add more gas. Car aircon systems use R134a refrigerant by the way, different types of refrigerant must never be mixed.

Peter

 

[bdsweeting]

Correction - a hermetic compressor WILL be damaged if running when short of refrigerant.

The compressor is cooled by the refrigerant vapour returning to the compressor, when it's short then the temperature increases and starts cooking the motor.

I would imagine that you mean the refrigerant is R134a unless R34 is a trade name by someone.

Be careful using a vehicle top-up can from an auto-shop as the cans do not contain pure refrigerant, they include a small amount of oil for car use. This oil may be incompatible with the lubricant in your compressor.

 

[npf1]

Thanks. I'll get a fridge engineer to come and do it, if I can find one.