Warning! Refridgerator Problems.

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driver0606

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For 7 years I have lived with a poorly performing Vitrifrigio connected to a Danfoss 35 24V compressor. Three different refridgeration engineers diagnosed insufficient gas and duly topped it up, with no improvement. A new compressor and electronic unit changed nothing. I then happened mentioned my problem by telephone to Penguin Refridgeration in the UK. Their engineer diagnosed too much gas, saying that many engineers do not realise that the Danfoss small compressors run at about only half a bar. He suggested I strip back the last 30 cm. off the insulation on the return pipe, i.e the last part before it joins the compressor. Let the compressor run about 40 - 60 minutes, then let the gas out for about 5 seconds, wait 5 minutes and see if its frost free. If not, repeat. Everything is great now, it works better than ever before. It seems likely that other DC refridgerators may work in the same way. I have explained in some detail as we are off to Sardinia shortly as I am not sure of internet service.
 
I maybe wrong but I'm sure it's illegal to discharge refrigerant into the atmosphere.
 
It uses most likely HFC gas. Which admittedly is not great for greenhouse but the amount let out would be insignificant. HFC is used in metered dose pumps. So all those asthmatics sucking on their pumps because of NOX gas emitted by the copious amounts of diesel you use are doing worse. Talking of Nox and carbon emissions. Owning a boat and then pointing that finger even in the hypocrisy stakes goes beyond the pale. ;) All's good though. I'll take your beer money if you dont want it. :p
 
I actually do know about refrigerant gasses as my dad owned a company that that dealt with them on a big scale and was therefore registered. R134a, as used in a Danfoss 35 unit, is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent. Huge fines if you are caught releasing it and quite rightly so. Your reply reminds me of people who chuck their Mcdonalds bag out of the car window, leaves their crap on a beach, drops 4-pack plastic bands into the sea and discharges their black tanks into the sea close to land!!! Hey-ho, it's only one person doing it isn't it...what's the harm in that? Keep your beer money and donate it to the people trying to clean up your mindless mess. :mad:
 
I take it back. You really do need some beer money. Large scale is a different issue and if you consider how much of it leaks out anyway I am surprised you arent campaigning to ban fridges. Now what started out as a gentle jibe has turned sour so pick up your knickers and chill.
 
BruceK said:
I take it back. You really do need some beer money. Large scale is a different issue and if you consider how much of it leaks out anyway I am surprised you arent campaigning to ban fridges. Now what started out as a gentle jibe has turned sour so pick up your knickers and chill.
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Not at all, if it is ok (by your reconing) that one person is ok to dump greenhouse gasses then where does it end? Wouldn't it be better that no one illegally dumped it? The op thinks (naively i recon) that if your fridge unit isn't working ok a simple fix COULD be dumping the gas and you openly condone that? 127 have read this, what if they all do it on the ops recommendation and your reconing? Just don't!
 
OK. I can tell you are upset. So to those 127 who have a fridge to discharge. Please discharge into a balloon and dispose of in the correct recycle bin.

Hope that helps ?
 
Not upset in the slightest. I hope, and have no doubt, the 127 people who read this would dispose of the gas in a responsible way and to do what they can in their lifetime to preserve this planet to hand to their kids! It's easy when everyone does their bit! Hope that helps ??
 
Ok. Not upset then. Morally outraged. How do you reconcile this outrage with consuming vast amounts of polluting fossil fuel for an afternoon's jolly? I of course understand you're probably running a catalytic converter on your boat alongside urea tanks and all but even so, your carbon footprint must be quite large compared to the population mean. How do you you dispose of your gasses responsibly?
 
Now you are rambling on and clinging to ......I don't know? All I am saying is dispose of ozone-destroying and greenhouse gasses responsibly as it is illegal ! It's not hard is it? You sound like a 95yr old Welsh farmer lol. Don't make me send my mates with Meibion Glyndwr to evict you from Cymru! :LOL: :LOL: (forgot emoji)
 
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MrB said:
I maybe wrong but I'm sure it's illegal to discharge refrigerant into the atmosphere.
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MrB said:
Not upset in the slightest. I hope, and have no doubt, the 127 people who read this would dispose of the gas in a responsible way and to do what they can in their lifetime to preserve this planet to hand to their kids! It's easy when everyone does their bit! Hope that helps ??
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Interesting, how many people have cars fitted with air con/climate control and they rarely use it and the shafts sag through lack of use and the refrigerant leaks out; how many professional companies simply release a little, and what about all the DIY mechanics who release it?

There are far more industries polluting the atmosphere with far worse toxins than someone releasing a little R134 and nothing is said against them, perhaps a little perspective is needed.
 
I can tell you that “professionals“ don’t release, loosing FGas licence, heavy fines and possible jail not worth risk, we have to register gas purchased and log/ report where used and are regularly audited.
also to add, why would you release when you can recover and reuse
 
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You could say exactly the same for car booth spray painting but when I spray paint the boat lines back on where there is fender wear I dont have the rozzers knocking. Back to the fridge in question. 0.5 bar. Just how much gas is being released with a couple squirts? Seriously. You'd think it was sarin gas.
 
Don’t worry too much as on current phase out manufacturing of R134a has mostly stopped world wide and then all will struggle to regas as stock is running out quite quickly.
 
Daverw said:
I can tell you that “professionals“ don’t release, loosing FGas licence, heavy fines and possible jail not worth risk, we have to register gas purchased and log/ report where used and are regularly audited.
also to add, why would you release when you can recover and reuse
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Yes they do, and more that you may think, but this isn't a professional it is a mere boat owner with a problem.
 
Quote,
Penguin Refridgeration in the UK. Their engineer diagnosed too much gas, saying that many engineers do not realise that the Danfoss small compressors run at about only half a bar. He suggested I strip back the last 30 cm. off the insulation on the return pipe, i.e the last part before it joins the compressor. Let the compressor run about 40 - 60 minutes, then let the gas out for about 5 seconds, wait 5 minutes and see if its frost free. If not, repeat.

i would like to be in their managers office when their guy try's the explain this one, we’ve dismissed engineers for doing this.
 
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