AquaticEngineer Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Just wondering if there are any members that have performed r134a refills or done maintenance on their own chillers? Anyone here work on refriderators for a living by chance? I dont need it done right away, but I imagine that I will eventually since I'm running 2 used coldwater systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Can you take a picture of the service ports? I have done alot of work with r134a. All of my experiences and license are on autos. Just wondering how closely related they are, and if I could use the equip I have to service a chiller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 I'm pretty sure you have to cut and solder a schrader valve or whatever they're called in order to service them. I guess maybe there might be a manufacturer that makes them with discharge and recharge valves on them from the factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 If that is the case. I have alot of fittings. Also alot of experience making a/c lines for hot rods. Now looking for chillers that have become discharged for practice, any donations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fpd4308 Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 I have a pacific coast chiller I need to get charged. Havent checked on fittings yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 The units I will need filled are Marineland Commercial units. They look very much like the compressors from older mini fridges. Here's a pic of the smaller unit, the large one looks almost identical just newer and bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 It looks like they have valve ports on the front lines there to do changes, I just dont know much about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Call Apex Refrigeration in Gresham. The guy's name is Chris. He is a reefer, and works pretty cheaply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Looks like I can see the service ports in the picture. Well one for sure. I am busy till after christmas. After that I could come take a look and see if I can do anything with it. I will also call my buddy tonight and see if him or any of his crew have serviced those. I know he does comercial HVAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Yep it definately looks serviceable. fpd4308 if I were you I would at least consult the guys at pacific coast before attempting to recharge a PC chiller. They can tell you if its even worth it, apparently there are several scenarios where its just not worth it. They've been through it numerous times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 Looks like I can see the service ports in the picture. Well one for sure. I am busy till after christmas. After that I could come take a look and see if I can do anything with it. I will also call my buddy tonight and see if him or any of his crew have serviced those. I know he does comercial HVAC. Ask him if he knows anyone that used to do service on the lobster tanks at any Albertsons. That seems to be the one place that for sure had the Marineland commercial aquariums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I've seen several of these type units/tanks around the coast (Tillamook Bay area) just sitting around looking like if you asked the owners they would probably say "get'er out of here". I almost did it myself. One specific place that had a couple outside was the seafood place across from the "Cheese Factory". Just thought I would let ya know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 I've seen several of these type units/tanks around the coast (Tillamook Bay area) just sitting around looking like if you asked the owners they would probably say "get'er out of here". I almost did it myself. One specific place that had a couple outside was the seafood place across from the "Cheese Factory". Just thought I would let ya know. If you find any place that does have these, please let me know, or if you have the time to ask them find out how much they would part with them for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerv503 Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Yes i have a Pacific Coast 1/2 HP chiller and had to put more free-on in it. You can take it to any automobile shop with air conditioner services to get it refill. It uses the same free-on as air conditioner in cars. I think its called R31 or R30 free-on something like that. Vin B.O.M "Blue Ocean Marines Inc." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Reviving this thread since DrunkReefer ended up getting my coldwater cube tank and it looks like it may need a R134A recharge. It has I think what the call a "schrader" valve for the fitting on it and it needs only 10 ounces of coolant. Think we could bleed off the system and make some connection fittings to refill it using a small can of automobile AC recharge? The only thing I dont know how to do would be to completely empty the system and create a vaccuum in it so it takes a full charge. Any ideas? I hit up Taylor (PnkrckLives) about refilling it using automotive means, so we'll see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topher Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 those are king valves on that unit. yes, you need to evac/recover the unit and then pull a proper vacume on the system to acceptable micron level . this is a refridgeration unit and you may be able to accomplish a recharge though the way you discribing but damage the unit in the long run. i work for a heating and refrigeration company and done service for over 14 years. you can cut corners on this but if it is not done properly, it will cost you alot more in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I have a portable machine that hooks to an air compressor to create a vacuum. Then you could try one of those canned R134 bottles(have a few kicking around here). I am willing to give it a try here at the shop one Saturday. I have acess to many adapter fittings and my automotive A/C machine. In therory it should work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Sounds like tropher is your man... I only service automobiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 those are king valves on that unit. yes' date=' you need to evac/recover the unit and then pull a proper vacume on the system to acceptable micron level . this is a refridgeration unit and you may be able to accomplish a recharge though the way you discribing but damage the unit in the long run. i work for a heating and refrigeration company and done service for over 14 years. you can cut corners on this but if it is not done properly, it will cost you alot more in the future.[/quote'] Any recommendations on a place that would service something like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topher Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Call Apex Refrigeration in Gresham. The guy's name is Chris. He is a reefer' date=' and works pretty cheaply.[/quote'] if the guy above does good work and has the right equipment, he should be fine and sounds like he is cheep. i work for McClenny/RHC / Hybrid Heating and Air Conditioning. if you bring it in we can work on it. if we have to come to place, there would be travel time involved. pm me if you would like to know the rates or to get more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Do they need any OIL like auto systems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Yes it will need oil. Thats what keeps the compressor from wearing out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Yes it will need oil. Thats what keeps the compressor from wearing out! I'll check to see if says what kind of oil on the compressor tonight when I go over to check it out. Or hopefully Marineland will email me back with some answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 If it is the same as an auto system it would be PAG oil. PAG oil is specific to R134A. There are also several different thicknesses. I use 150 on most stuff. Something that small may take 45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topher Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 do not add any oil!!!! it is in the resivoir in the compressor and add oil you take a chance of siezing the compresor or breaking valves. both systems are the same basic operation but have different lubrication caractoristics. you are correct on the oil needing to be the synthetic peg oil. there is sight glasses on the larger comercial compressors so you know how much oil to add and we are talking more on the quart amount.but with the little compressors, there is no way to know how much to add and we are talk ounces and if yopu add to much, you can cause compressor failour and possible compresor burn out and it is very hard and costly to clean a system after a burn out. Proceed with caution and have someone that is experienced do the work. do not just add freon, it is a blend and the different compoinents leak out at diffeent rates. if you have a leak, you have to recover all that is left inb the system and then scale it back in. i am in sales now but this is what i did for over 14 years. you need to have a micron gauge too. if your going to have Pnkrcklives do it. have him pm me and i can give him info. i am off my soap box now...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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