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Post by csulaguy on Nov 12, 2017 17:22:47 GMT
I have used R12 in a couple of belt-drive SO2 units (Fairbanks Morse and Kelvinator); it worked fine from a power and refrigeration standpoint. But only a couple of weeks before it leaked out. Maybe because of higher pressure than the seal was intended for (although I thought the pressure of R12 at frosting temp was probably not that much more than the pressure of SO2 at room temp), or totally possible that the seals were just worn out on machines of that age. I asked about a replacement seal from Fairbanks Morse and they had no clue that they had ever even made refrigerators. I had no idea that Fairbanks Morse made refrigerators, either. When I think of FB, I always think about the opposed piston diesel engines that are both powerful (for their time) and a PITA to work on. In fact, I think our train museum has one of them here (that, with the current idiot running diesel service, will probably never get restored in my lifetime). As to the company not knowing it made refrigerators, that would sadly make sense, as I think FB was acquired into another company or something like that. I believe ALCO, which was one of the top locomotive manufacturers 70-100 years ago, was ultimately consolidated into other companies associated with completely different industries, before fading into oblivion. |
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Post by blackhorse on Nov 12, 2017 18:42:55 GMT
Bern, the seller, said that he did some research and thinks R114 would be a good fit, so we're going to try that and see how it works out. He stated that "R114 has some similar pressure characteristics as sulfur dioxide, and it is non-flammable like SO2 but unlike SO2 it is safe with virtually no odor or acidic affects...Frigidaire did use [R114] in their later systems." So we'll see how it works. This is indeed true. R114 was the Freon replacement for SO2. But R114 was banned a couple of decades ago, at the same time as R12. It was never as popular, even then it was obsolete as it had only been used in domestic refrigerators back in the '40's at the latest. Searches even some years ago found it to be impossible to get. The "environmentally sensitive" replacement for R114 (and thus for SO2) is R124. There is a very extensive thread on the subject here: monitortop.freeforums.net/post/127/thread(You can skip to the last few pages if reading through 4 years and 20 pages of research is a bit daunting--) |
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Post by blackhorse on Nov 14, 2017 17:15:36 GMT
I had no idea that Fairbanks Morse made refrigerators, either. When I think of FB, I always think about the opposed piston diesel engines that are both powerful (for their time) and a PITA to work on. In fact, I think our train museum has one of them here (that, with the current idiot running diesel service, will probably never get restored in my lifetime). What is the approximate displacement of those engines? The only opposed cylinder engines I know of personally are (of course) the VW flat air cooled engine, and the cast iron Maytag flat twin washing machine motor. |
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Post by timeswelding on Nov 14, 2017 20:34:23 GMT
Fairbanks Morse made a lot of different variations, both gas and diesel, of stationary engines.
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Post by csulaguy on Nov 22, 2017 2:53:25 GMT
This is indeed true. R114 was the Freon replacement for SO2. But R114 was banned a couple of decades ago, at the same time as R12. It was never as popular, even then it was obsolete as it had only been used in domestic refrigerators back in the '40's at the latest. Searches even some years ago found it to be impossible to get. So as it turns out, the compressor seal was leaking, and he had a spare compressor/motor (wish I asked him to save the old one, but it went into the recycle bin) that he installed. So the R114 was evacuated and R12 went into the new setup. It was working when I picked it up, although when I got it home, I smelled some oil, and noticed it at the line where you fill it up (not sure if it's the high pressure or low pressure line, as I'm still new to this stuff). Either way, I gotta let it sit stationary for 12-24 hours before I power it on, right? What is the approximate displacement of those engines? The only opposed cylinder engines I know of personally are (of course) the VW flat air cooled engine, and the cast iron Maytag flat twin washing machine motor. I'd google the Fairbanks-Morse Trainmaster, which was fairly popular. It was supposed to be a good puller, and popular with train crews, but not so much with diesel service at the various railroads. Our museum has one FB locomotive (not the Trainmaster), which I believe is an opposed piston 6 cylinder. |
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Post by blackhorse on Nov 22, 2017 5:51:24 GMT
I'd apply soapy water where the oil is; if it's leaking you need him to resolve the leak. Pronto. And are you sure it's R12? It's been 20 years; it's pretty rare and expensive to use R12 anymore, and will pose problems if you need to recharge in the future.
Not knowing what he's done, can't say for sure but yeah, just to be on the safe side let it sit for a day or so before starting--
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Post by csulaguy on Nov 22, 2017 15:08:41 GMT
He put an a different belt driven compressor and motor from a salvaged unit, as the original one in my Frigidaire was leaking through the shaft seal. He said that setup previously had R12, so he opted for R12 again instead of R114.
We're not talking a lot of oil, but enough where I could see it and smell it. I'll have to take some photos and show what I'm referring to specifically.
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