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Post by monitorhead on Jun 20, 2023 13:38:22 GMT
Hey everyone, hope you are all well. I just found out that my Frigidaire Imperial 43 (which I thought was leak-free) is, in fact, leaking. I am at a loss for how it could hold R12 for 15 years outside, and then leak within a year of sitting inside. Vibrations and higher pressures from running are my best guess. I have located the leak, and will be able to braze it shut. However, this system was very rusty from sitting outside for so long, so I don’t trust it to hold refrigerant indefinitely without more leaks. For that reason, I’d like to go with something less expensive than R12. I’m considering R12a at the moment. I am aware of its flammability hazard, but I feel that since this unit only calls for 2.47 oz of R12, that it won’t pose a significant safety risk, especially considering it’s much smaller charge requirement compared to R12. I have also looked into freeze 12, but don’t feel great about using a R134a blend in a system designed for R12. The other option I am considering is a conversion to R152a. My only concern with that is the bitterant agent that is used in the cans. Will this cause any issues in the system? I also have a NOS can of genuine R12, so I can use that it all else fails, but I would like to try other options first. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Monitorhead.
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Post by ckfan on Jun 20, 2023 15:33:08 GMT
David has used 152a in many many units, belt drive and hermetic and has not had any issues that I’m aware of. That is what I would go with if it were mine.
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 20, 2023 19:04:55 GMT
Hey everyone, hope you are all well. I just found out that my Frigidaire Imperial 43 (which I thought was leak-free) is, in fact, leaking. I am at a loss for how it could hold R12 for 15 years outside, and then leak within a year of sitting inside. Vibrations and higher pressures from running are my best guess. I have located the leak, and will be able to braze it shut. However, this system was very rusty from sitting outside for so long, so I don’t trust it to hold refrigerant indefinitely without more leaks. For that reason, I’d like to go with something less expensive than R12. I’m considering R12a at the moment. I am aware of its flammability hazard, but I feel that since this unit only calls for 2.47 oz of R12, that it won’t pose a significant safety risk, especially considering it’s much smaller charge requirement compared to R12. I have also looked into freeze 12, but don’t feel great about using a R134a blend in a system designed for R12. The other option I am considering is a conversion to R152a. My only concern with that is the bitterant agent that is used in the cans. Will this cause any issues in the system? I also have a NOS can of genuine R12, so I can use that it all else fails, but I would like to try other options first. Any input is appreciated. Thanks, Monitorhead. Hi there. It's a shame about the leak developing! Whatever you do DO NOT use R12A or any blended hydrocarbon in this system. These will destroy the rubber seals at the compressor electrical terminals. Use only R12 or R152A in these. It came with R12 so that is guaranteed to work. R152A has been used in these for many years now and also is proven to work. Blends don't work properly and hydrocarbons will ruin your compressor. When charging from R152A cans, always charge in vapor form (tap at the top of the can, so liquid won't enter.) That will prevent any bitterant from going into the system since that is an oily substance and won't exit in the vapor. I would highly recommend you take the opportunity to remove the entire condensing unit and remove all loose rust and then give it a heavy coating of POR15 to prevent more issues. |
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