How To Correctly Add Freon to your Refrigerator R134a -Jonny DIY
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Fix Fridge that's not Cooling by Recharging with Refrigerant. Correctly Recharge & Vacuum Air from System. Detailed Step by Step Process Included.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES & DONATION LINKS
Bullet Piercing Valve- amzn.to/2M9uT2I
A/C Refrigerant R134a & Hose with Gauge Kit- amzn.to/3UKKbyv
A/C Conversion Fittings- amzn.to/375OIX5
A/C Charging Hose with Gauge- amzn.to/3ZRFmVa
A/C Refrigerant R134a- amzn.to/36Z7ATA
A/C Gauges & Vacuum Pump Set- amzn.to/2gRBXVx
A/C Manifold Gauge Set- amzn.to/3S1JVej
Vacuum Pump- amzn.to/2gRH3Bn
170 Piece Household Tool Set- amzn.to/2xoyu5c
Safety Glasses- amzn.to/2ez41Jw
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*TOOLS & SUPPLIES & DONATION LINKS*
Bullet Piercing Valve- amzn.to/2M9uT2I
A/C Refrigerant R134a & Hose with Gauge Kit- amzn.to/3UKKbyv
A/C Conversion Fittings- amzn.to/375OIX5
A/C Charging Hose with Gauge- amzn.to/3ZRFmVa
A/C Refrigerant R134a- amzn.to/36Z7ATA
A/C Gauges & Vacuum Pump Set- amzn.to/2gRBXVx
A/C Manifold Gauge Set- amzn.to/3S1JVej
Vacuum Pump- amzn.to/2gRH3Bn
170 Piece Household Tool Set- amzn.to/2xoyu5c
Safety Glasses- amzn.to/2ez41Jw
Nitrile Disposable Gloves- amzn.to/2w0dlwc
Mechanics Gloves- amzn.to/2w0i1SP
*If you Enjoy the Channel Consider Helping Support it by Donating below & by Subscribing.*
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What if there is no leak but, the gas is low.
How to trace where the refrigerant leak is coming from
Question? How much did it all cost to fox it yourself?
@@tannavela9212 not much, tool was rental free. About $15-20
It costs $200 to rent A/C vacuum from Auto zone. You could buy a new mini fridge for that. Is the vacuuming of the tank absolutely necessary?
To everyone out there who is doing this to save money, and to make ends meet. You are not alone, and I know you can do it don’t let stuff like this overwhelm you because you’ve never done it before, or haven’t been to school for it! You don’t need school anymore there are very extremely intelligent people who regularly upload to UA-cam, and all over the WEB showing you, and teaching you just like this gentleman here I will say there are many different ways to go about it, go with the option that best fits your situation. But don’t let the job intimidate you, but do pay attention we’re your hands are at all times! When putting a hand inside of a device that has a high enough voltage, and current abilities thar can cause you physical harm, and it must be switched on for this purpose put one hand in your pocket and keep it there (always use one hand working on live circuits) protect your self at all cost, nitrate gloves will protect against 120volts 60Hz AC,and 120volts DC as long as there is no moisture on the outside part of the glove. Be careful my friends!
I do NOT understand why anyone would dislike this video. Thanks for sharing
Thanks! & you're welcome, glad I could help you out 👍
@@peterpham6288 did it work?
@@peterpham6288 134a is 134a. There's no "refrigerator grade" version of it
Thanks for the video. You helped me save my 17 year old mini fridge. Did it all for under $15.... Thanks for the instructions and the confidence. Through my research I saw that if your system isn't completely empty you can skip the vacuum step and just add refrigerant. CHEERS
Awesome glad you got it fixed and glad I could help out. Yes you're right as long as their is some refrigerant still left no air should be in, thanks for sharing 🤙🏼
If it's 17 years old it's time to get a new one. Good luck.
Wow! Thanks for this comment because I was trying to figure out how the hell I was going to find that vacuum in my tiny town. Much appreciated!
I put freon in my mini fridge and now it ain't getting cold
@JonnyDIY Thanks for the video! How would you know how much to add if you don't vacuum out what was left in there? Do you need to do this on the 'high' or 'low' side of the compressor? How can you tell which side you are on? thanks!!
love the fact you included all the tools/items used AND put amazon links in. thank you so much for helping me get started with all this!! (mb, canada)
You're very welcome! Happy I could help you out 👍
HVAC and Refrigeration tech here: guys if you absolutely have to do this, please pay attention to the type of refrigerant it takes. Info can be found on the data sticker inside or on the back. DO NOT MIX REFRIGERANTS. If it says R404a DO NOT add R134a. Please consult an EPA certified technician before doing this.
Good point, thanks for sharing 👍
What are the potential dangers of mixing refrigerants?
@@JonnyDIY if urs take the refrigement that is no longer common, can u just use the R134 I believe it's called??? Thanks
@@Dragon22078 would you put diesel in your gasoline vehicle?
@@Yousoundvaxxed no but I’d put alcohol in it. Or jet fuel; not diesel because of the compression required for it to detonate.
So, what if your fridge says it takes R134? Do you still need the conversion kit? What if your can of refrigerant has an adapter on it already? Do you need the conversion kit? Is there something else I can use as a vacuum? I've had to order the parts and wait weeks for them, and STILL I need more crap? It's just really frustrating, and while I am grateful for this guy making the video (I know a hell of a lot more now than when I started), it still leaves much to be desired.
I borrowed gauges and vacuum from local autozone for free just deposit. You have to vacuum though, yes
It's a bummer you have had to wait weeks. I got my parts the next day. The bullet piercing valve I was able to purchase from a local AC store. A store that caters to air conditioner repair companies. The conversion fitting I was able to get from Amazon the next day. Also my local AutoZone had multiple vacuum pumps and gauge manifolds for me to borrow.
Overall for me it was a very easy process because my unit was still cold and functioning, but low on refrigerant. That made it easy for me to feel with my hand which was the high and low line, meaning the hot end not hot line, and also the service port to the compressor which was also not hot. It was very easy process to install the components and to recharge the system. The only thing that Johnny did not mention which is I think notable, is that it will take quite a while potentially for a vacuum to be reached. I believe it was about 45 minutes for me.
TIP!: WHILE ATTACHING HOSE , ALLOW THE FREON TO PURGE (ESCAPE FROM) THE HOSE (CONTINUOUSLY) TO ENSURE THAT AIR IS PUSHED OUT OF THE HOSE. OTHERWISE, YOU WILL HAVE INCORRECT PRESSURE READINGS & THE AIR WILL CREATE ACID. WHICH DESTROYS THE MOTOR WINDINGS & MOISTURE IN THE AIR CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE ICE FORMATION INSIDE THE SMALLEST LINE (CAPILLARY TUBING CAUSING A BLOCKAGE OF FREON CIRCULATION. GREAT VIDEO!!!)
Thanks! Great tip 👍
thanks. i was wondering why we must purge it. will definitely do that
@@fatbongripz4207 god bless you!!
That does not look like a line to purge. Its got a clip on type compression at the end with a hand pump.
How would you even purge it? You cant back off the line sightly to purge air. You have to take it off which would just allow air into it again.
Especially because a pumping action has periods of nothing happening.
@@bobshanery5152THE AIR IS IN THE LENGTH OF HOSE FROM THE CAN OF 134a REFRIGERANT TO THE LINE -TAP VALVE CONNECTION; THIS AIR SHOULD BE PURGED - ITS POSITIVE PRESSURE & NOT UNDER A VACCUM. NOTE: AS YOU STATED CORRECTLY , (PARAPHRASED) WHEN THE LINE IS OFF AIR IS ALLOWED IN REMEDY; A CONTINUOUS FLOW OF REFRIGERANT THRU THE HOSE WHILE ATTACHING THE HOSE TO ITS CONNECTION. YOU DON'T BACK OFF OF ANYTHING. ALSO, YOU'RE NOT PUMPING ANYTHING ,BUT SIMPLY SQUEEZING THE TRIGGER (LIKE A SPRAY- CAN) THE FLOW IS UNINTERRUPTED. THANK YOU BOBS, HOPE THIS HELPS!!!!! ////// I NOTICED THE LINE--OUT ACROSS MY COMMENT HERE , PLEASE READ IT ALL, I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED??????
I like how fast you go and edit clean, no annoying banter👍👍👍
Thank you, happy to help 👍
Nice casio! As a professional watchmaker, I work on watches most people only dream of owning one day, but I have a soft-spot for digital watches and wear vintage casios most days.
Thank you! That's awesome, yeah I love those lil Casios. Lightweight and got all the information I want on it (date, month, and day of week)
I cleaned the grimy dust off the evaporator fins and the fan blades on my vintage refrigerator. There was also a small piece of paper that the fan had pulled into the housing underneath the refrigerator, that was keeping the fan from spinning. And it works again. Still need to check the pressure on the system.
Nice hopefully that did the trick 👍
In Australia almost no one will regas a fridge, (no one within an hour's drive of me for sure) and if I drove my fridge over there it would cost $550 >:(
Thank you for this tutorial!!
Bummer, hopefully you can get it fixed and working again. You're welcome, glad to help 👍
Very Good Video. Easy to See/ View your Hand Gestures and Worded/Narrated in a Easy to Understand Language. Thank You.
You're welcome, happy I could help. And thank you for your kind words 👍
This was a fantastic tutorial. My fridge is slowly dying and I have a chemical cabinet full of goodies including R-134. The wife just ordered a pierce valve.
Awesome, happy I could help 👍
PS- sweet old Chevy you got their. My brother used to have a '63
Thanks man! It’s my daily driver. You see it in the background of a lot of my UA-cam videos.
@@JonnyDIY Here's an update. I think I overcharged it so I bled it down a little. My real problem was a mountain of ice buildup in the freezer, so I cleaned it all out. Suction side is ~0 psi and high pressure side is around 140psi. Freezer is definitely getting cold, refrigerator is definitely getting cold. But now the suction line is covered in ice. Any thoughts?
@@VinnyMartello line will ice up sometimes especially when working real hard. I usually just go by weight for refilling that's the only real way to refill with the correct amount. If you added close to whats called for on specific refrigerator it should be fine though
thank you for the clear and clean walk through of the process! it helped a bunch with my little fridge repair project.
You're welcome, glad I could help you out with your project 👍
Sweet tutorial! I never thought of recharging a small fridge. Nice hack. 👌💯
Thanks a million you just saved me a ton of money. Did not know it was so easy to do 😊
You're very welcome, glad I could help 🙌👍
Overall well-done, however a big omission in this video is at 40s, picking where the fill-valve goes. It needs to be on the low-side (low-pressure, return to pump). That is where the video shows it (thicker pipe to pump) but the distinction is not made.
Yes correct, thank you for pointing that out 👍
A couple of steps missing:
1. Make sure you pierce the LOW side of the compressor, not just any “copper line”. There maybe a crimped off charging line you can identify easily.
2. Make sure you use PURE refrigerant, not refrigerant mixed with oil or sealer. Different oil types are not compatible. Automotive A/C systems use different oils than residential systems because the compressors are different. The nominal purity in automotive refrigerants is less, but I find it hard to believe that manufacturers run two different production lines just to provide lower purity refrigerants.
@@dilvishpa5776 thank you for sharing that helpful information 🙌👍
Pretty cool advice. I'm sure you can do the same with one of those portable a/c units that just blows hot air. Good video thank you.
You're welcome, happy to help 👍
This was the best video on this I’ve found yet! Thank you buddy. Question, is it the same process on newer style refrigerators?
You're welcome, glad to help. Yes will be same process 👍🏻
Just wondering if you might want to also include that there is a High pressure side and a Low pressure side, at least in most refridgeration systems there is, not sure if "all" do or if this one does for sure but I think that's how refridgeration systems work. If you put it on the high pressure side you can seize up the compressor in some cases.
That piercing valve was sticking out where it could cause problems down the road. It might be a good idea to tap the line in an area where the valve will remain inside the frame so it cannot be easily jarred around which could cause a catastrophic failure.
Also, your on screen text about the dust cap was too short, I had to go back and watch that part again to see what it said. Great tutorial. Thumbs up.
Thank you, happy to share 👍
You need to shake the refrigerant can first before use and then hold can facing down when adding and you need to shake as u add .
Yes shaking is good increase pressure 👍
Nice and brief - straight to the point.
Maybe you could give a comment on the total price of the gas and the rental of the vacuum pump?
Thanks for being so helpful - God bless you
Thank you. Tool rental is free, just have to leave deposit. Gas was $8-10, I only spent under $20 total
Free at Autozone
Thank you so much for this man! Saved me some serious $$ and now my fridge is like new!!
Awesome, glad the video was able to help you get your fridge going again 👍🏻
Saw this sick ass intro and immediately subscribed
Thanks! lol just about all 260 videos I have have my "jump in" intro 🤣👍🏻
You did get me thinking. I called a repair man in Ontario to recharge my refrigerator. It has total 5 onces of 134a wihich cost about $7 at walmart usa or napa. I got some extra incase my car needs some. Ordered all of the parts except freon from amazon ca. don't forget to purge line from bottle before you open the new valve you just installed. Most leaks will come from higher pressure side and freon with a stop leak additive will or should help. I most likely need 2 onces or $2 of 134a but the repair man would not add it to my unit and told me to buy a new $2000 refrigerator. this is bs. someone would take our 7 year old unit and recharge it and sell it for 800 to someone. with a slow leak just add stop leak with 134 and see what happens. our unit is still running at -17c but the evaporator coil shows 6 in no frost and the unit runs all the time so we are low on freon. You can top up the unit slowing, 1 min on and then see how the pressure improves. don't forget to get self sealing freon cans. walmart even has 3 once cans with stop leak. for 7. good luck guys and thanks for the tip on the saddle valve.
Hope you get it topped off, yeah that stop leak is great for slow leaks, just used some on my trucks ac system 👍🏻
Great video and it saved me from spending way too much $$ on a pro!
Thanks Lisa 😀👍🏻
My friend suggests I add
auto radiator coolant to the compressor. This will reduce heat.
This is a hermetically closed system. If refrigerant can escape you will have to do it again and again. You will contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer.
Apparently you got a leak in the system that needs to be repaired.
Puncture tyres still need to be pumped up. Repaired leaks fix the problem.
You're right I have another video where I fixed the leak first 👍
Can you just fix mine for me? 😆 🤣 😂
I wish I could! 😁👍
The COIL temp was 40. Thats not the same as the fridge pulling down to 40. Usually you want a 10° temp difference from space to the evaporator plate, for example if you want a fridge at 34f you run the coil at 24f. Might be a little different on this small a system, but your thermometre was on the evap plate which is colder than the box temp will be so your fridge is not working right yet. Maybe its not been running long enough yet, but youre not running full capacity yet more likely. You may have non condensibles in the system (air, automotive evacuation procedures/tools are not typically enough for refrigeration equipment *see note at end if youre interested) or be losing 134 through that notoriously leaky peircing valve. 1.4oz is tiny so you may have undercharged it by not filling the charging line before weighing the charge and in doing so, left a few decimals of an oz in the hose and not the system. But with a charge that small it might be enough to be undercharged and not get as cold as it should.
But what do i know😅
*Note: the gauges you used read down to 30inhg, or 30 inches of mercury, 30 inches of vacuum. The needle is extremely inpresice and even when bottomed out completely, may not actually be as low as it looks. A vacuum that we might pull on a cooler when recommissioning it is 500 microns of vacuum. 30inhg is absolute 0, but those gauges are really that sensetive and you are likely only at 28-29.9inhg when it bottoms out. But between 29.9 inhg and 30inhg there are 2600 microns of vacuum, and even my very sensetive gauges with a digital readout read 29.9inhg when my micron guage reads 10,000. This is problematic because you can have air, moisture and other things you dont want in a refrigerant system at 2600 microns. You generally want to pull a vacuum below 500 microns to ensure it is fully evacuated, not leaking and there is nothing bad for the system left behind. Then charge the system.
@@jrichar31 thank you for the helpful information 🙌 Ohh yeah the temperature came down more eventually just wanted to finish video and start another project. The fridge is still actually working from this fix all these years later. I have it in garage with drinks in it 👍
Nice video, thanks so much for taking the time to teach us how to do it right
You're welcome 👍🏻
Did you forget to purge the charging hose? Other than that, great video and very helpful!
Thanks happy to help, and yes I probably did forget. I usually forget something especially when shooting a video 😆
@@JonnyDIY Honesty. Good quality in a person. Thanks for the video!
@@GreatRockRealEstateDenver You're welcome, happy to help! And thank you for your kind words 🙌👍
Your video is based on there being no R134a already in the fridge. To top up a fridge or fridge/freezer to the correct level with Freon, you want to end up with a pressure on the gauge of between 2 and 5psi.
Thanks for the helpful info Mark 👍🏻
Firstly a potential leak has to be found and fixed.after vacuuming i dont fill by pressure.i use the blue Temperaturen line for 134a.i do this for 40years and it works perfectly!most of fridges run at minus 25.filling by weight is even better.
You should put the bullet piercing valve at the compressor service stub side. Once you are done you should remove it from the system. Otherwise it will leak sooner or later
Yes best to use valve then reseal stub side to prevent leaking from valve. Your mileage may vary but it's been over a year and the fix is still holding fine for me
WHat do you mean remove it from the system? If you remove it you have a hole there. If you solder the hole your back to square one.
Theres a special crimp tool that you can use to seal the pipe in front of the valve. You can leave the valve but sometimes they leak a little bit over time 👍🏻
Awesome repair Jonny. Thanks for the tutorial. I enjoy your DIY home and auto repair videos.
Thanks Harry! 😀👍
Harry Dejesus then slow the video down
Are these R 134 cans the same both for refrigerators and air conditioners or they are different, all that I have being seeing so far says air conditioners and I have not seen the one that says refrigerators.
Yes they're the same thing. I used some I had leftover from working on cars AC system 👍
Thank You this video helped me a whole lot. I almost got rid of mine.
You're very welcome, happy I could help you out 👍
I love the new slury speach pattern you have. Guess you are not going to run for public office.
Thank you. California drawl 💕👍
Kewl@@JonnyDIY
Jonny is AWESOME!!! Good Work!
Thank you! Happy to help 👍
awesome video thanks for the help
@@rileybelsey3342 thanks and you're welcome 🙌👍 happy I could help
Thank you and greetings from Phoenix
You're welcome, happy to help 👍 Greetings from Pismo Beach, California 😀🤙
Thanks for the video if my freezer is working but fridge isn't will this help
No sorry may want to look at thermostat
What do you do if you expect you might have overcharged a refrigerator? What are the steps to remove some?
You can bleed a little out the valve
@@JonnyDIY Thanks for the quick reply. So when I bleed it, the unit is on? What PSI do I bleed it to?
Great video, very well done !
Thank you! Glad to help 👍
In your video you mentioned that you should be weighing the can without the nozzle. I believe that is wrong. Every time you remove the can from the nozzle to weigh it you release a little bit of refrigerant and so you will never know how accurate you are. I believe if you attach the nozzle to the connector and then weigh it, you will get an accurate reading even though yes the nozzle does put a little bit of pressure on the top of the can pushing it down. It seems to me that that is the more accurate way to measure how much you actually put out from the can. I believe that every time you disconnect it to check it you are adding error and inconsistency.
Possible a tiny bit, it was just easier to weigh on that scale that way. I got a newer bigger digital scale that's easier now
is there no oil leaking, or is there no frostbite? Vacuuming takes about 40 minutes. The clock could be more accurate
When I add refrigerant to my central AC, I have to bleed air out of the lines before adding the refrigerant. When using these piercing valves, there seems to be no way to do that. Do you just live with the small amount of air that will be trapped in the line and then introduced into the system?
Thanks!
You're welcome. I usually dont worry about it. You may be able to purge the hose connected to refrigerant can though
Purge the air out of your hoses with refrigerant rigjt before you connect to the appliance.
Nice video very helpful. How do I know which pipe to add the freon gas?
If you have a service stub coming off the compressor put it on that
I was about to toss my fridge but am going to try this asap!
Worth a try! 👍
once you're finished, do you tighten up and leave the BPV on the pipe? or do you remove it and patch the hole?
love the video. thanks.
You're welcome, glad to help. Yes, you drive it down and leave it on 👍
but better he should show us how ?
Appliance repair tech reporting in. I know you don't care. I'm still going to say this.
1) if you are low on refridgerant that means you have a leak. No if ands or buts.
2) most lf these fridges now use cyclopentane with is a hydrocarbon wich is HIGHLY flammable.
3) r134a is damaging (hence the part you don't care because why should you)
4) these fridges are regularly less than 180. Usually 150 I see them for.
5) piercing valves leak. Not if, but when.
I totally am all for people fixing their stuff and if I see someone trying and I see they have the ability I share my knowledge. But sealed system work needs to be done with correct tools so you are not destroying the ozone layer.. aka recovery tools and fixing the leak to begin with.
But then again, you don't care about the damage you cause down the road only that you can support your alcoholism by keeping your beer cold.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Fridge is still working great today, years later. I have another video where I first fixed the leak 👍
So, with the vacuum process, if there was any freon in the system you vacuumed that out along with the air in the system? Also, it sounds like there should only be freon in the system and no air?
Yes when you vacuum itll pull both the air and whatever refrigerant left out. And yes you're correct you don't want any air in system. If you have air it wont cool properly
The vacuum process will pull any trace of refrigerant and air, even as much as refrigerant that's still in the oil. If you have air in the system, it will create an acidic reaction with the oil and refrigerant and it will burn the windings in the compressor then you'll have a right old mess.
Why are you using the R12 to R134a adapter? Did you use a piercing valve that has a R12 port , whereby you needed to convert it to a R134a connector?
It was so I could use the hose I had already from working on car r134a lowside port
Thank you for the video! How do you close the hole created by the piercing valve?
You're welcome, glad to help. You just leave the valve on and drive the piercing needle down to seal it off.
What should the pressure read on a normal charged refrigerator. All these videos suck all the refrigerant out first. If I put a tap on the line and connect a gauge, what would be a normal pressure reading to know if I need to add refrigerant?
Not sure about that, different systems run different pressure's that's why the pro's will evacuate and recapture the refrigerant then recharge with specific amount. I would test temperature of inside of fridge/freezer and if running hot add a little bit til hitting 37 degrees for fridge and 0 for freezer 👍
Couple things I saw wrong here. 1 you didn't purge the air out of the line when you added the refrigerant. 2 your using automotive 134A. As far as I know refridgerator 134A has different chemicals than automotive 134A 3 if your adding refrigerant to the system there must be a leak (I take it you already know that) but overall nice video
Thanks for sharing that. I fixed leak first. Surprisingly this fix and fridge is still working today, years after this fix 👍 I wasn't sure it how long it would hold
Hey buddy you didn't say what you do with the piercing valve afterwards?
You just leave it on 👍
You didn't notice that its for Automotive A/C. This refrigerant is not for use in Domestic Refrigeration. Its made from natural gas, Propane and is quite flamable. Big letters on the can A/C
Can you add freon that comes with a sealant
Sure, but depends what kind of leak and how big if itll stop it 👍
Many thanks, Nice vídeoexcellent,so easy so fast.
You're welcome 👍🏻
@@JonnyDIY many thanks for the attention thanks also being so cool.God blesh you.
Why did you use an R12 to R134 conversion kit when the fridge already is an R134A? Also, will this work with a Freezer instead of a fridge? Thanks!
You're welcome, glad to help. I needed the conversion adapter to use the charging hose I had, but some hoses will directly attach to the bullet piercing valve. I had that hose already for working on car A/C so just needed adapter. And yes, this same procedure will work on freezer as well 👍
Don't get me wrong I'm about to use this technique and thank you but I have clear the excess oil will eventually cause failure and considering that valve always going to leak you been constant need to recharge but it will do
if some oil got vaccumed just inject some more oil in....add teflon or thread sealant to all threads
Great video thank you! I have an Isotherm Freeline 115 marine fridge and I can’t determine how much to add. The unit is a SECOP BD35F. Thanks any help.
@@vanishthevan If you've vacuumed it empty, what I could find with a Google search was 10.5 ounces max refrigerant to add back 👍
@@JonnyDIY thanks! Can’t remember how much I added back but it’s been working great.
@@vanishthevan Awesome, happy to hear you got it working again 👍
This is sketchy because of the needle / puncture/bullet piercing valve. The valve should have a temperature rating. If it's a super wide temperature rating then maybe the valve should be on the low pressure side of the circuit to reduce the pressure it has to withstand. Seals often fail at low temp. So the valve may be rated better for higher temp than low temp, meaning it should be installed on the high pressure side, but that's dangerous to deal with if the fridge is running. On some refrigeration systems the high pressure side is high enough to explode a can of refrigerant if it's hooked up to the high pressure side. So if it happens to be on the high pressure side, the system shouldn't be running when you add refrigerant. I understand that these are small systems with not very much refrigerant but people should be aware of the danger of connecting a can of refrigerant to a high pressure side of a running refrigeration system.
The low pressure side of the circuit will be cold when it's running, and probably insulated. The high pressure side will be hot and definitely not insulated from ambient air.
An overfill will cause the pipe close to the compressor to freeze or get ice accumulating. Release some gas and it will be fine
Thanks for sharing 👍
So just open the bullet valve? With refrigerator on? Any more info?
GREAT VIDEO...SMART KID, NICE TO SEE.
Thanks Kenny, glad to help! 👍
I believe your supposed to add on the low pressure side? How do you know where that is? On a car the caps show it but not sure on a fridge.
low side line is the one thats higher going into compressor
or if yours has service stub its usually that one
Is there supposed to be air hissing out of the piercing valve when I open it? Doesn't seem like the r134 is going into the line.
Only open it when its connected to either vacuum or recharge hose. You only need to open 1 turn if I remember correctly. And no it shouldnt hiss out if closed
I have to use r600a refrigerant on a mini fridge I got my bullet piercing valve today.The thing is the suction line is cut and crimped on the left side of the compressor but I still put the piercing valve on the leftover piece of copper line about 2 1/2 inches long with a rubber cap covering the tip.Do I need to switch to the right side to the other copper line which is untouched I believe its the high pressure line. I didn't pierce anything yet and I am waiting on my r600a refrigerant from ebay.I just don't want to waste my refrigerant doing it wrong,thank you.
Yes you want to add it to the low/cold side of the compressor 👍
@@JonnyDIY Thanks.
Can the gas get low without a leak in the system? Ie if you regas, wont it leak out again?
Well it depends how large of a leak you have, some leaks can take years to develop and leak out enough to stop refrigerator working. You will know how large the leak is when you vacuum the system and see how long it holds that vacuum pressure. If a large leak, that will need to be addressed before recharging 👍
Short n to the point
Thank you, happy to help 👍
You don't explain that the piercing valve needs to be on the low pressure or cold side but otherwise, well done!
Thanks! 👍
You missed so many important tips such as installing a piercing valve on the low-pressure side, purging the lines and so on.......
Low side yes, thanks for pointing that out 👍 This fix is still going strong today, years later 👍
When u pulled the vacuum was any r134a still in the system at all meaning u vacuumed out the remaining refrigerant?
Was none left in my system, but yes you need to remove any remaining r134 but also the air in system. If you don't remove the air it won't cool properly 👍
@@JonnyDIY the problem I'm having is the top part of my refrigerator cools but the bottom evaporator doesn't cool at all any ideas on that
How did you weight the can seperate my gauge Pierce's the can and if you unscrew it then it all means out ?
You can unscrew them. The cans are self sealing now to prevent that 👍🏻
If you have a digital scale you can measure it with the lines hooked up. You just hook it up and put it on the scale . Turn the scale on and tare the scale and start pumping the freon. As the freon flows you will see the amount of freon going into the system.
The EPA and any EPA certified individual will tell you that these valves are not made to be put in place to add a charge and left on, in fact the part 1 EPA 608 certification covers that these should NOT be kept on as they will leak.
The proper way to use these valves is to add one, recover the refrigerant in the system, and then braise on proper service fittings making it a type 2 appliance which then can only be serviced by that certification individual.
yes brazing on a service port would be better
@@JonnyDIY he's saying that under EPA guidelines, you legally CANNOT service this type of appliance without proper certification.
When using the vacuum does it suck just air out of the system or existing refrigerant as well? If it removes the refrigerant as well, does the refrigerant stay inside the vacuum? I don't see a catch can just wondering where it goes. And if I get the vacuum to -30 psi then I can assume the system is completely emptied to add the exact amount of refrigerant the system is rated for? (1.41 is on mine)
Yes it pulls the air and any remaining refrigerant out and vents it into the atmosphere. If you have a large amount of refrigerant in system, responsible thing to do is evacuate into storage canister. But if it's emty or just about its ok to just vacuum. Yes you will add back that amount after achieving full vacuum 👍
Great video.
Which side of the system are you putting the new port on ?
Thank you, cold side 👍
It would help if you had told people that there is a high side and a low side line coming out of the compressor - and that you should only connect to the the low side - right?
How come it seems like at the end it says 40 degrees in the freezer? So did this really work or no
It worked, fridge still working to this day. It said 40 because it was setting outside in 100+ degree weather. And it takes quite a while for these mini fridges to get back down to temperature since the only thing cooling it is that freezer tray I believe 👍
Thanks, Johnny
You're welcome, glad I could help you out! 👍
Does it matter where you pierce the copper tube ?
Awesome you are the man I have a danby wine cooler that needs some freon this will help thank you
You're welcome, glad the video helped you out 👍🏻
Good job, Bud.
Thank you, happy to share 👍
How long does it take for the gauge with the vacuum pump to start moving?
Shouldnt take long if you have the hoses connected right and open on both ends. The ends of the hoses, the fittings are kind of funny, you have to turn clockwise to open. Heres a more in depth use of gauges and vacuum pump I made
ua-cam.com/video/hkjZNDyxvgo/v-deo.html
Cool video thank it help me with my small refrigerator
You're welcome, glad I could help 👍
Is it necessary to vacuum air before inputting the freon? Like will it cause severe problems if I dont? Thank you
Unfortunately it won't work without vacuuming the air. You need to remove it so the refrigerant can take up the space.
@@JonnyDIY Good to know. Thank you so much man!!! 🙏
@@omfgawd9354 you're welcome, happy to help 👍
How long did it approximately take to get the whole system to be vacuumed out? I get mine to about 20 when turning on the pump, and it stays there. Does that mean theirs is still leaks within the ice box that it can’t get it down to 30?
Should get down close to 30 quickly. Sounds like you still have a pretty bad leak as a small leak would get close and then slowly looae vacuum
Where does the air come out on the guages? Also o installed my bullet valve on the compressor vaccum line, can the external vaccum machine be hooked up to that line? Thank you.
The air comes out of the vacuum pump when its hooked up sucking the air out. Yes that will work. Best to put valve on the low side or non compression side 👍
@@JonnyDIY great, thank you!
Clip is super helpful. I'm trying to figure out how to vacuum my r600a kegerator in preparation for direct injecting a LeakSaver kit with 1.76 ounces of r600a. It looks like I need a standard bullet piercing valve, can probably rent that vacuum kit and use it on the r600a just the same as you did with r134a. It seems like I can then...assuming once suction is holding, attach a leaksaver kit and direct inject with a gauge set specifically for r600a, a k28 valve with r600a attached and just open the valve till 1.76 ounces flows in. Does that sound insane? Having never done this before I just don't want to mess it up. Seems like if the suction doesn't hold, I would just use the leak saver kit alone direct injecting with refrigerant grade CO2 first and let it circulate for a while before re-vacuuming and then injecting r600a.
Sounds good to me, hopefully you can get it going again and the leak isnt too big 👍
Mine fridge won't take the freon unless the can is turned upside down pushing liquid in. Tiny bursts, but it works.
Thanks for sharing 👍
Worked perfectly, just needed to take the rubber inside cap out...
Glad to help! 👍
Nice video. A quick question, will this solution work on a snomaster ice maker as well?
It should 👍 be sure not to overcharge
Thanks man, parts on the way now!!
You're welcome, glad it helped you out 🤙
I think r134a for auto and refrigerator are different or are they the same?
I believe they are close to the same, but not 100% the same. This fix is still holding for what it's worth 👍
You can also find the r12/r134a quick connect valves at oriellys
Bullet piercing valve has to be ordered unless you can find a specialty shop
Thank you for sharing helpful info 👍
Ru Garth's son from Wayne's World
Yes his long lost one 😆💕👍