Freon is present as a refrigerant in most refrigerators and air conditioners. This substance is responsible for heat transfer in the cooling system. Under the action of the compressor and the evaporator, freon moves along the circuit and heats up, taking heat from the surrounding air.
A common cause of breakdowns in household refrigerators is freon leakage. It tends to disappear during prolonged operation and during damage to system elements. When repairing, an important task is to refuel the domestic refrigerator with freon gas. In this article we will tell you how to do it yourself at home.
Causes of Freon Leakage
The main sign of a freon leak is a deterioration in the cooling of products in the refrigerator. If the parameters of the device are set at the usual level, and the device works "at half strength", this is a sure sign of refrigerant leakage.
The refrigerant leak in the refrigerator may be indicated by frost on the pipes, an unpleasant odor during operation, and oil smudges.
Causes of refrigerant leakage are:
- compressor failure in the cooling circuit;
- the appearance of cracks or wear of the tubes through which the substance circulates;
- damage to the compressor or evaporator as a result of mechanical damage (for example, during rough cleaning of the refrigerator from frost, when moving the device);
- depressurization of the system in one place or another;
- poor connection of tubes.
What materials will be required for refueling?
Replacing the refrigerant in a home refrigerator is a rather complicated and costly process. However, having learned how to refill the refrigerator on its own, its owner will no longer need the services of service centers, which will positively affect the budget in the future.
Before refueling the device, you should carefully study its structure and familiarize yourself with the instructions for use. This document contains a lot of important data - the pressure level in the system, type of refrigerant, location of elements.
Data on the refrigerant is also on the label of the device, it shows both the type of substance and its weight in the system
In advance you need to prepare equipment and materials for refueling:
- refrigerant bottle - usually refrigerators use R134 and R600 freons, but for an accurate result you need to read the instructions;
- Accurate scales - designed to weigh the cylinder when refueling, allow you to track how much substance in the circuit by weight;
- vacuum pump - required when injecting gas into the system;
- equipment and parts for sealing capillary tubes in case of damage and at the end of work;
- filter drier - they will need to replace the filter built into the system so that moisture does not remain in the system;
- a nitrogen cylinder to purge the system from liquid; a Schröder valve - needed to connect pumps and cylinders to the system, creates a vacuum and a pressure zone.
R134a refrigerant is often used in refrigerators and air conditioners. It is safe for people and the environment. Available in the form of cylinders of various volumes
Before refueling the device, make sure that all elements of the system are working correctly. If refrigerant leaks occur, replace damaged pipes and appliances before starting work. Otherwise, refueling may harm the cooler and will not bring the desired result.
How to fill the refrigerator with your own hands?
After the preparatory measures, you can begin to work.You can fill your home refrigerator with freon yourself in several stages:
- A Schröder valve is connected to the compressor service port. All gaseous substances will be passed through it;
- Initially, you need to crimp the circuit with air using a pump. This is to prevent leakage through leaks in the tubes. The preservation of pressure during injection indicates the tightness of the system, and if this level drops, it is necessary to find the damage to the tube and solder them;
- The next step is purging the circuit with nitrogen. The gas cylinder is connected to the Schröder valve. Purge allows you to remove moisture from the tubes before refueling;
- Then you need to change the filter dryer to a new one. To do this, the old filter is cut off from the condenser and a new one is mounted in its place. A capillary tube must be connected to the new dehumidifier and the connection point carefully sealed. It is important to do this quickly so that air and moisture do not enter the system.
- Connection of equipment to a vacuum station. The Schroeder valve mounted on the compressor is led to its left inlet, the central one is connected to the freon cylinder, and the right to the pump.
An important stage of work is the purge and evacuation of the refrigerator circuit. The performance of the device in the future and high-quality refueling depend on it
- Then the circuit is evacuated, that is, nitrogen is pumped out of the tubes. At the same time, the remaining liquid is also removed from it. Do not rush to finish with the evacuation process, the circuit needs to be cleaned for 15-20 minutes.
- The refrigerant bottle must be weighed on an accurate balance before refueling. In the process of filling the circuit should be monitored by weight the amount of substance received in the refrigerator. Scales should give the most accurate readings up to grams;
- To pump the system, you need to open the valve with refrigerant and track by weight when the tubes are completely full. The exact amount of substance is indicated in the instructions for the device;
- Upon completion, shut off the Schröder valve and seal the compressor service pipe.
Equipment connection technique at the final stage of refueling the refrigerant circuit
Common mistakes in the process
If the refrigerator is refilled by an unprofessional master, he may make some mistakes that will lead to equipment breakdowns. Particular attention should be paid to two aspects:
- Wrong amount of freon. If you charge less or more refrigerant than required into the system, the compressor will not work properly. This will lead to overheating of the device parts and their breakdown. Therefore, when working, it is worth using very accurate scales, with an error of not more than 1-2 grams.
Freon R600a is one of the most environmentally friendly refrigerants. However, it is most vulnerable when filling the refrigerator by weight - an error of a few grams of the substance can damage the device
- Poor drying of the system before refueling. Residual moisture in the refrigerant circuit when filling with freon can lead to clogging of the capillaries or damage to the compressor. Therefore, it is very necessary to dry the tubes and replace the filter, in which moisture can remain.
Frequently Asked Questions for Freon Refrigerator Users
- How does freon smell and look in the refrigerator? This substance has no color and no pronounced odor. Since most of the time it is in a gaseous state, leakage of a substance can be noticed only by the degree of operability of the refrigerator.
- Is refrigerant dangerous to humans? Modern freons are not toxic and safe for humans and the environment. There is a very small amount of substance in the refrigerator. However, caution must be exercised in handling a gas cylinder — here it is in large quantities and under pressure. Do not place it near flammable objects, throw and bring it from a frost into a warm room.
