what refrigerant in the system?

[bakeabread]

What is the best way to determine what refigerant is in a refrigeration system with no data plate? or if another tech has done some modifications and has changed refrigerants?

[ascj]

I will normally go by the compressor. I have the customer sign off that Im going by the compressor tag because Im not sure the refrigrant.

[jimbob73]

TEV powerhead if it has one can help determin refrigerant type.

[amickracing]

Could be a pain.. but dump some liquid into a clean (and empty) recovery jug... measure the temp and pressure.. cross reference on a nifty chart that you probably have laying around somewhere in the van.

Not the fastest, but I'd think it'd be one of the more accurate ways.

[jerrick]

email the compressor # to me.

[icemeister]

Although you can determine which refrigerant should be used in a system by checking the TEV, compressor ratings, etc. only a good refrigerant analyzer can tell you what is actually in one that is unmarked. Even with a newer system with factory stickers in place stating it's designed for R404A or whatever you can't be sure what the installer or previous service tech really did unless it's hand marked.

So the absolute best way to be certain what's in the system is to recover the unknown refrigerant, recharge with a proper refrigerant for the application and permanently mark the system.

When in doubt....Pull it out.

Whenever I survey a new account and find unmarked systems I inform the customer in writing that unless he can document what the refrigerant is, I will be recovering and charging him accordingly.

[absrbrtek]

I agree, this is the only way to determine the refrigerant in a system. With all of the new drop ins, blends and new refrigerants on the market, the old way of using a TP chart is useless. Many of them are so close if your guage is off slightly or any other variable occurs, you'll be wrong.

TXVs can be used for multiple refrigerants and still perform reasonably well. Compressor labels mean nothing as it could be a drop in rather than what the compressor is designed for.

Originally posted by icemeister.

Although you can determine which refrigerant should be used in a system by checking the TEV, compressor ratings, etc. only a good refrigerant analyzer can tell you what is actually in one that is unmarked. Even with a newer system with factory stickers in place stating it's designed for R404A or whatever you can't be sure what the installer or previous service tech really did unless it's hand marked.

So the absolute best way to be certain what's in the system is to recover the unknown refrigerant, recharge with a proper refrigerant for the application and permanently mark the system.

When in doubt....Pull it out.

Whenever I survey a new account and find unmarked systems I inform the customer in writing that unless he can document what the refrigerant is, I will be recovering and charging him accordingly.

[berg2666]

Originally posted by jerrick
email the compressor # to me.


When I read the first part of the post it said the compressor had no data plate

[cyro]

I wish I had a dime for every compresser I worked on that had no label of new refrigerant inside.

I always make them show me an old bill or service record or call the last person or company who worked on the system.

If they do not do it, I tell them I will recover, Install new refrigerant, label the unit and if the recovered refrigerant is mixed or wrong, they will get a large bill to have it destroyed, they always get me the old records quickly.

[waynesrefrigeration]

What about taking a static pressure and ambient temp, then referring to a T&P chart? Would that work?