Low Temp walk-in freezer converted to cooler

[rackrookie]

One of my boss´clients wants to use a 40x20x20 walk-in freezer (-10F deg) as a 32F deg. cooler. The evaporators (3) are connected to the low temperature section of a parallel rack. As my supervisor is on vacation, I has been asked to perform the requested task. I questioned the contradictions involved in such change, but my boss sticks to his promise of pleasing the clients.
From a theoretical viewpoint there are several factors that might prevent this change: existing low temp sized TXVs and distributors, low temp suction and liquid line sizes, low temp evaporators, low temp SORIT-20 suction valve.
But, in the real life world: could this change be done ?

[cyro]

I've done it a couple of times.

Some modifications are needed.

Really depends on your compressor m/n for btu's and stress on the compressor or conversion to another refrigerant if allowed . shorter compressor life will occur.

I find Copeland semi's give you more flexibility.

[powell]

One of my boss´clients wants to use a 40x20x20 walk-in freezer (-10F deg) as a 32F deg. cooler. The evaporators (3) are connected to the low temperature section of a parallel rack. As my supervisor is on vacation, I has been asked to perform the requested task. I questioned the contradictions involved in such change, but my boss sticks to his promise of pleasing the clients.
From a theoretical viewpoint there are several factors that might prevent this change: existing low temp sized TXVs and distributors, low temp suction and liquid line sizes, low temp evaporators, low temp SORIT-20 suction valve.
But, in the real life world: could this change be done ?

For starters add 15% to the capacity of the low temp evaporators nominal capacity at a -20 SST. This will give you there capacity at a +20 SST. Then your back to your factors that will need to be checked plus what "cyro" said. Plus, what's the load going to be on this 32deg box?

[markettech]

One of my boss´clients wants to use a 40x20x20 walk-in freezer (-10F deg) as a 32F deg. cooler. The evaporators (3) are connected to the low temperature section of a parallel rack. As my supervisor is on vacation, I has been asked to perform the requested task. I questioned the contradictions involved in such change, but my boss sticks to his promise of pleasing the clients.
From a theoretical viewpoint there are several factors that might prevent this change: existing low temp sized TXVs and distributors, low temp suction and liquid line sizes, low temp evaporators, low temp SORIT-20 suction valve.
But, in the real life world: could this change be done ?

I wasn't aware there was a "low temp" and a "medium temp" SORIT:eek:

Definitely not the BEST set of circumstances one could hope for, but how do you suppose a dual temp case is set up?

I may be as easy as bumping up the SORIT and making a few adjustments to the defrost............or it may be a little more complicated. A lot depends on the existing load on the rack, what percentage of the load this freezer represents, among other factors.

Either way, I don't think it's impossible.........and wouldn't give it a definitive "NO" without looking into it a little.

[rocket]

Good Luck, most of these I've seen don't work and you will have many callbacks and compressor changes

you need to resize load with new equipment, give box size to an wholesaler
and ask him to size equip then compare with what is existing (big surprise)

[crackertech]

We switch a lot of low temp cases during the holidays to med temp with out
troubles some are set up for dual temp some are not and you do have to
check defrost term temps.

[Bones74]

Good Luck! The list is long on the reasons why I wouldn't even consider it. The evap is set up for a specific BTU at a specific temp. TXV is a freezer charge, Orifice in the distributor, Compression in the compressor is for a freezer, pipe size maybe, superheat, Refrigerants capabilities, efficiency, and so on.

[keepyoucool2003]

Is this going to a temporary change, seasonal change, permanent change? As Rock said, get your wholesale ref rep to come out. Last thing you want to do is screw up the entire rack. He'll probably tell you to put in diffrent evaps, pipe to the med temp rack, leave the existing in, he has to sell some new equipment lol If it's going to be an ongoing changing box that would strike me as the simplest solution for the customer. Hopefully the load from that freezer isn't more than the LT rack can unload. This is one of those topics that the Sporlan (excuse me, Parker) guys should talk about at their supermarket seminars, unusual situations.