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Thread: oops, added #14 410a to r-22 system

  1. #1
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    oops, added #14 410a to r-22 system

    Did a compressor change out on lennex system yesterday. Boss tells me it is going to take #14 410a , so I did not even look at tag on unit. After I filled it (weighed it in ) started it up. Pressures 320/100 89degrees in house . 18 subcool and 35 superheat. I knew the charge was off , but could not stay at house any longer , customer had to go to work, plus it was dark out . Went back today to investigate pressures .
    Today I see that it is r-22 , recovered refrigerant , triple evacuated , refilled with correct refrigerant . Pressures are good , subcool at 9 superheat at 18 pressure 210/65 with home at 73 degrees .
    Am I going to have problems with this system in the future because of my stupid , dumb ass, mistake ? I still cant believe I did this . I know **** happens, Stupid is as stupid does!!

  2. #2
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    By the way , It cooled the house down to 75 degrees .

  3. #3
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    On a positive note, you will NEVER do that again, lesson learned.
    Always here

  4. #4
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    Lesson is learned, that is for sure . ALWAYS, ALWAYS CHECK TAG

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  6. #6
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    Thanks I was worried about causing permanent damage to the system.

  7. #7
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    Would have been interesting to leave the R-410a in for a couple of weeks just to see how it worked out.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by AtticAce View Post
    Would have been interesting to leave the R-410a in for a couple of weeks just to see how it worked out.
    LOL. Would be interesting , wonder how long the compressor would last? It was drawing fla of 26 amps with 410a. Only 15.6 on r-22.

  9. #9
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    The "boss" converted it to 410a maybe the sticker fell off!

  10. #10
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    share a similar story

    Quote Originally Posted by robert48461 View Post
    Lesson is learned, that is for sure . ALWAYS, ALWAYS CHECK TAG
    New customer, she said I was highly recommend from her co-worker. She had a air condition problem two other company could not fix. it just won't cool her house below 82F. (Phoenix temp was 113 that day)
    Upon Arrival, I see a fairly new Lennox package heat pump. I turn on equipment, seen to run ok, I hook up my gauge, pressure was higher than normal, I say to my self; just over charge.
    In big letter next to the service valve, someone wrote with magic marker "R22", so I grub my R22 recover tank (which is half full), open the hi side valve and dump some freon, I got the pressure that is reasonably close to what is expected, but TD inside the house was only 10 degrees, spend a few hours...adding a little freon, take some out... do this .. do that ...no matter what I do, it just don't work right. Finally, I decide to suck out all the freon and weight it in, The Lable say: R410A. (some jerk mix R22 with R410A. Now I also got a bottle of R22 mix, piss me off, I am still piss off).

    I weight in the proper amount of R410A, work super now.

    Lesson learned. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.!!!
    Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work." H.L. Hunt

    "In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it." John uskin

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by robert48461 View Post
    Thanks I was worried about causing permanent damage to the system.
    It was running at almost the same compression ratio with the R410A, so no harm to valves.

    However. With it running at FLA the whole time. it may have done some damage to the compressor since you had such a high SH.

    Only time will tell for sure.

  12. #12
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    The reason r410a uses POE instead of mineral oil, 410 won't bond with the mineral oil and circulate it through the system, ensuring the compressor is properly lubed. Running 410 and mineral oil would damage the compressor in the long run, I have no idea what one day would do.
    Jason

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by robert48461 View Post
    Lesson is learned, that is for sure . ALWAYS, ALWAYS CHECK TAG
    ...and never listen to your boss. Hope you kicked his a$$ for such a rookie mistake.
    "...refresh my memory. When did I start caring about this stuff...?"

  14. #14
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    My "read the label" lesson was when I wrestled a 10 ton semi hermetic compressor up a flight of stairs on a hand truck. When I looked at the data plate I discovered that it 480 V. compressor instead of 208/230.

    Not only was I dumb. But after that workout I was strong and dumb.

  15. #15
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    Mine was years ago when I dropped about 30 lbs of 22 into an R500 system.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by k_fridge View Post
    Mine was years ago when I dropped about 30 lbs of 22 into an R500 system.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by k_fridge View Post
    Mine was years ago when I dropped about 30 lbs of 22 into an R500 system.

    You got bit by a Carrier, huh.

  18. #18
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    My worst so far was wiring a Daikin wrong. Pretty funny since all you need is 14/4 for those. I had forgotten that the Japanese use black and white for L1 and L2. I had it wired L1 black and L2 red. It didn't start or anything....thankfully.
    Get money, get paid.

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