Help with aquarium chiller

[WildcatWhiz]

Hi forum, new member here. I'm not a professional HVAC repairman or anything, just looking for some help with a used aquarium chiller I purchased.

Anyways, it's a 1/5hp chiller driven by an older Copeland/Tecumseh condenser model number m2fh-0020-saa-102 or ARB17C3E-SAA or AEA3417YXA depending on which brand you are talking about. Here's a datasheet: http://www.tecumsehcoolproducts.com/...AE520AT-166-J7

And more info here: http://www.hvacrinfo.com/Compressors/CopelandWelded.pdf

Anyways. When I got the device it turned on and ran perfectly except for ice forming on a line going from the compressor to the evaporator coils--I think it's called a suction line. The suction line developed a THICK layer of ice on it within minutes of running the device (no ice on the coils). I did some Googling and people said that ice on the suction line is either (a) dirty coils or (b) low refrigerant. I cleaned the coils and the issue persisted.

The system has a low-side service cap and uses R134, so I bought a guage and measured the PSI. It was about 11psi. From what I've read, most aquarium chillers are typically at 25-45psi. I increased the PSI using some R134 refrigerant from an autopart store to about 40psi, and the ice problem went away.

Did I do the right thing? Was there supposed to be ice?

The sticker on the device says it is good for psi up to 160 on the low side, so 11psi seemed pretty darn low.

Thanks!

[RichardL]

[SIZE="5"]YIIIIIIIIIKES!!!!!!!!!!!


Please get a professional service man "Quickly" to check this unit before you kill yourself or god forbid....Some innocent bystander...

[WildcatWhiz]

[SIZE="5"]YIIIIIIIIIKES!!!!!!!!!!!


Please get a professional service man "Quickly" to check this unit before you kill yourself or god forbid....Some innocent bystander...

Care to explain why? I didn't think refilling a compressor with refrigerant was rocket science...

[DFZ]

no it's not rocket science, but done incorrectly it is the start of making a bomb.

[bradgill]

1800 btuhr like what is that 18/120 of a ton hmm 3/10 of a ton if me wittle 3rd grade maf is rite um I think he will be ok, its purdy derm schmallll

[doubleduece]

R-134a or R-134b?

[skpkey9]

The problem isn't the size of the system.... 1st When the OP put his gauges on I would say he lost alot of the charge due to hoses and not to mention probrobly doesn't have low loss fittings. 2nd since its 134 whos to say that the cap tube isnt plugged or a restricted drier... point is without the knowledge of a professional he possible caused himself more of a headache and more money.

I suggest a professional as well....

Hope this Helps...

[Octopus]

If you have a leak and it is in the heat exchanger where the water comes in contact with the coils you will not only leak refrigerant but also oil into the water and may kill your fishes. You may be able to find a small appliance repair shop may be able to look at it or a local hvacr company.

[HectorG]

I am having the same issue. Did refilling your chiller work? I am not sure what psi to fill it to. Please help. If I press the little needle in the low side I hear something come out so I don't thing it has a leak but it may just be small and only leak with higher psi. Any help would be appreciated...

[R123]

This is not a DYI site and we cannot give you advice on this. It's not as simple as filling up to a certain PSI. There's too many variables. You need to call a professional.

[marvin]

i have . client with an 850 gal. aquarium. (dr)in his office & we custom
built his chiller about 15 years ago. due to his vast knowledge he
decided about 3 years ago to try doing his own service work
& save his quarterly costs.
total loss ended up at approx. 15k in fish & misc. & we ended up
building a new chiller for him.
save yourself some problems & call a pro to solve your problems.

[jeremyhall.tech.sc]

Hi forum, new member here. I'm not a professional HVAC repairman or anything, just looking for some help with a used aquarium chiller I purchased.

Anyways, it's a 1/5hp chiller driven by an older Copeland/Tecumseh condenser model number m2fh-0020-saa-102 or ARB17C3E-SAA or AEA3417YXA depending on which brand you are talking about. Here's a datasheet: http://www.tecumsehcoolproducts.com/...AE520AT-166-J7

And more info here: http://www.hvacrinfo.com/Compressors/CopelandWelded.pdf

Anyways. When I got the device it turned on and ran perfectly except for ice forming on a line going from the compressor to the evaporator coils--I think it's called a suction line. The suction line developed a THICK layer of ice on it within minutes of running the device (no ice on the coils). I did some Googling and people said that ice on the suction line is either (a) dirty coils or (b) low refrigerant. I cleaned the coils and the issue persisted.

The system has a low-side service cap and uses R134, so I bought a guage and measured the PSI. It was about 11psi. From what I've read, most aquarium chillers are typically at 25-45psi. I increased the PSI using some R134 refrigerant from an autopart store to about 40psi, and the ice problem went away.

Did I do the right thing? Was there supposed to be ice?

The sticker on the device says it is good for psi up to 160 on the low side, so 11psi seemed pretty darn low.

Thanks!

is this unit being used for an aquarium or something diffrent?

if you could visit extremeoverclockingforum.com and look me up. thx, J.Hall

[HectorG]

Yes it is for a 92 gallon aquarium.