Need help (still)

I'm trying to add refrigerant to my machine.  The photo below shows the valve I've put on my line.




The next pic shows the apparatus I have to recharge it:




My problem is the schrader fitting that connects to the fitting on the low-side line  (seen in above pic as the fitting on the far left)  doesn't depress the valve on the fitting that's installed on the line, so consequently, no refrigerant is getting into the unit.  Follow me?  

I need a fitting that will go between the yellow hose and the fitting on my unit that has a long enough schrader valve that will depress the valve that's on the unit.   The one shown in the pic above doesn't have a long enough valve to make contact with the one installed on the unit.  

I'm an extreme novice at this, so any help would be appreciated - thanks.

[johnieG]

Many of the adapter fittings have an adjustable center pin ( schrader valve depressor & assuming it has one, look inside the adapter.) that depresses the schrader valve in/on the saddle valve, if you use a fine pair of needle nose pliers, or a core removal tool, ( same as a bicycles' core tool)  you should be able to adjust the adapter's center pin so it extends deeper into the schrader valve, hope it helps!, PS freeze-12 is intended to replace R12 and I'm not too sure on it's compatability with R12.. ( when used to "top-off" a leaky/ slightly low charged system) you might wish to talk to Eric over at Global Compressors, as there is no true "Drop-in" replacement for R12, most are intended to replace it.  in any case let us know how it goes!

[globalcompressors]

The Freeze 12 as a "top off" should be ok. It looks like you have a 134a regharge kit and a r12 service valve though. Is the hose fitting too large for the threaded service valve you installed or is it simply not depressing the valve? Try to find someone that has a set of standard a/c guages. I know that there is an adapter for a 134a jug to use a standard set of guages, but I'm not sure about going the other way, 134a hose to a standard fitting.

Eric

Quote (globalcompressors @ May 11 2004,7:21)

Is the hose fitting too large for the threaded service valve you installed or is it simply not depressing the valve? The hose fitting will fit on the service saddle valve if I put the adaptor (?) in between them (the part shown on the far left of the photo, left of the hose).  It just isn't pressing the valve on the saddle valve in enough. Try to find someone that has a set of standard a/c guages. I know that there is an adapter for a 134a jug to use a standard set of guages, but I'm not sure about going the other way, 134a hose to a standard fitting. Eric Thanks Eric and Johnny for the replies.  I'll try using some needle nose and see if it won't back out some.  Will keep you posted.

Okay guys, I managed to get some refrigerant in it today and it "appears" to be cooling !   Thanks for the tip on backing out the valve a little - that did the trick, so I was able to add refrigerant.  

However, I am not being too optimisitc about it continuing to work, as it's old, and I didn't do a proper charge on it using gauges, evacuating, cleaning, etc.   Right now it's in the acid-test phase.

I still have it outdoors and it's kinda hot here 80f +, so it's gonna be working hard I'm sure.

Which brings me to a question:   How hot (to the touch) should the compressor be?   It seems fairly hot now, so I'm not sure if that's normal, or if it's low on oil, or has too little or too much refrigerant or what?

I'll post back in a day or two with good news or bad news '>

[johnieG]

Two words, air flow, you can have enough of it!!!   It's a heat pump, so it will be hot to the touch, however the best thing you can do for it is keep the condensor coils CLEAN, blow them out with your shop air gun ( reverse from the normal direction of air flow, (The air flow, by the way should blow back over the compressor), if you decide to use a power washer, EASY does it! & use low pressure & don't get the fan motor/fan hit with the spray, you'll blow the stuffings out of it or bend the fan-blade, plus if you soak the fans' motor, it may not run period, & with wet electrical windings, it may short out & present a shock hazard,  and make sure your fans are working and not slowing down due to age, sometimes they might stop/stall when you arn't looking then start again, very common in older machines, they're cheap at <$20.00 ea. it's a good time to replace them!  here's a story for you,I walk into my local mobil gas station & I get all over them for letting their machine's coils get plugged with dust! They thought I was some kinda of a loon, UNTIL they got hit with a little over a grand $$$ of repair work on their big walk-in cooler unit, (which I warned them it wasn't keeping the products cold) and gee.. guess what? the coils were plugged solid with a blanket of 1/2" dust bunnies, now I notice that every Saturday they're up there vacuuming the coils on all of the machines!  I guess just turning down the thermostat didn't do the trick after all!  

well I'm glad it's running! keep an eye on it & monitor the temp inside the cabinet, & see how it does maintaining the proper temperature.

Guys - it's been 5 days and she still runs!  Yippee!  The thermostat has a dial of 1 to 7.  I have it set at 3 1/2 and it's keeping cold nicely.  What is a good temperature to aim for anyway?  

I have it real clean:  I took a leaf blower and blew out the condenser and motor area and cleaned the entire area up.  The condenser fan is fairly quiet and turns freely, so I'll keep an eye on it.  I did replace both evaporator fans, though.  They were noisy.  

Thanks for all of your help and with any luck, it'll stay chuggin along.


Ace '>