Ideal55 refrigeration system specs?

[BryanH]

Would appreciate some insights on 2 questions below.  

My slider is still acting up.  Tried fixing the thermostat as described in this thread.  Now the dang thing doesn't seem to want to cool below 40 degrees.  If it matters it has only ever iced up the coils closest to the compressor (see picture) but it has previously gotten very cold.

The tag on the compressor unit says the system is a Tecumseh with the following specs:
    Model NO. = P91L
    B.M. NO. = 914A1
    TEST PRESS = 235 H.S. & 140 L.S.
    REFRIGERANT = C Cl2 F2,  8 OZ   (is this a half pound of R12?)

Now for my questions:
-  I'm thinking I might need a recharge or overhaul.  Any other suggestions?
-  How can I tell if the tag info correctly identifies my system? I want to make sure I know what kind of services / skills I should be looking for.

[MoonDawg]

Yes, those coils look undercharged.
        Your compressor is not the original for a 55, so if it has been changed in the past,  one of their solder joints may be faulty and leaking freon.

[Yarochrehc]

I agree with Glen.

The first thing to do is get a set of manifold gauges on the system to check out what the pressures are at.

If it is low on refrigerant, then the leak needs to be found and fixed.

You can put R-409 in place of the R-12, or there are other substitues too.

[globalcompressors]

I have to ask the obvious... are you running the system without a

condenser fan motor???   Also, someone else answer this, isn't the 55 a 1/5 or 1/6

hp system? The compressor looks like a 1/4 or 1/3. Combine this with no fan, you

won't ever get it to run right.  There has been a drier added, good...but the strainer

is still orginal. That wierd piece soldered in before the drier on the lower part of the

coil. That could be stopped up and needs to be removed.


Eric

[BryanH]

Thanks everyone.

Eric - There is a fan and it works fine.  I had already taken it off the mounting plate when I took the picture  The tag that was on the compressor mounting plate said the motor was 1/8 H.P.  I'm now thinking the tag may have been original but that someone has replaced the old compressor by welding in a new bigger one?

I've added a couple more pics that show what I have.  Can you tell me what part is the dryer and what part is the strainer?  That will help me figure out what weird part you think might need to go.  If you know what the various fittings and caps are for that would be nice to know also.  

So I should be asking for someone that can:
(1) pressure test the system for leaks,
(2) fix any leaks found
(3) replace the drier, vacuum the system
(4) recharge with r12 or r409

Anything else?

[globalcompressors]

I can see it better...it's a flared fitting. You've got it! The drier is the copper
"cigar" you have labeled. The thing I was calling the "strainer" is in fact a flared
fitting, at the bottom of the coil before the drier. It should be okay. I believe the compressor is entirely too large for the unit. The condenser coil is a small
coil...1/6 to 1/8 size, makes sense now.

Has the unit ever run correctly in it's current configuration? Perhaps that's the reason the folks sold it? I'm going to make a guess...

The orginal compressor failed and was replaced,

The new compressor is too large, Calls for 1/8 installs 1/4... 2x too large.

The unit heats up, boiling the oil, turning to sludge (like a car engine)(yes, it happens)

Restriction in the cap tube (hair thin line) caused by too large a compressor...too small condenser and can't reduce the head pressure or heat. Their remedy, under charge the unit. That trick works, sometimes if you arn't over (or under) 10-15%

Solution? Cut everything loose. Check the evaporator coil for any leaks, Purge them using a solvent. blow everything out. Replace the cap tube with a new one. Replace the entire lower unit. Solder everything (not flare). I like using copper phosphate (0%) solder. 5% or 15% works also. Vacuum and charge.

I would go with a small 1/5 or regular 1/6 set up with the correct cap tube size and length. A larger condenser coil will give you more capacity and cooling ability.

You will probably be able to "freeze" the coils 90-100% around the tub giving you  a better quality of cooling ability. Use a new thermostat, mounted inside the box.

Run it a couple of days, adjusting the charge to where it needs to be, preventing "flood back" to the compressor, head pressure (not too high), good amps, cycle times, etc..

That's what I'd do!

Eric '>

[johnieG]

(globalcompressors @ Feb. 14 2007,5:17)

QUOTE

I have to ask the obvious... are you running the system without a

condenser fan motor???   Also, someone else answer this, isn't the 55 a 1/5 or 1/6

hp system? The compressor looks like a 1/4 or 1/3. Combine this with no fan, you

won't ever get it to run right.  There has been a drier added, good...but the strainer

is still orginal. That wierd piece soldered in before the drier on the lower part of the

coil. That could be stopped up and needs to be removed.


Eric

I just checked my Ideal55/hires & Pat Pixleys Ideal/Atlas both are indeed 1/5 h.p. Tecumseh pancake compressors, the Ideal 85A/Hires I helped get for another site member was equipt with the 1/4 h.p. unit.

[globalcompressors]

Johnie,

His next post says the orginal tag shows to be 1/8 hp. If that is a true, orginal

platform...he's screwed, wrong compressor, no question. If it's not...he's screwed,

wrong platform, wrong compressor, wrong everything.  Going from only a picture,

the evaporator coils look to be "about" 1/5- 1/6 in size. If I had this machine in my

shop, I'd go exactly like I mentioned above.  


I've built so many units, it's only my experience talking. Sometimes projects are too

large for someone who simply doesn't have the skill level to be in it this deep. The

person who worked on it before obviously didn't know what they were doing. Just

because you worked on "Uncle Bob's" fridge...doesn't mean you're a service tech.

Look at the soldered joint, in the upper picture,  that's a clue. '>



Eric

[BrianB]

So Eric, you're saying that "Bigger the blob, better the job" isn't true?!?!?  '>

[globalcompressors]

Awww... man, you blew my secret!!!

Don't tell the one about 5 lbs of freon in an 8oz system either...shhhhhhhh

What do they call that...10 lbs of s**t  in a 5 lb. bag?


 '>  Eric