How do you find some to recharge your’ system?

[racerx45]

Hello-
 As I am new to the soda machine hobby, I don’t know where to start on repairing an old soda machine. I have a friend who was given an upright machine (RC/Nehi) and it dose not cool down. He asked me about it, knowing I was in to old fountain dispensers, but I have no idea where to start. Are there things to look at before having it recharged? If it just needs a charge, how dose he find someone to do that?
 As for the machine itself I have not seen it and don’t know what model it is. I have asked him to send me a few pictures of it and will post them here if I don’t know what it is. From what he tells me it is most likely from the 60’s, as it has square corners and a glass door. Thanks for the help,
Steve

[johnieG]

Well depends where you're located.first you should look at the local yellow pages under refrigeration repair, or ask around your local retail/quicky-marts & see who they have servicing their coolers/icemachines , or if you can, take the whole deck out, (it comes out as a unit) you could ship it off to someone like global compressors to have it gone over.

they'll need to know things like does the actual compressor run, (not just the fans), as well as the fans? etc.

Oh, and for those of you who'd like to know ....I've just retofitted a Vendo VF63 over from R12 to R414B (ICOR Hot-Shot) nice! same pressure as R12 & superior cooling compared to R134A, AND it's compatible with the original oil! (including mineral oil) I mention it because I very pleased with the results.  OK, I'm off of my soap-box!

[joesquid]

Don't keep us in suspense man!! Spill it!  How does one make this conversion and where does one get his grubby hands on this freon?  I'm in the middle of a restoration on both a Vendo 23 and a Vendo 144 and have both compressor units out.  I've never overhauled a compressor before but game to try!

RE johnieg.
  Would also be interested in a walkthrough of your conversion. I have a GE with a clogged drier and do not want to deal with the r12 issue upon a full RnR. I also have a vendo that I plan to restore (if it ever quits), as well as a revco ultra low that awaits inspection. Thank you.

[johnieG]

First understand that like most of you, I am a hobbist ( where one machine led to a bad habit!   ) to purchase R414B (ICOR Hotshot is the trademarked brand name here in the USA go to their web site to get a list of dealers nearest you, they also have the procedure listed there as well) to puchase it, you must be EPA Certified for type I refrigerants, etc. blah blah blah. (legal talk) in a nut-shell here goes...next you must recover the R12 in an approved manner or have it done for you. ( assuming that it hasn't "leaked" out already, and you're working on a discharged system to begin with) then you can repair the system leaks, clogged filter/dryer's, replace compressors, flush the system, etc. now you will have to apply a vacuum  to the system to remove air & water/vapor, ( the 414B is compatable with the existing/remaining oil in the system as well as the newer oils used in replacement compressors) it is charge to 80% of the original R12 by weight, I use a refrigerant scale to weigh it into the system, & watch my gauge set until I see 25psi on the low side (evaporator) with the unit running (AFTER you have the charge in the system, unlike an automotive system, you will damage the compressor if you run it under a vacuum!) my first conversion went very well, & I've checked for leaks & labeled it as a converted system.The Vendolator VF63/Coke machine is humming along nicley! new compressor, & filter/dryer. & 414B, next up is my 50's Vendo V110.
414B also can replace R134a at 90% of the original charge, & offers better cooling at higher outside temperatures, I was introduced to 414B/hotshot by a local Coke service man, (soda-machines) who converts all of his 134a systems over to hot shot, (Gezz I'm starting to sound like an "infomercial"   )
hope this helps give you an Idea of whats involved...JohnieG
here's a link over to ICOR for more info if you'd like

http://www.icorinternational.com/

Thank you for the information. Guy at supply suggested hot shot, I was looking for some frontline intel on performance. Will roundup some more info, toolup, and repair. Thanks again.

[racerx45]

<font color='#000000'>Ok I finally got a few pictures of the machine. It is a Vendorlator VF90C-C. It makes noise when plugged in but does not cool down. So can we remove the cooling unit and send it out to be repaired? Does it just need a charge?
<img src="http://www.sonic.net/~adcom/Web/V90RC1.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.sonic.net/~adcom/Web/V90RC4.jpg" border="0"></font>