True R290 Cooler Repair / Another Evaporator Leak

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

Nothing like a good day at the office

[@HVACRSurvival]

You bet Dave! How's your summer been?

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

@@HVACRSurvival busy. Only 5 guys at day job. Nor cal phone on fire 🔥 🤘⚡️🤘✨

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@NorCal-refrigeration Your a hell of a hustler Nor Cal👍👍👍

[@colinfenton]

Morning Guys, have you tried the recovery pliers for systems without charging ports, all European hydrocarbon systems have no charging ports. Just pierce the pipework with a long hose attached to the pliers and vent to external atmosphere. Loads of suppliers in the UK, I'm sure you can pick them up in the US. www.hilmor.com/products/refrigerant-recovery-pliers.

[@James-vf5gs]

I'm glad you added the info of the whoops at the end, even the best have issues sometimes. In my mind, it's not a fuck up unless you walk away.

[@HVACRSurvival]

That is so true! I like that saying!

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Rick, your work is always a joy to watch! You are very professional !

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Teddy, I appreciate you checking it out!

[@srabjr1]

The snow threw me off for a second till I read the description lol

[@brnmcc01]

Good tip on the cap tube is just insert them at least an inch or so into the tubing. Less chance of brazing it shut that way.

[@rogrog8974]

The fridge is always full 😂😂

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤦🏻. That act surprised I showed up🤣😅👍

[@MaterToys]

Never worked with R 290 yet, flammable refrigerant interesting 🤔. . Thanks for all the tips.

[@HVACRSurvival]

It's propane without the moisture or smell.

[@johnwalker890]

Very good and professional, good job there, Rick. Would be nice if all jobs went that smooth.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Maybe in a perfect world LOL

[@shine-cg9uf]

Great video doctor. Reach-ins can b a real PINTA! Hopefully ICOR sees this n can make adjustments. New to the trade love commercial refrigeration but seems like engineers r make things way too complicated. Keep it simple. R290 seems to b issues for customers more than other refrigerants. Thanks again for sharing.

[@HVACRSurvival]

You picked a great field to make a carrier out of! Thanks for reaching out!

[@MariosACandRefrigeration]

rick thank you for sharing good learning experience.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Your very welcome! Thanks 4 watching!

[@throttlebottle5906]

older garage/outdoor rated fridge pretty much just had small heater in the fridge compartment near thermostat/timer area. usually just a copper foil mat and resistance wire. nothing like heating inside your fridge to make it cool. some may have low ambient switch on the condenser fan, but they were mostly rear coil fan-less. newer unit are all electronic and use sensors on the coils and cabinets.

[@harrydickson4575]

Another great job A little frustrating but a great job👍👍👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

That's why it didn't get recorded at the end LOL I was too pissed off

[@thesilentonevictor]

That customer is very interested 👌

[@HVACRSurvival]

They've been pretty good customers, they were new this year. So far they've been great! Like I mentioned, he used to be an installer in the summer months at a residential company

[@mansourramzey7711]

Job well done as always. Tks for the video ✌

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks bud👍👍🍿🍿

[@RichGT350r]

What a pain! Best Regards to You & Lora! 👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks man, have a great week!

[@RichGT350r]

@@HVACRSurvival You as well! 👍👍

[@tonydelgrego2906]

Another professional repair.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Tony, I try👍👍

[@Eddy63]

Good little fix ... Stay busy ...

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Eddy🤜🤛👍👍

[@sterlingarcher46]

Like always, the small stuff is always the most difficult to work with . I love that nitrogen purging plug-thingy , brilliant bit of kit , another tool I'll probably never find over here eh 😒

[@mzdriss]

2 points 1) It really is brain surgery 2) The problem was not with the can, it was with the piercing valve adapter - i had the same issue

[@toddthegamer]

That thing truly is a leaker

[@AVR-hf1rl]

I did a true warranty repair a few months ago and True sent me the gas and the tank valve for free. maybe call and ask them for the shut off valve

[@MikaelS1977]

My sympaties, been there. Greetings from Sweden

[@HVACRSurvival]

Yeah you guys have been dealing with that R290 crap for a while. It's only been popular here for the last 2 years.

[@lookItsJayden]

I’ve heard stories of explosive pin blow outs on these units. I hate working on these units, the design makes no sense most of the time too

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job and video like always

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Donnie👍👍

[@robertschwiesow1593]

and get a small tip for flame

[@FerralVideo]

"R290 is more environmentally friendly!" It encourages throwaway society. :< With how much more difficult it is to service, how much less reliable they are, and how you can (and should) just throw away small residential systems because they just aren't worth even bothering with when they die. How many pounds of R134a released to the atmosphere would it take to offset the impact of manufacturing an entire new refrigerator or air conditioner? Also seeing that ICOR bottle fail frightens me, and I'm not even in HVAC. That's the same kind of valve commonly used in camping equipment. Now I'm nervous that my camping gas valves are going to fail. Although in fairness they advertise "safety self-sealing" valves, but still ... that's more than a little terrifying.

[@tbelding]

I don't think it was the valve itself. That bottle looked really cheap.

[@KG-yn9qi]

So Sir What Happen to Mr. Red Beard ! Miss him and his Sun Glasses! He like you are / were enjoyable to watch. Know you said he went to work for another Co. and they do not want him to video? Well tell him he is missed!

[@gregbowman3598]

Looks like that R290 not working out to good, hope our company never buys any of that junk,have a good week Rick 👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

LOL we're a True Dealer. It's mandatory everyone's going to r290

[@throttlebottle5906]

the biggest issue seems to be the tubing and coil manufactures, no matter what gas is in the system a poorly made/damaged coil or one made from bad tubing to start with. ;)

[@samalmo]

These HC systems are becoming much more common every day in NW Washington, I have concluded that the manufacturers need to increase the labor allowance a hour minimum for all HC systems, they simply take longer to service then regular non-hc systems. It is not fair to the customer, since we usually have to charge them the rest not covered by warranty labor, since barely any manufacturer claim dept will pay at our regular hourly labor rates of 155/hr

[@HVACRSurvival]

Your right! The HC systems are like delicate little flowers, 🤣👍👍

[@JDT738126]

Those core tools are leakers too, I think it’s on the ball valves

[@SuperStormlord]

Little systems like that you could get a reclaim cylinder give it a good vac and use that to recover gas if its a pain to run a hose to blow it off.

[@throttlebottle5906]

I say get a propane burn off tube and just light it! lol burn off is how they get rid of unwanted propane and natural gas, just a giant tube burner aimed into the air with ignition source and safe placement.

[@SuperStormlord]

@@throttlebottle5906 Don't think that would go down too well in a busy kitchen or supermarket, to be honest.

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@SuperStormlord controlled burning it is better than it pooling low and going off in a flash. the refrigerant grade propane has no scent added either.(mercaptans) because it's an acidic shmoo

[@appliancedude63]

I've had the same thing happen with the can. It was in a customer house. Garbage cans.

[@wizzkidelectronics]

Now I want to go bowling 🎳

[@HVACRSurvival]

Good ears😎

[@tthack84]

I thought you were about to be asked how to fix a home refrigerator. Had a guy get aggravated when I told him his mom's window a/c wasn't worth fixing. After the sad sob story of how she's 90 years old I said I would fix it for around $500-600 (just to buy her a new one) he stopped asking.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I won't touch residential Refrigeration equipment, is a headache every time

[@tbelding]

@@HVACRSurvival - If I have a really expensive refrigerator, I'll have someone add valves to it just so that it can be maintained. Pulled our (rent house provided) fridge out to install an in-line cartridge filter for the ice machine, popped the cover off to dust it, and noticed it was a crimp braze - and that's it.

[@robertschwiesow1593]

cap tube should of been installed before evap.

[@HVACRSurvival]

The side that got plugged up was the side that I couldn't of done in advanced. Otherwise if you watch the video again you'll see that it was installed on the coil before putting it into the cooler.

[@webluke]

Should be good for 3 or 4 weeks, haha.

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤣🍿🍿

[@chriswhite7193]

I put taps on r290, I don’t care what they say, it’s just stupid using piercing valves, and crimp fittings, or the caps. Besides that looks like these crappy r290 boxes do fine leaking on their own. I always used metal caps with seals on my taps, but that’s just stupid.

[@shine-cg9uf]

👍🇺🇸❄️🙏💪 when connecting cap tube to the evaporator on that 90 did u have to crimp it down or did it slide right in perfect fit ?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I most likely had a crimp it down, I can't play the video from the app they give us to check our messages on so I'm not sure which video it is.

[@dennisolsson3119]

Amateur question; would it be faster to empty it by pumping it into a cylinder to then release it later outside? Might be more hassle to bring the vacuum pump than just wait a few moments, I guess.

[@HVACRSurvival]

They have a so-called recovery cylinder that you can use it looks just like a water filter canister. Normally it's not that big of a deal but I was deep inside the building to the point where I had no place to vent it, no exhaust Hood no outside windows so I had to go slow so it dissipate

[@josephmettes9147]

I was worried about brazing the cap tube shut when you said you were going to hear up the line and stick the cap tube in there. I did one today and was very worried myself that I was going to plug it up. Was the plug at the coil or the liquid line? Just curious. Stay safe out there!

[@HVACRSurvival]

It happened when I shoved it up into that copper peace coming down from the ceiling. When there's that much braze in the joint it's almost impossible to get it all out let alone put a new capillary tube into it without heating it up

[@steveblake8766]

#113 thumbs up

[@KadirYildiran]

👏👏👏👍👍🙏

[@natepeterson7145]

Good for another 3 or 4 weeks 😂

[@HVACRSurvival]

I love seeing if people are paying attention😁

[@randomrazr]

looks relatively newer unit. two repairs already? shame on TRUE

[@HVACRSurvival]

I posted the video of finding the leak earlier in the year and never posted the repair. This r290 stuff isn't holding up

[@randomrazr]

@@HVACRSurvival what are your thoughts on Trues new eco friendly (exploding flammable) refrigerent theyre using now?

[@HVACRSurvival]

@@randomrazr it works but it's not as reliable as the old stuff. There's going to be a learning curve until they get the bugs worked out. Whether we like it or not it's here.

[@karaors8970]

🇹🇷👍🛠️🤳

[@realestateservicessaleshea99]

🤔

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤔🤷‍♂️

[@karlschoen7297]

See you were wearing a jacket must have been cold in the building , don't beat yourself up haven't seen any lazy videos from you.

[@HVACRSurvival]

This was from January 15th I believe. I'm in Ohio so it's kind of cold then. If take off my jacket I might leave it

[@orfeous]

Why are you buying those cheap cans of refrigeration? They totally sucks. 👎🏿👎🏿

[@HVACRSurvival]

Because I'm giving them. I don't get my choice of what I want, I believe that's the only type they have local

[@orfeous]

@@HVACRSurvival ok, don't use them anymore if you can avoid them

[@HVACRSurvival]

My rant went on longer than what I showed, believe me, I-cor can suck it

[@jeffreylentz6699]

Part number of that purging tool you have please and thank you

[@HVACRSurvival]

Can you tell me what the time stamp is so I can know for sure what tool you’re talking about.

[@ausseamore8386]

[@andyjones7836]

3 or 4 weeks 😂🤣😂😂 I would have loved to see his face before the penny dropped - that made me laugh 😂😂😂😏

[@thesilentonevictor]

Rick professional work 👌

[@winstonwright3613]

Sucks that you had so much trouble with that cap tube. I've heard all sorts of wives tales about methods to make sure the solder doesn't get all the way back in there and block the opening. Most revolve around wiping some type of oil on the tip before inserting it (compressor oil, 3in1, I've even heard of using face oil!) ... Anyway great video. Thanks!

[@HVACRSurvival]

I have never heard that, I might have to try it. However I've brazed oily lines before, so I don't know if I put a lot of faith in that. If I remember correctly I believe it got restricted at that same place I had to blow it out at.

[@xraybravo7180]

Boss I had a burned out compressor replaced it, blew liquid and suction lines with 170 psi nitrogen and did a proper brazing while running nitrogen, charged exact weight 5.5 Oz. When I started it it was running a 20 psi suction for R290. high side was 90 degree coil 30 ctoa.. is it normal for them to run 0 or minus degree coil for refrigerator ?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Generally it runs the same pressure temperature over and under the desired temp as any other refrigerant.

[@xraybravo7180]

@HVACR Survival my confusion was that once the load is pulled down the evaporator coil will running at 20F Coil which is around 40 psi for refrigerator. But this True refrigerator was running at 20 Psi at compressor stuby port. I have not dealt with many R290 units. So running at 20 psi suction pressure which means almost 0 Degree F evaporator coil tempreture. Is ok ?

[@xraybravo7180]

@@HVACRSurvival what do you normally see out there ?

[@HVACRSurvival]

Normally your evaporator runs 10 to 15 degrees colder than what you're shooting for so if you're shooting for a 35° box temperature, the evaporator will usually run 15° colder than that, so 15* - 35* is going to be 20° EVAP coil. A lot of times it's 15°. So if our R290 EVAP was running at 15 to 20° then I would say it's fine. If you were at 0° I would say you probably have a capillary tube issue. Hard to say when I wasn't there to do the work and don't know how things were done and why it failed to begin with.

[@xraybravo7180]

@HVACR Survival I really didn't know either why the compressor burned out it was locked up. I changed the and also blew the suction and liquid line . It was running at 0 degree coil. It should have changed the cap but I thought leave it alone if the issue was with compressor.

[@ia9562]

Lol had same issue with those icor bottles man they are crap. What scale are you using btw? I been using my CPS but last time I used that scale gave me false charge, think I need something more accurate.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I believe if you click on my link Down Below in the description, go to my tool bag area, it will show you what it is. It's a food grade scale that has ounces, pounds, grams and some other metrics. The only downfall is it doesn't stay on for much longer than a couple minutes, so you got to be careful of that, otherwise it's dead nuts accurate plus it's cheap.. I think I paid less than $20 for it.

[@DW-bo3qw]

Yellow jacket has a nice hydrocarbon charging kit… it’s a bit pricey but works really well

[@mainj54]

I have done hundreds of cap tube systems over the years and would wipe my index finger over my forehead and then rub cap tube end between fingers to coat with oil from my skin to prevent solder from sticking when brazing. Also would use old piece of cap tube as a reamer while heating to remove a build up of solder on old connections.

[@HVACRSurvival]

That makes sense on the old cap tube for a reamer and I will have to try the oil trick. Thank you for contributing to the discussion.👍👍👍

[@stevenvacanti2676]

I'm in no hurry to work on r290 equipment at all. I may just remove the r290 make the repair and recharge with r134a. Kidding guys just kidding.

[@pepsicolachao4537]

I would never ever go with these junky R-290 refrigerant cans. I would go with the high quality ones.

[@EverythingHVACR]

Well done! I have not had any issues with my appion core removers, they are supposedly vacuum rated

[@HVACRSurvival]

They all do great at first, it's just how long they last. I've had times where I changed the tool and then it held after thinking I had a leak and looked all over. Thanks for checking it out Steve!

[@HamiltonMechanical]

Missing the sunday night livestreams Rick! hope yall are taking care!

[@HVACRSurvival]

I might do them again after summer is over. Thanks for your continued support, I means a lot bud!

[@whitesheatingairappliancer7101]

They coated that coal for longevity so acidic foods won't kill it as quick as a uncoated coil

[@HVACRSurvival]

Sounds good, I bet it fails again in a year two

[@whitesheatingairappliancer7101]

It's going to fail. 5 years or less.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Everything was warranty far as Parts I don't think labor was oh, so anything additional would have been billable

[@HVACRSurvival]

More than likely you are correct.

[@stephwaylonwells3218]

👍