R-410A Charging! Weighing in Refrigerant Charge through the High Side Red Gauge and Why!

This is (In Real-Time) how to weigh R410-A refrigerant into a system after it is vacuumed down to 500 microns, what to look out for, which side to weigh the charge into and why, how to keep the compressor safe before starting, and general tips.
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[@acservicetechchannel]

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[@moisessanchez870]

So you must recover the refrigerant out of the system when doing a charge by weight?

[@905Alive]

Thank god someone finally did this right, I have looked for days to find one video that shows students how to properly weigh in a charge to FACTORY SPECS!! thanks, but I wish you had finished the entire charging process.

[@acservicetechchannel]

If you are a teacher, make sure to check out our website at www.acservicetech.com. I wrote many articles on total superheat, subcooling, weighing a charge and we work with CTE public schools and colleges, thanks!

[@theprocessor8023]

Finally. again and again. god bless you man! you are really one of a kind! one in a million. thankyou again! so very very thank you.!

[@acservicetechchannel]

May The Lord Bless You Too "The Processor", thanks!

[@acservicetechchannel]

5 to 10 minutes is a normal good time. Some Techs will hold this for a long time as a leak test but it will depend on what shape your gauge and hose sets are in. Usually we will use nitrogen as a pressure test.If your vacuum level rises and then stops, rises then stops, that is moisture in the system. If you lose your vacuum then you have a leak.Thanks for the great questions!

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

I was taught similar method way back in the eighties when I first got into HVAC and have always done so. Only thing not mentioned is that IF (likely not) you approach full charge in this manner, upend the container for gas towards the last to flush liquid out of the hoses, then adjust final amount with gas into suction side.

[@acservicetechchannel]

That is because this refrigerant needs to come out of the bottle as a liquid to keep the mixture pure since it is a near azeotropic refrigerant mixture, thanks!

[@charlesfatz7521]

I'm learning quite a lot from your videos. You are very thorough and easy to understand. I have subscribed and I look forward to learning much more. Thank you.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Charles!

[@acservicetechchannel]

If you just weighed it in like in the case of a heat pump in the winter, you could just weigh it in exactly but you have to take into account the size of the evaporator and the length of lineset compared to the amount of refrigerant that came in the outdoor unit. If it is for air conditioning in a case like a split system I just weigh in close but under and just add in subcooling if there is a txv until the target is met. If it were a package unit with an exact weight then you can put in the exact amount and confirm with superheat if piston or subcooling if has txv.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Sure a laser thermometer would work, I just used one last night but I checked it's accuracy against my other temp probe taped on the other line first just to make sure they agreed. Thanks for the good question! Keep them coming! Also keep in mind to wipe the sweat of the suction line first if you were going to use the laser to make sure that you were hitting the pipe and not the water. Always cross check your stats for accuracy! Thanks!

[@truthsmiles]

Do you find that you get different results by placing the bottle physically higher up, like on top of the condenser? Seems like once the pressure equalizes, you could get more in with the help of gravity?

[@jameslecroy5740]

This is a good video with the exception of the loud obnoxious noise at the beginning of the video

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yeah sorry James, on the new videos, there is a silent intro, and a better mic for teaching, thanks!

[@jameslecroy5740]

I did this technique but the inside evaporator coil still freezes up if I turn the thermastat down below 78 degrees

[@acservicetechchannel]

When a coil freezes, it could be low refrigerant charge, low airflow, or liquid line restriction like the txv is not working and it partially closed or filter drier is clogged. Low refrigerant charge is high superheat and low subcooling. low airflow is normal to low superheat and high subcooling, liquid line restriction is high superheat, high subcooling

[@jameslecroy5740]

So should I try putting more freon in the condenser unit through the liquid line like you did in the video. I've already replaced the filters and cleaned the evaporator coil inside and out. So I don't think low air flow is the problem and if the liquid line was restricted the filter drier was clogged wouldn't the coil freeze regardless of what you have the thermastat on ?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Make sure to check superheat and subcooling before doing anything else in order to verify which problem is occuring, thanks James

[@FredisZam]

Thank you for all the videos l been watching you for quite some time now and l been doing everything like you do it 👍🏼 this is like a school

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks FredisZam!

[@MegaYounglover]

Great video! How many tons is the unit that requires 12,lbs just curious.! My guess is it a 5 ton unit? Second question... do you normally do the superheat/subcooling when charging refrigerant?

[@theovasquez7447]

Thanks for your support 👍🏽

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Theo!

[@jasoncecil626]

Craig, with the new crossover ducted heat pump systems, the only way to accurately check the charge is by weighing it out/in. With the best practices that you teach regarding pulling a vacuum, how long would you expect it to take to pull a vacuum? Also, can you reuse the same refrigerant?

[@rex1759]

I was only able to get 4.5lbs of R410a in the liquid side until the pressure was pushing back so I had to flash 5 lbs in suction side.

[@b0neme]

So did you do liquid the whole way? Or did you turn it on and do vapor for the rest? Is there a final video of the finished product? Thanks!

[@mark.r8900]

really enjoying all your videos.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Mark!

[@HowToDoitright]

Great video but I really wish you completed this job on the video :)...some unknowns for newbies like me lol...at what time liquid will stop due to the pressure on the low side? At what time should we start topping it off from low side? At what time you turn on the unit? What is a good pressure for this system?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Basically, you will break the vacuum with refrigerant from the bottle into the empty system until either you reach the factory charge or the refrigerant stops exiting the bottle. You tell when the bottle is no longer adding refrigerant into the system when the scale stops moving, thanks!

[@HowToDoitright]

Ok great thanks for the reply

[@gyo_wrld2767]

I always see text Wayne this shit through the suction and I was like wait in school. I learned you got a way through the liquid line when the system is off but on in the field, they through suction line and that shit was confusing me for two freaking years.

[@stevenwojo]

First off, thanks for the excellent videos! Few questions (sorry if this has been asked before): In the case of weighing in via the liquid line due to r410a being blended, how do you account for weight losses in the manifold gauge and hoses? I am wondering if it may not be critical on a larger system, but what about a mini-split that takes 2.5lbs total system charge including lineset? I have read that some people shut off the valves at the cylinder and liquid side hoses, and then meter it into the suction side using a "sweeping action" with unit running. Another method is to tally the 0.29oz/ft (1/4" hose at 80*F) and subtract it from total weight, but then you lose 2.9oz in your hoses when disconnecting...

[@LC-qi5ff]

How does one know when the liquid in the bottle has finished and there’s only vapour left? Thanks

[@jimmyung3212]

So much detail thank you!!!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Jimmy Ung!

[@jcbirdman74]

Where do you see how much the system needs? I see the factory charge is 2.77 lbs how do I determine how much it needs?

[@soluciones-termicas]

My confusion now, is now, essentially we want only VAPOR into the compressor, so this is why we charge through the liquid when the system is off, to go through the metering device, so the compressor receives vapor just like you said. So why would we charge through suction when the compressor is turned on? Wouldn’t liquid refrigerant immediately get sucked into the compressor? Defeating the purpose of avoiding liquid refrigerant into the compressor? Very confused

[@waysoflife88]

You would meter the valve while adding liquid on the low side. When liquid is added slow on the suction side it will immediately atomize into vapor once it hits the service port/suction line. If you opened your suction side valve all the way and tried to “dump” the liquid in, there’s a good chance some liquid will get into the compressor and cause damage. Hope that helps.

[@gyo_wrld2767]

So the liquid refrigerant is going to vaporize even on a fixed orifice, cause I always see techs charging the refrigerant through the suction line and

[@genepierson1728]

Do you ever use hot water to help put the refrigerant from the tank into the system?

[@a11ten071]

Tnx you for the video, question although the compressor is off should the evaporator fan be on or also off while charging?

[@LuisC202]

Awesome video. Detailed pretty good. So 1 question you said evacuated and vacummed. Did you vacuum the whole system from line set coil to condenser ? Or did you close off the service valves and then weighed in the charge. Also my system came with a size 8 liquid line dryer, can i put in a 16 since it is 4 ton or stick with an 8? I subscribed when i found your channel due to the detailed videos you are making. Keep it up man. You the man. Thanks for the responses.

[@acservicetechchannel]

You surely can put in a larger one. It will not hurt anything. They have a fixed capacity so larger would be better. This unit was evacuated down to 500 microns. The system's valves were open as the compressor was replaced. The entire system was vacuumed down to 500 microns including inside the outdoor unit. The word evacuate can pertain to recovery or dehydration(vacuuming). This is what you will be doing on your unit. Thanks and glad that you are enjoying the channel!

[@diysolaradventures7894]

If u suspect air or moisture in your mini split lines from not properly being vacuumed how do u correct that does the R-410 have to be completely changed or what do u do ?

[@genepierson1728]

If you don't purge your lines because you said they in a vacuum, you don't get an accurate weight reading by reading the scales. Because some of the refrigerant will be in the hose(s), right? How do you get the refrigerant in the hose OUT OF the hose into the system? Do you weigh the hoses before and after?

[@Froggability]

Gene Pierson. By the time he suck the hoses down, they left with a teeny bit of vapour a fraction of an ounce not worth worrying about

[@jimbola77]

Good video thank's for sharing!!!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks, your comments and thumbs up are appreciated!

[@videos10]

Can this also work for rooftop units?

[@smkdude26]

Q1. ? are the valves open going to the compressor while recharging ? and Q2. ? on the gauge set is the blue side closed while charging ?

[@harithetortoise8901]

Good...for tich...

[@mph5896]

On a charge like this would you charge until you meet the required spec of weight of refrigerant the system calls for, or get close and add as necessary until you reach desired superheat/subcooling keeping an eye on weight.

[@luis2012174]

Hello Craig,about how long it takes to charge 12 pounds in an empty system ?

[@TrueDuckFan]

How bout on a really cold day? Can we weigh in as much as it will pull/push then run in heating and still add in that same line? At some point I thought it would not pull so we have to add via auction line?

[@Knowledgedad]

Where do you buy your Freon from

[@jericosha2842]

What's the best micron guage for a decent price? I find it hard to pay 200+ for them. If I have to I will.

[@rocker8692]

how much refrigerant to be safe do you n need in there before you start system and put in vapor line?Thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

You need enough for the evap not to freeze before 5-10 minutes of run time. It is best to weigh in liquid into the liquid line up to or a little less than what is needed after the vac pump and then turn it on, wait the 5-10 minutes and check the charge. Thanks Chad!

[@drewclev188]

Is this process the same for charging an empty heatpump? I've been in hvac for 6 years and oddly enough haven't had to weigh in charge.

[@carltonthomas4819]

Why when I weigh in a charge it gives me a low-pressure code?

[@Elisummit845]

Great videos. How do you calculate additional refrigerant charge needed for the lineset?

[@acservicetechchannel]

I have a weight chart at the website www.acservicetech.com in the resource and article section, thanks!

[@kneeman7]

Hi, after many arguments with tech friends I have to ask.....When the condenser is packed down (or you are installing a new unit packed with R410a already) and you only vacuum the lineset and evap coil down, you then open the service valves to add the refrigerat back in. Do you open the vapor or liquid valve first? Reading mfg service manuals all but Carrier I have read say open the evap valve first, if you open the liquid valve oil can get drawn out into the lineset. Carrier however says to open the liquid line first. I have been breaking the vacuum with refrigerant to get to just positive pressure then opening the liquid service valve very slowly after that.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Great question, well let me first say, always follow manufacturers' instructions. Secondly, let me pose a question to you. If the compressor does not allow equalization and the liquid port only has access to the refrigerant that is on the discharge side of the compressor while the oil from the factory was put into the bottom of the compressor on a new scroll to get pumped up when running or on the bottom of a new reciprocating compressor then why would opening the liquid port first make any difference? The liquid port would allow more refrigerant into the rest of the system compared to opening the suction side granted but it is not connected to the suction side so how would the refrigerant pull the oil out if it is not touching it or sucking through it.? Ha ha, my adults in night class asked about this and I just laughed and I got them thinking about it and then finished with maybe the manufacturer has some other reason that they are not telling us but it is always best to follow their instructions since they designed it. If the system was a unit that was pumped down then oil would be mixed with the refrigerant. In my head, it would make sense to open the liquid side first to suck the oil back towards the compressor inlet and then suction second so the oil doesn't leave the entrance to the compressor but these are just my thoughts and I am not the manufacturer so just follow what they would like you to follow. Thanks

[@fastbyte9972]

Thanks. Can you tell me if the 410a is upright, which one of the 2 gasses of the blend is closer to the top valve? I assume either the R32 or R125 is heavier. Not planning on doing it but just wondering which of the two gasses from the blend would be more prevalent at the very top of the tank. I can't seem to find this online.

[@brianpruitt1015]

can this be done with a laser thermometer for checking liquid line temp?

[@mark.r8900]

does the liquid refrigerant fills up the condenser coil and stops at the compressor's discharge port when weighing in refrigerant this way?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes the liquid fills the liquid line and runs into the condensor coil as well as into the metering device and then to the evap coil. The refrigerant will stop on both sides of the compressor, thanks!

[@mark.r8900]

when you ONLY open the valve on the suction line ( liquid line valve still closed) for the very first time why does both gauges showing pressure reading? where does the refrigerant come from and what is the flow direction?

[@acservicetechchannel]

In the case of a new install of a unit with refrigerant in it, when you open the suction line service valve, breaking the vacuum then the refrigerant goes tom the evap coil and bypasses through the metering device and into the liquid line back at the liquid line service port, thanks Mark!

[@mark.r8900]

thank you so much for all your answers. best instructor i've seen in awhile.

[@mark.r8900]

so the refrigerant is stored between the suction line service valve and the suction port of the compressor? so the refrigerant is coming out back ward from inside the compressor and on its way towards the liquid line? is this correct?

[@josemj059]

bery good thank you

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks!

[@markysparky8631]

how long time do you give the 500 micron vacuum to see if theres a leak?

[@corruptedbrain6]

20 minutes

[@dannyrockstroh6552]

I have seen r410a charged as a liquid through the suction line without the liquid vaporizer, with the liquid vaporizer, and now through the liquid line. Which is the most effective and most normal way to charge the system using r410a??

[@acservicetechchannel]

Through the liquid line is only if the system is off and under vacuum and you need to weight a lot of refrigerant into the system. You can use a vaporizer while the system is running or just meter it in with the handles a little at a time, thanks!

[@muhammadumerkhanqadir7098]

Dear brother, is it mandatory to top up r420a refrigerant with cylinder position upside down? or it doesn't matter to charge at any position some of the people saying that r420a refrigerant must be charged with cylinder position upside down otherwise you will lost the cooling effect of the ac. your prompt response will be highly appreciated

[@acservicetechchannel]

r410a must come out of the bottle as a liquid so with a tank like the one in the video, it must be upside down and charge slowly while the system is running into the vapor tube. Make sure not to slug the compressor with liquid just a little at a time, thanks

[@FredisZam]

What if you can’t see the amount of refrigerant is there a formula? To determine the amount

[@acservicetechchannel]

There are weights per foot of lineset but generally you would need to guess the initial charge of the unit. You could look up the weight in an install manual, thanks

[@naeemdadream2826]

Can u also weigh in R-22 as well on the liquid side as a liquid in a completely empty R-22 system with the system not running?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes as long as the system is in vacuum thanks!

[@geojor]

good info ...

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks for the Comment!

[@b-riair9114]

I worked with a guy that will fill up in the suction line when the unit is under a vacuum. I know this to be wrong I was always taught to break the vac with the high side king valve or liquid into the high side and through the evap first. Can you describe the down side of charging a dry vacuumed unit with liquid through the suction? Thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

Upon startup, you would be slugging the compressor with liquid and also you can't weigh in as much refrigerant since you are giving the refrigerant too much room to expand and causing it to provide pressure against the refrigerant pressure in your bottle. The liquid line is smaller, thanks Brian!

[@RC-Heli835]

If you had to start the compressor to finish filling the system did you flip the bottle over or leave it upside down?

[@acservicetechchannel]

R410a has to come out of the bottle as a liquid to keep the mix correct unlike r-22. Make sure to not add too much into the vapor line each time for compressor safety. Just let a little in at a time, thanks Blade!

[@acestu]

If you have the 410a bottle with the 2 valves could you leave it the right way up and use the dip tube valve ?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Absolutely, thanks

[@rustyshackleford7762]

So how do you charge the system after it won't take anymore and you have to start using the compressor?

[@romarro4616]

David start charging it through the blue hose (suction line ) little bit at a time so u don’t damage the compresor unless you have a sth called a liquid vaporizer on ur gauge set. 410a has to enter the unit as liquid form he has more videos about it. Cheers

[@Froggability]

Through the suction, until he reaches his goal weight

[@alfinjojoeb2241]

Thank you for your answers..Do I must run compressor before adding refrigerant into suction line and all system is vacuumed before that ?

[@acservicetechchannel]

If it is an empty system, meaning that there is no refrigerant in the outside unit then you would pressure test, vacuum to 500 microns and break the vacuum with liquid refrigerant weighed into the liquid side to the weight stated on the outdoor unit rating plate, wait 5 minutes, then turn on wait 10 minutes and check charge with subcooling or superheat. If there is refrigerant in the outdoor unit held back by the valves then pressure test the lines, vacuum the lines to 500 microns, then break the vacuum by opening the service valve to let the refrigerant in from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant lines.

[@tomharris9859]

Does this same process work with a mini split ? Adding r 410a in liquid form to high side. My system is empty.

[@yeshuashalomtv2978]

Hello Sir, Can I charge split type ac with gas refrigerant into the LPS by R410a? Like the same procedure charging R22? Or it can damage the compressor? Thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

R410a has to come out of the bottle as a liquid. A Vaporizer such as this one could be used- Imperial Kwik Charge 535-C- amzn.to/2uipEI6 -but if you are breaking a vacuum with refrigerant then we weigh liquid refrigerant into the liquid line. You want to try to avoid having any saturated or liquid refrigerant entering the compressor, thanks

[@greenerdays999]

When you can no longer weigh in as a liquid and you have to continue as vapor through suction line, do you continue to leave the unit off? or do you start the compressor?

[@acservicetechchannel]

You shouldn't have to on residential and light commercial. You should be able to weigh in 15 lbs no problem into the liquid line. To answer the question though, yes you would just turn the unit on and add any additional refrigerant into the vapor line a little at a time, thanks

[@tonymoran9794]

Hello, I see the ball valve is opened on the suction side but do you need the gauge off on the low side to force the refrigerant into the high side?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes, when breaking a vacuum including the outdoor unit, we break the vacuum with liquid refrigerant and try to weigh in as much as possible up to the amount needed or right under and then turn the unit on to check the charge, thanks

[@skyking6989]

So pull a vacumm keep the manifold hoses on turn off vapor side turn on liquid and fill to spec?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Check this video out. It gives from start to finish while using valve core removal tools, thanks- kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHKac4xtmc6rf8k

[@EnairaRiane]

HI, during the vacuum do we need to vacuum also the condenser and the compressor on the empty refrigerant system? or you only vacuum the lineset and evaporator coil? Thank you.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes vacuum all of it if the system is completely empty, thanks!

[@Prez76]

So what happens if a tech tried this and did vapor charging first? Can you put the rest of the charge in as liquid or do I need to start over?

[@acservicetechchannel]

You can but you may not even get 1 pound in before the pressure in the system pushes back against the pressure in the bottle. If it were r-22 then you could add in the rest as vapor but since it is r-410a in this video you would either have to recover, vacuum and add in as a liquid or you could try charging in the rest a little at a time into the vapor side. It would be safer with a 535-c vaporizer, thanks

[@theovasquez7447]

Is the evaporator fan motor running while refrigerant is weighing in?

[@acservicetechchannel]

I would not run the evap fan because you don't want heat absorption while weighing in refrigerant. That would mean a pressure rise against what you are trying to weigh in, thanks

[@aaronshoyt]

No.

[@tyl8ter]

Question: When you vacuum the system down do you open up the king valves then vacuum down to 500 micron?...........Probably a dumb question...

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thank you for the question! So in this case, there is presently no refrigerant in the system behind the service valves. The service valves that go to the compressor are open so we are breaking the system vacuum with R-410A liquid by weighing it into the liquid line which is where it is supposed to go so that the refrigerant has to go through the metering device to make it back to the compressor as a vapor. If you had the service valves shut like in the case of a new R-410A outdoor unit and you were vacuuming the lineset and evap then you would break the vacuum with refrigerant from the system by opening the valves instead of from the refrigerant bottle. If you knew that you had a very long lineset when installing a new R-410A outdoor unit and you were vacuuming the lineset and evap then you could break the 500 micron vacuum by weighing in the refrigerant needed for the extra lineset and then you could open the service valves. I hope that helps! Thanks for your Great Question!

[@tyl8ter]

Thank you for the quick response.......Great video's by the way (watching them all).... KEEP THEM COMING...

[@acservicetechchannel]

I Appreciate the Comment! I will keep them coming!

[@josemj059]

how many tons that unit was mr,acservice thec?

[@acservicetechchannel]

That unit is a 5 ton, thanks!

[@idontgetjokes8101]

Thank you for this excellent video!! Just have a question, when a 4 ton 401A Trane DX packaged unit is vacuumed to 500 Micron will the compressor oil be vacuumed as well and pumped out to the vacuum pump? do I need to add 42 oz POE oil with R410 A through high side service port? no instruction available from the company, Thanks!!

[@acservicetechchannel]

No the oil inside the system doesn't end up getting sucked out of the compressor, thanks. Just vacuum it below 500 microns, check to make sure the micron level doesn't rise, valve off the micron gauge and then break the vacuum with refrigerant, thanks

[@idontgetjokes8101]

I do thank you very much for your clear and sound answer!!!

[@justdissin7340]

Can i do this same procedure with m099 refrigerant?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes absolutely, as long as it comes out of the bottle as a liquid, thanks

[@dailygrindism]

Will it eventually charge all 12.5 lbs through the liquid side?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes, if the system was under vacuum. The 12.5lbs would go right in within about a couple minutes, thanks

[@jamesrooney7689]

do you have liquid valve open on you gauge while adding freon ???

[@acservicetechchannel]

This system was off and under vacuum when I broke the vacuum with liquid refrigerant into the liquid line up to the factory charge stated on the rating plate. It was a compressor changeout, thanks!

[@SilentLegacy]

Is there a good manual that you recommend to help work on ac's? I'm really just looking at vacuum and charging/adding refrigerant on r410a,unit.

[@acservicetechchannel]

I am working on one presently but I am not aware of a good process book like that unfortunately. If you would like please email me at [e-mail] and I can let you know when it is complete. I am working on exactly that, thanks Robert!

[@charlesfatz7521]

One question, when I am adding 410A, I go by what the plate states on the side of the condenser unit then, depending on the length of the line set (which the one for this entire system is about 25-30 feet, I would just add about a pound more? The Goodman is a 2 ton unit and it states 72 ounces which is 4.5 pounds. So I could add to this point and then it would be safe to start up the system or wait until I add about a pound more to make up the line set and air handler coil space?

[@acservicetechchannel]

So the rating plate will say how much refrigerant the outdoor unit comes with to include 15 or in other cases 25' of lineset and enough to fill the same capacity evaporator coil as well. Any foot after that could be weighed in but since your lineset is so short, I would just turn the system on and check the charge unless it is too cold to do so. It should be 70 degrees outside in cooling mode. I am assuming that this is a new unit and you are all done vacuuming and are breaking the vacuum with refrigerant from the outdoor unit, thanks

[@charlesfatz7521]

acservicetech No, I replaced a bad compressor. I did something wrong, obviously. The compressor starts up, all readings are good (325-350 high side, 150 low side and then it drops out on me after about a minute. The high starts dropping and the low side goes up. I shut it off for about a minute or two, turn it on it runs great for a minute and then starts the whole process all over again.

[@charlesfatz7521]

acservicetech that's good to know about how much Freon comes in a new condenser unit. That they figure enough for the line set and the coil. That helps me as well.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Charles, did you open up the service valves all the way? That kind of sounds like what would happen if the vapor side valve is only partially open. Is it a heat pump which would have a reversing valve?

[@charlesfatz7521]

acservicetech Its a Goodman GSX140241LC. I did make sure the valves were open all the way. They were still open from when I recovered the freon. I had a problem pulling the vacuum and I think that's what started the whole thing. I ended up buying a new supco vg64 digital micron reader. Also, I don't think the vacuum pump was working very well. I'm new here, following after some maintenance people who didn't really take care of the equipment. I think I got in a hurry and I don't think I had a good vacuum on it and I think I ruined the compressor. I'll keep watching your videos. :-)

[@ZTEKFORCE]

My R410a A/C unit has no refrigerant left due to a leaky schrader valve. Does the system need to be vacuumed before recharging?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes absolutely. I would also pressure test first, thanks

[@ZTEKFORCE]

Sounds good. Thank you so much :)

[@Josh-px6xb]

so while the system is running , when do you charge through the low side only using that metering device? or do you always charge to the liquid side ?

[@acservicetechchannel]

You can only charge liquid into the liquid side when the system is down bleow 500 microns of vacuum. While the system is running you charge liquid r410a through a vaporizer and then into the low side or a little liquid at a time so that it may have a chance to expand in the low side line before going to the compressor, thanks.

[@Josh-px6xb]

acservicetech ok thanks for your response

[@Josh-px6xb]

acservicetech another question I tried to practice what you've taught in the videos checking for subcooling and I have a Daikin split system so I hooked up my gauges put the temperature probe on the liquid line right past the valves and my high side is reading 415 psig and a temp of about 124 degrees for r410a. and my meter was reading about 99 degrees. the panels at the condenser don't say anything about schooling recommendations . I had to check online and it says something about 15-16° subcooming and also something about putting the temp probe 6inches from the TXV to find subcooling. idk I find it kinda weird. am I doing something wrong?

[@groundup421]

hi ac tech. i followed this procedure and for some reason my evap coil froze up, is it possible by adding 10lbs of liquid ref all at once that it could freeze the coil? i did have the blower running which i wasnt sure was good or bad.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Are you talking on a split system? Usually we don't run the blower and we try to weigh all the refrigerant needed into the liquid port before the liquid has a chance to vaporize into gas to apply pressure against the bottle pressure. You may get a little frost but not a whole lot. I don't think ten pounds of refrigerant can be weighed into a unit while it is off on a standard residential system if the blower was on because it would add heat and pressure faster to apply pressure against the bottle pressure. The compressor was off and and you were breaking the vacuum with refrigerant right? Thanks

[@groundup421]

yes its split, i broke the vacuum and weighed in 10lbs with the compressor off but the blower was running, system called for 170oz, im not sure why it froze, i dug into the air handler cabinet and seen it was frozen at the piston and capillary tubes, normal high side pressure, very low suction pressure at like 50 psig, im thinking there might be blockage at the metering device or capillaries, thanks for any advise, love your videos

[@acservicetechchannel]

You are checing the refrigerant charge with superheat and subcooling correct? It is possible that the system is still low on refrigerant if something happened with the scale. Otherwise it could be low airflow or liquid line restriction low refrigerant charge- Piston-superheat high, subcooling low////// TXV superheat normal, subcooling low/////// low airflow- Piston-superheat low, subcooling normal to low/////// TXV superheat normal, subcooling normal to high////// liquid line restriction- superheat high, subcooling high

[@jamesrooney7689]

hi once the ac will not take anymore freon then you turn on system and add to liquid side and do super heat ???

[@acservicetechchannel]

After breaking the vacuum with refrigerant in the high side line while the unit is off, turn the unit on and charge into the vapor side a little at a time while checking either superheat or subcooling as needed. Check out the "acservicetech superheat playlist" and the "acservicetech subcooling playlist"

[@jamesrooney7689]

thank you this was alot of help

[@oscarhernandez8553]

very helpful thank you.

[@acservicetechchannel]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it!

[@loosecannon124]

I asked this question in a different way on your other video about mitsubishi Mini split charging. If I run the unit in heat mode, can I use the low side valve to charge in liquid refrigerant like you are doing in this video? My system is completely empty now so I will need to evacuate and charge back in. The problem is the mitsu mini split doesn't have a liquid line (1/4" line service port). I am guessing there's no way to weigh in refrigerant as a liquid into a mitsu mini split with the unit off?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Loose, if the system is empty of refrigerant, pressure test the system with nitrogen under the max design pressure of the unit, release the nitrogen, vacuum the unit below 500 microns, perform the standing vacuum test to see if you are holding a vacuum. if it stays below 500 microns, weigh the correct amount of liquid refrigerant as stated on the rating plate and as needed by the cumulative length of the line set into the liquid line of the outdoor unit. The system is off this whole time. Give the refrigerant some time to saturate and circulate while the system is off, then after 20 minutes, go ahead and turn the system on. Make sure you are EPA 608 certified before buying or handling refrigerants, thanks Loose!

[@loosecannon124]

@@acservicetechchannel thanks but this mini split has no liquid line service valve, only 3/8 Schrader valve and then a charging port that says suction too.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Hey Loose Cannon, I answered your Minisplit comment in the other video. This video has a liquid and vapor port so I answered this question for a standard split system only, thanks!

[@loosecannon124]

@@acservicetechchannel Thank you!

[@tino8080]

Hi sir!i have a 2.5 ton condender,how much liquid you think ill need to add?its a r22 system

[@acservicetechchannel]

The weight of refrigerant that came in the unit from the factory along with the evap coil and usually 15 feet of lineset is on the rating plate on the side of the unit. Is this what you mean if the system is empty?

[@tino8080]

acservicetech ...i dont have a scale do you know about how much liquid i can put on before turning unit on?if you can tell me in how many minutes?

[@chunckyfreshnut]

How much does it cost for refrigerant ? I think I got ripped off from a family friend's friend . He charge me 250 to fill up my AC. After one day it stop working again. My guess it is a leak.

[@acservicetechchannel]

They should tell you before doing it that they cannot guarantee how long the refrigerant will last in a system or really better, find and fix the leak. Either way, the tech should give the customer an option on what they want to do before hand. R-22 $850 per 30lb bottle and R410A $130 25lb bottle presently thanks

[@francom6230]

Yo, I was told 410-A went up huge, at least here in FL ---

[@acservicetechchannel]

amzn.to/2jSv7hh here is an example of price, thanks

[@tino8080]

so that system in video takes 12lbs of refrigerant? some are 3lbs aren't they?

[@acservicetechchannel]

If it is an older comfort cooling system that has less fins then yes it could be that poundage. This was a 5 ton 410a heat pump 16 seer, thanks!

[@tino8080]

acservicetech ..thanks for your help

[@mark.r8900]

hi, are the valves back seated or front seated during this charging process? thank you.

[@acservicetechchannel]

They were mid seated since this was done after replacing the compressor, thanks!

[@saifsafeel1230]

Can I charge R410 gas in R22 system

[@acservicetechchannel]

You cannot mix the two refrigerants, thanks

[@luckyguy3256]

saif safeel big no. Each refrigerant have a big difference in operating pressure.

[@tino8080]

hi,can you do this same procedure is it was r22?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes you can, thanks

[@tino8080]

oh ok thanks i always thought it was through the suction side only

[@acservicetechchannel]

It has to be weighed into the liquid line if the system is vacuumed down to 500 microns and you are breaking the vacuum with refrigerant. If the unit already has refrigerant in it and is running then you charge into the low side of the system, thanks

[@tino8080]

acservicetech ok thank u,,so it will be faster to ad freon on hi side if system was vacuumed?

[@acservicetechchannel]

If it is an empty system, meaning that there is no refrigerant in the outside unit then you would pressure test, vacuum to 500 microns and break the vacuum with liquid refrigerant weighed into the liquid side to the weight stated on the outdoor unit rating plate, wait 5 minutes, then turn on wait 10 minutes and check charge with subcooling or superheat. If there is refrigerant in the outdoor unit held back by the valves then pressure test the lines, vacuum the lines to 500 microns, then break the vacuum by opening the service valve to let the refrigerant in from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant lines. If there is already refrigerant in the lines then just turn the unit on and check in superheat or subcooling as needed. For more info just watch the playlists for superheat- kzbin.info/aero/PLxnHR5_D2ojwGvhU1rseXQLJ-XBjBZMMk -- and subcooling- kzbin.info/aero/PLxnHR5_D2ojxTcAtR_53GoY8huBcSOt0a

[@ba177ba18]

Am I able to refill refrigerant without turning on the condenser?

[@Froggability]

niZmo. Yes. Use a recovery pump

[@MRXDS1989]

So weighing in is not the same as charging

[@acservicetechchannel]

In this case we are breaking the vacuum with refrigerant from the bottle. In other cases you are adding refrigerant into the system while it is running. You can refer to both as charging or weighing in but you may add more details to the sentence to explain which of the two processes you are doing, thanks!

[@MRXDS1989]

@@acservicetechchannel thanks

[@alfinjojoeb2241]

How to add R410 A into mini split when is totall empty, and only LP valves exist?..Thanks!

[@acservicetechchannel]

You would need to pressure test, vacuum pump down to 500 microns, weigh the refrigerant in to the weight stated on the rating plate and add extra refrigerant per foot extra of lineset. Here is a video on that-----kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6HdgIaHqZeZpqs

[@1christensen1]

I have the same question how do you weigh in r410a when there is only a LP service port and no refrigerant in the system at all including the compressor . Do you need to have the compressor running/can you run the compressor even when there is no refrigerant? Can I break the vacuum with liquid r410a on the low side and then turn it on and sip it in until I hit my weight? or will this damage my compressor? The problem is I dont have a High/Liquid service port on my daikin mini split. I haven't found any video's where guys weigh in a completely empty system only from the low port all of them are brand new installs where there is already a pre-charge and they are adding just alittle for the extra lines.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Well if you did a repair, say on the compressor or solenoid valves you could go ahead and braze a 1/8" access valve onto the liquid line inside under the outdoor unit cover. The unit also has an accumulator and the last time I talked to a Mitsubishi tech they said it was normal to have 0-5 degrees of superheat while running on full emergency cool on all indoor units. My question was isn't that going to damage the compressor if you don't have superheat? The tech on the phone said that they are safe even when running at 0 superheat because of their accumulator. We know accumulators have their own metering device so at least it is at saturated state but mainly vapor. To be extra safe you could braze an access fitting right in the side of the liquid line under the cover. Remember that they design these specifically so that people don't try to charge them in subcooling. They also design them to have flares so that the torch doesn't touch the lines. The problem is not the torch but that many are not running the nitrogen through and the manufacturers don't want the blame of all that oxidation clogging things up. Most of the refrigerant from a system that says you can have up to 125' of lineset when you only have 30' is just sitting in that accumulator so technically it would have to go there before going to the compressor. To be sure, check with the manufacturer themselves at tech support to be sure of their recommended procedure. Thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

If you want to support the ACSERVICETECH Channel and receive more HVAC Content, Correspond, or Collaborate on your endeavors- check out www.Patreon.com/acservicetech All of the ACSERVICETECH Playlists- kzbin.info/door/OZR-1IqsAer9wzlvFgb4mAplaylists?view_as=public Submit your email to the ACSERVICETECH email updates list at [e-mail]

[@acservicetechchannel]

Check out other videos on the HVACR topics of interest at- kzbin.info/door/OZR-1IqsAer9wzlvFgb4mAplaylists?view_as=public