I have a Dixie Narco soda machine that stopped cooling. I removed the refrigeration unit and the fans and compressor seem to be working good. The evaporation radiator barely gets cold. Can this be because of low freon? Is it worth the trouble to add more freon? How much does it cost to add freon? Can the freon cans from Pep Boys be used? This refrigeration unit has two recepticles that look like tire air inlets. Is this where I can add freon? Can I do this myself, or can only a pro do this job? How much will it cost to add freon? I found someone who will sell me a used working refrigeration unit for $175. Is this used unit worth it or should I pay someone to refill the old unit with freon? Who can do this service, an air conditioning repair guy?
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Frank Hamann
Orange, CA
Can a Refrigeration Unit be Recharged with Freon?
#1
Posted 14 August 2008 - 02:27 PM
#2
Posted 14 August 2008 - 05:23 PM
#3
Posted 14 August 2008 - 06:08 PM
#4
Posted 26 August 2008 - 09:16 AM
I have a Dixie Narco soda machine that stopped cooling. I removed the refrigeration unit and the fans and compressor seem to be working good. The evaporation radiator barely gets cold. Can this be because of low freon? Is it worth the trouble to add more freon? How much does it cost to add freon? Can the freon cans from Pep Boys be used? This refrigeration unit has two recepticles that look like tire air inlets. Is this where I can add freon? Can I do this myself, or can only a pro do this job? How much will it cost to add freon? I found someone who will sell me a used working refrigeration unit for $175. Is this used unit worth it or should I pay someone to refill the old unit with freon? Who can do this service, an air conditioning repair guy?
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Frank Hamann
Orange, CA
You are starting to dabble in the EPA Clean Air Act. You are risking an EPA fine of $20,000 per incident. You need to repair your freon leak before refilling your refrigeration unit with freon. No one will fill it without checking for leaks first. You can do it yourself if you have the EPA CFC Certification. The course is a take home class. I got my Universal cerification while in the military, but I believe it is also a take at home test. Once you get it, it is good for life. Keep your materials though. If you don't fill up refrigeration units often you will forget what you know. You don't want to ruin your machines.
Since I am certified (been a long time though) I would check for leaks, repair what needed repaired and then refill the unit. You will need a kit with gauges on it and need to reference your owner's manual to see how much pressure you will need to build up with your freon. Your resevoir should have it posted on a sticker as well. In cars you can take it slow and check the temperature coming out of the AC to see if you have enough freon in it, you can't do that in vending machines and it's not a great method. You will need the hoses with the guages on it. They aren't too terribly expensive. I hope this helps.