6 replies to this topic

[heatpa1]

Hi fellas/ladies,

 

I have a small issue with my behemoth Dixie Narco soda (beer) dispensing machine.  The coil is freezing.  The compressor kicks on and off fine, either with the thermostat knob being turned up/down on/off OR as it cycles.  However, here in PA, we have this brat called "humidity".  In the last few humid days, my machine, which is in my garage, has been leaking melted ice from around the coil unit.  This beast holds hostage my 300 some odd cans of varied beer.  It seems it is still cold, however, I know this is not normal to have that much ice (or any) on the coil.   The fan still works, and blew air in my face the whole time I was cleaning things up. I am nearly 100% certain this early 90's machine uses R-12.  No big deal for the right repair man.  My question is for those who may have been down this road:  repair the unit OR replace the coil and compressor.  I see I can buy them easily already charged and ready to go.  Just asking general opinions.  I have done my own repairs to this gem in the past ( motors/broken selectors/bill validator, etc) and I think I could replace the refrig unit with some doing, but is it worth my time?  Or do any of you think recharging would be cheaper?  I know at one time R-12 was similar to gold. 

[AZVendor]

You first need to see if you have air leaks into the cabinet.  Make sure the delivery door closes and isn't broken, that the lower edge of rubber is not torn loose on the inner door, that the cabinet drains properly and that the door closes snug without remaining loose due to a bad T-handle.  If all those are good then you need to recharge the compressor.  Don't try this yourself and you don't know what gas is in it so don't make any assumptions.  Have a qualified small appliance or vending repairman recharge it for you.

[heatpa1]

It is sealed well.  T handle is new. Well, less than 3 years old, and threads easily and snugs right up.  I checked all of the seals last evening again and I cannot find  any tears or dry rot/cracks.  Delivery door closes good and tight also.  All cabinet sides are intact as well as no excess dirt blocking air flow.  Tag says R12.   I guess the question I have is would you replace the compressor/coil unit or recharge it?  

[heatpa1]

Considering costs.  I have never had to have anything recharged so I am not even trying to guess what it would cost.  Also, thank you for replying and giving me your time! Further inspection as far as model goes, it is a 1993 model, second quarter production model 440. 

[AZVendor]

The cost to recharge one isn't exhorbitant as long as the cooling unit is functioning properly otherwise.  I charge $65 labor and $20 for freon and $10 for a line tap if needed. 

[heatpa1]

Thanks for the ballpark info!  I understand each person/service place is different, but that at least gets me an idea.  Seems much more cost effective to do that than to replace the cooling unit. This machine is in really good shape, and I got a great deal on it.  So, naturally, I would like to keep it going.  I took everything out of it last night and defrosted it, dried it for a few hours with a fan on it.  Gave it a good cleaning (because it needed it AND if I have to have someone work on it, I am sure they prefer it to me clean.  Cleaned the fiberglass fins in the drip tray too. I did locate the tag on the cooling unit that says it takes 8.5 oz of R12.   Interestingly, when it was dry and I turned it back on, first checking to make sure the upper and lower fans were on, the lines were extremely cold in less than 1 minute.  We are experiencing extreme humidity in PA at the moment, upwards of 90% (sucks). So, when I get home today, I will recheck it as I fill it with the rest of the sweat-free cans I put in my fridge. I noticed one other thing:  the ice bot times was only  on the upper 1/3rd of the deck and only in the front of the deck (facing the front of the machine) and only on the supply side of the  lines, not the return.  

[AZVendor]

If the accumulator (large vertical bulb in front of the evaporator) gets ice cold then you have bad valves in the compressor.  You should also never have frost on either line in or out of the evaporator inside the cabinet other than the first two inches of 1/4" tube entering the top corner.  That tube is the beginning of the evaporator tubing where the liquid freon expands to a gas and is the only normal place to see frost.  The frost on the top 1/3 of the evaporator could easily just be from your high humidity.  Did you ever have a thermometer in the machine.  38-42 degrees is normal.