Can a chiller be recharged?

[scott711]

Is this possible to do? If so, who would do it?

[Brian Ward]

it should be just like charging a car or home A/C system. it'll mostly depend on what kind of refrigerant is used to determine who will do it.

[scott711]

I believe it uses R134. Can I take it to an AC place to take a look at it?

[Brian Ward]

I believe it uses R134. Can I take it to an AC place to take a look at it?

 

Be sure it has the little black caps covering little valves along the copper lines to hook the gauges to. Also, you can look for a bubble glass - it'll be along the copper lines, if you can see bubbles running through it when the compressor is on, then you need a charge.

 

Without the valves, charging probably isn't possible. But yes, I'd take it to an A/C place to take a look.

[trockafella]

I certainly dont know everything, but I work in the automotive business, and when a car has a/c issues due to lack a refrigerant, u cant just recharge it. Refrigerant doesnt jusy wear out. It will never wear out, only leak out.. So recharging may make it work temporarily but it isnt a fix.. i dont know if chillersare the same way, but thats just my .02..

[Brian Ward]

I certainly dont know everything, but I work in the automotive business, and when a car has a/c issues due to lack a refrigerant, u cant just recharge it. Refrigerant doesnt jusy wear out. It will never wear out, only leak out.. So recharging may make it work temporarily but it isnt a fix.. i dont know if chillersare the same way, but thats just my .02..

 

Yes, this is true. It has to go somewhere. My understanding is that it can leak out through the seals in the compressor (usually because they've worn out for some reason) or through a hole somewhere in the system. The tech should check to see if the compressor can pull a vacuum - if so, it indicates that the leak isn't too big so a charge would be useful - basically it isn't leaking badly enough that you MUST replace it, it's just going to require periodic charging.

[scott711]

When I find a place, I would make sure it is tested for leaks as I read that the coolant wouldn't wear out it would only leak. My chiller is keeping the water somewhat cool, but running quite a lot.

[flowerseller]

Why do you think it needs refrigerant?

If it's because the compressor does not fire up, it may need it or it may mean something else just as simple, like a relay.

 

I just had my 15yld aquanetics chiller recharged for the first time this spring. Actually, it's the first service it's ever needed.

It needed a control relay. I had the guy that fixes my floral coolers look at it for me and that's what he found.

Mine used the old refigerant, which he still had some, but it did not need much.

[Brian Ward]

When I find a place, I would make sure it is tested for leaks as I read that the coolant wouldn't wear out it would only leak. My chiller is keeping the water somewhat cool, but running quite a lot.

 

Sounds like you need a charge. That won't fix the leak, but if it's holding a vacuum you should get several years of use out of a charge. If you have him trace the leak, it can be repaired - but usually that means replacing the compressor. In which case, you might as well replace the whole thing.

[zygote2k]

I used to do HVAC back in the days of R-12. As long as your chiller has service ports, you can recharge it. If your chiller runs for a long time and doesn't cool the water, it may be something as simple as cleaning the evaporator coil. Take the cover off and examine the fins of the coil (looks like a radiator). If they are filled with debris, you can use a coil brush and a solvent called coil cleaner to remove the debris. Compressed air works too. Be careful not to bend the fins on the coil. If this still doesn't do the trick, you might need a recharge and/or a compressor.