Central Air Unit on the fritz.

[arbilab]

Stealing freon (22) is a pretty elegant crime. Can't remove more than half of it without either the system operating or an external compressor. Doesn't sound like teenagers, sounds like pirates. $220 charge sounds like R22 alright. The price is strictly a gov-regulation gouge. R22 is 1/20th as 'bad' as R12 but at exactly the same time R12 became contraband R22 tentupled in price.

 

[tolivac]

A NEW problem for AC owners-someone draining the system and "huffing" the refrigerant for a weird "high".R22 is now one of the more common refrigerants these days-the chillers at the place I work at use it-Oh boy if those huffers found this site-they would have a huffing party!Both of our 150 ton capacity units use the R22.Another thing a good tech will do in checking your unit-is measure the current draw of the compressor when the unit is operating.Abnormal current draws alert the tech if something is wrong without opening the system.If the system was drained surprized it would start.I hope the huffers realize or know--they may be huffing compressor lubricant along with the refrigerant-the lube will do wonders to your lungs!Wouldn't try it!

 

[arbilab]

Freon is not really an intoxicant, it's an asphyxiant. They'd do just as well with CO2 cartridges from a pellet gun and much better with nitrous oxide whipcream cartridges.

 

[tolivac]

CO2 is an asphxyant,too and the air gun CO2 cartridges contain a lubicant in vapor form in the cartridge to lube the gun when its fired.Air gun propellant cartridges should NEVER be used for inhaling or food use!Its even marked on their packages.Used to have a CO2 powered pelletgun-but they became as expensive to shoot as a .22.and for the nitrous oxide-guess you have to breathe the whipped cream,too-Bet dentists have to keep an eye on their nitrous oxide supply tanks.and breathing lubricants in vapors-they will asphyxiate you becuase they coat your lungs-air can't get thru.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I have a beautiful whip cream maker that uses the nitrous cartridges. It looks like those soda/seltzer makers except is gobular in shape. You put the cream in, seal the container and then give it gas. I could never figure out how to really clean it without using another cartridge for washing and one for rinsing. Because of the abuse of the gas, it was difficult to buy the carridges long ago. I don't know about now. I requested nitrous twice for dental procedures and it's really a nice feeling.

Refrigerant theft is such a problem that there are locking caps for the valves, like the locking nuts for lug nuts on wheels, but then someone might destroy the tube/coil to get it.

 

[tolivac]

Around my way-theft of ENTIRE HVAC condensor units is a problem-for the copper.churches for some reason get hit most-guess its becuase they are unattended most of the time.

 

[arbilab]

Not trying to give anyone nefarious ideas. Didn't know about the oil. Make that 'seltzer cartridges' then. Or just hold your breath, same thing happens.

 

[autowasherfreak]

<a name="start_34467.517150">Another thing a good tech will do in checking your unit-is measure the current draw of the compressor when the unit is operating.</a>

 

 

He is going to come back and do this, but he said that it has to be at least 72 deg. or warmer outside and the unit has to be running as well.  It hasn't been hot enough to really need it on yet.

 

[appnut]

that it has to be at least 72 deg. or warmer outside

That is very true.  Whenever I want preventive maintenance on mine, I have to wait until May so that I know the mornings won't be too "chilly". 

 

[filterflo58]

i just make sure that if it needs refrigerant that they add the CORRECT amount..if overloaded..wont work at all..and its another service call(free of charge to you since their error) but another day of shvitzing...

 

[autowasherfreak]

It's been running and doing an excellent job of cooing since yesterday afternoon.

 

 

[arbilab]

""they add the CORRECT amount..if overloaded..""

Oy, I had them do that to me once. I'd been measuring outlet temp and it went UP. That can't be right. They argued with me, wanted to charge to come back out. Landlady had paid for it, I told her what I knew, she set them straight and never used them again.

Seems some systems have a range but this was a very old 'capillary' unit and it was NOT happy overcharged.