How to Install a Service Port on Sealed Air Conditioning Systems: Step-by-Step Guide
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- www.handymanpf.com
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Installing a Bullet Piercing Valve
In this video, I show you how to install a service port on a closed air conditioner unit using a bullet piercing valve. Bullet piercing valves are essential tools for adding access ports to sealed refrigeration and air conditioning systems. These valves are perfect for refrigerators and home AC units that are sealed off from the factory. They allow you to tap into the refrigerant lines without the need for welding or brazing.
Why Use a Bullet Piercing Valve?
Easy Installation: They can be installed quickly without special tools.
Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of applications, including refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners.
Reliability: Provides a secure and leak-free connection.
Installation Tips:
Ensure you install the valve on the low side (suction side) of the system.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper installation.
Use appropriate safety gear and precautions.
I perform this task on an old R22 RV rooftop AC unit, demonstrating step-by-step instructions to help you complete the installation with confidence.
If you need items to perform this task, you can find them here:
If you need items to perform this task you can find them here amzn.to/2aik2mu for the basic and simple 134a or you can get the gauges, 30lb tank and valve here
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Check them out, It will give you a great idea on what to get or add to your wish list.
Important Safety Disclaimer
Please read all instructions carefully before attempting any installation or repair. This video serves as a tutorial showcasing my personal methods. If you decide to perform this task yourself, you do so at your own risk. I am not liable for any damages or injuries that may occur. If you are not confident in your ability to complete this task, it is highly recommended to hire a professional. This disclaimer is necessary due to the litigious nature of today's society.
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue making videos like this. Thank you for your support!
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I show you how to install a service port on a closed air conditioner unit. You can use these bullet piercing valves on refrigerators and home ac units that are sealed off from the factory. You wanna make sure you install it on the low side Suction side. I perform this task on an old r22 rv roof top ac unit.
If you need items to perform this task you can find them here amzn.to/2aik2mu for the basic and simple 134a or you can get the gauges, 30lb tank and valve here
30lb tank amzn.to/29VSBv3
gauges amzn.to/2aiksti
valve amzn.to/2a8flLH
tank adapter for the gauge hose amzn.to/2a5JV5R
Check them out, It will give you a great idea on what to get or add to your wish list.
Warning read all instructions before installation. This video is just a tutorial on how i do things. If you attempt to do this service on your own, I assume no liability. If you do not feel comfortable doing this task than you should seek a professional to perform this task. I have to write this because of the sue happy world we live in today.
how to identify the low side or the suction side of the compressor
How many pounds do you use an out ? One pound ? Thanks
handy man great video on bullet valve install. I was hoping you were going to show what brand/type etc. Freon you would use
handy man
handy man how to install a everstar piercing value
You just saved me $600 bucks in having to buy a new rv AC. Thank you
Glad I could help. Thanks for the comment.
Justin Wilson did it work ?
Is it still working out for ya?
So did you follow all the steps here and it worked fine?
Happy to know that the piercing valves are available, I did not know they existed, thanks for the nice video
Thanks for watching and commenting. It's very much appreciated.
I hear Amazon had them....a little late now, but hope they still carry them,,,,,one, for me.!
Go to my Handymanpf website in the description above. Click on The home repair tab and below the video on my site you will see where to buy the part. I hope this helps you out. Thanks for watching.
I like the man who is filming clearly
Best show of this process
Thank you. Your comment is very much appreciated. Please like share and subscribe. Thanks for watching
Aside from the difficulty of determining which of the two pipes to pierce, this went really well. I wish you didn't have to use an entire can of coolant, though. It turned out that our AC was only down a little bit -- maybe a quarter to a third of a can -- but because there is no valve on the can, you use an entire can of the very expensive and soon-to-be-impossible-to-obtain R22 coolant.
I purchased 2 danby A/C one was 8000btu the other a 7000btu the reason my then apartment is designed like the letter L if this makes sense. I placed one in the rear of the apt. and the second in the front of the apartment, Gosh it was COLD in my place ( hehe ) had these two guys for over 22 years and zero problem. worked great.
now I moved in to a multi-floor condo and thought it was a great idea to purchase a single 12000btu to service the main floor, the lower level was always cool so one A/C would be fine, I purchased the same brand ac because they both work great for 22 years.
Now I have this Danby 12000BTU DAC120EB4GDB
Purchased in May 2015
worked like a charm the first year, our weather here is hot for like 4 months so lets say the AC worked for 4 months, then placed on the floor till June 2016.
We froze for about a month, darn thing really blew freezing cold air, And I loved it.
Then we came into some really hot weather, 40C and we were sweating bullets.
The AC blew cool - not cold air - but cool air
The fan works fine
the compressor kicks in and off
but no C O L D air - only cool at best
I called Danby and they told me my warranty expired in May 2016 as it carries a 1 year warranty. Funny how they timed it huh.
So now here we are sweating like pigs, my 450.00$ investment gone.
I am thinking there is a Freon leak, which I have no idea were it is.
So if i was to recharge my AC with freon chances are, it will spew out, I would first have to locate the leak, block the leak, then refill it / recharge it.
Why don;t these A/C makers put a service port?
( so they make money when we are forced to buy a Bullet thing a ma juggie )
Danby has lost me as a client forever
I can only suggest you all do the same, maybe they will get the hint.
Maybe someone at Danby has his necktie too tight, ya think?
New air cons are junk! Try to get an old unit, from the late 90's or older.
So true brother I am 58 and we had stuff that lasted years. Which is why these new companies sell stuff that will last a week after the warranty expires. Is all about the money brother. . All about the money!
Yup, just look by the side of the road or at a scrap yard. You will find a good unit! EQKs (Emerson Quiet Kools) are some of the best from before 92. You can tell them apart by their aluminum chassis. Other good units are the following and are not limited to Philco Fords (noiseless units are great - but, very, very rare), GE (from before '90), Fedders, GM Frigidaire, most WCI built units, Gibson ETC.
Thank you for the compliment, I am glad it helped out. I wish you great luck in your career venture. Thanks for watching.
Why would I use this? Here is why. I bought a used, portable, 12000, btu, AC system (amcor?) about 5 years ago for $50. It ran great until last year when the compressor would switch on/off. This year it won't switch on at all due to low refrigerant (R-22). I bought the r-22 and hose ($25) to repair, only to find out afterwards that there is no port. No mention of this in the manual or unit. A new unit is about $400. I challenge anyone to find an AC service tech to repair this for less than the cost of a new unit, or at least close. Even if you do, it would still cost more than this 5 year old unit is worth. At the same time, the new units are made with lower quality components. So, is it woth the small investment to give it a shot? YOU BET! It's better than sending it to the landfill, right?
I am all for supporting union workers. But, at some point, you must be realistic. Calling an AC tech to repair a $50 unit is completely F'in retarded.
I think you only read the 1st line of my comment :(
+kuei12 yeah, that happens a lot. Not reading the whole comment before replying. But I agree with you. That guy was giving bad advice. I removed his comment. I don't want anyone getting hurt from bad advice. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like, share, and subscribe.
Hahahah you are so right about $50 dollars is completely fuking retarded . Those AC tech are way over price.
Where did you buy R-22 (with a hose) for $25 in 2016??????!!!!!!!! I call BS! (unless you meant r134a)
Just pulled a roof ac from the auto yard. Tested it and it blows cool, but not cold. Like you said, older and better built, made in the USA, saved $500 compared to a new 13,500btu unit.
Just ordered one of these to recharge it!
Awesome! I'm getting ready to try and repair a Haier Kegerator that had the evaporator break. Mainly I was trying to figure out how the hell to fill it once I was able to braise the new evaporator in! This looks easy! Hopefully I can carry the kegerator to someone licensed to charge it once I get this port installed.
SuMeRbOaRd Glad it helped, and thanks for watching and the comment. Please like , share and subscribe.
You can use the new cans of refridgerant from walmart 12 ounce can with the gauge to fill it without a license
Thank you very much for this video, best explanation about this valve, its fun to read all the haters that refer to this as "privileged info" like it is about nuclear device assembly or something...
Thanks for commenting and watching. I'm glad you liked it. Please like, share, and subscribe.
Perpetual cash cow. 🤫
The last time a "professional" successfully repaired an AC for me was 1977 on my 66 Galaxy hotrod. An old man that ran the gas station hooked a can of r12 to it and we had a couple shots of Kesslers from the pint he carried in his toolbox while it some how went in. Worked great for several years til I sold the car. Since then I 've had a dozen episodes of "trained technicians" with their fancy cart and gauges and recovery systems work on ACs and the only thing they ever accomplished was drain my bank account and get my hopes up.Compressors, evaporators, condensers, driers, high side, low side, r12, r22, r134 etc etc. One would think with all this vast training and equipment that one of these "experts" would have successfully repaired my AC unit. Nope. Not once. Nada. Zilch. For a little while, maybe a couple weeks at best. The mystical art of AC repair may as well be alongside tarot cards and reading chicken bones. Sure, there must be competent techs out there. I just have never dealt with one except for drunken Andy at the gas station 40 years ago. I have a Coleman Mach RV unit that I know damn well needs a charge of r22 and I am sure as hell going to do it myself. Might do it again in 3 years if I have to. Works fine, just blows 60 degree air when I want 45. The only reason these units are sealed is the (&%#@*#} EPA and the hippies who believe the hype they spew.
+Terry Bartak yeah, things have changed greatly.i hope everything works out. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like, share and subscribe.
I absolutely have to get me a set of chicken bones. Next time someone ask me what's wrong: I whip out the bones throw em on the ground and say "looks like your reverse osmosis frambulator is busted... that'll be $600.00 bucks".
Most likely the reason you need to recharge the system is that there is a leak someplace. A Competent Tech would shoot refrigerant and a dye in the system and tell you to come back in a week or two. Then they would look for the tell tale dye stains and at least you have a sot a fixing the leak. For an RV roof mount they generally are the second R (of repair or replace) as there is a higher profit in selling you a new unit AND charging labor to install it. By the way my RV roof airs use R-410A so check foirst before you shoot R-22 into the system.
You ever figure you could just accept the well-established fact that CFC's eat the ozone layer and take this reality with a grain of salt? A piercing kit can be as cheap as $3.50. I just bought one for that price.
Now, feel free to choose between that inconvenience and skin cancer for your whole family. Actually, you don't get to choose. We have informed authorities for a reason.
Christ, can we ever get someone who performs the slightest bit of mechanic work that ISN'T irrationally hateful towards scientific fact?
"The mystical art of AC repair may as well be alongside tarot cards and reading chicken bones." Lol. Beautiful prose, friend! And dead right on.
*We're very happy with the unit. Pretty Easy to instal **Fastly.Cool** too.*
I always add hvac and plumbers blue tru blu goop so it never leaks and it resists 1,200 heat and freezing temps
Are you referring to this stuff right here
amzn.to/39sOzyp
When you put the gas on, does the a / c have to be turned on or off? And the screw that pierces the copper leave it closed or open?
Good question.
I install it on the thicker line from the evaporator. That is your low side ( suction side) the thinner line is typically your high side. The evaporator is on the inside of the unit and the condenser is on the outside of the unit. I hope that helps.
Thanks for watching.
finally everything is here to get er done now..... just looking for that answer of yours... which side.. Thanks Much..
oh and someone told me that in order to setup the RV air to be recharged, would cost about as much as purchasing a new one... LWTF Tom/
I’ll be using these for a compressor replacement on a wall mounted, cooling only unit, that has a shorted windings. I need it because the existing system doesn’t have service ports.. I’ll use one to recover the refrigerant, then I’ll install a low side service port, and a high side service port.
Yep, I discovered these little guys and they help out a lot just for that reason. I rarely have a problem with them leaking if everything is cleaned and sealed properly. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like share and subscribe.
Glad I could help. Thanks for watching.
You, good sir, just gave me a huge smile knowing there's hope to fix my old RV AC! Now to source R22...?
Use the stuff you get for the car.
@@walterkersting6238 Which has been discontinued for over a decade and costs obscene amounts when you can find it...
@@aaron71 k
I put these on 2 different portable indoor AC units. The valves went on pretty easy and seemed to seal fine. However, using standard R-134a auto coolant did not work at all on either unit. I purchased a conversion kit to allow the cans to be attached, but had no luck whatsoever putting the coolant into the units. It is not worth the expense to have a licensed AC person service these units (since all you can buy without a license is the automotive R-134a)
You can buy any refrigerant you like on ebay. Check it out..
Ive read several comments about how these taps leak..so i will share a remedy for this with you.. i follow the same procedure as prescribed in this video..but i use a brass tap instead of aluminum..remove gasket material from tap body..sand/brush both curved sides of tap body..remove the piercing screw and o-ring..rub some soap or plumbers grease on a screw that matches the threads of the tap screw (i use a grade 8 allen head)..screw it into where the piercing screw goes until its flush with the inside of the tap..doing this gives you a good chance of keeping the solder out of the tap screw threads..brush some acid flux on the curved part of the tap body and a little where you scored the copper..install tap..do not completely tighten tap..use your mapp/acetylene torch preferably a tip for 1' or larger..you want to solder the tap to the copper quickly with as little heat soak as possible..best way is to concentrate most of the heat on the tap body..once soldered let cool about a minute..remove allen screw install o-ring and tap screw..
now i take a extra step..i clean the tap screw and threads in the tap housing with a non residue cleaner like brake cleaner..once its dry i use permatex ultra gray on the tap screw..run the screw in till it taps then back it out..once that gray dries you now have a leak proof permanent charge port without having to evacuate the system :)
the mood for this almost hit me.. very close, then, looking for which side to offend larger or smaller, finding that out, then your post, blew the mood to PC time on... wut now...… gonna read a couple of more times then I have the things needed.. and thanks for answering, was my next about leaking... Thanks..
ferrelx make a video for us dumbasses please. Too many questions that a video could easily answer. For some reason all I find is valve installation videos, show us one of the recharge process
well those brass valves cost 24 bucks a piece and the solder i use (staybright #8) costs 50 bucks a pound not that it requires much solder..the point is it costs money to do it and id need some one else to do the filming because i need both hands plus i need to have a unit that actually needs the procedure done..believe it or not i just bought a video filming kit and im going to start documenting my accumulated knowledge on a "per project basis" sealed HVAC units are a minority and last a long time and usually just get replaced when they fail in our neck of the woods..so its not a very common procedure..so a video might happen tomorrow or 2 years from now..sorry buddy :/
Just came
Across this video.. I will be trying soon. Thanks.
I am glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like share and subscribe
Did you make a video on how to add the refrigerant?
I will make a video on how to identify what kind of refrigerant an AC unit holds. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.
the common man does not have any access to R 410a, is there an alterative or a universal refrigerant if one cant find anything?
I saw people use duster in a can in their auto R12 system and it worked just fine.
Did you make a video on how to tell which kind you need? I have a Fleetwood travel trailer '02 with rooftop unit that i believe is ibelieve a Coleman mach unit and would like to try this to save my ac that doesn't blow cold anymore. Any additional advice also appreciated- thanks!:)
@@pclose9 I have a 4 year old HiSense 10000BTU AC Unit and it basically stopped cooling. I mostly used it to cool my bedroom at night so I could turn off the whole house system. You could hear the compressor kick in and everything so that wasn't the issue. I had recently bought 3 cans of R290 (Refrigerant Grade Propane) to recharge my R22 based, 5 Ton Home AC system and was really satisfied with the results, so I figured I'd recharge it with that, even though it was an R410a system. Only took 1 1/2 cans to get my home AC system working, so I used the other 1/2 can on the HiSense unit and not only did it work, but in the past the coldest I could ever get the room was 74F (it's a big room), now I can get it down to 72F. I bought a 3 can setup with the gauge on eBay for just 50 bucks... Here's the link... www.ebay.com/itm/290-R290-Enviro-Safe-R-290-Refrigerant-3-cans-gauge-kit-8006-R22-R-22/283453117217?hash=item41ff1f5321:g:MhAAAOSwisZctOVt
How do you know which line to install it on? Haven't seen one video yet on the subject.
Thanks for the reply! I figured it was probably the wrong oil, but i figured it was worth a shot just in case. I just threw them out (which I would have had to do anyway). It is irritating that they seal those systems at the factory.
thanks for this viedo :) I need to get into domestic refrigerators and have this in my shop and just finished hvac trade school so they didnt show us much on domestic repair thanks
Hello I have a 2016 Creekside 27 BHS travel trailer not blowing cold I'm going to try this method I really appreciate this video bro literally saved the summer only wants to know are they labeled low and high side to tap into?
The low side will be the larger diameter of the two.
I found a multi pack of the 12oz cans on amazon. I'll use the rest between me & the family.
In the manual it says how much.
Not true.
1. Most newer AC units use R410a refrigerant which they do not use in automotive applications, in which you can buy without a license.
2. Make sure you know what refrigerant is in your unit before you add any, most older units are R22 in which you do need a license to purchase. ( Mixing refrigerant harmful to the unit and also illegal) . They do sell a drop in replacement for r22 systems, but the whole system has to be evacuated and refilled with the new refrigerant.
Thank you 👍🏻
As a practical matter Piercing valves may or may not leak with time. That is why most folks say to braze on a valve. HVAC book from 50 years ago mention this. Even if one brazes on a leak proof valve there is often another leak because one is already low on freon. Thus a can of freon can be all gone in a year, a month or a week or a day!
That said sometimes the piercing units seal well and the once legal topping off of freon would last 5 to 10 years; and the dumb R22 15oz can was 1 to 1.5 bucks and the entire AC unit was 200 bucks . Yea R12 cans were 50 to 75 cents and one could power a BB machine gun and have fun.
Today with a window AC unit here with R22 no local service places will repair them thus often the units get replaced. Thus one adds a piercing valve and a tad of R22 and one tries to find the leak with a freon heated diode type sniffer, or worse the messy UV dye stuff. If the leak is an easy to get to spot a local shop might attempt a fix for a few hundred bucks of one tries to rebraze the poor joint. The real fact of the matter is with an old R22 Window unit here *all* the local HVAC folks would not even touch one after Katrina 10 years ago since they all were saturated. 15 years ago a few would work on them but the fix often only lasted a year. Thus here I place piercing valves on my R22 units after a leak to allow a tad of freon and N2 to be added so as to find the leak and see if the leak can be fixed, or the unit scrapped.
These Piercing valves have been around along time. They were patented in 1956, 1961, 1966 etc.
Patent 3198206 :
www.google.com/patents/US3198206
"This valve, or at least a part thereof, must be left in the line after the recharging operation has been completed in order to SEAL THE LINE. It, therefore, becomes important that the cost of the valve portion which becomes a part of the refrigeration line be kept as cheap as possible.
Of even more importance is the fact that the valve should present no opportunity for the introduction of metal chips or foreign matter between the sealing elements or into the closed refrigeration system which might prevent proper sealing and loss of the refrigerant or which might measurably increase wear on the sealed and lubricated bearing surfaces within the refrigeration system, the prevention of which would require the incorporation of a cumbersome straining device. "
To add a brazed on valve PROPERLY is not so quick and easy. The entire freon has to be removed and one has to blow dry Nitrogen through the pipes so the brazing process does not oxidize the insides of the copper freon lines. Then one has to pull a vacuum and add back the proper amount of freon.
Piercing valves doe sometimes leak thus all that expensive freon gets leaked out and the repair was thus short lived and wastefull
Thus even if one has an EPA license like me the piercing valve can still leak. In a possible repair many of us use a piercing valve to find a leak, then the leak gets fixes then we add a brazed on valve. There is no reason to waste labor on unit that might be scrapped.
***** All systems leak. The Legal, EPA and HVAC ethical key is the leak rate in ( oz /year) compared to the required full charge in (oz or Lbs) . The leak can be out of a valve core that is easy to find, or a tiny fault in braze, or a flaw in a copper tube.
It can be a collection of tiny less than 1/10 ounce per year leaks in the other guys brazing, or the factory brazing on the evaporator or condenser coil 180 degree end pieces.
Thus one sniffs with a great Mars GE H10 leak detector that can catch 1/10 oz per year leaks and one finds none.
A window AC unit here that uses R22 would be 7 to 14 oz low and take a decade plus before any more was required. It turned out to be many tiny leaks on one side of the evaporator, not any one would trigger a leak detector. It just took the unit to be eons old before the leak area could be found and fixed properly
In a car where the compressor's shaft seal is NOT enclosed the leak can be just the vehicle is not used much at all. When the AC unit is used once a month the seal stays in better shape and thus the leak rate in tiny.
Your phrase of "So let it leak and just add more refrigerant with time" is a loaded one.
Freon is very expensive. With real ethical legal EPA rules few folks blindly add Freon to a leaky system anymore. The key is why is the system low? It might be tthe other HVAC guy did not know what they were doing! It fact it is real common to find systems that are *overcharged* today when another thinks "more refrigerant / freon is better" .
Blindly adding freon (R12/ R22) to a leaky system was common in the pre EPA days with cars and small AC units. The car/ home owner could buy a do it yourself system for R12 and R22 anywhere. It was more common when a can of R12 was 50 cents, but in that era the comic books had BB machine guns powered by R12 cans. Air Horns for boats and games where powered by a R12 can, plus the cans were used to inflate rafts a the beach too. From a slimy used car guys iron lot that 500 buck used Pinto in 1976 would have cool AC air for 1 to 2 cans for R12 for 50 cents, about equal to 1 to 2 gallons of gasoline then. Then the Pinto could fetch a few hundred more since the AC now worked.
As a rule a clamp on line tap is only a temporary thing as like you mentioned there is a leak and that's why we need to tap it to recharge. So as I used to find that the unit is usually an older item nearing its life expectancy and would usually die of some other problem before the tap would leak. Like the leak getting worse or other issues. And also as a rule an older unit that no longer justifies the cost of the process of installing a braze in tap let alone repairing the leak. Which then we should always install a new filter drier.
Thus
It's just a matter of weighing up the situation and cost. I top up my Amana side-by-side (via a bullet-piercing valve) with a little R134a, every year or two, so a $10 can will last several years. It saves me having to buy another appliance or the expense of having a very slow leak fixed.
Thank you for sharing this! Game changer.
Love it straight to it
Thank you very much. I’m glad you found it useful. I greatly appreciate your comment. Please like share and subscribe
This is an interesting video. I was reading some of the comments, and noted that it seems that those with an interest in maintaining the status quot of keeping the common man in the dark about this are all advising that only professionals be allowed to work on any of these H VAC systems. The manufacturers are all labeling their units with that same advice. And then I see that at least one guy posting comments here is saying the coolants used are restricted? And why then do they sell those coolants in the auto parts and department stores pray tell if that is true? The answer is, and I asked H VAC professionals about this, the only restricted coolant is the one(s) that have Freon in them. So that guy that calls himself a professional and says he teaches this is either lying, or extremely misinformed!
My reason for checking this video out is because like most folks in this country, my family cannot afford the extremely high cost of hiring a professional to do a job that may or may not be a quality one.
I've seen guys in the profession do intentional shoddy work, so they could keep getting the call back to do more shoddy work. Those guys were rip off artists, running a con on unsuspecting customers. I'm not saying all H VAC professionals are like that, but enough of them are to warrant caution, and to make necessary the DIY way of doing things. If they want to keep the profession working, then they certainly need to police their ranks, and cull out the bad apples among them. Even then they do not have the right to say DO-It-Yourselfers should leave it to them. They all practically charge high enough prices to break the bank accounts of most folks. I could name other professions where this is true as well, and the thing is, these guys are not doing anything that is really hard to learn, unless they are building the units themselves, and in most cases they aren't.
As I said, not all professionals are con artists. I have several of them as friends, and here is what they have told me:
Yes they want to make the money, but they realize most cannot pay their price. If someone is competent enough to learn and know what they are doing, professionally or not, they say it is a good way to save money. They also say that in their experience, most of what they learn about any given problem unit is nothing more than an maintenance issue that any person of average intelligence can easily learn to do, including pressure checks, and recharging a system. I was told by other professionals that a closed system could not be recharged or pressure checked, yet I learned today that one only needs to install a good valve or two to make such systems work like open ones, allowing such checks and recharges. And this can be done by the average joe in a way that actually works well!
Thank you handy man!
+L. Cleveland Major thank you very much for this comment. I greatly appreciate it. Thanks for watching.
R22 is illegal to buy without a license and is illegal to purge into the atmosphere because of its greenhouse effects (in the US).
There are, however, a lot of drop in replacements for R22 that are *not* illegal to buy or purge. I ended up using R414A, which was about half the price of R22. I don't know if I would trust "topping off" an air conditioner with R22 already in it, but the documentation says it *is* mixable.
Fortunately, the professional jackasses who serviced the AC unit last didn't tighten the caps and there was pretty much no coolant left anyway. Its a 30 year old AC unit and now it works fine.
Danny L. Say anything to scare off Do It Yourselfers, eh? Thing is I do my research and find the truth. Yes I know about the importance of not purging into the atmosphere. Thing is whan system has no refrigerant left in it, where do you think it went? Into the atmosphere! Leaky systems are all over this country, and it is mostly due to professionals not doing a good job. Are you one of those? Advocating for environmental protection and then doing shoddy work to ensure call backs, is why the Ozone is so badly affected. Also Freon is banned in the U.S. now, so if you are using it, you are breaking the law. And about your statement about electricity: What make you think I'm not smart enough to know that already? I actually worked with electricians for several years, even on high voltage systems. I've been right next to a highvoltage transformer when it blew! Not anything I would want to experience again, although I have experience it several times. It sounds like a bomb going off. So yes I know the danger of electricity. Your statement about it was obviously designed as a scare tactic. Give it up man, I am not your average Joe, as I always research everything I decide to do, and I always find what I need to know, including all the environmental impacts, and the safety issues. I'm not someone you can easily fool.
You can buy any refrigerant you would like on eBay. With Freon or not. Don't ask an HV AC Tech as they do not want give away any trade secrets that might take away from their income. You can buy anything you want on eBay. They do not ask for a license of any sort. However R22 and freons are expensive because they are weaning them out
Does it matter where you place the valve on the copper tube
Awesome video, one of a kind. Both my roof top AC units, on my 1978 GMC Royale, have gone down, blows cold for a while then warm. Question: Are new coolants going to be comparable with my old units? Thanks for taking the time to share. Greatly appreciated.
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You can use the new refridgerants in the small can from walmart 12 ounce can is enough to fill the compressor with the handy gauge you can also by the adaptors to
I have 3 lines coming out of the compressor plus a high and low service stub. Problem is there's no instruction on which line is which to attach the service port to since they are not marked. low side or high? I use the low in my car. And how do you identify the low side? Warm line? Cool line? Or does it make any difference?
Lots of confused comments on here! He does not actually show you filling the valve with Freon, but modern fridges and vehicles both use R134a, which anyone can buy online or from an automotive store. R134a is the only Freon that does not require a license to buy or use.
The bullet-piercing valve (aka saddle-valve, aka line-tap) has an R12/R22 port, but you don't actually use R22 Freon! You buy a cheap hose and gauge and a can of R134a, then you top up the level so the pressure reads somewhere between 2 and 5psi. You can buy a cheap R12/R22 to R134a adapter, then your fridge will have the same low-side port connection as your motor vehicle.
But you cannot mix refrigerants what so ever. Make sure you have the right refrigerant. It is not called Freon anymore, but some people still refer to it as so. It is called refrigerant. You are absolutely right about the adapter kits.
@@handymanPF Totally agree! All modern fridges and vehicles use R134a, so just topping up with R134a is not a problem.
Also agree ... "Freon" is not technically correct, but it just simplifies peoples understanding of the process, plus manufacturers still mis-label R134a, such as here ...
www.amazon.com/DuPont-R134a-Automobile-Refrigerant-Freon/dp/B00WXQBUQ2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=HZSG4KJFJ8YA&keywords=chemours+r-134a&qid=1558831677&s=gateway&sprefix=chemours%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-5
Thank you for loading up this video. Maine question where can I buy that kit my motorhome is a 1969 both of the units work but no no cold AC
Thanks for the Video, I like the Music
Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate your comment. Please like share and subscribe and also please hit the notification tab
Great music on intro...
Thank you.
Question? Can I use the kits like you get at Auto Zone that are made for automotive, to recharge my window unit? It would be much cheaper than buying all the gauges etc, just to recharge a window AC unit, where as the auto Zone kit is about $20. Great video,,
there's any way of distinguish the low compression line from the hi compression one? to make sure I pierce the right line
Dr JRon low compression is a bit larger in diameter. It will feel cold out of your evaporator to compressor. Your compressor should have a high pressure out to the condenser. Should be significantly warmer to the touch.
I may have missed it but it appears you have determined the top line on the compressor is the suction line and that's why you're installing the valve on that line. Is that correct?
I was wondering the same thing, you have to determine which is the high pressure side and low pressure side which wasn't explained in the video
There is always one of you judgmental, ignorant guys out there. Do you know when you swear in a conversation shows your ignorance, so you are just making yourself look bad. Regardless I ll humor you. Yes, I did it all by myself. Also if you read the title, it is a sealed system, meaning they filled it up at the factory and pinched it off, thus leaving no services port so people like you throw the system away and buy a new one. Thanks for watching, you angry person.
How do you determine the low suction side? No one seems to explain this one important step. Will the pipe be labeled "Low suction side" or something similar?
For a standard AC, not a heat pump, If the unit has some refrigerant left in the system and is still cooling a little. it will be the larger, cool or cold to the touch line sometimes sweating. The high side is a smaller size and will be warm to hot and not sweating.
Really happy to see how to install a bullet valve to charge my RV AC. What adapters/connectors I would need (I do have an automotive charge gauge) to add 410 coolant? Thank you in advance for your help.
You need the reducer adaptor from walmart and one can can fill the compressor
How do you know which tube to pierce? And did you say you used a wire brush and break cleaner?
This is as smart as it looks. I just did this...but ran into a problem. The service port is threaded 100% of the way. Ports on cars and auto A/C recharge kits have a snap on connection, not threaded. Is there an AC charge setup with a threaded connection...not the snap on ?
I have the same question. I can't find any charging connectors that fit the threaded service port.
Edit: Besides, even if you install one, you can remove it later & install a proper service port. IMO, it's better then letting it vent into the air.
nice and simple
Thank you very much. Please like share and subscribe.
Really does this work and for how long
If done properly, it can last a very long time.
how do you no wich line to put it on?
With charging any hvac there is safety issues. First of all you must determine the proper side of the system to recharge. Most systems use the LOW or SUCTION side. This is
usually the larger size of tube.
Also, those type of valves do tend to leak over time so the brazing or soldering type
are the best.
I did HVAC for a few years and had numerous training courses. I would suggest
to get training or help for this type of project. Of course I know there are the super
DIYers out there that this project would be easy.
Remember these systems could have pressure still in them and also the
Refrigerants pose risks when vented. (which is Illegal) EPA fines are very stiff.
Just my thoughts.
Ed
Who is going to be watching you if some refrigerant leaks out?! You people are so caught up in needing a specialist for everything. All the info u need is available online. do you think they really remove all of the refrigerants from the old junker cars that grind up?
Not with the new refridgerants from walmart one 12ounce can is enough to fill without a license and it makes the old r12 inert when mixed with new fridgerant
Those valves will last forever if you do them correctly. What kind of nonsense are you spreading.
I've seen new lubricants/sealants on the market that behave as a lubricant when mixed with refrigerant but turn crystallin when exposed to outside atmosphere. It's not the atmosphere that causes the change but the sudden change of pressure in a leak. They're designed to seal small leaks that form over time. They'd probably do well to seal up any leak from one of these connectors.
thats the problems nowadays everyone wants an arm and a leg to work on something....thats why theres people all over doing work on stuff themselves
My RV Roof AC was purchased about 4 years ago. Is it going to be R22 or R134?
Also is recharging this type of unit something that I should attempt? I have recharged automobile units before.
Also is it necessary to put a vacuum on the system before recharging?
Thanks for watching. As for the refrigerant type in your unit, there should be a label with what type of refrigerant is it. As for putting a vacuum on the system, that all depends on the repair that is being done. Personally, I do not vacuum the system to fill it back up to its operating pressures as per my gauges, I usually put a vacuum on if I am replacing a part or line. You can find refrigerant pressure charts anywhere on the net. Note: There are different type of manifold gauges for different types of refrigerants.***This goes to anyone reading this.I make these videos to show you how I go about performing these procedures,**** I hope this helps.
Why don't you check the owner's manual or lift the cover off of the unit and check the surface plate and it will tell you.
What he doesn't tell you is that those piercing valves leak not long after installing... I've been told this by 2 hvac guys and I just noticed another guy posted the same thing here. So, go ahead and use them but plan on a huge expense of refilling with R22 every year.
I haven’t had that problem and if you are that concerned about it , then braze a solid service port on it. Also what you are not telling them is not all systems are R22 , especially the new systems. Keep the area clean and keep the caps on the piercing valve tight and you most likely will not have a problem. I have worked with these valves and this guy here is going by hear say. Please do not automatically assume your unit is R22 , read the label attached to the unit. The label will have the refrigerant type listed on it. This guys comment could be very misleading and having you think all system are R22 in which they are NOT.
Before the compressor or after the compressor? Unclear of which it is?
Any idea where I can find info on low side psi for coleman mach 3 15k unit that uses r22?
Label shows weight. But I don't see any pressures or relative pressure @ °
Why can't I find a filler hose that fits both the can of coolant AND the bullet valve?
How much refrigerant do you install?
I saw another video that suggested going just above equilibrium - is that what you did?
Question. that which you are installing, (the Port pierce kit) dose that fit most AC piping? and if so what size dose the Pierce kit fit? is it like universal? how do you determine which is the low pressure pipe? First time here. 6000 BTU TCL window unit only had it 3 years. Just do not want to trash it.
Good👍..my air conditioner work 10 mint cool and compresor stop and work again..is this sign of need gas or not..thanx alot..
Video doesn't show which GD Copper tube to place this valve on. Too close. Do I place it on one of the tubes going to the large compressor or one of the other 3 copper tubes?
Great thanks 😊
so do you keep it pierced while you charge or do you have to back the screw out??thank you i just ordered everything.
Neil Brockett I personally back it out a little, not much and charge it. When I m done then I tighten the screw back in. Thank you for watching and commenting.
thank you so much..
Will this work to recharge a portable ac unit?
yes
WOW.. Thanks to this video... Everyone told me itrs hard to recharge an RV AC and i was nervous to do it myself. I have a thermo duo that uses R22. Please where can one buy this bullet piercing device? How can you seal it after fill"? Thanks Handyman.
+Teo A Here is a link where you can buy a good one amzn.to/1PIzGoX . I here alot of people say when they install these or see these installed that the system has leaked out. That maybe so and I m not denying that the valve was not the issue. But when I install these, especially this particular one, I have had no leaks. I the area very well and make it very smooth for a nice tight seal. I think when some people install these are not cleaning them very well. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like, share, and subscribe.
Thank you very much Handyman!!
Did you even try to type bullet piercing valve in on Google and see what comes up? How hard is that? It immediately comes up under eBay or Amazon etc etc
Hi ,great vid ,can you tell me what the thread is on the connector ,i have to hand a car type push on gas tube and dial which will fit the gas can but i need to buy a converter with a crew on part to fit the valve but a push on connector for the hose ,thanks
Can this be used with R410a? My low side pressure rating is 236
do you leave the bullet pierce valve there permanently?
Yes
Thank you. Much needed.
How do you know what pipe to pierce
Thank you so much, got it !
How much does a job like this cost? Interested to know if it's worth fixing or just buying a new one.
do you back off the piercing screw after you pierce the pipe ?
Only if you want to release the refrigerant. Once gauges are connected then u we'll need open the piercing valve a couple of turns in order to read the pressure on the gauge set.
Exactly, but I seriously did not know they were illegal..
Tks for video.what freon should I use in a 2000 coleman popup?
There should be a tag on the unit that would tell you what refrigerant is used. I hope this helps.
was wondering if you would know where to install the saddle valve on a vending machine. I already purchased the valve and it uses 134a refrigerant, I was just wondering where do i install the valve on the lines. If you could help that would be great, been searching but no clear answer was available. Thanks again....
What about the adapter?
This video reminded me of the Six Million dollar man.
+Rob H never seen it, but I hope that's a good thing. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like, share, and subscribe.
No problem, Anytime.
What side of the compressor your installing that charging port!? Low or Hi side or don't matter!?
To charge it, it has to be installed on the low side.
My old 1994 Coleman ac looks just like the one in your video. It blows cool air, not cold. How do you know how much freon to add if just topping it off? Im assuming it is R22 but the label is so faded out I can't read it.
Also, my fan motor bushings are going bad. Sometimes screaching or siezing up. Oiling is no longer doing much good. This fan motor has 5 wires plus the ground. All new motors i have found only have 4 wires, plus the ground. Do you know if this new motor will work and if so, how to wire it with one less wire. The only difference is the old motor has 2 brown wires, new motor only has 1 brown.
Can't afford a new AC and summer is just around the corner. I live in my rv and it gets hot in Texas. If its 100 outside it's 90 inside with ac full blast and that's also with a 5000 btu window unit going in the bedroom of my 38ft 5th wheel.
Any help would be much appreciated from you or anyone reading this comment!!
It also would be nice to find a video of someone actually recharging an RV AC unit. Been looking, haven't seen one yet. Thanks
Will this work for a portable ac? Also, is it the copper tube coming out the coil? Can you show a vid on how to add the freon? And I understand it should be 22?
There should be a label on the unit to tell you what the electrical specifications are and what refrigerant to use. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like share and subscribe.
Did the same thing on my old RV worked Great got another year out of it
Great. I did this one back in 2012 and still works great. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like, share, and subscribe.
Mine was a Dometic unit I had to use a sealer on it I think it was called Polar or Freeze seal it was like a Blue gel that came in a syringe and was injected worked Great but the next year A/C stopped working I think the stuff in the can by NUCALGON is the best
1995dresser
dam this really helps thanks
Great. I’m glad you found it useful. Please like share and subscribe. Also please hit the notification tab. Thanks for watching and commenting
I agree.
Does it matter if I put it on the high pressure or low pressure? Someone said I have to pierce both lines and check pressure on both lines.
pressure should be checked on both sides for a proper diagnosis. But to fill the unit, it should be pierced on the low side. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like share and subscribe and hit the notification tab.
Thanks for uploading
How do you know which line to connect it to? I imajine succion line but how to tell the difference? Help
Instead of writing all of these silly questions and spending the time typing them to this man who is nice enough to make this video, why don't you just type that into a Google Search and get the answer for yourself?
The low side is the pipe that is a little larger in diameter than the high side pipe that has the refrigerant (cold pipe).When you start your AC and compressor kick in (you will hear it) the large pipe will become cold by touching with your hand. The high pipe (small pipe) will be warm to the touch.That's how you know which pipe to pierce. The COLD pipe is the answer.
Dude you rock bro thanks!
+TheTundrawolf I m glad you liked it. And you rock! Thanks for watching and commenting. Always appreciated. Please like, share, and subscribe.
+handy man have you ever screwed on an r22 to r134 adapter and used automotive r134 to charge the system?
Yes I have done that and it worked just fine.
can you explaine electrical wiring diagram for air window condtioner five wire
Hi god bless you. I have a question i wash my ac window unit its a frigadare i bought it about a couple of months back brand new but i decided to wash it with the water hose i opened it and rinse it and everyhing was good till i turn it on its not cooling as much as it was do you recommend me to try this??? It cost us @700 so i really need your help please
Thank you. God bless you too. Did you check the filter screen on the front of the unit to make sure that wasn’t dirty?if that filter is dirty or clogged, it will block the air flow from the evaporator . If that doesn’t fix your problem, then if your AC is only a couple months old and not cooling it should be under warranty and I would return it for them to repair or replace. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting. Please like share and subscribe
Do u leave that pierce bullet on there or do u removed it
You can if you don’t know how to braze a new service port on or if you just don’t feel like doing it. If you clean everything real well and make this valve nice and tight , it should seal nice. Mine did.
thanks for this great info....
Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and commenting, I greatly appreciate it. Please like, share, and subscribe.
Why mine first have a rubber gasket but a rubber 0 ring
You didn't explain how to identify the high and low side. Do you install on both, with the corresponding sized Schroeder valves.
You can install on both sides but only fill on the low side ( suction side ) . You can hook up to both sides so you can hook your gauges up to get readings on both sides to help diagnose the problem. This video was to show you what to use on a sealed systems so you don’t have to throw the unit away. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@handymanPF how do you identify low side on home AC it's not like car where it's marked.
1/4 inch or 1/2 inch valve?
On my ac the tubes coming from the compressor are both the same size. When touching, one is hot and one is cold. Which one should I tap?
+kuei12 www.google.com/search?q=where+is+the+low+side+air+conditioning+service+port&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari I hope that link helps. Thanks for watching and I greatly appreciate your comment. Please like, share, and subscribe.
Hello, new subscriber here... quick question. Do you open the valve when recharging with refrigerant? Thanks
How do I know which pipe not to pierce ????? Before I pierce the wrong one !!!!!!!