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Orings are always a challenge on equipment. I’ve had similar problems occur several times. No leaks, makes a non related repair, pressurize and leak check with no issues. Pull an hold a vacuum and then add the charge correctly, only to find a large leak on an oring. The pressurizing and depressurization makes orings move and leak. It is a major kick in the pants. I have gone to the extent of replacing orings on non related components with the concern of this happening.
i use a site glass and ball valve arrangement at the recovery cylinder so I can visually see liquid flow and the valves make swapping cylinders much easier.
Fun stuff ! At the end of the day it's just a machine, you do what you can, not anyone's fault. Ones reaction to the problem is important, then from there come to a conclusion for a solution to the customer. Just another day.
I’m just starting learning chillers as a long time commercial refer guy. Punching tubes and maintenance with lead guys. I’m going to watch your channel and learn as much as I can. My boss says he wants me to move to the next level as a journeyman tech im glad I found your channel.
I usually use a flared sight glass when I’m pulling liquid. As far as the oil leak goes that oil drain line is a weird spot for a leak to develop. Sucks dropping that oil sump to change out that o ring. Looking forward to the other videos to see how you guys make out.
I had the same exact leak. Just didn’t lose that much refrigerant. Such a pain in the ass oRing to replace, man I feel your pain. We have real good days, then we have bad days. Wonder why we are in this trade. Lol. It all works itself out. I’m sure the customer will understand it’s out of your hands. It would help if you put a liquid line site glass when your push/pulling.
Was the stand-by lube enabled? That would explain why it was it was pumping oil every 24 hours. I’m sure it’s been said already but get a flared sight glass in the pull liquid line. Helps on the push back in too.
it looks like the "acceleration knob" is more or less the "gas ballast" knob. probably wont make much difference until the inlet pressure is about 35psi or lower. that's my take without seeing one/internal assembly.
When pulling refrigerant from the bottom of evaporators on different chillers, do you ever expirence compressor oil being removed with the liquid refrigerant ??
So long as the dip tube reaches to the bottom of tank, or turn upside down, hard to do with big full cylinders... On another note, do you ever do push pull using the chillers compressor, until the chiller trips on low pressure, or liquid refrigerant no longer available.. I've done it a few times, works a treat, just watch the static build up on the tank....😄😩⚡️⚡️
Damn right buddy I bet that machine was tight as a tick until miraculously it gave up the ghost with y’all in the room recovering gas then it blew its charge out that leak y’all didn’t notice tilll now.
Using a recovery like this one and push pull. I expect it would have done so in about 6 hours. When we have hired recovery companies in the past with their machines not using push pull it took 8 to 10hrs
@@HVACTIME okay got it thanks. Im thinking about purchasing this Navac recovery machine. First time hearing about it when I seen it on your clip. It looks like it does the job and saves time
Those Orings are not ideal. Bit of a faff to change but easy enough. The coughing on start up was giving the low charge game away. Really sorry to see this my man.
Something tells me that Somehow the customer is gonna find a way to put the blame on you lot , like : " how come you didn't catch the leak last time you were here huh ? " .Just to make the day even better 😤
@@HVACTIME My man! I'm in a different trade, but the work is the same (i just put my wrenches on different machines than you), I felt like I really elevated myself as a technician when I mastered the art of working the customer.
Try not flowing water until you go into vapor mode. Push pull doesn’t work well when there is cold water going thru the barrel. The freeze danger only occurs during vapor. The whole problem your having is because the recovery unit will not build pressure because it’s condensing instead of pushing.
Its is incredible how many techs in this industry do not understand how push/pull works or the physics of it. NO you do not need to flow water thru the chiller when you do a push and pull correctly as the pressure in the chiller is not changing, you are just using vapor pressure to push out liquid, since your pressure inside does not change your saturated wont change, there is no significant refrigerant evaporation when push pulling, there is absolutely no risk of freezing, I understand some techs want to be on the safe side, but when you truly understand what you are doing you know your are on the safe side. When you stopped adding liquid to your recovery tank that was your first red flag, that gave away the game, you were done recovering liquid, you had lost the charge. I have been doing this for 24 years now, lost count on how many chillers I have had to pull refrigerant from, always push/pulled, never have I ever turned ON a water pump. Once you are certain no liquid remains inside chiller, you just pull the vapor and that is it. Always use a sight glass on your liquid line to tank and always check for low points that can trap liquid. No need to turn ON a pump and having to flow water thru an OFF chiller making the ON chiller work harder.
What's sad is this is the most extreme work you can do. No one today really wants to do this type of work. Residential is almost dead and pay rates are exceeding commercial pay. Commercial paid techs are undervalued but dieing breed.
@@qomco residential can make more at lower levels but once your an experienced tech there is more money in heavy commercial. There is a big education gap is part of the problem. A senior residential guy is an entry tech for the heavy commercial side.
@@SAAJ6000 it's not like the leak was intentional. He's a technician, he fixes problems. Go lobby politicians about refrigerants instead. Plenty of folks have drums and drums of old R12 just sitting around that will do way more damage.
Level up your chiller career! HVACTIME Chiller Academy offers interactive courses, that can go in the field with you to learn, designed by chiller veteran to guide you through complex chiller systems. Learn at your own pace and gain the expertise to thrive. Limited-time Early Bird Discount available! chilleracademy.com
Orings are always a challenge on equipment. I’ve had similar problems occur several times. No leaks, makes a non related repair, pressurize and leak check with no issues. Pull an hold a vacuum and then add the charge correctly, only to find a large leak on an oring. The pressurizing and depressurization makes orings move and leak. It is a major kick in the pants. I have gone to the extent of replacing orings on non related components with the concern of this happening.
i use a site glass and ball valve arrangement at the recovery cylinder so I can visually see liquid flow and the valves make swapping cylinders much easier.
Its a good method. Just havent created the habit.
Fun stuff ! At the end of the day it's just a machine, you do what you can, not anyone's fault. Ones reaction to the problem is important, then from there come to a conclusion for a solution to the customer. Just another day.
I’m just starting learning chillers as a long time commercial refer guy. Punching tubes and maintenance with lead guys. I’m going to watch your channel and learn as much as I can. My boss says he wants me to move to the next level as a journeyman tech im glad I found your channel.
I usually use a flared sight glass when I’m pulling liquid. As far as the oil leak goes that oil drain line is a weird spot for a leak to develop. Sucks dropping that oil sump to change out that o ring. Looking forward to the other videos to see how you guys make out.
I had the same exact leak. Just didn’t lose that much refrigerant. Such a pain in the ass oRing to replace, man I feel your pain. We have real good days, then we have bad days. Wonder why we are in this trade. Lol. It all works itself out. I’m sure the customer will understand it’s out of your hands.
It would help if you put a liquid line site glass when your push/pulling.
Wheres the alarm detector in the plant room?
Required in u.k
Part of fgas.
Luv your vids your a true guru in your trade
Was the stand-by lube enabled? That would explain why it was it was pumping oil every 24 hours. I’m sure it’s been said already but get a flared sight glass in the pull liquid line. Helps on the push back in too.
That was good catch at list you can fix it right away then have it back up running customer should be happy to have you on their side
Definitely better now than later
I always use a sight glass on my liquid recovery line so I know when I’m done recovering liquid
Its a good idea, not something I've made the time for up to this point. Almost have several times.
Yes Michael I did the same thing and it worked for me.
That's a long rough day. Great video, keep up the good work 💪
it looks like the "acceleration knob" is more or less the "gas ballast" knob. probably wont make much difference until the inlet pressure is about 35psi or lower.
that's my take without seeing one/internal assembly.
Man this is such an interesting field, thanks for making these videos!
Good video. Handling big quantities there. Thank you for sharing.
Should you not be pulling from cond?
1/4” discharge hose on recovery for chiller??? I use 1/2” minimum.
no sniffer (monitor ) on the job? maybe you can sell them on it?
These things happen, we bring it up to the customer and go from there.
When pulling refrigerant from the bottom of evaporators on different chillers, do you ever expirence compressor oil being removed with the liquid refrigerant ??
Yes, definitely happens. Usually pulls back out when charging system.
You usually distill the liquid refrigerant and pump the oil or let it suck when you're pulling a vacuum on the chiller.
So long as the dip tube reaches to the bottom of tank, or turn upside down, hard to do with big full cylinders...
On another note, do you ever do push pull using the chillers compressor, until the chiller trips on low pressure, or liquid refrigerant no longer available..
I've done it a few times, works a treat, just watch the static build up on the tank....😄😩⚡️⚡️
Thats crazy the system lost a thousand pounds of liquid refrigerant, how much is that gonna cost?
Shit happens but why me?? That’s what I always asked 🤣 I hope your luck changes after this. 🤞🤞
This video made me realize how much I love working light commercial HVACr (25-ton or less) 😏
But the real money is on big equipment unless you are installing yourself
Damn right buddy I bet that machine was tight as a tick until miraculously it gave up the ghost with y’all in the room recovering gas then it blew its charge out that leak y’all didn’t notice tilll now.
When I see your bad days. I have nothing to compare with on my little bad days.
ahh, the old cannot move liquid if there isn't any problem. DOH!
Did you learn your trade mostly through school or on the job?
Did you build that brass kit, or did you buy it?
Built it. Its just a cheap tackel box with an assortment of stuff.
Love your videos man. I’m a couple years into air cooled and water cooled chillers, mostly Yorks.
Was the machine powered completely off for that few months of shutdown, or was it just disabled?
Just disabled
You learn something new everyday
Why does that thing look like it has bad cellulite?
Man that sucks so bad.
Never fun giving that news
Good catch. Quick question how long would it take to recover 1300 to 1400 lbs from that YK?
Using a recovery like this one and push pull. I expect it would have done so in about 6 hours. When we have hired recovery companies in the past with their machines not using push pull it took 8 to 10hrs
@@HVACTIME okay got it thanks. Im thinking about purchasing this Navac recovery machine. First time hearing about it when I seen it on your clip. It looks like it does the job and saves time
@@JackDavidson-ov2tf it's a incredible machine. You can get 8% off at TruTech Tools with HVACTIME
Those Orings are not ideal. Bit of a faff to change but easy enough.
The coughing on start up was giving the low charge game away.
Really sorry to see this my man.
Have you ever work on refrigeration rack ?
No, Ive done walk in's but not rack systems.
Just finished watching the rest of the video, 😳
I thought that only happens to me
Once moistened gaskets loose moisture they are done
Something tells me that Somehow the customer is gonna find a way to put the blame on you lot , like : " how come you didn't catch the leak last time you were here huh ? " .Just to make the day even better 😤
I presented it in such a way to not open that door. All worked out
@@HVACTIME in my country we call that conversation skill "to make someone happy with a dead bird".
@@HVACTIME My man!
I'm in a different trade, but the work is the same (i just put my wrenches on different machines than you), I felt like I really elevated myself as a technician when I mastered the art of working the customer.
Fiasco. The normal
Happy Thanksgiving to you and the family
You too buddy!
glad I don't work on chillers anymore
Why did you stop?
Woops. Could that have been a dry rot failure?
No, the next video next week will show why it happened
Try not flowing water until you go into vapor mode. Push pull doesn’t work well when there is cold water going thru the barrel. The freeze danger only occurs during vapor. The whole problem your having is because the recovery unit will not build pressure because it’s condensing instead of pushing.
How does vapor cause the pipes to freeze?
It's liquid that will cause freeze you can put vapor to saturation and then change to liquid with water flow. Plus warm the tank to help the process
Its is incredible how many techs in this industry do not understand how push/pull works or the physics of it. NO you do not need to flow water thru the chiller when you do a push and pull correctly as the pressure in the chiller is not changing, you are just using vapor pressure to push out liquid, since your pressure inside does not change your saturated wont change, there is no significant refrigerant evaporation when push pulling, there is absolutely no risk of freezing, I understand some techs want to be on the safe side, but when you truly understand what you are doing you know your are on the safe side. When you stopped adding liquid to your recovery tank that was your first red flag, that gave away the game, you were done recovering liquid, you had lost the charge. I have been doing this for 24 years now, lost count on how many chillers I have had to pull refrigerant from, always push/pulled, never have I ever turned ON a water pump. Once you are certain no liquid remains inside chiller, you just pull the vapor and that is it. Always use a sight glass on your liquid line to tank and always check for low points that can trap liquid. No need to turn ON a pump and having to flow water thru an OFF chiller making the ON chiller work harder.
@kc5vgw you are so wrong is actually scary, have you had any professional training or work experience?
🤯😥
promosm 💞
What's sad is this is the most extreme work you can do. No one today really wants to do this type of work. Residential is almost dead and pay rates are exceeding commercial pay. Commercial paid techs are undervalued but dieing breed.
Commercial guys in my area can make double what most residential guys do. But not enough of us doing it anymore either.
Depends. Residential can make commission. Id love to go commercial some day when I get smart
@@qomco residential can make more at lower levels but once your an experienced tech there is more money in heavy commercial. There is a big education gap is part of the problem. A senior residential guy is an entry tech for the heavy commercial side.
No worries. If you lose 100pounds of 134a that only 200.000 tons of co2 you let out to the atmosphere
Oh sorry you said 1000 pounds? That’s only 1.400.000 million kg then. My apologies
US always leading the way
Ohhhh wait. Gwp of r134a is 1430. So if you let 1 kg out it’s equal to 1,4 tons of co2. I’m sorry
Mtt how about mtt to your children’s children
@@SAAJ6000 it's not like the leak was intentional. He's a technician, he fixes problems. Go lobby politicians about refrigerants instead. Plenty of folks have drums and drums of old R12 just sitting around that will do way more damage.
Im A cHiLeR gUy
Got you working on Thanksgiving?
Just wondering did there refrigerant leak monitor ever go into alarm?
It's been disabled and decommissioned
@@HVACTIME that's quite an expensive mistake for them. They never cared enough to replace it with a new monitor?
@@HVACTIME Crazy