A breakdown in a domestic refrigerator is an unexpected event that can bring a lot of problems. Spoiled food and unforeseen cash costs are only a small part of the negative factors that accompany this episode. Such a breakdown occurs due to leakage of a substance that acts as a refrigerant in devices. The reasons for this lie in the damage to system elements. The rest of the article will tell you how to fill your home refrigerator with freon.
Causes of Refrigerant Leakage
The main symptom of the near breakdown of the refrigerator is that it began to cool food worse. If the device operates at a standard power level, but food spoils, this is a clear sign that freon is leaking. In addition, an unpleasant aroma may come from a household appliance. Ice on pipes and smudges of oil - these are still signs that indicate a refrigerator breakdown.
The causes of freon leakage are as follows:
- depressurization of the system;
- malfunction of the compressor in the cooling circuit;
- wear or poor connection of auxiliary tubes, the purpose of which is to allow fluid to circulate throughout the system;
- breakdown of the evaporator or compressor due to mechanical damage.
Knowing the exact cause of the refrigerant leak, you can repair the device. If the breakdown is not serious, then it is possible to fill the refrigerator with freon yourself. How to do it? The answer to this question will follow.
Materials required for refueling
Replacing freon in the refrigerator is a complex and expensive process that is best learned to do on your own. Before refueling the refrigerator, carefully read the instructions. The document contains a lot of useful data: type of refrigerant, location of parts and level of pressure in the system.
Initially, materials and equipment are prepared, namely:
- Cylinder with Freon. There are many refrigerants, so for the right choice, you should read the instructions in more detail.
- Accurate scales with which to weigh the container with freon when refueling.
- Filter drier.
- Vacuum pump.
- Parts and equipment for repairing tubes during mechanical damage and upon completion of work.
- Capacity with nitrogen.
- Schroeder valve, with which it is possible to connect to the system of cylinders and pumps, create a vacuum and a high pressure zone.
Before filling the refrigerator with freon, it is necessary to carefully check the elements of the system for serviceability. If you do not replace broken appliances and tubes, the refueling process will only harm the device.
Execution technology
Preparatory activities are completed - you can start refueling the refrigerator. To do this, perform the following actions:
- Connect the Schroeder valve to the compressor nozzle.
- The next step is to pressure test the circuit with air using a vacuum pump. This is done in order to avoid leaks. If the pressure during injection does not drop, then in this case the tightness of the system is not broken. And if the indicator decreases, then it is necessary to find damaged places on the tubes and solder them.
- Next, you need to connect the nitrogen tank to the Schröder valve and purge the circuit. The complete removal of moisture from the tubes is what happens if you complete this step correctly.
- Before filling the refrigerator with freon yourself, it is necessary to replace the filter dryer, and then connect the capillary tube to it. The place of connection of parts is recommended to be carefully soldered. It is important to know: this must be done quickly, since moisture and air can enter the system.
- The Schroeder valve, which was previously connected to the compressor, must be brought to the left inlet of the vacuum station. In the central groove, it is necessary to connect a cylinder with freon, and the right one is connected to the pump.
- Next, nitrogen should be pumped out of the tubes, that is, the circuit should be evacuated. This process will take 20 minutes.
- Freon cylinder must be weighed on the balance. The point is to monitor the filling of the circuit in terms of the amount of substance that enters the refrigerator. Accurate scales, as a rule, indicate the most accurate value.
- How to fill the refrigerator with freon? To do this, fill the tubes with refrigerant, while looking at the scales. To determine the right amount of substance, you must first study the instructions of the device.
- The final step is to turn off the Schroeder valve, and after that the compressor service pipe must be sealed.
Important stages are evacuation and purging of the refrigerator circuit, since the device’s operability directly depends on the quality of the work.
Common mistakes
If a person had to refuel the refrigerator on his own, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:
- If there is little or a lot of refrigerant in the system, then the compressor may malfunction. Overheating and breakdown of the device - this is what can happen in this case. Therefore, it is important to use high-quality scales, the error of which is no more than two grams.
- Before filling the refrigerator with freon, carefully dry the tubes and replace the filter.
FAQ
It is important to know that freon is a colorless substance without a pronounced odor. Therefore, it is problematic to detect a leak of a substance in advance, since it is in a gaseous state most of the time.
Performing the described procedure, you do not have to worry about how to fill the refrigerator with freon, so as not to harm the human body. You should not beware of negative effects: modern substances are completely safe. But, despite the fact that little freon is refilled in the refrigerator, this substance is under high atmospheric pressure in cylinders, so you need to handle it carefully.
If you follow the instructions and recommendations correctly, in the end, you can easily refill the refrigerator without resorting to the services of professionals.