SERVICING
43
S-18 TESTING CRANKCASE HEATER
(OPTIONAL ITEM)
The crankcase heater must be energized a minimum of four
(4) hours before the unit is operated.
Crankcase heaters are used to prevent migration or accumu-
lation of refrigerant in the compressor crankcase during the
off cycles and prevents liquid slugging or oil pumping on start
up.
A crankcase heater will not prevent compressor damage due
to a floodback or over charge condition.
WARNING
Disconnect ALL power before servicing.
1. Disconnect the heater lead in wires.
2. Using an ohmmeter, check heater continuity - should test
continuous. If not, replace.
S-100 REFRIGERATION REPAIR PRACTICE
DANGER
Always remove the refrigerant charge in a proper
manner before applying heat to the system.
When repairing the refrigeration system:
WARNING
Disconnect ALL power before servicing.
1. Never open a system that is under vacuum. Air and
moisture will be drawn in.
2. Plug or cap all openings.
3. Remove all burrs and clean the brazing surfaces of the
tubing with sand cloth or paper. Brazing materials do not
flow well on oxidized or oily surfaces.
4. Clean the inside of all new tubing to remove oils and pipe
chips.
5. When brazing, sweep the tubing with dry nitrogen to
prevent the formation of oxides on the inside surfaces.
6. Complete any repair by replacing the liquid line drier in the
system, evacuate and charge.
BRAZING MATERIALS
Copper to Copper Joints
- Sil-Fos used without flux (alloy
of 15% silver, 80% copper, and 5% phosphorous). Recom-
mended heat 1400°F.
Copper to Steel Joints
- Silver Solder used without a flux
(alloy of 30% silver, 38% copper, 32% zinc). Recommended
heat - 1200°F.
Aluminum to Aluminum & Copper to Aluminum Joints
–
ZA-1 Brazing Rods use Flux System Cesium-Based Polymer
System (alloy of 78% Zinc and 22% Aluminum). Melting
point 826*F Flow point 905*F.
S-101 LEAK TESTING
(NITROGEN OR NITROGEN-TRACED)
To avoid the risk of fire or explosion, never use
oxygen, high pressure air or flammable gases for leak
testing of a refrigeration system.
WARNING
To avoid possible explosion, the line from the
nitrogen cylinder must include a pressure regulator
and a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve
must be set to open at no more than 150 psig.
Pressure test the system using dry nitrogen and soapy water
to locate leaks. If you wish to use a leak detector, charge the
system to 10 psi using the appropriate refrigerant then use
nitrogen to finish charging the system to working pressure,
then apply the detector to suspect areas. If leaks are found,
repair them. After repair, repeat the pressure test. If no leaks
exist, proceed to system evacuation.
