Where do I go to have my water chiller filled with refrigerant?
- Thread starter Harper J
- Start date
J232
Well-Known Member
Most likely it’s like other small appliances and will need to line tap (piercing valve) to recharge it, why is it low is more concerning, you can buy cans of r134 for automotive diy, R12a is supposed to be a compatible refrigerant with 134a and you can buy cans of it over the counter as well. I would try and use 134a though. If you want to take it somewhere, find a kitchen appliance repair place that works on fridges and freezers.
Harper J
Active Member
It was brand new and wasn't cooling. I thought maybe it was shipped with no refrigerant or maybe they refurbished and packaged it as brand new and the refrigerant had expended. After doing a ton of research, I found that you have to find a specialist or go to an AC/Heating company (or kitchen applliance repair as you suggested) and hope they don't mess it up. While doing research Someone claimed that the chiller needs to be refilled every 12 months, but upon doing further research I found that they are built to actually last for several years and if it needs more refrigerant it's because it has a leak. Still didn't explain the chiller issues considering everything else seemed to work properly. Took the front cover off, put a fan in front of it, and tried one last time and it worked all through the night and is currently still working.
Gastheblast
Well-Known Member
Why didnt you send it back if its not working
Cookie Rider
Well-Known Member
Most ac you'll have to let sit upright for at least 24 hours before using.
Something to do w air pockets in the system.
Maybe that was the issue?
Something to do w air pockets in the system.
Maybe that was the issue?
Harper J
Active Member
Cause you are supposed to troubleshoot and try to find a solution first, duh. $500 bucks and 3 weeks of waiting, I'm not just gonna plug it in and say oh well it didn't work send it back.
Herb & Suds
Well-Known Member
What chiller and any pics?
Herb & Suds
Well-Known Member
So it cools using an auxiliary fan?
Harper J
Active Member
It says to let sit for 3 hours, but it had actually been sitting for almost 24 hours. When it didn't work, I didn't take it apart cause altough simple to setup, I didn't feel like taking it down after just putting it up. I left the pump on and let water run through the machine. Setting the temp to 68 did not work, So I thought if I dropped it to 50 it would try harder and bring it down to at least 70. It still raised the temp. Finally before bed, I took the cover on, put a fan in front of it, and just flipped the switch to on since it was already programmed. The temp dropped all the way to 65 at which point I had to change the previously temp set from 50 to 65. I was worried that when I readjusted the set temp it would start acting funny again, but it has been working as it should.
Harper J
Active Member
It's just the ActiveAqua 1/10 HP chiller. It has an internal fan to cool, which does work. Chillers are supposed to have at least 1 foot of space all around due to heat issues causing it to work less effectively. I thought maybe the internal fan was doing a crappy job and added my own fan as an extra source to expel the heat. Did not work until I took the front cover and filter off and placed the fan in front of that and tried again several hours later.
Herb & Suds
Well-Known Member
So it probably tripped an internal overheat switch
They take a while to reset
Harper J
Active Member
It's not refrigerant, I just thought it was because the fan and compressor seemed to be functioning fine, but it wasn't cooling. The manual said the only reason for it not to cool is that it is missing refrigerant. I honestly don't know what the issue was, but it works now. Thank God the AC guy never called me back, cause he would have ran a test, checked for leaks, and charged my ass for nothing.
Harper J
Active Member
That would make a lot of sense!
Herb & Suds
Well-Known Member
I was in as my friends call it cHEATING and cFooling for a long spell
Harper J
Active Member
Too funny! I think it definitely narrows the issue down a lot though. If I have to troubleshoot again, it won't be as frustrating.
Gastheblast
Well-Known Member
So your willing to open it up and void a warranty. Ya your smart duh
Harper J
Active Member
The warranty doesn't get voided by opening. The cover is supposed to come off for user level maintenance lmao. You obviously know nothing about water chillers, but thanks to everyone else who actually provided assistance. Go ahead and waste your time with another reply, but I'm not wasting my time talking to you (ignored). Go smoke one and chill out.
Harper J
Active Member
This all happened in the same day, so if troubleshooting didn't work, the next day I could send it back. What's wrong with doing it that way? Nothing.