Freezer revisited

Fred Werring

Well-known Member
Bout 2 weeks ago posted about a non working freezer. That post is gone, have no idea why.

Anyway, old Gibson upright manual defrost freezer, compressor running but not cooling. Gotta be R12, but can't find any info stickers.

So just because why not, bought a piercing valve and put about 4oz. 134a in it, to where my manifold gauge showed 3-4psi instead of a vacuum. Didn't change or add any oil.

It freezes to 0 deg now. How long will it work, beats me.

Would I do this as a permanent repair on a freezer I had to rely on? No, this freezer is in my shop and only gets used when I'm processing deer or other critters.
Really gets used more as a fridge rather than a freezer.
Should it decide to die I can work around it.

FWIW
cvphoto153109.jpg


cvphoto153110.jpg
 
I use those piercing valves on old compressors like yours to make vacuum pumps for AC work on tractors and a few cars of mine. Junked out an old reclaimer and kept the compressor it already had the tapered fitting. I only have two but many customers seen my setup and made their own. First one was from a dehumidifier.
 
And if you will know from the smell if you have a leak if you are around. If not you will know when the building blows up!!!!!
 
(quoted from post at 10:46:46 04/24/23) You can also use propane as a refrigerant. Works and acts just like R-12.

Yes. We bought a brand new deep freeze about 2 years ago. The refrigerant is propane. It works just fine.
 
The new appliances that have propane as the refrigerant have very little in them. Less than a bic lighter. 134A has been put in R12 units for a number of years though its not at direct subsitute . The issue you will have is that when the unit is not in use the pressures inside the SEALED system equal out. Normally the low side pressures run 0-5 lbs but when the system is off then the pressure rise much higher. Most likely the leak in your SEALED system is in the low side and it leaks out faster. Use it but monitor it closely or you'll loose what you are putting in it. Tom in Mn.
 
I think I said you had very little to lose putting 123a in it before you scraped it.
4 oz of 134a in it each year won't hurt you too much..
Good for you..
 
You did.

Kinda had the thought to try it before the original post, you confirmed it wasn't a totally bad idea.

Wonder what happened to that original post anyway?
 
Typical refrigerator or freezer holds less than a 1 pound charge. Some hold as little as 6 to 8 ounces. Hardly enough to blow up a building.
 
Do you have, plans, drawings or a write up on how it is done. If not could you direct me too a website. Have an older window ac conditioner that I would like to turn into a recovery pump for automotive ac.
/thanks,
Bill
 
Glad you got it fixed, if only for a short time.
Some claim 134a isn't bad for the environment.
I don't think I'll use my 30# bottle in my lifetime.
I had to buy it to repair my truck AC.
 
It's possible that your previous post about the non-working freezer was accidentally removed or lost due to technical issues. Regarding your Gibson upright manual defrost freezer, it seems that adding 4oz of 134a using a piercing valve has helped it freeze to 0 degrees. However, this may not be a permanent solution, especially if the compressor is not designed to handle the different refrigerant. If you were relying on this freezer for commercial purposes, it would be better to consult a professional and have it properly repaired or replaced with a commercial freezer designed for your needs. But as it is only used in your shop for processing deer and other animals, it should suffice for the time being.

This post was edited by Abigail41 on 04/26/2023 at 10:10 pm.
 

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