How to Recharge Substitutes for R22 Refrigerant
- 1). Determine the primary use of your refrigeration system. In general, freezers will have different needs than refrigerators. Similarly, refrigerators will have different requirements than air conditioners and heat pumps.
- 2). Stop the compressor, either by disconnecting the power or turning off the thermostat.
- 3). Connect the refrigerant canister to the center manifold of the compound pressure gauge. Although all systems are different, the connection often requires pulling back the outer casing of a quick-connect nozzle, then slipping it over the receiver on the manifold gauge.
- 4). Purge the old refrigerant by opening the compound gauge's regulator and the refrigerant canister's regulator. Close both regulators by turning counterclockwise as soon as gas escapes the manifold gauge.
- 5). Connect the compound pressure gauge's flow hose to the suction line of the cooling system. Again, this typically requires pulling back on a quick-connect coupling then attaching it to a pneumatic nipple. The suction line can be identified as the one leading toward the compressor.
- 6). Open the regulator on the compound gauge, then open the valve on the refrigerant canister.
- 7). Turn on the compressor motor and allow the refrigerant to cycle into the system. Continue allowing refrigerant into the system until the pressure on the compound gauge matches the desired operating pressure as indicated by the cooling system.
- 8). Close the valve on the compound regulator, then close the valve on the refrigerant canister and disconnect the hoses from the cooling system.
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