Charging a sealed refrigerant system in dehumidifier

[Donald]

I watched a YT video where the guy attached a self tapping valve to the PROCESS refrigerant line in a refrigerator and with a gauge set and can of refrigerant he added 7+ ounces of refrigerant to the refrigerator after pulling a vacuum.

In my case my dehumidifier works but the system must be a tad low. The display shows air entering at 76F vs air next to the cold line at 70F and it's 6F difference and the difference should be 10F or more, so system is working but not perfectly.

Not looking to toss a $1500 dehumidifier because it's a little low on refrigerant.

My total knowledge in this area is one YT video.

I assume you leave the self taping valve on the refrigerator after you are done.

 

[JohnnyG]

Yep. Call a professional.
Might be R12.

 

[zzyzzx]

I assume you leave the self taping valve on the refrigerator after you are done.

Yes.

 

[demarpaint]

Yes.

+1 many times they leak too.

 

[JTK]

A $1500 dehumidifier?

I'd imagine one in that price range is serviceable, unlike standard residential units.

 

[Donald]

A $1500 dehumidifier?

I'd imagine one in that price range is serviceable, unlike standard residential units.

Aprilaire says it's sealed and neither they nor any local company can repair it

 

[zzyzzx]

A $1500 dehumidifier?

I'd imagine one in that price range is serviceable, unlike standard residential units.

Just because it's serviceable doesn't mean that it's economically viable to pay someone to service it.

 

[JTK]

Just because it's serviceable doesn't mean that it's economically viable to pay someone to service it.

You guys are too fancy for me.

 

[Sumboodie]

Just because it's serviceable doesn't mean that it's economically viable to pay someone to service it.

$1500 unit vs $30 of parts and materials? Yeah... I'm fixing it. Or at least trying to.

$1500... I've run cars i paid less for

 

[Donald]

What refrigerant would be in it if manufacturered 2018 to 2020?

 

[kschachn]

What refrigerant would be in it if manufacturered 2018 to 2020?

It will say on the unit.

 

[bullwinkle]

What refrigerant would be in it if manufacturered 2018 to 2020?

Probably R134A, R12 was bye-bye by then. The way I do it is put on the tap valve, recover the refrigerant, silver braze on a new low side fitting, pull a vacuum, suck a little refrigerant dye in, and recharge it (by weight, it'll be on the data plate somewhere. Disclaimer-I do this for a living...

 

[bullwinkle]

What refrigerant would be in it if manufacturered 2018 to 2020?

You could also use some of the tap-a-can refrigerant that has dye in it, if you have an old tapper that has the 1/4" flare fitting on it.