Yes - but this method of charging use the fact that the compressor is NOT running in order to get around the unknown volume thing
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Lowest temp you can charge A/C?
- Thread starter atikovi
- Start date
atikovi
Thread starter
Why is that better, and if it was, why isn't it mentioned in the service info?
You charge on this port with liquid (refrigerant cylinder upside down) and with the engine off. Never with the compressor engaged.Every manual I have read says to charge through the low side. The compressor puts out much more pressure than the tank and you could explode it.
Because it will allow a proper charge regardless of the ambient temperature of the vehicle. This is how most residential A/C systems are charged. But it could be dangerous if the person doing the work is incompetent and runs the vehicle.Why is that better, and if it was, why isn't it mentioned in the service info?
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the compressor and engine are not running when doing this atikovi
atikovi
Thread starter
What do you mean? You charge by weight. 19 ounces are the same at 40° or 80°.Because it will allow a proper charge regardless of the ambient temperature of the vehicle.
We all know that - the issue is how to get it into the system when cold and eg there is no HP connection port available.What do you mean? You charge by weight. 19 ounces are the same at 40° or 80°.
You want to read my first post here again or just argue?
It doesn’t rely upon the suction pressure and subsequent compressor operation.What do you mean? You charge by weight. 19 ounces are the same at 40° or 80°.
atikovi
Thread starter
And this is better why? I have 3 or 4 near empty tanks lying around that I stopped using because I don't want to run out while charging. Would this method let you empty them completely?It doesn’t rely upon the suction pressure and subsequent compressor operation.
Because it directly relates to the title of this thread which you started. Or did you forget that?And this is better why? I have 3 or 4 near empty tanks lying around that I stopped using because I don't want to run out while charging. Would this method let you empty them completely?
atikovi
Thread starter
So you're saying if you charge through the high side the compressor doesn't have to be on, ok. But if the tank is at say 50 or 100 psi and the system is empty, what difference does it make which side you charge from?
Because you don’t put liquid into the low side.So you're saying if you charge through the high side the compressor doesn't have to be on, ok. But if the tank is at say 50 or 100 psi and the system is empty, what difference does it make which side you charge from?
Are we still trying to answer your original question or not?So you're saying if you charge through the high side the compressor doesn't have to be on, ok. But if the tank is at say 50 or 100 psi and the system is empty, what difference does it make which side you charge from?
If we are - you can guaranteed, at any ambient temp you chose, use a P/T table as I said already and via the LP connector on an already running system (compressor engaging), properly fill the system if you now "know" its low because of readings you already took.
Though if you know the readings are "low" what does that mean at the current ambient?
If we are talking in general - liquid introduced in the LP side MAY not circulate automatically through the whole system, while liquid introduced into the HP side will ALWAYS circulate without the compressor running - thus the safe way to get the system near capacity .......................... and then afterward, via the LP port, carefully finish off the system using a P/T chart
atikovi
Thread starter
I always charge to the low side as a gas with the tank right side up and was taught if you charge as a liquid it could slug the compressor and damage it. Now this info was from 30 years ago so things may have changed. Also not to rely on the gauges as an indicator of charge but by the weight used.liquid introduced in the LP side MAY not circulate automatically through the whole system, while liquid introduced into the HP side will ALWAYS circulate without the compressor running - thus the safe way to get the system near capacity .......................... and then afterward, via the LP port, carefully finish off the system using a P/T chart
No it hasn’t changed. Introducing liquid to the low side of an operating system and compressor is a bad idea.I always charge to the low side as a gas with the tank right side up and was taught if you charge as a liquid it could slug the compressor and damage it. Now this info was from 30 years ago so things may have changed. Also not to rely on the gauges as an indicator of charge but by the weight used.
atikovi
Thread starter
OK, so it's an unwritten procedure. Kind of like removing an airbag where they say to disconnect the battery but you don't really have to if you're careful?
Charge by weight when you are 100% sure the system's engineered volume (what determines the charge capacity) has not been changed (read different condenser or plumbing etc) - absolutely agree.Now this info was from 30 years ago so things may have changed. Also not to rely on the gauges as an indicator of charge but by the weight used.
30 years plus ago I have been taught to always finish any charge by gauges and a P/T chart if you want to be certain what is going on inside the system ................... and still today I don't leave a system unless I did just that to prevent agro
It's not an unwritten procedure - you have a running system that you say has low gauge readings - so what is your ambient and what are the readings? .............iow how do you know they are low?OK, so it's an unwritten procedure. Kind of like removing an airbag where they say to disconnect the battery but you don't really have to if you're careful?
If you want to empty the system and draw a vacuum, you can sure fill by weight (most likely)
If you don't want to empty the system, then as I said already use a P/T chart and gauges and fill the thing AT ANY GIVEN AMBIENT TEMP YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
atikovi
Thread starter
EVERY source I read says you can't accurately top off a system and you have to empty, vac and recharge by weight. We ARE talking auto a/c not stationary?It's not an unwritten procedure - you have a running system that you say has low gauge readings - so what is your ambient and what are the readings? .............iow how do you know they are low?
If you want to empty the system and draw a vacuum, you can sure fill by weight (most likely)
If you don't want to empty the system, then as I said already use a P/T chart and gauges and fill the thing AT ANY GIVEN AMBIENT TEMP YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
I do not know what you are reading in that case.EVERY source I read says you can't accurately top off a system and you have to empty, vac and recharge by weight. We ARE talking auto a/c not stationary?
ANY system is governed by the P/T chart for the refrigerant in that system.
The "weight" you seem to be hung up on is determined from the performance of the system's plumbing and its properties and THAT P/T chart by the engineers before they print the label in your engine compartment/manual by using gauges! ....................
ANY system (including auto AC) MUST ALWAYS adhere to that refrigerant chart ...........................
I still don't know what it is you want from us wrt your original post
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