R12 Drop Ins / Vapour Receiver / Foster Refrigerator

[Contactor]

Hi Folks

Came accross an old Foster Refrigerator unit a few days ago, (Model: NGH100ADTM, Ser:E102454) this being a single condensing unit serving two evaporators, full of R12.

I did think of opting for a new compressor / flush out / new refrigerant but it has what I think is a vapour receiver of some kind and am now heading in the drop-in direction. (Not to mention new drier etc)..

What is the best of the various drop-ins available for this unit, how does the vapour receiver work, what would you do?

Hopefully some of you oldies can help with this one, there can't be many of these left, they don't make 'em like they used to, eh? :)

Many thanks

[chillin out]

I use R413a without any problems.
Previously used R409a with same results.

Just bang the gas in and forget about it.

Also a little known truth, I worked on one of these a while back and accidentally put R404a in it...lol it still worked without any problems. I know it lasted at least 6 years.
Don't do that though....lol

Chillin:):)

[chillin out]

vapor receiver
Can you explain what you mean by this?

Do you mean a suction accumulator?
(Biggish looking tank thing in the suction line)

If this is what you mean then it sounds like you are working on a freezer rather than a refrigerator.
Not that it matters, just put the gas in and it will work.

Chillin:):)

[Contactor]

Thanks Chillin

Vapour Receiver - the Foster Refrigerator Technical Department advised that this would cause me problems. It seems only they know what one is or indeed where it is for that matter... I dont recall seeing anything on site...

[chillin out]

They are talking pi$h.

So when you were on site you couldn't see it?
This means it is probably an oversized piece of pipe in th suction line sitting beside the evaps.

Again, don't worry about it.

Chillin:):)

[Contactor]

...you could be right about an accumulator, after all it is a receiver of sorts...maybe the Foster guy got mixed up..

[taz24]

...you could be right about an accumulator, after all it is a receiver of sorts...maybe the Foster guy got mixed up..

Why are you changing the gas.
Is the comp shot or has it lost its gas.
If it is working you can leave the r12 alone.

taz.

[chillin out]

If it is working you can leave the r12 alone.

taz.
Are you sure about that?

I heard that all R12 has to be re-claimed.

I could have misheard though?

Chillin:):)

[taz24]

Are you sure about that?

I heard that all R12 has to be re-claimed.

I could have misheard though?

Chillin:):)


As long as it is in a hermeticaly sealed system and obviously working ok, the R12 can be legaly left.
if for any reason you have to touch it then you have to reclaim and replace.

Cheers taz.

[chillin out]

Thanks Taz.

The reasoning I was given as to why we were to re-claim all R12 was that 'if left in it's existing place, the chances are that at some point it will leak to the atmosphere'

Can't remember who told me this now.

Chillin:):)