R22 Drop in for Splits

[Blueboy]

I have a large site that has around 500 small split systems on it of varying ages and condition. The customer has started a refresh programme (WHOO HOOO) however this is going to take place over a couple of years. In the mean time, and in keeping with his companies environmental policy wishes to use an alternative to R22 when we have reason to recharge or replace the refrigerant. Can anyone suggest which drop in would be most suitable in this application? I thought Isceon 59 I have used this once before in a -25 Blast Freeze application but I wasn’t that impressed with the results. What else is on the Market ? Does anyone have any experience with drops of this type. IS there anybody out there who can help?

[Sir Josiah Sodd]

Isceon 59 is now R417 (if I remember correctly). As far as I am aware it is the only designed-to-fit drop-in for R22, according to the manufacturers.

It is alledgedly a direct drop-in for R22, but it's main claim to fame is that it contains a small quantity of HC in the blend that allows it to be used with mineral oil.

Assumng that they are small Japanese-type splits, things to consider carefully, in my opinion are:

The inevitable small capacity changes - but they may be negligible.

It is not identical to R22 across the saturation temperature / pressure spectrum, so that sensors designed for R22 may behave differently on R417. This may inpact on defrosts particularly.

If you have any warranties left, you will almost certainly wipe them out if you change.

However, it's been around for some years and is probably quite well documented.
One certain thing is that the price of R22 will rise steeply over the next few years.


Why not try it out on a few units first and see how it performs.
.

[Johnny Rod]

What about glide, isn't it of the order of 4-5C?

[frank]

have a read of this http://www.centrogalileo.it/nuovaPA/Articoli%20tecnici/INGLESE%20CONVEGNO/RIVOIRA%20inglese.doc

[wambat]

Some comparisons http://www.dupont.com/suva/na/usa/products/pdf/k05712.pdf

[Temprite]

We have put in hundreds of inverter split systems on R22.

There are still inverter systems running on R22 being sold in Australia.

I wonder how well these units would operate with an R22 drop in?

[2002kahuna]

Contact www.icorinternational.com or 1-800-497-6805 they make drop in replacements for R-12,R-22,R502. I have used the R-12 drop-in replacement with very good results. Haven't tried their drop-in for R-22 yet but if it works anything like their HOTSHOT for R-12 I will be soon.
They will send you a free DVD about their products also.
Their tech reps are really nice people to talk to and very informative.

[frank]

Contact www.icorinternational.com or 1-800-497-6805 they make drop in replacements for R-12,R-22,R502. I have used the R-12 drop-in replacement with very good results. Haven't tried their drop-in for R-22 yet but if it works anything like their HOTSHOT for R-12 I will be soon.
They will send you a free DVD about their products also.
Their tech reps are really nice people to talk to and very informative.

Do they sell in the UK?

[Johnny Rod]

Icor's NU22 is R417A (aka Isceon 59), repleacement for R22
One Shot is R422A (aka Isceon 79), replacement for 502B or low temp R22

we sell both of these. Icor's Hot Shot is R414B (R12 replacement), don't know of anywhere in the UK you can get it though, sorry. It contains a load of R22 so I guess it's life is limited.

[Andy W]

What gas could I use on an integral high temperature heat pump dehumidifier that sits inside an insulated room and operates at 50oC. They work great on R22, we have tried some on R134a but they just dont work the same and we lose capacity if using the same compressors and coils. I have just quoted to refurbish and modify 4 machines from 10 hp each to 5 hp each and as the existing frames and fans etc will be reused I could probably get away with using R22 as the machines will not be completely or totally new. What do you think?