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airtech
24-11-2002, 05:37 PM
I work at a casino hotel that has not had a refrigeration department since it was built. Everything was done by outside contractors. There is about 200 split system refrigeration systems alone. My problem is that on many of the coolers there is no marking of any kind to tell you what refer rack and what compressor you need to go to. Can anyone give me advice on how to locate the compressor on the roof when there is no electrical connection between the two peices?

Dan
24-11-2002, 09:26 PM
If you really have no electrical connections in common with the refrigerator, you could still put something in defrost and figure it out. An awful lot of legwork there, though. I wish I knew a little more about the casino and what equipment you have.

There should be as-builts, drawings on file with the city/county permitting office if the equipment was installed on the up and up.

Maybe you could use the copper linesets and an ultra-sonic receiver and detector, or a fox hound and hound electrical transmitter and receiver.

Are there parallel racks involved? The manufacturer would have engineering information to help you along.

herefishy
24-11-2002, 11:59 PM
Having been in many such a situation, basically if you have a (box) with a problem, go (onto the roof) and find the condenser with a problem... there you go!!!

As long as you do not get too concerned about, "Oh, my God... which one is it?!!!! I'm going to FREAK OUT!!!!!"., and keep an open mind about merely finding a CU which has a problem manifesting itself (downstairs), you will be well off.

So what if you find a problem CU for a different box which has not yet a complaint? It needs service too!

If your servicing a frezzer, well that breaks it down to systems which have defrost timers, perhaps CPR's, and information indicating appropriate low temp refrigerants.... that should eliminate about 70% of the CU's on the roof.

If you know the Unit Cooler nomenclature, and say you determine the malfunctioning system in the case of a freezer to be about 1 ton... look for the 3-horse CU's.

Medium temp 1-ton, look for the 1-1/2 horse... etc....

Then find the one that meets the criteria that shows a problem. THEN LABLE IT!!!

.....be cool!!!! ;)

In such scenarios, I have found the customer amiable to the expenses in narrowing the thing down. By having to look at everything (essentially), you are in a position to serve the customer by evaluating everything you see, and recommending necessary repairs before they manifest in a future failure.

Dan
25-11-2002, 01:39 AM
In such scenarios, I have found the customer amiable to the expenses in narrowing the thing down. By having to look at everything (essentially), you are in a position to serve the customer by evaluating everything you see, and recommending necessary repairs before they manifest in a future failure.

It would take an owner/operator to provide the best advice.:)

Too often we see the frustration and too infrequently we see the opportunity, whether one is an in-house or out-house service tech.:)

If airtech's customer or employer cannot find the necessary records or drawings, then it is a wonderful service to provide it. It is also an great opportunity to establish systematic servicing schedules. Both customer, employer and contractor have immense opportunity for reward.

Somehow, though, I feel like airtech is missing available records. Certainly there was a previous contractor who could help. I can't envision a condensing unit without some sort of note in the control panel describing what it is refrigerating. Installation people need it as much as anyone else.:)

reggie
26-11-2002, 06:56 AM
Are you sure nobody has pinched the relevant documents to make life hard for the next man?? Ive worked with many an a***hole who will take information off site and store it at home just so he is the only one or only company with access.
Never teach the next man more than you, because when you do youll be out of a job.