temporary leak fix ? / adding refrigerant.

[medicRRR]

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section. It seemed to be the best fit.

I have a commercial coldplate freezer which has a couple of small leaks according to the company that just serviced it. The leaks are located in the very small refrigeration compartment and they said they cant get to the leak because its in the very back of the compartment. The leak or leak are small and refrigerant needs to be added about every 6-8 weeks. I cant afford the the $1500-2500 repair right now. Ive heard you can use cold weather epoxy on the joints / leak area as a temp fix. Is this true ? I am EPA certified but havent worked for a company in almost 8 years so most of what I knew then has left me.

Also: I have r414b to add to the system when it gets to low. The tech said to add it in liquid form and just crack open the valve and add very slowly. Does that sound right?

[chemi-cool]

R414B A blend of R-22, R-124 and R-142b with hydrocarbon R-600a .

Its also called "Hot shot"
A replacement for good old R 12.

My advice, pump down the refrigerant into the condensing unit. disconnect the evaporator, check it with OFN on the working table and re solder all the connections, its an old evaporator and the problem will only get worse.

After you have finished, evacuate and run the system.

[philfridge]

The leak or leak are small and refrigerant needs to be added about every 6-8 weeks. I cant afford the the $1500-2500 repair right now.

This is a big leak if it needs more gas after 6 weeks or so and should be scrapped if not repaired. Adding refrigerant to a system with a known leak is illegal in this country and you will not be encouraged here to add gas willy nilly.

[medicRRR]

thanks for the info .. now... Is there an epxoy to apply to small leaks for a temporary fix or no?

[superswill]

thanks for the info .. now... Is there an epxoy to apply to small leaks for a temporary fix or no?

i know of this product over here

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/472941

never used it myself but know of a VRV system where this has been used and worked a treat

[thebigcheese]

epoxy will do the job if its on a plate evap... but i would suggest you have a few large leaks if u need to charge every few weeks

[philfridge]

Dont put that sh*t in called superseal check this thread

http://www.refrigeration-engineer.co...ght=super+seal

[Electrocoolman]

Several american companies do epoxy repair kits. Wagner, Rectorseal spring to mind.

Presume evaporator is aluminium? - Soldering is not really an option.

You will need to abrade paint and clean off any oil from area before using epoxy.

You will also need to recover refrigerant first, apply small vacuum to evaporator whilst epoxy is applied and allowed to set.