R290, walls ice cream freezer

[Andy W]

Came across my first 3 tier walls ice cream freezer today manufactured by IARP, the system is obviously short of gas and is the R290 type which I have no experience of. On the previous IARPs I have worked on they used to lose a drop of R404a every now and then, is R290 going to leak in just enough to make a difference as R404a does?

I have no experience with these flammable gasses but they seem to be getting used more and more, has anyone else started to come across them on a daily basis yet ?

[The MG Pony]

R-290 is a single pure refrigerant it is good at sneaking out of places so check it good for leaks or where you think it could even remotely leak. If it requires brazing recover, purge it with N2, vac again, purge with N2 again to ensure it is safe, of course purge while brazing.

You can re-use the recovered charge.