Frick TDS oil level switch retrofit

[Superfridge]

Hi all,

Regarding the older (90's) Frick TDS horizontal oil separator low oil level float switches that are installed at the 11 or 1 o'clock positions on the top of the oil separator with the float switch attached to the end of a rod protruding into the separator and oil towards the 5 or 7 o'clock position.

What low oil level switch retrofits are you all installing on these machines when the switch fails or leaks? Or are you re-installing the status quo?

Thanks for your help.

[RANGER1]

Like for like.
Assuming still available, as new type cannot be used.
Web site does not work, so cannot look up, have to contact JCI for spares.

[josef]

Hi,
are you referring to the Frick 913A0086H01 separator oil level float, still in stock at JCI.

Josef.

[Superfridge]

Yeah that certainly looks like it Josef. Are folks continuing to use these?

[josef]

Yes, it is still popular on old Frick compressors.
There, the problem was a poorly sealed joint on the inner pipe, and oil + ammonia got inside and broke the insulation of the electrical conductor.

Josef.

[Superfridge]

So no retrofits needed then in the normal world.

Here in NZ we still have lots of non OEM Frick skids in service made in NZ under license by a company called Refrigeration Engineering. All the ones I have seen have been problematic in many different aspects, one in particular is the low oil level switch. On some skids the float was located too close to the oil outlet and the float would get dragged down in the oil flow.

Would be keen to hear others experiences

[seanf]

Would extending one of the oil level sight glasses out with a t-peice, and then pipe in a alternative float/sensor work?

Does anyone make an ammonia version of the Traxoil float switchs that bolt onto sightglasses?

[mbc]

Hi

You could use optical oil levels
OLC - D1 from KRIWAN Co.
Or From GOLDAR
As same as Bitzer or Refcomp

[RANGER1]

https://www.hbproducts.dk/en/products/item/940-oil-switch-24-v-ac-dc-compressors-oil-separator (https://www.hbproducts.dk/en/products/item/940-oil-switch-24-v-ac-dc-compressors-oil-separators)

These seem popular.

[Superfridge]

https://www.hbproducts.dk/en/products/item/940-oil-switch-24-v-ac-dc-compressors-oil-separator (https://www.hbproducts.dk/en/products/item/940-oil-switch-24-v-ac-dc-compressors-oil-separators)

These seem popular.

We have used these and in some applications they have been troublesome, if the oil becomes too saturated with ammonia some can fail to detect a level. The OEM Frick ones have been reliable. And there is limited installation positions. I like the idea of a guided radar type sensor installed in the original 11 or 1 position.

[RANGER1]

Superfridge,
The RE ones you mentioned that get sucked down, does that mean you would have to bridge out?
They normally do have a lengthy delay time of up to 15 minutes from memory.
Not any room to work with, but if it had a shield, or inverted bucket over it.
The float you have may be able to change from NO to NC contact by taking circlip off & turning other way if that was supplied opposite to what was needed.
Check when package off & float submerged in oil.

Oil temperature should 50 degC & discharge 82 deg C for reliable operation to drive refrigerant out of oil.
Should have AMOT valve.