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Thread: copper evaporator
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17-11-2004, 10:30 AM #1
copper evaporator
Hi this is my first post, I only descoverd your forum tonight.
I managed to put a small hole in the aluminium evaporator in my 120 litre bar fridge. A replacement evaporator costs about the same price as the fridge AUS$300.
If I replace the aluminium evaporator with one made out of 1/4 inch copper piping and silver soldered the suction line to one end and the capillary line to the other, would it work and how long would the pipe have to be? I have seen pictures of homemade keg coolers that have sprial copper evaporators.
The fridge is a fisher & paykel P120 which has a matsu****a compressor and had 60 grams of R134a in it.
Thanks
Nico
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17-11-2004, 12:57 PM #2
Re: copper evaporator
Hi Nico and welcome.
Two things spring to mind.... I'm not sure about usingbare copper inside a fridge, possible food contamination problems (I'm prepared to be shot down over that comment but...)
It is possible to purchase evaporator leak sealer for use on fridge evaporators, it may well be worthwhile investigating that first.Brian - Newton Abbot, Devon, UK
Retired March 2015
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17-11-2004, 02:56 PM #3
Re: copper evaporator
Hi nic0,
Welcome.
It is not a problem to fix the hole if you have any experiance in aluminium welding.
If not, just get a new one or second hand.
Brian, no problems, you are wrong
Chemi
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17-11-2004, 05:25 PM #4
Re: copper evaporator
No probs at all done many of them over the yrs I always put as much as can phsically fit the hardest part is getting both ends to end up in back corner i saddle to old evap with full cu saddles and pop rivet from inside evap put cu tube and saddles on exterior charge to frost line . Has always worked fine also works on chest freezers but i use 3/8 tube
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17-11-2004, 05:30 PM #5
Re: copper evaporator
1/4 cu tube on bar refs 3/8 on freezers 1/2 on really big freezers
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17-11-2004, 11:33 PM #6
Re: copper evaporator
Thanks for the replys, the fridge is only going to be used for beer so there will be no problems with food contamination. Kev the fridge I have has the capillary tube inside the suction line and it's separated by channels on the evaporator. I haven't ripped the back off the frigde yet to see at what stage the capillary tube enters the suction line. Do you separate those lines on the outside of the fridge or on the inside. (pictures of some of your mods would be nice)
I was thinking about using T pieces and reduction fittings to separate them.
Can you still buy R134a without a license in Australia, the refrigeration guys are charging outrageous prices here in Brisbane for a regas.
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18-11-2004, 12:35 AM #7
Re: copper evaporator
MATSU****A, i just bought a new matsu****a telly today.
i wonder why they call it Panasonic in the UK ?
ps, if anyone is in the manchester area, can they come and wire the thing up ?
speakers, dvd, video, ps2, digi box, dodgy free porn ( i mean sport)cable box thing, normal arial, i give up. it's got more interconnecting wires than a cheap chinese (gree, chigo etc) a/c system
cheers
eggs
that there A/C stuff they knock out isn't bad
cheers
eggs
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18-11-2004, 01:57 AM #8
Re: copper evaporator
Originally Posted by Brian_UK
That was about 8 years ago. It has been doing just fine in my office until last month, when the evap started to frost only partially. I don't want it pulling into vacuum, so have pulled the plug until I can check out the size of the leak.
Welcome, and good luck.
Rog
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18-11-2004, 02:16 AM #9
Re: copper evaporator
It's only a small hole so I will see if I can get some.
Thanks
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18-11-2004, 11:56 AM #10
Re: copper evaporator
once you pull the copper out of the alum. i split the suction line for about an inch pull capp. down split squeeze split back together silver solder up when suction end of evap fitted.Then solder capp in feed end no drama. Have used several different epoxies with mixed results, found green stick most sucessful must be very clean no oil at all. CU wrap 100% never fails.
Last edited by coolkev; 19-11-2004 at 02:34 PM. Reason: spelling & grammer
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19-11-2004, 06:53 AM #11
Re: copper evaporator
Well I got some of that leak seal stuff today, it says on the package that it can handle up to 4000 PSI. I also priced a basic system and I can get manifold gauges + hoses, gas bottle + 5kg of r134a for under AUS $500, which is tempting cosidering some people were going to charge over $300 to fix the fridge.
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19-11-2004, 12:31 PM #12
Re: copper evaporator
Hi nic0,
I hope you never go into business because you will lose all your money before you start.
Lets work it out from your point of view,
All the parts you will buy will cost you under $500. You will also need a vacuum pump, a welding torch, silver rods and a drier.
That will add how much?
Repairing will cost you $300.
If you are going into business, never work for free! It will cost you!
Unless you have some spare money or want to make an experiment.
Chemi
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21-11-2004, 08:51 AM #13
Re: copper evaporator
He's still soooooo young and has to learn sooooooo much before he can go in the business,... no,... any business.
He forgets that the tech who comes to repair is doing his job so that there is bread on the table.
Are you working for free? Is your boss working for free?
Withstand 4000 psi??? I should say, give it a try man.
How will you apply the leak seal stuff anyway?
You don't need a new dryer in the system? And you don't need a torch for this.
After installing the dryer, will you vacuum it with your vacuum cleaner??
Are you licensed to do this?
You think you're a wise guy now but you're so far from that.It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
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22-11-2004, 08:07 AM #14
Re: copper evaporator
I have no intention of going into bussiness, I am an electronics technician by trade and I was only thinking of getting into it as a hobby. What refrigeration cant be a hobby? have a look at some of the PC overclockers forums and homebrew forums. Vaccume pumps can be hired or a crude one built, and and a mapp gas torch works for brazing hobbie use anyway. You don't need a licence at this point in time to buy refrigerant in my state but that will be changing to.
Thanks for everyones help.
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22-11-2004, 08:19 AM #15
Re: copper evaporator
Originally Posted by Peter_1
The stuff i used is called epox-a-leak made by wagner, I got it from the local refrigeration supplier, i was the only one they stocked. It works on all metals providing its prepaired properly, you apply it by getting the surface back to bear metal with emery cloth, clean the surface, then clean again with alcohol, mix up the epoxy and hardener in equal amounts, then apply with a spatula and let it cure for 8 hours at room temperature.
Originally Posted by Peter_1
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22-11-2004, 08:49 PM #16
Re: copper evaporator
Whats up with these Aussies???
They cant spell
They cant write
They all want to DO IT Themselves!!!
Is something in Foster Lager or XXX that makes them like that ??
And to think at one time I was intrested about going to live there ?????Any opinions, statements and facts expressed in this message do not constitute legal advice in any shape or form and is given for a general outlook in nature. You are advised to seek appropriate and specific professional assistance from a regulated and authorised advisor for definitive advice.
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22-11-2004, 08:50 PM #17
Re: copper evaporator
Sorry
its XXXXX Castlemaine!!!Any opinions, statements and facts expressed in this message do not constitute legal advice in any shape or form and is given for a general outlook in nature. You are advised to seek appropriate and specific professional assistance from a regulated and authorised advisor for definitive advice.
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22-11-2004, 11:05 PM #18
Re: copper evaporator
[QUOTE=Peter_1]
After installing the dryer, will you vacuum it with your vacuum cleaner??
I say Peter, can he really pull a hi vacuum AND clean it out with that. Now that was funny!
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23-11-2004, 10:58 AM #19
Re: copper evaporator
Originally Posted by Aiyub
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23-11-2004, 11:28 AM #20
Re: copper evaporator
Aiyub two goes and still cant get it right XXXX and thats only in Queensland. Sounds like they wouldnt let you in.
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24-11-2004, 06:51 AM #21
Re: copper evaporator
Hi Kev
True, I did have two go's and couldnt get it right!! Hic
Actually I lie..........Ive always dreamed of living in Australia..........if only the buggers would let me in !!!!!!
Any opinions, statements and facts expressed in this message do not constitute legal advice in any shape or form and is given for a general outlook in nature. You are advised to seek appropriate and specific professional assistance from a regulated and authorised advisor for definitive advice.
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24-11-2004, 06:53 AM #22
Re: copper evaporator
So its a bit of " sour grapes" on my part ...........
Any opinions, statements and facts expressed in this message do not constitute legal advice in any shape or form and is given for a general outlook in nature. You are advised to seek appropriate and specific professional assistance from a regulated and authorised advisor for definitive advice.
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26-08-2011, 10:13 PM #23
Re: copper evaporator
[QUOTE=shogun7;18942]
Originally Posted by Peter_1
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26-08-2011, 11:13 PM #24
Re: copper evaporator
Thanks for resurrecting an old post.
As far asbut for a rough jobBrian - Newton Abbot, Devon, UK
Retired March 2015
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26-08-2011, 11:24 PM #25
Re: copper evaporator
least it wasnt hijacked by someone after a carrier service manual!!!
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