Had a similar problem with freezer factory installed on Hunter 41. All that was needed was a small charge of R-134a. You will need a line tap,
such as Supco BPV3, a gauge such as Aupoko R134A AC Refrigerant Charge Hose Kit and some R-134a, all available at Amazon. Easy to follow instructions are available on Youtube. Line tap installs with 3 screws, 5 minute job.
R134a
Amazon.com: FJC 685 Refrigerant - 13 oz.: Gateway
BPV31
Amazon.com: SUPCO BPV31 OR TJ90BPV31 GENUINE FACTORY OEM ORIGINAL BULLET PIERCING VALVE FOR 1/4â€, 5/16†AND 3/8†TUBING: Home Improvement
Is this what connects the hose (below) to the compressor service point (It would be nice where the compressor service point is located)
(or, does this pierce the copper line and then become a permanent part of the system?)
Hose / Gauge
Amazon.com: Aupoko R134A AC Refrigerant Charge Hose Kit, 1/2’’ Acme Can Opener Tap Dispensing Valve, and Recharge Hose with Pressure Gauge, Fits for Car AC Air Conditioning Refrigerant: Automotive
When I touch a tool, there is no such thing as a five-minute job. There is the job I started to do, the job I need to do because I broke something, and the job I noticed that needed doing when I started the first one.
From the Cold Machine Manual:
Slowly open the service manifold valve and allow refrigerant vapor to enter the refrigerant circuit. Allow the pressure to equalize through the gauge set. Close the gauge set valve.
(Where is the “manifold valve? I’m presuming this is a valve in the refrigerant line. The question is where does this line connect to the compressor and is there a valve on the compressor)
Turn the thermostat knob to its middle position, about “3” or “4”. The fan should come on and a few seconds later the compressor should start. When the compressor starts, the suction pressure gauge reading will go down.
(I assume this is the gauge on the hose). When the gauge reading approaches zero, open the service manifold valve briefly to allow more refrigerant vapor to enter the system.
Keep regulating the valve to try to maintain about 10 psig on the gauge. Add refrigerant slowly (a few seconds at a time) and allow the pressure to stabilize before adding more. Only add refrigerant when the pressure is below 10 psig.
Check the evaporator near where the tubing enters it to see if there is frost forming. At some point, frost will begin to form and slowly spread around the evaporator.
Keep adding refrigerant slowly until about 1/4 of the evaporator is frosted. The low-pressure reading should be about 8 to 10 psig when the evaporator is 1/4 frosted.
Allow the system to run until the thermostat turns it off. The evaporator should be fully frosted, and the suction pressure reading should be around 4 to 6 psig.
Close the refrigerant cylinder valve, back seat the condensing unit suction base valve and remove the hoses from the refrigerant cylinder and base valve. Install the base valve stem covers (plastic) on the base valves and tighten with an appropriate wrench. Install the caps (brass) on the upper ports of the condensing unit base valves and tighten with
a wrench.