 Refrigerant Charging Procedure Details
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Adding or replacing air conditioner or heat pump refrigerant: this article describes the procedures for charging an air conditioner, heat pump, refrigerator, freezer, or similar equipment - how does an HVAC service tech put the proper amount of refrigerant into the system? We describe use of a traditional charging cylinder, vaporizing connectors for low-side charging, and modern refrigerant recovery, charging, and vacuum equipment.
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Procedure for Charging the HVAC System or Appliance with Refrigerant Using a Gauge Set
Evacuating The Refrigeration System Before Charging
As we've explained, charging an empty system will require evacuating it first. For a typical household equipment this takes about 15 minutes but for a larger commercial refrigeration system this process can take an hour.
On residential equipment we always leave our evacuator pump running for at least 1/2 hour to be sure we've evacuated as much moisture and contaminants as possible.
On commercial systems being installed or having major service it would be preferable to leave the evacuator pump running for 12 hours - the longer you evacuate the system the cleaner it will be. That's because as the system warms up moisture in the system will vaporize further and thus be removed.
Low Side Refrigerant Charging
Low side charging is also referred to as vapor charging - that is we allow ONLY refrigerant vapor or gas to enter the system.
This is an easy but time consuming method of system charging. The canister supplying refrigerant is connected to the gauge service port and opened, and the HVAC equipment or appliance is run (which pumps refrigerant gas from the supply source in parallel with pumping from the outlet of the evaporator coil).
The refrigerant canister is kept upright so that only gas leaves the canister. |
High Side Refrigerant Charging
When charging an air conditioner, heat pump, or refrigeration appliance from the high side, the system being serviced is turned OFF. The refrigerant gas canister is placed upside down so that only pure liquid refrigerant leaves the canister.
Note that once you start the system running you will not be able to charge on the high side because the head pressure out of the compressor will be higher than the evaporation pressure in the canister - it would push refrigerant back into the canister.
Methods for Measuring a Refrigerant Charge
With critically-charged HVAC or appliance refrigeration systems, such as a household refrigerator or air conditioner, you must measure the refrigerant entering the system. Typically the technician uses a scale that registers in ounces to measure a weighed charge, though we also used other devices such as a charging cylinder that actually shows the volume of liquid refrigerant in the cylinder on a temperature-compensating scale.
A charging board (or charging cylinder just mentioned) that is connected to the high side can accurately measure the liquid refrigerant charge going into the system. In this case the charging board (Dial-a-Charge charging cylinder produced by Robinaire, Montpelier OH) is loaded with the proper refrigerant charge from the gas cylinder, and the outlet from the charging board is then connected into the high side (perhaps through the gauge service port).
A Vaporizing Connector is an accessory you can add to a charging cylinder or charging board. The refrigerant vaporizing connector (such as Imperial's Kwik-Charge, assures that liquid refrigerant passing through the device will convert to gas as it exits the device. This will let you add a measured refrigerant charge to the low side of the system while still making an accurate measurement of the refrigerant measured in ounces.
Liquid refrigerant charging is always faster than low side vapor charging. On the low side you have to charge, then wait for the system pressures to balance, then reexamine the frost line etc.
An alternative to measuring the refrigerant charge when charging air conditioners or heat pumps
As an alternative to making refrigerant measurements by weight or temperature-corrected volume using a scale or charging cylinder, some HVAC service technicians may adjust the refrigerant charge by watching the low side pressure and the exact location of the frost line at the evaporator coil (blower fan not running).
Watch out: do not overcharge or extend the frost line to the compressor or you risk sending liquid refrigerant into the compressor motor - assuring its damage or destruction.
Guessing at Refrigerant Charge Level by Watching the Sight Glass or Listening for Refrigerant Gurgling
On small refrigeration systems such as a home refrigerator or window air conditioner the refrigerant charge needs to be accurately measured or the system will not work properly. But on larger HVACR systems and on commercial units that use a liquid refrigerant receiver (a sort of buffer that stores extra liquid refrigerant), you might find a sight glass on the refrigerant piping downstream from the condensing coil.
Some techs add refrigerant while watching that sight glass, adding refrigerant until the gas bubbles just stop. If you see bubbles there either the system is badly contaminated or more likely the refrigerant charge is short. We warned just above - don't overcharge the system - you can damage the equipment.
Technical Note: if you see bubbles in the sight glass, or if you hear gurgling in the refrigerant lines indeed those can be indicators that the refrigerant charge in the system is low.
Pulling a vacuum to evacuate refrigeration systems
Note that a reading of "zero" on these pressure gauges is not really zero, it's 14 psi or 1 atmosphere.
Also if you look closely at your gauges you 'll see that one permits pressure readings in the "negative" direction - used when pulling a vacuum on the system using an evacuator pump - a step necessary before charging a system that has been opened for service or repair.
To remove all moisture or refrigerant from an air conditioner, heat pump, refrigerator, or other refrigeration equipment your evacuator pump needs therefore to pump past "zero" on the gauge (14 psi) to absolute zero or 29.9" Hg vacuum.
The evacuator pump is attached to the center port or "service port" on the gauge set.
Using a Refrigerant Charging Cylinder - Robinair® examples
Current refrigeration service standards
SAE J-2788, requires that all service equipment
manufactured after December 31, 2007, must recover 95% of the refrigerant
and recharge to within 1/2 ounce.
Charging cylinders such as the 1980's vintage equipment described below are often supplanted now (2011) by refrigerant charging scales and by larger, more sophisticated refrigerant charging machines that combine refrigerant charge measurement, refrigerant evacuation and recovery/recycling, and other service functions.
Newer refrigeration service equipment can automatically recover refrigerant (such as R134A) from a system to be serviced, vacuum test and clean the system to prepare it for a charge, leak test the system, and insert the proper refrigerant charge, all automatically.
These improved refrigeration management functions were required by a combination of legislation and standards that stop the discharge of refrigerants into the environment, and by improvements in refrigeration system design that produced equipment that uses a smaller, but more precisely-measured charge of refrigerant.
Quoting from Robinair's description of their current refrigerant management equipment line:
Robinair 34988, 34788 & 34288 recover up to 20% more
refrigerant, which means it will cost less to recharge the system. The best charge accuracy that could
be claimed by older generation service machines was +/- 1 ounce, a 3% error on a two-pound system.
That same charge accuracy on a 14-ounce system is over twice the error (7%). Early R-134a systems
could still provide some cabin cooling when they were 4-6 ounces (12-18%) low on refrigerant.
However, new designs are so efficient, they do not have reserve refrigerant, and charge accuracy
is critical. The 34988, 34788 & 34288 will recharge the vehicle to within 1/2 ounce of the charge
capacity, and you will avoid the dreaded “come back”. [1]
How traditional Charging Cylinder Worked to Put a Measured Refrigerant Charge into Refrigeration Equipment
While the new refrigeration system testing and charging equipment described above is fully automatic, to understand the problems that the newer equipment has to solve (and automate), it is useful to review how, traditionally, we inserted a precisely measured refrigerant charge into air conditioners and other refrigeration equipment.
We used the Robinair® Dial-a-Charge® charging cylinder for many years as a way to install an accurate charge of refrigerant into air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators and freezers undergoing service or repair. As an aid to service technicians who may have lost their instruction sheet we include and comment on the charging cylinder instructions here, using the Robinaire® Dial-a-Charge charging cylinder system as an example.
Robinair offered the following explanation of charging cylinder use along with our 1980's vintage equipment.
With an increase in temperature in any cylinder filled with refrigerant, there is a corresponding increase in pressure and a change in the volume of liquid refrigerant in the cylinder. To measure out an accurate charge by weight from a cylinder using the liquid level in a sight glass as a point of measurement, it is absolutely necessary to compensate for liquid volume variations caused by temperature variations. These temperature variations are directly related to pressure variations and accurate measurements by weight can be calibrated in relation to pressure.
The Dial-a-Charge Charging Cylinder is designed to meter out a desired amount of a specific refrigerant by weight. Compensation for temperature variations is accomplished by reading the pressure on the gauge of the cylinder and dialing the plastic shroud, with the calibrated chart, to the corresponding pressure reading for the refrigerant being used.
When charging a refrigeration or air-conditioning system with refrigerant, often the pressure in the system reaches a point where it is equal to the pressure in the [charging] cylinder from which the system is being charged. In order to get more refrigerant into the system to complete the charge, heat must be applied to the cylinder.
Robinair's Heated Dial-a-Charge Charging Cylinder eliminates the problem caused by equalization of pressure between the cylinder and the system being charged. The [Robinaire] charging cylinder has a heating element installed in the base of the cylinder. The male plug of the heating element can be plugged into any 110-115 volt AC outlet. [Note that if you want to charge the system on the low side using vapor only, you can safely do so using a refrigerant vaporizer attachment instead of heat to assure that no liquid goes where it's not wanted.]
Due to the variety of 220V. receptacles throughout the world, a male plug must be field-added to the 220V heating element in order to fit the particular style in your area [outside the U.S., Canada, Mexico]. Either voltage heating element will work on 50 or 60 Hz power.
Watch out: CAUTION: Heating elements can be destroyed if plugged into an electrical outlet when the [charging] cylinder is empty [of refrigerant].
The heating element is of the correct wattage to increase [refrigerant] pressure sufficiently in a relatively short time, to a level that is above the equalization pressure between the cylinder and the system [being charged]. The higher the pressure in the cylinder, the less time it takes to force the refrigerant into the system.
The heating element should be turned off before the pressure is above the highest pressure on the Dial-a-Charge® shroud of the refrigerant being used. EXAMPLE: Refrigerant R22 is being used - the pressure at no time should exceed 230 psi.
The Robinair Dial-a-Charge® has a relief valve, for added protection, set to relieve the refrigerant at approximately 320 psi.- [1]
Procedure for Filling & Using a Refrigerant Charging Cylinder - Using the Refrigerant Line Sight Glass
Carson Dunlop Associates' sketch illustrates a very simple check that can indicate a problem with an air conditioner, heat pump, or other refrigeration equipment: visible gas bubbles seen in the sight glass. The sight glass, if present, is usually located in the condenser unit on the liquid refrigerant line.
Watch out: CAUTION: When working with refrigerants, goggles should always be worn. Contact with refrigerants may cause injury.
- Connect the charging hose from valve at bottom of charging cylinder to valve on refrigerant supply tank. Invert refrigerant tank so the valve is down. IN this position, liquid refrigerant will flow from the tank [into the charging cylinder when the valves are opened].
- Open the bottom valve on the charging cylinder and the valve on the refrigerant tank. When the liquid refrigerant appears in the sight glass, observe the pressure on the gauge at the top of the cylinder. Dial plastic shroud to column where its pressure heading for the refrigerant being used corresponds with the gauge pressure and is in line with the sight glass.
EXAMPLE: if the pressure on the gauge at the top of the [charging] cylinder reads 70 psi, find the column with the pressure heading of "70" and line this column up with the sight glass.
NOTE: On models which are calibrated for various types of refrigerants, be certain that the pressure heading corresponds to the refrigerant being used. Located at the bottom of the plastic shroud are the listings of types of refrigerant.
- When the pressure in the cylinder equalizes with the pressure in the tank [of refrigerant], th refrigerant will stop rising in the sight glass. At this point, intermittently, open the valve at the top of the cylinder to relieve head pressure. This will allow refrigerant to continue filling the cylinder.
- When refrigerant reaches the desired level in the sight glass [ this is the precise measured refrigerant quantity with which you want to charge the system], close the valve on the refrigerant tank and then the valve on the charging cylinder. Be certain that the valve at the top of the cylinder is fully closed.
- Connect the heating element to the proper voltage source to allow the refrigerant to heat and build up pressure. This pressure build-up will allow the pressure of the cylinder to be higher than that of the [refrigeration] system [being charged] and force the refrigerant into the system. [Note that when charging a refrigeration system on the low side it will be easier to insert the refrigerant charge because you're not fighting head pressure].
- Re-dial the plastic shroud to match the [charging cylinder] gauge pressure whenever a pressure change occurs. - [1]
Using a Refrigerant Vaporizing Connector for Low-Side Refrigerant Charging: Imperial Kwik-Charge as example
As we introduced above at Measuring the Refrigerant Charge, a vaporizing connector is an accessory connected to the refrigerant canister, refrigerant gauge set, to a charging cylinder or charging board to provide a safe, fast way of low-side refrigerant charging without any risk of slugging the air conditioning compressor with liquid refrigerant - an event likely to damage the compressor.
The refrigerant vaporizing connector (such as Imperial's Kwik-Charge illustrated here), converts liquid refrigerant to a gas as the refrigerant flows through the vaporizing device, thus making sure that liquid refrigerant passing through the device will convert to gas as it exits the device. This will let you add a measured refrigerant charge to the low side of the system while still making an accurate measurement of the refrigerant measured in ounces.
Vaporizing Connector Description
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 [Quoting and paraphrasing][3], Using the Kwik-Charge™ vaporizing connector provides a safest, faster method of charging fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants into the low pressure side of a refrigeration system.
Vapor charging is also within the capacity of this unit, although it is primarily intended for liquid charging - that is, liquid refrigerant is fed into the vaporizing connector, and only refrigerant vapor exits the device.
The Kwik-Charge™ vaporizing connector may remain attached to the low-side port of the charging manifold while performing the usual refrigeration equipment service and diagnostic operations involved in maintaining a refrigeration system, such as pulling a vacuum to clean the system and test it for leaks.
An automatic bypass valve inside of the vaporizing connector permits full flow during any reverse-cycle operation such as pulling a vacuum or removing refrigerant that is already in the system.
As an example for technicians unfamiliar with vaporizing connectors we quote from the Kwik Charge instructions for the device we illustrate here. [3]
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Advantages of using a vaporizing connector for low-side charging of air conditioning, heat pump, and other refrigeration systems
[Quoting and paraphrasing][3],
This device provides fast, safe refrigerant charging when using tracing dye [or not] with these properties:
- Up to eight times faster refrigerant charge insertion than when using unassisted vapor charging
- No pressure drop in the charging cylinder (avoids chilling and speeds the charging process)
- No need to heat the refrigerant charging cylinder
- One charger services both large and small HVAC systems and refrigeration equipment
- Built-in check valve opens for drawing unrestricted vacuum - this means you don't need to remove the vaporizer to pull a test vacuum on the equipment
- Can be used with all fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant systems
Instructions for using the Kwik Charge liquid low-side charger for air conditioning and refrigeration systems
- The Kwik-Charge may be used with a charging manifold, a calibrated charging cylinder, or with any other charging equipment. Installation can be made by any of the methods illustrated [see sketch above]. After installing the vaporizing attachment, connect all hoses as usual
- When pulling a vacuum, do so in the normal manner. The vacuum will activate the automatic bypass inside the Kwik-Charge and provide a full flow path for rapid evacuation of the HVAC system or refrigeration appliance
- Isolate the refrigeration unit from the vacuum pump after the desired degree of evacuation has been reached. Then slightly pressurize the system with refrigerant vapor (approximately to 5 psi).
- Put the refrigeration system into operation - this means the compressor should begin running.
- With the system running, proceed to charge the refrigeration unit - by opening the refrigerant supply valve to meter refrigerant out of the measured charge device, passing refrigerant through the vaporizing attachment and into the low-side of the air conditioner, heat pump, refrigerator or other appliance being charged.
- Charge each system according to the system manufacturer's recommendation
Watch out: CAUTION: a minimum hose length of three feet should be maintained between the Kwik-Charge and the low side charging port on the refrigeration system. Be sure to observe all safety practices regarding handling of refrigerants, including the wearing of eye protection.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
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- TIF Instruments, Inc., 9101 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33150 (This is where we've sent our TIF 8800 and TIF 5000 for repairs).
- Jennifer Moore, Sales Administrator, Nextteq, LLC, Tampa FL, www.nextteq.com 813-249-5888. Nextteq is the master Distributor for Gastec in the United States. According to the company's website, Gastec Gas Sampling Pumps are the industry’s first and only pumps to provide on-the-spot measurement of ambient temperature. [Private email, JM to DF 5/23/08]
- Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute, [industry association], Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201
USA, Tel: 703-524-8800, Email: ahri@ahrinet.org,
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- [1] Robinair® Robinair Manufacturing Corporation, Robinair Way, Montpelier OH 43543-9990 or more currently: OTC/SPX
655 Eisenhower Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060 USA
Phone (507) 455-7000
Fax (507) 455-8354. Customer service Tel: 800-628-6496. Technical support: 800-822-5561. Robinair provides a wide range of refrigerant charging equipment including gauges, hoses, automatic charging scales, and refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment.
- [2] Robinair® Dial-a-charge charging cylinder description and instructions, Kent-Moore Robinair Manufacturing Corporation, Robinair Way, Montpelier OH 43543-9990 or more currently: OTC/SPX
655 Eisenhower Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060 USA
Phone (507) 455-7000
Fax (507) 455-8354. Customer service Tel: 800-628-6496. Technical support: 800-822-5561. Robinair provides a wide range of refrigerant charging equipment including gauges, hoses, automatic charging scales, and refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment.
- [3] "Instructions for Kwik-Charge" ™ provided by Imperial Clevite, Inc., Fluid Components Division, 6300 West Howard St., Chicago IL 60468 (July 1982 device instructions)
- [4] Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend)
Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
- [5] Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
- [6] Refrigerant Piping Design Guide, Application Guide AG-31-011, McQuay Air Conditioning, Daikin McQuay International Equipment, 13600 Industrial Park Blvd.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55441
800-432-1342 (Toll Free), Website: http://www.daikinmcquay.com/, [Copy on file as http://www.inspectapedia.com/aircond/AC_Guide_McQuay.pdf ]
- [7] Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
- [8] "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
- [9] Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 5th Ed., William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John Tomczyk, Cengage Learning, 2005, ISBN 1401837654, 9781401837655 1324 pages
- [10] Air Conditioning SEER - New DOE Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Efficiency Standard
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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