Air Conditioner Refrigerant or Freon Refilling in Split AC

[Banana7]

Does anyone do their own mini split air conditioner refilling? Apparently all AC systems need to be topped-up over time. Unlike USA or Canada, in Thailand, one doesn't need a license or permit to buy freon or maintain AC systems.

 

In an Hitachi 18K BTU inverter AC using R410A, the low pressure side is 130 PSI while running, is that the proper pressure? It supposed to have 1.7 KG refrigerant but I don't want to recover the refrigerant, vacuum the system, and then reload it. Watched several youtube videos where the guys were saying 110 to about 140 PSI was the proper low side pressure, depending on the manufacturer. 

 

 

[Artisi]

just get someone in who knows what they are doing - cheap as chips and saves all the hassle.

[lopburi3]

And unless there is something wrong most systems should probably be replaced (SEER is increasing almost yearly) before they need any refilling.  

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Banana7 said:

Apparently all AC systems need to be topped-up over time.

No

 

I would ask a "specialist". They do it all the time, it's not difficult and cheap.

If you want to do it yourself you need the proper tools and the correct "gas" and the know how.

Do you want to buy the tools and learn how to do it for one time?

[sometimewoodworker]

2 hours ago, Banana7 said:

Apparently all AC systems need to be topped-up over time.

That is incorrect, if the system leaks it may need both refilling and the leak found and fixed. However I know of systems (I had one) that never needed the refrigerant refilling after 20 years of use

[digbeth]

if your aircon 'technician' suggests you refill the refrigerant periodically, you've been conned. 

 

only case where filling is easier than finding the leaks and fixing it is in big, whole building hvac or restaurant style walk in freezer where the runs could be significant and leeks hard to reach

 

for most split units, leaks are easily found and fixable in case of copper or the whole coils need replacement if your unit's got aluminum coils

[Banana7]

23 hours ago, Artisi said:

just get someone in who knows what they are doing - cheap as chips and saves all the hassle.

I had a recommended company come in to clean and top-up / refill if necessary.  Charged me 500 to clean 1500 baht to top-up. The system holds 1.7 kg refrigerant and a 11.3 kg bottle of gas delivered costs 1700 baht. The refill took 15 minutes. The system wasn't empty and was still cooling but not as well as the other unit, I have 2 units the same model. So it  probably needed less than 1 kg. of gas, after 5 years of operation. I feel It got ripped off, with this pricing, so I want to avoid another ripoff.

[Artisi]

13 hours ago, Banana7 said:

I had a recommended company come in to clean and top-up / refill if necessary.  Charged me 500 to clean 1500 baht to top-up. The system holds 1.7 kg refrigerant and a 11.3 kg bottle of gas delivered costs 1700 baht. The refill took 15 minutes. The system wasn't empty and was still cooling but not as well as the other unit, I have 2 units the same model. So it  probably needed less than 1 kg. of gas, after 5 years of operation. I feel It got ripped off, with this pricing, so I want to avoid another ripoff.

Good luck if you can do it better at less cost.