Sealed System Information

HFC-134a REFRIGERANT SERVICE INFORMATION

The 600 Series sealed systems contain HFC-134a refrigerant. This section provides general rules for working with 134a, and explains procedures to be followed while servicing the sealed system. This is followed by diagrams which illustrate sealed system operation, then model-specific refrigerant flow diagrams.

CAUTION

134a refrigerant requires Synthetic Ester oil in the compressor, and does not tolerate contamination from other refrigerants, moisture, petroleum-based lubricants, silicone lubricants, cleaning compounds, rust inhibitors, leak detection dyes, or any other type of additive.

General Rules for Working with 134a Refrigerant

600 SERIES SEALED SYSTEM REPAIR PROCEDURES

ProblemService Procedures
Non-Operating, Inefficient, Noisy Compressor
  • Capture refrigerant.
  • Replace Compressor.
  • Replace filter-drier.
  • Evacuate or sweep charge system.
  • Recharge system with Virgin 134a refrigerant.

NOTE: To check for a non-operating compressor, a hard start kit can be used.

High Side leak
  • Capture refrigerant.
  • Repair leak.
  • Replace filter-drier.
  • Evacuate or sweep charge system.
  • Recharge system with Virgin 134a refrigerant.
Low Side Leak
  • Capture refrigerant.
  • Repair leak (if at solder joint) or replace part.
  • Back flush high side of sealed system.
  • Replace compressor.
  • Replace filter-drier.
  • Evacuate or sweep charge system.
  • Recharge system with Virgin 134a refrigerant.
Contaminated Sealed System

Examples:

  • Burned out compressor
  • Excessive moisture from leak in condensate loop or in low side
  • Plugged capillary tube

Procedures:

  • Capture refrigerant.
  • Repair leak (if at solder joint) or replace part.
  • Back flush high side of sealed system.
  • Replace compressor.
  • Replace filter-drier.
  • Replace heat exchanger if cap tube is clogged.
  • Install a low side drier on suction line.
  • Evacuate or sweep charge sealed system.
  • Recharge with Virgin 134a refrigerant.
Restriction
  • Capture refrigerant.
  • Locate and remove restriction or locate and replace part.
  • Back flush high side of sealed system.
  • Replace filter-drier.
  • Evacuate or sweep charge system.
  • Recharge system with Virgin 134a refrigerant.

NOTE: If restriction is due to sealed system being contaminated, see Contaminated Sealed System above.

Overcharge
  • Capture refrigerant.
  • Replace filter-drier.
  • Evacuate or sweep charge system.
  • Recharge system with Virgin 134a refrigerant.

SEALED SYSTEM OPERATION

The following six diagrams illustrate a basic sealed system. The components are listed in order of refrigerant flow, with an explanation of their fundamental role as part of a sealed system. NOTE: These illustrations do not represent any specific 600 Series sealed system.

Compressor (Figure 4-1)

The compressor creates a high side and low side pressure difference in the sealed system by compressing the refrigerant gas, thus raising the pressure and temperature. The compressor pushes this high-pressure/high-heat gas through the door gasket seat heater loop to prevent sweating (on most units the gas also travels through drain pan heater tubing to help evaporate water in the drain pan). The high-pressure/high-heat gas then travels to the condenser.

Diagram Description (Figure 4-1. Compressor): Illustrates a compressor unit connected to a door gasket seat heater loop and drain pan heater tubing. The output port of the compressor is shown leading towards the condenser.

Condenser (Figure 4-2)

The high-pressure/high-heat gas travels through the condenser, where the heat is dissipated by cooler air being drawn over the condenser tubing by the condenser fan. This changes the gas into a high-pressure/warm liquid that then enters the high-side filter-drier.

Diagram Description (Figure 4-2. Condenser): Depicts the condenser unit receiving high-pressure gas. Airflow is implied to facilitate heat dissipation, converting the gas into a high-pressure liquid.

High-Side Filter-Drier (Figure 4-3)

The high-pressure/warm liquid travels through the high-side filter-drier, which removes moisture from the refrigerant before it enters the capillary tube.

Diagram Description (Figure 4-3. High-Side Filter-Drier): Shows high-pressure liquid entering the filter-drier. The component is depicted as a cylindrical unit, with the output port leading towards the capillary tube.

Capillary Tube (Part of Heat Exchanger) (Figure 4-4)

The high-pressure/warm liquid refrigerant travels through the long skinny capillary tube which is attached to the suction line. (These two tubes soldered together create the heat exchanger.) As the high-pressure/warm liquid refrigerant travels through the capillary tube it gives up heat to the cool refrigerant gas traveling through the suction line and the pressure drops, so it is a low-pressure/cool liquid before it enters the evaporator.

Diagram Description (Figure 4-4. Capillary Tube (Part of Heat Exchanger)): Illustrates a capillary tube running parallel and attached to a suction line, forming a heat exchanger. The diagram shows the flow of high-pressure liquid into the capillary tube and cool gas through the suction line.

Evaporator (Figure 4-5)

As the low-pressure/cool liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator, it vaporizes. This is caused by a dramatic pressure change which occurs when the refrigerant enters the larger diameter evaporator tubing from the smaller diameter capillary tubing. This vapor travels through the evaporator absorbing heat from the compartment, gradually converting it to a cool gas. This cool gas then enters the suction line.

Diagram Description (Figure 4-5. Evaporator): Shows the evaporator coil, typically a grid of tubes, receiving cool refrigerant. The diagram indicates the refrigerant vaporizing and absorbing heat from the compartment before exiting as cool gas into the suction line.

Suction Line (& Heat Exchanger) (Figure 4-6)

The cool gas travels through the suction line which is attached to the capillary tube. (As mentioned earlier, these two tubes soldered together create the heat exchanger.) As this cool refrigerant gas travels through the suction line it absorbs heat from the warm liquid refrigerant traveling through the capillary tube, making it a luke warm gas. The lukewarm refrigerant gas returns to the compressor where the process begins again.

Diagram Description (Figure 4-6. Suction Line (Part of Heat Exchanger)): Depicts the suction line carrying cool gas from the evaporator. This line is shown attached to the capillary tube, forming the heat exchanger. The diagram illustrates the heat transfer from the capillary tube to the suction line.

Refrigerant Flow Diagrams

The following diagrams illustrate refrigerant flow for specific Sub-Zero 600 Series models.

Figure 4-7. Models 601R, 601RG Refrigerant Flow

This diagram shows a single-compressor system for refrigerator models 601R and 601RG. It includes a compressor, condenser, high-side filter drier, refrigerator evaporator, and heat exchanger. A drain pan heater is also indicated.

Figure 4-8. Model 601F Refrigerant Flow

This diagram illustrates a single-compressor system for the freezer model 601F. It features a compressor, condenser, high-side filter drier, freezer evaporator, and heat exchanger. A drain pan heater is also shown.

Figure 4-9. Models 611, 611G, 650, 650G Refrigerant Flow

This diagram depicts a dual-system configuration for models 611, 611G, 650, and 650G. It includes a freezer compressor and a refrigerator compressor, a dual condenser, a freezer drier, a refrigerator drier, a freezer evaporator, a refrigerator evaporator, a freezer heat exchanger, a refrigerator heat exchanger, a freezer heater loop, a refrigerator heater loop, and a drain pan heater.

Figure 4-10. Models 632, 642, 680, 690 Refrigerant Flow

This diagram shows a dual-system setup for models 632, 642, 680, and 690. It includes a freezer compressor and a refrigerator compressor, a dual condenser, a freezer drier, a refrigerator drier, a freezer evaporator, a refrigerator evaporator, a heat exchanger for both freezer and refrigerator sections, a freezer heater loop, a refrigerator heater loop, and a drain pan heater.

Models: 600-41-46, 600 Series Condenser Coils, 600 Series, Condenser Coils, Coils

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Service Manual - 600-41-46 iTextSharp™ 5.5.5 ©2000-2014 iText Group NV (AGPL-version); modified using iTextSharp™ 5.5.5 ©2000-2014 iText Group NV (AGPL-version)

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