Repairing a vapochill LS

[rpogge]

Hi,

I recently had a horrible experience with 'United Parcel Smashers' that has left me with a broken Vapochill LS AC that does not cool down at all.
(everythign turns on, the temp just never drops)

I assume there was a gas leak due to the damage?

I am wondering if anyone could offer advice on troubleshooting/repairing the unit. Id like to give it a go myself, I am an engineering student and technicaly inclined, so Id like to give it a shot before i have to worry about shipping it again for someone else to fix.... I don't trust shipping companies anymore.

So any links or good reading , or just straight up advice would be greatly apreciated.

Or if anyone lives in the Maryland / Deleware / VA peninsula of the US ... that could lend a hand, let me know Ill buy the beer.:woot:

Thanks in advance

Ryan

[Sweeper]

Its probably a crack line at the condenser area. Spray a small amount of soapy water around the lines when the unit is running and if you see bubbles, then you know there is a leak. Take it to a local refridgeration repair shop and have them fix the leak and recharge the system. I had the same problem with shipping and it did not cost much to repair my system.

[rpogge]

thanks for the tip ! Ill give it a shot.
What gas should I have it recharged with?
-Ryan

[NiCKE^]

r507 or r404(a) I believe.

[jinu117]

r507 is what is used on vapo LS. r404 will be okay if the tech feels more comfortable with it.

[rpogge]

OK, I sprayed soapy water on the condensor lines and powered it up. No bubbles that I could see.

The rear fan is shot, I swapped the rear, and condensor fans, and the rear spun, and not the condensor one, so its just the rear fan itself thats shot. Not sure if that is worth mentioning , or if its just a bad fan.

So ... what do I try next before using it as a doorstop?

I realy apreciate the help, im sure some of you know how it feels to have this problem, and i thank you for the help :D

-RYan

[Blaster]

you should let someone with experience with prommies/vapos repair it man

[runmc]

Was the compressor running?

[rpogge]

Yes the compressor runs.

I don't know how to go about finding someone to repair it.

How do i find someone I can trust here in the states?

and as far as the unit status,
with just the controll board - 8 pin molex, LCD, and AC power connected:
Compressor turns on
Condensor fan spins
LCD turns on - displays room temp.
I hear a hissing sound when it first turns on, then just the hum of the condensor.
after 5 minutes it still reads room temp , and no frost, no coldness.

Thanks

[runmc]

Where do you live?

jinu117 or myself can fix it for you. PM either one of us.

[jinu117]

Always best bet is to look for closest to repair :)
It makes less chance of troubble in many ways :")

[rpogge]

Maryland.
I wish there was someone in driving distance so the shipping company doesnt destroy it agian lol.

I see your in texas, what about jinu?

I guess ill ship it tho, what do I have to loose lol.

Thanks

[rpogge]

TX and CA ... wow not close lol.
ill still ship it tho if i have to.

[runmc]

I was offering my help as a last resort. As jinu said finding a refrigeration company in your own town would be best. An air conditioning company will more than likely not have 404a or 507 on hand. A refrigeration company that services bar equipment (freezers) grocery store freezer and so on will be your best bet. If you can't find anything, I will give it a shot. I don't see the shipping industry getting any better in the near future though.

[rpogge]

I was offering my help as a last resort. As jinu said finding a refrigeration company in your own town would be best. An air conditioning company will more than likely not have 404a or 507 on hand. A refrigeration company that services bar equipment (freezers) grocery store freezer and so on will be your best bet. If you can't find anything, I will give it a shot. I don't see the shipping industry getting any better in the near future though.


Ok thanks for the advice thats what I think I will try first :)
:toast: