Quote:
Originally Posted by DonT
what is in a compressor that make it so I can't change the Freon. Example R22 to R410. My R22 compressor is new, never ran. Is there a seal or something in the compressor that the different Freon will destroy??
|
Engineering, lots and lots of engineering. A compressor doesn't care what you put in it, or even if it is connected to any plumbing at all. If it can, it will run. In fact, it will run itself to death if allowed. The engineering keeps it alive.
Keeping that statement in mind, every different refrigerant used in refrigeration engineering has its own unique set of properties and parameters. When a compressor is designed, it is optimized to perform best within certain parameters of a certain refrigerant. It is tested and tortured mercilessly on a test rack for thousands of hours to make sure it will survive this unique set of conditions. Then the engineers start doing destructive testing, changing important parameters that they know will eventually kill something in the compressor. When it inevitably dies, they do an autopsy to find out how it died. If needed, the designers strengthen key components, then back on the rack the unit goes for more torture testing. The process continues forever, for every model, every refrigerant, and every range of operation...
Because of this massive amount of engineering, we as consumers are guaranteed that the equipment will have a long life if it is run as intended. From an experimenter or "hacker" standpoint, we know that if a compressor, heat exchanger, blower, pump, etc. strays very far from its design conditions that bad things can happen. In fact, the further we stray, the more risk we take with having unwanted side effects. Once something in the system gets far enough out of balance, this imbalance causes a "domino effect" and something bad usually happens. Every one of these systems has fail-safe components built into it, trying to prevent bad things from happening.
Again, from a consumer standpoint, the manufacturers of the compressors, heat exchangers, etc. do not approve or warranty anything we decide to do on our own. They have a huge support network of techs, installers, and engineers whose livelihood depends on normal failures in standardized systems. None of them will support anything you do without some kind of certification or license. In many parts of the world, it is illegal to do any of your own work on the system, besides changing filters and other minor maintenance tasks. Due to the various hazards in balance with each other (heat, high pressure liquids and gases, electricity, flammable / corrosive / poisonous materials, etc.), there are many reasons why unknowing consumers should leave well enough alone.
It is important to know your own level of expertise and skill when taking on a project like you are. It is perfectly OK to do what you know how to (at industry-standard quality levels), and bring in professionals to do the work you are sketchy about performing. Of course, the more you do yourself, the higher the potential of upfront cost savings. But new equipment is not cheap, and it really sucks to wake up in the morning to a cold house and find a frozen or burnt something you did yourself.