norcold troubleshooting

[John C]

Have a de 541. Unit runs on both 12 volt and 110 but does not get cold. I can hear the dam thing running just no cold. Can these units be recharged? Thanks...John

[Bruce]

A common problem to those compressors(swing type design) is that they break and won't pump freon but the motor runs.

They have no factory supplied charging valve. And if a real old unit it has R12 in it instead of 134.

The system is steel and aluminum tubing. A standard line tap valve of 1/4 is to big for the tubing so you have to cut the steel tubing which dumps any charge, then sweat in a t with a charging valve and then evacuate and charge to check and see whether it works or it doesn't at which time the compressor is broke.
Opening the system really requires adding a filter/dryer to protect the compressor from contaminates.

If you have a leak and its in the aluminum tubing or evap plate, your out of luck. You can't repair it.

[Skipper Dick]

Bruce,

I liked the soilant green statement. That was one of my favorite movies even though Edward G. was turned into soilant green. Eating smart peoples brains is good too.

Dick