How Do You Add Refrigerant To A Portable Air Conditioner?
We have 2 portable a/c and I'm just wondering at what temp they need to be serviced? Also, does a regular hvac company service portable units? Where do they add refrigerant?
Answer:
There is usually one valve on the suction side where they hook up their gauges for troubleshooting and for adding freon. Close to the compressor. On portables, 40 degrees evaporator temp is ideal. Less and you stand a chance of freeze up. If there is no access you can buy a saddle self piercing valve in the suction line (cold line). These valves are not reliabe over the long run though. You should use the valve to recover the refrigerant then braze a real access valve in it's place. Before you do that you should make sure that all coils and filters are clean, and make sure that all fan motors are working properly. Don't be so quick to add freon until you know that all else is working properly. Window air conditioner do not leak very ofter and can often be back in tip top shape by taking the cover off and completely spraying the coils clean and letting them dry completely. Don't even try the freon charge if the coils are even slightly dirty. to add refrigerant to a portable air conditioner a part called a tapaline valve must be installed on the suction line inside the unit. this will allow refrigerant to be fed into the system.this is normally not something that the average homeowner can do without the proper tools and experience.most problems with portable units are caused by dirt. take the unit outside and clean the coils with a stiff stream of water from a garden hose.