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Accumulator
The accumulator is specifically designed to operate with Puronr
or R22 respectfully; use only factory--authorized components.
Under some light load conditions on indoor coils, liquid refrigerant
is present in suction gas returning to compressor. The accumulator
stores liquid and allows it to boil off into a vapor so it can be safely
returned to compressor. Since a compressor is designed to pump
refrigerant in its gaseous state, introduction of liquid into it could
cause severe damage or total failure of compressor.
The accumulator is a passive device which seldom needs replacing.
Occasionally its internal oil return orifice or bleed hole may
become plugged. Some oil is contained in refrigerant returning to
compressor. It cannot boil off in accumulator with liquid
refrigerant. The bleed hole allows a small amount of oil and
refrigerant to enter the return line where velocity of refrigerant
returns it to compressor. If bleed hole plugs, oil is trapped in
accumulator, and compressor will eventually fail from lack of
lubrication. If bleed hole is plugged, accumulator must be changed.
The accumulator has a fusible element located in the bottom end
bell. (SeeFig. 24.) This fusibleelement will melt at 430_F//221_C
and vent the refrigerant if this temperature is reached either internal
or external to the system. If fuse melts, the accumulator must be
replaced.
To change accumulator:
1. Shut off all power to unit.
2. Recover all refrigerant from system.
3. Break vacuum with dry nitrogen. Do not exceed 5 psig.
NOTE: Coil may be removed for access to accumulator. Refer to
appropriate sections of Service Manual for instructions.
PERSONAL INJURY HAZARD
Failure to follow this caution may result in personal injury.
Wear safety glasses, protective clothing, and gloves when
handling refrigerant.
CAUTION
!
4. Remove accumulator from system with tubing cutter.
5. Tape ends of open tubing.
6. Scratch matching marks on tubing studs and old
accumulator. Scratch matching marks on new accumulator.
Unbraze stubs from old accumulator and braze into new
accumulator.
7. Thoroughly rinse any flux residue from joints and paint
with corrosion--resistant coating such as zinc--rich paint.
8. Install factory authorized accumulator into system with
copper slip couplings.
9. Evacuate and charge system.
Pour and measure oil quantity (if any) from old accumulator. If
more than 20 percent of oil charge is trapped in accumulator, add
new POE oil to compressor to make up for this loss. (See Table 4.)
430° FUSE
ELEMENT
A88410
Fig. 24 – Accumulator