samsung rs 21 /r600a refrigerant question ?

[Cras]

Hi ,would like to ask for opinions on the following and if you met this how would you proceed .On Friday i called to see the above fr/frz for a routine defrost heater fault after fitting the heating element i pulled it out to re fit plug and noticed a little label which stated “this appliance has been recharged with enviromentaly friendly refrigerant r600a” on checking the rating plate it would appear to have been originally been charged with r134a but another company whom the customer cannot re call fitted a new compressor approx two years ago .The unit has run fine since then but im now worried as im the last man in (and the reading reports that these fr/frz have been reported to blow the bloody doors off :lol:) that im now unsure how to proceed ,idealy i would like to put it back on r134a but this would mean changing the compressor at the customers expense something that she doesnt want to do .In a quandry really im half thinking of fitting a new compressor f.o.c just to be safe :rolls: your thoughts guys please .Cras

[Dales-Electronic]

Re: samsung rs 21 /r600a refrigerant question ?

Being a fridge engineer I guess you have two options, the customer is aware that the original contractor fitted a HC compressor. The compressor will be fitted with a non-sparking relay/overload assy so is intrinsically safe. Having made it clear to the customer what you are doing ie you are not breaking into the system you should be in the clear. This is quite a common repair within this industry – your choice is to advise the customer and do the defrost repair or walk away from the call.

[Cras]

Re: samsung rs 21 /r600a refrigerant question ?

Thanks for the reply ,i did get the customer to sign to say i had informed her of my concerns etc .I had already fitted def. heater before i noticed the label so at the mo its running as before,full of food :rolls:. However if this repair is considered the norm within the industry then i will leave it at that, to be fair the compressor change looks neat ,tidy and professional (retro fit embraco )Thanks again Cras

[TeeMyob]

Re: samsung rs 21 /r600a refrigerant question ?

Hello,

As far as I know, most of the RS21 series were manufactured with R600a gas.

Doe not matter if the refrigerant is R600a, the start device wether solid state PTC or relays. Does not matter, as the unit is normally hermetically sealed and a spark has nothing to ignite.

If it was designed to run on R134a. It can be retrofitted with an R600a compressor. But should be marked as you mentioned.

However, there was a recall for these models where Samsung fitted a series of fuses in-line with the defrost heater connections. Thus, if a short occurred between the heater and evaporator. One of the Glass fuses should blow before the isobutane can escape from the system, mix with air and become flammable.

The back evaporator covers were replaced too.

If the customer has not had this done, may be an idea for them to call Samsung.

Hope this helps?

TM

[Cras]

Re: samsung rs 21 /r600a refrigerant question ?

Thanks Tee,this fr/frz is an early one so i suppose that as it was manuf. on r134a that it would not be subject to a re call and i think it was probably a local refrigeration company that fitted the pot.Do you know the part number for the safety mod on the r600a units as i would like to fit it to this fr/frz as piece of mind Thanks Cras.

[Dales-Electronic]

Re: samsung rs 21 /r600a refrigerant question ?

Pass the mod on to Samsung this is a free of charge mod carried out by Samsung engineers. If you carry it out it may put you in a liability situation. Also the mod may have already been carried out during the prod recall

[Author]

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