Air Conditioning Tech Tips for Farm Equipment
March 16, 2020
Read the tips below to learn more about the products you're purchasing, and how to ensure you're using them correctly!
Tip #1
Did you know the refrigerant oil color can often provide us with some idea of the compressor and internal system conditions?
- Black Oil indicates carbonization caused by air (moisture) in the system.
- Brown Oil indicates copper plating caused by moisture in the system.
- Grey or Metallic oil indicates bearing wear or piston scoring. Piston scoring may be attributed to high head pressure caused by system moisture.
Always use the correct oil viscosity according to the compressor manufacturers' specifications. Never mix oils!
Recommended Parts for this tip:
PAG Oil 100 (Case of 6, 8 oz. Bottles)
- Part Number: 888301171
- OE Viscosity Synthetic PAG Oil 100
PAG Oil 46 (Case of 6, 8 oz. Bottles)
- Part Number: 888301091
- OE Viscosity Synthetic PAG Oil 46 for mobile A/C systems. For use w/ R-134A only.
Tip #2
The receiver drier stores excess refrigerant filters out any contaminants that may be in the system and removes moisture from the liquid refrigerant to protect the system from internal corrosion.
Under normal operating conditions, the drier canister should be warm to the touch. The presence of frost on the canister indicates an internal restriction.
The receiver drier should be replaced anytime the a/c system is opened and never leave the fittings uncapped prior to installation. When performing any service on the HVAC, always make the receiver drier the last component replaced.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
Inline Receiver Drier
- Part Number: 8890118
Receiver Drier, w/ High Pressure Relief Valve & Male Switch Port
- Part Number: 885165615
Tip #3
Always flush the A/C system to remove any contaminants and replace any parts that cannot be flushed.
It is also a good practice to use inline suction filters to help catch any foreign material.
The most common reason a replacement compressor fails (new or remanufactured) is caused by contaminants from a previously failed compressor.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
A/C Flush Solvent, R12 or R134A
- Part Number: 880251
- Fast-evaporating product designed to assist in the removal of debris, oils & moisture from A/C systems. It is an environmentally-desirable product as it contains no chlorinated solvents or ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs). Contains no ingredients that will cause corrosion of metal surfaces.
A/C Flush Solvent, R12 or R134A
- Part Number: 88176543
- Fast-evaporating product designed to assist in the removal of debris, oils & moisture from A/C systems. It is an environmentally desirable product as it contains no chlorinated solvents or ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs). Contains no ingredients that will cause corrosion of metal surfaces.
Tip #5
Typically, a good working system will have cooling vent temperatures 2-30 degrees lower than ambient.
Get to know what the sound and feel of your AC is like when blowing on maximum. If the temperature is low, but the airflow is slow when set on maximum, it could be that your Cabin air filter is blocked. Locate and replace.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
Baldwin Cabin Air Filter, Element
- Part Number: BPA2619
Baldwin Cabin Air Filter, Element - Pkg. of 2
- Part Number: BPA3928
Tip #6
Whenever a system stops working and the compressor has "locked up," it is very likely that particles of metal have been distributed throughout the system.
This dirty oil and powder must be removed from the system entirely before replacing parts.
If the vehicle is fitted with a micro-bore parallel flow condenser, it must be removed. Similarly, the receiver drier or the accumulator drier should be removed.
The system can then be flushed with the vehicle manufacturer's recommended flushing medium. The use of non-compatible flushing solvents may damage the system seals, and residues may interact with the system lubricant.
It is best to use a specially designed flushing machine with a selection of fittings to attach the forward and reverse pipes. The system sections should be flushed in the reverse direction to normal flow.
Solvent-based flushes should be removed by evacuating the system at a minimum of 29.9 in Hg for at least 45 minutes. Oil-based flushes cannot be complexly removed; therefore, the flush must be compatible with the refrigerant oil that will be used in the system.
A new condenser and drier should be used to replace the ones removed as they cannot be adequately cleaned. Faulty system parts should then be replaced. New seals used where old seals have been disturbed.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
Compressor, Drier & Valve Kit
- Part Number: 888301731
- Includes:
- 88295061 (Aftermarket Nippondenso 6E171 Compressor)
- 890118 (Receiver Drier)
- 888215 (Expansion Valve) & O-Rings
- dust cover
Compressor, Drier, Valve & Condenser Kit
- Part Number: 888302229
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Shipped w/ PAG 46 Oil only. Includes: 883C581-97590 (Genuine Nippondenso SV07E Compressor), 88T0070-79270 (Receiver Drier), 8883131218 (Expansion Valve), 883C581-50040 (Condenser) & O-Ring Kit
Tip #7
Did you know that Most clutches fail due to low voltage which causes them to slip and create extreme heat?
If the clutch face is discolored that is possibly the case. You may also see some epoxy from the coil windings that may be there as well. To see if this is the problem, start the vehicle and turn all of the accessories on. With a voltmeter check the voltage to the clutch and make sure it's to the manufacture's specifications. If the voltage is all right then there is a problem with high head pressure.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
Low Voltage Clutch Coil Protection Kit
- Part Number: 888301284
- This kit protects a Compressor Clutch from failure due to low or varying voltage. If voltage drops below 12V, the relay picks up charging voltage from + starter post. Will not protect due to a charging problem.
Compressor Conversion Kit, Delco A6 to Sanden, w/ Single Switch
- Part Number: 888301333
- Includes:
- 883782613 Compressor
- 888301284 Low Voltage Switch
- 888301232 High-Low Binary Pressure Switch Kit (Includes: 8811100 Binary Switch, 88965170 Adapter, 881181 Pigtail Connector, Spacer w/ 10 x 110 MM & 3/8 x 43/8 Bolts, R60171 Clamping Plate, 88415 A6 O-Rings, & 88430210 Sanden Pad O-Rings)
- Mounting Bracket & Hardware
Tip #8
A binary pressure switch is a compressor safety device that has 2 distinct functions.
The first function cuts the compressor off if the refrigerant charge is lost or too low to prevent the compressor from running dry and locking up.
The second function cuts the compressor off if the head pressure reaches unsafe levels to prevent compressor damage or damage to other components such as a blown hose.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
High-Low Binary Pressure Switch Kit, #6 O-Ring
- Part Number: 888301317
- Placed in-line on any high side #6 male/female O-Ring connection. Includes: 8811100 (Switch), 88965170 (Adapter), 881181 (Pigtail), 8811972 (Fitting)
High-Low Binary Pressure Switch
- Part Number: 8811100
Tip #9
The expansion valve is a refrigerant metering device that creates a temperature/pressure drop.
It also divides the system into two zones, high pressure and low pressure. The most common block valve failure is a loss of gas charge inside the power element head. Plugged up expansion valves cannot be flushed out and must be replaced.
When replacing a capillary type expansion valve make sure the capillary coil or bulb is properly attached to the outlet side of the evaporator line and well insulated with prestite insulation tape.
Recommended Parts for this tip:
Expansion Valve, Block
- Part Number: 888684
Expansion Valve, Right Angle, Internally Equalized
- Part Number: 88T1065-72170
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