Prawn Trawler Refrig Regas

[Ancient Mariner]

Just read an ABC article where the Cairns prawn trawler fleet are about to trial a new refrigerant gas .Going from R22 at up $160 a KG to some gas at $35 kg.They didn't say which gas but would be Hychil or similar at that price I would imagine.I am really happy with the 300g of bang gas in my Defender system but not to sure about 140 kg in a boat:o As I am about to charge my yacht freezer systems any fridge mechanics thoughts appreciated

Noel

[Kev the Fridgy]

Link to the article would be good.......... As far as your yacht goes, all depends on charge qty and future leaks developing doesn't it, are the systems DC hermetic or open drive from Aux engine, is there a chance the refrigerant could leak and accumulate in the bilge? If no leaks down the track should be no problem.

I remember seeing a 4 CYL Perkins destroy itself from ingesting R12 years ago............shudder to think what would have happened if it was a propane based refrigerant

[Pedro_The_Swift]

You asleep out there Ean?;):p

[123rover50]

Our eutectic system in the yacht was R 12 but we had a propane stove and oven.
I imagine you have too so Hychill in the reefer should not be any more of a problem.
Put a gas detector in the bilge or if still concerned contact Hychill direct. I found them very helpful.
I put it in the Rangie and its all good, and I will put it in the RedDot in the disco as soon as these adaptors for these bloody R-134a fittings arrive.

[Ean Austral]

I know there are 3 or 4 different gases being trialled. R22 is being phased out so the price reflects that. It is used because you can achieve very cold temps with it.
My understanding is a lot of things need to be changed when changing from R22. Expansion valves need replacing and believe even a certain type of oil is needed with the new gases.

What was used in your yacht? Think you need to find that out before you go much further.

I will speak with our fleet engineer and see what they are trialling in the fleet.

Cheers Ean

[Ancient Mariner]

Thanks to all sorry no good with links My yacht comprises two separate systems 1/ a engine or electric driven open Bock compressor.The other a semi sealed unit which I would be happy enough using Hychill but not so sure about the Bock .The gas alarm has 2 sensors but evacuating the bilge would be a bit nerve racking:o in the event of a leak As the system is new any suitable gas would be OK .The fridge is separate again

Thanks Noel

[ezyrama]

Try the new drop in replacement for R22 called SP22. I sell a lot of it and it works very well. You can top up existing R22 systems, retrofit systems to a full charge of SP22 (80% of R22 charge) as it runs on POE and mineral oils and it is about 1/3rd of the price of R22. Best of all, it don't go bang like a hydrocarbon :eek:

[Ancient Mariner]

Try the new drop in replacement for R22 called SP22. I sell a lot of it and it works very well. You can top up existing R22 systems, retrofit systems to a full charge of SP22 (80% of R22 charge) as it runs on POE and mineral oils and it is about 1/3rd of the price of R22. Best of all, it don't go bang like a hydrocarbon :eek:
Sounds good but with all the licence hassles I guess:mad:

[ezyrama]

Yes, you will need an arctick licence to purchase

[scarry]

Link to the article would be good.......... As far as your yacht goes, all depends on charge qty and future leaks developing doesn't it, are the systems DC hermetic or open drive from Aux engine, is there a chance the refrigerant could leak and accumulate in the bilge? If no leaks down the track should be no problem.

I remember seeing a 4 CYL Perkins destroy itself from ingesting R12 years ago............shudder to think what would have happened if it was a propane based refrigerant

A real worry.
I used to do heaps of trawlers in the good old days in Gladstone.
Looking for refrigerant leaks with a bildge full of freon was fun:(
And not good for the health.

Seems to be heaps of r22 around,mainly coming from decommissioned plants.
We use it like water,but haven't bought any for ages:D

On to r32,anyone checked out toxicity,they recon once it is hit with the oxy torch,is way worse than the old phosgene:mad:

[Ancient Mariner]

Been thinking I should charge the semi sealed with Hychill and do a rece down the trawler berths with a couple cartons under arm :o:D

Noel

[Lotz-A-Landies]

All I can say is that we changed from R12 R22 to Care 30 and Care 40, in our freezer warehouse and fleet of 8 tonner freezer trucks. The molecule size is larger than CFC gases so we had less leakage and were able to achieve about 2 deg lower temps with the same equipment and same settings.

In the end we re-set the system so it attained the original temps at lower energy cost.

The hydrocarbon refrigerants were a win for lower refrigerant loss and a win for lower energy costs with no loss of condition of the product.

I have a bottle of Care 30 on the porch for my R12 system Rangie.