Compact Refrigerators

How do I install a compact refrigerator's access valve?

I have a office size mini refrigerator ( Haier HNSB02 1.7 Cu Ft) which slowly stopped freezing. My guess is that it lost the refrigerant agent as is it may have a leak in the end-line crimp. This model does not have a refrigerant access valve as it is crimped and soldered to close the system. I already bought the access valve and I have access to a refrigerator vacuum pump. Can any one tell me how I can fix this. I will need to cut and solder the valve. Once I install the valve, do I vacuum and then add refrigerant gas? Thank you.

Public Comments

1. Attach your line tap it to the low side line. The low side line will be the one that does NOT lead out to the cooling fins on back of the ice box. Here is the tricky part, the sealed system must be free of any air at all or the freon will make ice crystals and block the flow. It is ideal to remove the air with a vacuum pump. You need gauges to do it right. The gauges will have 3 hoses. Blue(low side)red(high side)yellow(freon). Put your blue hose on the A-1 tap, connect your freon to the yellow hose, and put the red hose on the vacuum pump. Open all the valves on the gauges and turn on the vacuum pump.(Leave the freon closed). After 30 minutes close all valves and shut down vacuum pump. If the vacuum holds, open the freon can and crack open the blue hose, let the freon go in slowly till it equalizes. Bubble test for leaks at the patch. Plug in the ice box and watch the guage drop. The needle on the blue gauge should be close to 5 PSI for a correct charge (over charging will choke down the compressor,not good). Remember the ice box only holds 4 ounces! That is one third of a 12 ounce can. Weigh it in if you want to be exact. Check for leaks. If all goes well it will be good as new.
2. you can purchase a piercing acces valve that doesnt require braising