How do you recharge refrigerant in a Dixie narco soda machine?

[Churchvend]

I have a Dixie narco 500 series. It has slowly stopped cooling. I’m sure the refrigerant needs to be recharged. Can anyone tell me which line from the compressor needs to be tapped?

Edited April 15, 2022 by Churchvend

[tblake05]

AZ? Where are you on this one?

I’ll answer it for you.

if you have to ask, it’s best left to a certified technician.

[Churchvend]

I definitely need to know. Thanks for your help

[AZVendor]

It's the crimped pigtail sticking up on the right behind the start capacitor in your pic.  You can put a line tap on that tube - straighten it a bit first.  Do you know how to and what you're doing on this?  You can eff up your system pretty quickly.  While many on the forum disagree with me on line taps, I have had no problems with them but I used them for 30 years.

[Churchvend]

What pressure should you take the system to?

[Churchvend]

What pressure should I be showing on the pigtail when the system is fully charged?

Edited April 22, 2022 by Churchvend

[AZVendor]

In an otherwise properly running machine with the door closed, 18-20 psi on the low side.  You don't measure the high side.

[tblake05]

33 minutes ago, AZVendor said:

In an otherwise properly running machine with the door closed, 18-20 psi on the low side.  You don't measure the high side.

Adjusted for ambient temperature?

[AZVendor]

No, not unless it's super hot inside the machine.  Then you have to give it time to begin cooling before you go to the final 18-20 lbs.  We used to rebuild units and place them into an empty cabinet in the shop, close the door and give it a good shot of gas before starting them up.  Then after a few minutes we would add gas to get to the target pressure.

[Churchvend]

thanks AZVendor. really appreciate the help