"The glycol doesn't mix with the beer." Thanks for the clarification. Sad that in today's world I don't blame you for making that clear to the audience.
3 rules to living a long time while working with electrical disconnecting apparatus.... 1. Always wear gloves when opening ir closing breakers or disconnects 2. Always look away from any breaker or disconnect whe closing or opening 3. If you are dealing with a breaker that is big enough that it has to be racked in - always always rack the breaker in with your back to it and always always stand to the side of the breaker. Lots of times these big breakers are electrically operated and as you rack them in they have electric motors that cock closing and tripping springs- all it takes is one small failed part in the breaker winding or tripping mechanism for the breaker to wind up and trip closed while your racking it in. Its a bad day when the breaker fails and gets into this wind up trip closed cycle.. there is nothing you can do but run away and find another breaker further up stream. In my 40 year work history as a commercial electrician working in very large switch gear rooms and with power distribution and generation I have witnessed a few of these failures - that is why I offer this little warning - I see lots of these service guys opening and closing breakers and disconnects all the time bare handed standing right in front of it. Take it from an old man that managed to make it so far through life with all his fingers hands and eyes ... shit happens but you dont have to be standing in it when it does... everybody think and be safe
@@jth1699 and make sure all covers are in place. when I started a mechanic said he had a contactor explode and send molten plastic everywhere. he fortunatly was on the side of the unit.
My corner bar doesn't use chillers as you worked on. I just made them a stainless steel box 24''X 42" and ran copper tubing back and forth in it. They use ice in it, filling it a couple times a day. Coldest beer I 've ever sipped. Poor Mans Chiller.
the only problem with that, how warm does the beer get in the lines before it gets to the chiller box of ice? a lot of places use a cold block in a cooler or refrigerator somewhere near the bar. usually just a block of aluminum with stainless tubes ran inside. it chills the beer in a flash, but often ends with foamy beer. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I really don't like these cheaper methods, because they often don't work well. if it does work well, that's great, keep doing it. but don't let customers suffer from poorly chilled beer, give them a good product they'll enjoy.
I mainly do residential service but watching your videos and how thorough you are has actually made me a better technician I feel like because look at the whole picture or big picture as you say overall I feel like I'm doing better at this because of your videos thank you
Chris, i work on the same power packs with the 4" long Dixell probe. I keep spare Dixell probes that are normal size. I just wire that in to the controller and secure the probe as you did. It just saves me time and a Penn control. I keep 1/4 in. compression fittings for those probes on my truck.
lets say that with the bad one he might have been done good as if the line froze it could get messy, but for the good one he doesn't have excuses unless he's not the type that complains about how much it takes to discover what's wrong between innie minnie manny moe...
When units aren't numbered, I energize the opposite mode required and check the rooftops after to see which one runs in the wrong mode to make sure I'm working on the right unit.
Troubleshoot, troubleshoot and troubleshoot until you start throwing stuff at it. Loved how you stayed away from just trying to add refrigerant to make it cooler. Great video... I'm hooked
I installed a lot of these Perlick remote beer systems back in 80’s. They are very reliable and I only got one warranty call when somebody in the factory forgot to tighten the coupling between the motor and glycol pump. The units that I installed were much simpler and did not have the electronic temperature display.
HVAC tech for 16 years. Never bothered with refrigeration but now I'm considering it because I've been maxed out for years and I'm not really gaining my knowledge enough. I've watched a bunch of your videos and am intrigued. Despite not having that much experience in refrigeration I'm grasping it very quickly as the concept of it it is equal to what I already know. Thanks.
I've never worked on a glycol system for beer. I have worked on Manitowoc Multiplex soft drink chillers at fast food restaurants. Same principle, but no glycol. Another above and beyond service repair, Chris. Thanks!
Biggest difference is that on the beverage systems you are chilling carbonated water and syrup lines that will be mixed at the machine. Pressure is higher on the post mix machines vs beer systems that need aligal to keep the lighter beers from carbonating. Most beer systems are running 25psi vs 100psi carb water and 50psi syrup for post mix. Does that make sense?
I keep a few of each NTC and PTC probes on the van, they are really cheap, doesn't matter if they are a different brand to the controller so long as they are the right type. Also as a temporary 'fix' you can usually adjust the offset for the probe in the settings so it reads right on the display (though the probe can continue to drift and make the offset inaccurate)
Its so nice to see Refrigeration Videos on TH-cam. Im an Apprentice To Refrigeration Technician and its so Helpful. Thank you for this. Greets from Germany
I really enjoy all of your videos, it gives me the impression that I am in a school learning or actually doing it on a job. Keep these videos coming I find them better than what is on TV rather than waste my time with tv I rather watch your videos. I can't wait until I finish my breakfast in the morning and watch your videos on my phone and on my tablet as well.
ive watched alot of your videos, my dad and brothers are in commercial HVAC/R. Im learning to become one and i cant wait to get started. thanks for all the information on these units!
Nice video. I’m loving your content. It’s refreshing to see someone else do a good job. Nice temporary repair. I do the same kind of work plus hot side cooking equipment. Can you not program an offset for the temp probe on that model dixell? I love the controllers that allow you to do that, great for a pinch.
I remember that you worked on this glycol unit back in July 2019. I immediately recognized these units because that 2019 repair video was the first video of yours I ever watched.
If I had a business that needed HVAC service and repair you would be my service call tech. I know things would get done and one thing to worry less about. You Rock.
AHHH, The Dreaded Odd Sized Ferrule! I've had this exact same issue on the same Perlick unit and No, the typical big box store didn't have the size around here! The one from Perlick was astronomically high, considering as well. I really need to get me some of those probes
A ferrule on the probe? Considering the base cost most manufacturers charge for a chiller like this, you'd think they might have the decency to throw a $20 well in the tank to make life easier for those who have to work on it.
Engineers dont give a rats ass about service techs. I wish after their CAD programn they had to physically had to take it apart. That would solve us a ton of issues
@@FlyEaglesFly19111 I wouldn't go that far, engineers typically are under constant pressure by stakeholders, and marketers to get something out the door, and work is cycled through multiple heads without a clear birds-eye view of the entire process, causing a lot of isolated tasking, and misinterpretation of information. Engineers also value feedback, if there are design alterations in the field you'd like to see changed or frustrating tasks, call up the company, explain that you are looking to provide feedback on some design choices, and people are happy to give a direct email to the head in charge of the engineering teams. Admittedly, sometimes it can be hard for an engineer to evaluate every scenario, and having direct feedback from technicians is welcomed.
then the well corrodes it or builds up corrosion and insulates it skewing the temperature multiple degrees. they should be in thermal transfer compound which dries and gets stuck with age(worse on heating devices), but stuck junk is stuck junk :)
@@TickyTack23 This is so true. A design will pass through multiple teams hands. It isn't that the engineers don't care. It's that teams work in silos and don't see the entire birds eye view of how everything is put together. If you suggest the fix to them, they will likely stick it on their continuous improvement list. Reliability and ease of service becomes a marketing point. At the company I work for, we bend over backwards to make sure the equipment is serviceable (at least for our product line) We like feedback because we like happy customers.
I’m surprised those little chillers don’t have a flow switch to stop the the system running if it freezes up, or like when you turned the pumps off. Brilliant vid 👍🏻
The problem isn't the glycol freezing, instead it's the beer that would freeze first. With the small alchohol content of most beers (typically under 10%), the beer has a higher freezing point than the glycol. So the glycol can cool the beer below it's freezing point, the beer freezes in the tap lines, and then you get no/foamy beer to the taps. No beer happens when the line is totally frozen, and Foamy beer happens if the line is only partially frozen. The flow restriction of a partially frozen line would cause a pressure drop which makes the beer foam up due to the carbonation.
44R0Ndin oh right cool, I get ya. I work on large glycol chillers for crop storage. So my biggest worry would be a heat exchanger freezing and cracking! I wasn’t thinking about the actual beer freezing up 👍🏻
Hey! Love your vids! Troubleshooting this one if it's the sensor or display.. You could measure the temp sensor to get the resistance value and compare it to the table what it should be like. Also you could have a potentiometer or some resistors handy with the corresponding resistance values for certain temperatures to see if the display shows the correct value! I used to have dummy resistors handy, if for example motor temp sensor were shot so you could still let it run for a while till you get the temp sensor
Chili's in Auburn NY, I am here working on a perlick beer line glycol system. Sensor says 33°f but Not moving fluid. Coupling between motor and pump failed. Whopped out the id... Used a 3/8" copper coupling, squished it down to make up the gap. Temp repair until new parts ordered Tuesday 6/16/20.
I try and use my core depressor tool on critically charges equipment like that. Especially on the high side. I have better luck with it than the low lose fittings.
I have enjoyed all of your videos/repairs.A good work ethic with respect for the gear and the customer. I did domestic refrigerators.Not sure which of us had the most trying logistics...
I used to fix equipment for a certain mcchain restaurant. I would always tell my friends that ate there which ones to never go to. I should say tho, the franchises were usually very well kept. Usually.
@@MW-xv1sj yep, I worked on mc d equpment for a guy that had 5 stores about 30 years ago, I swore to never eat in one again. in one case a freezer went down on a friday evening, none of my suppliers had a compressor and it would be tuesday morning on delivery. i recommended they rent a truck for the weekend, well they didnt and when we finished with the job on tuesday they were still using stuff from the freezer which was now up to 70 inside. they actually refroze what was left and never threw anything out. the cleanest places i ever serviced were Sonic franchises and anytime they had major freezer or cooler problems they rented a truck.
Good job! Those chillers should have an stainless steel thermowell in their tank to replace the sensor easily & avoid contamination, not a very service-friendly design.
Im not in the HVAC industry at all but your videos are always really interesting to watch and ive learned so much from watching them. Thankyou and keep up the good work.
Everytime when I watch your video, I feel like I have learnt something ... many things. Even I have no relation with HVAC and Refrigeration stuff at all. I'm studying Computer Engineering. But this kind of thing is very interesting to me and I really like to watch them. By the way, nice video as ever!
Great videos the only problem I’m looking up is to ask the customers show me what you did first or what your touched the way they saving you a lot problems in the future thanks.
I tell ya what, i find this stuff really interesting, I do HVAC work on automotives in my shop, and alot of the same things go into this, go into automotive HVAC. I didnt realize how much was similar.
He makes a living fixing other "installers" mistakes, Because if he would install a new system he will put himself out business, Hats off to you sir, master of his craft
Pretty sure the Issue here was a Sensor going bad. His company is the only one working on the Unit do it might even be their install. Also in the Industry your gonna see A lot of stuff that's very old, because you can't just install a new unit due to price and maybe construction needing to be redone
Great video we had a system that was doing the same thing and found that the lines under ground pipe had water in it about 20 gallon vacuum out at the bar
I don't even own a manifold. I have a set of the Testo wireless probes and I use small core depressor tools and a tee. If i need to charge, I just use a single hose from the jug. If I need to remove, I use a single hose to the recovery tank. Nice and tidy and can check charge without losing more than a tiny puff of refrigerant. And the ability to make something work without using OEM parts means you understand how systems work on a deeper level. Good work!
That glycol sure looks a lot like car antifreeze of the ethylene variety. When we used propylene glycol in our chiller at work, it was clear like water, so we added blue dye to it so that we could tell if we ever had a leak.
One of my fears used to be that while we'd found the first leak easily (*), the next one would be (was?) camoflaged when we couldn't/didn't get the dye off of the primer-painted framework/structure. (*) I didn't know there was something that *could* leak until somebody actually mentioned that they had to keep refilling the resivor to prevent it from making an "infuriating racket" when asked how their hands got stained. Guy was good enough to always include the dye in the recipe (in the manual/worksheet) but splotches of dye seeped everywhere other things lower on the same supports went. I started to paint over parts of it w/ some left-over paint, before noticing the dye was coming/(showing?) through, and things cascaded from there as *everybody* had a turn trying anything other than cleaning up the previous attempt and waiting for a concealing layer of paint to dry. [ :/ ] I don't think anybody updated the worksheet to include reporting/recording when the resivoir was topped off. Fortunately I went back to school before that could become my problem. I was just there for the comms wiring.
When I spend time on units like you do the customer always comes and asks if I know what I'm doing. I just look at them with a blank stare and tell them "I'll let you know when I'm done and they're working".
@HVACR Videos, a question - I like the fact you bought a spare sensor and left it on-site, but why inside the unit where you already replaced it? I would be inclined to stash it inside the other unit, where one would expect to need it sooner or later. Just curious.
soon as you said it wasn't dropping in temp but was flooding back and then sweating at the pumps, my mind said bad temp probe :) but I know how often the junk fails and many thermal fuses.
I remember when I decided that I wasn't going to do refrigeration anymore. It was around midnight, and over someones beer cooler. It's an emotional roller coaster. At least that's what I think. Oh, Have I mentioned. Your a gentleman and a fuc*in good schooler. Good yob!
I would like to learn about those systems in depth. I service, water source heat pumps on house boats. Might be something I'm interested in. In definitely need training in the beverage industry, any help would be appreciated. Thanks love the vids.
Please explain the problem of useing service gauges with smallish compressors. Perlick is usualy really good about getting parts- but i understand if somone is freeking you need to do it that day. OMFG that looks like automotive ethelene glycol!!! It absolutly needs to be food grade propylene glycol.
Great video as always. The roofs all look alike where you are because sometimes I wonder if you are on one of ours. That unit looked slightly low on glycol as well and that color is not likely hydrolic food grade.
I had a similar call recently. I adjusted the controller to compensate for the differential in temperature until the part came in. Please video changing the probe as there is a trick to doing it without leaking out all of the glyco
if you are leaving the parts in the unit, do you tag them as "spare" so if someone else ever came along they would know why it's their and not assume its a bad one from a previous lazy tech or wonder what is going on?
Also I want to mention is I can follow and understand everything that is going on, this is the kind of work that I wanted to get into, I can follow everything that is going on not only this video but all of them.
Thanks bud, I will be going live on TH-cam this evening 1/24/22 @ 5:PM (pacific) to discuss recent videos and answer questions from emails, TH-cam comments and the live chat, come over and check it out th-cam.com/video/lbSNs2Wizok/w-d-xo.html
I've been doing commercial work for the past year after I finished hvac school. School will not get you ready for the majority of things you will run into.
in some cases i agree with you, I have worked with several who went thru school, some had the aptitude for it, some didnt . best one i ever worked with was like me, self taught and trained on the job.
lol i see why u got wrong one but singer fix is replace fitting if i were u i would have parts number list in every machine that way can be easy find currently one if ya dont like it than well better off getting tools that can help you find right diagnosed size
j p fixes like this? Watch all his videos.....not many are like this with a simple sensor swap. Usually crazy multiple issues at all hours of the night and weekends. Lol
Enjoy working outside in the heat and late at night. Oh also enjoy waking up at 2:00 am to go and replace a capacitor or turn a switch to the "on" position. I love solving problems and that is what being an HVAC tech basically is. Most importantly really understand the systems you are working on, I mean understand the fundamentals of actual operational equipment. This is an excellent channel to get a firm understanding of the life.
i did the move from being a building engineer to full blown HVAC/R 2 years ago, the first couple of months were a struggle due to having to be more precise and faster on diagnosing and repairing equipment. After 2 years of being in it i still struggle everyday but i feel more comfortable troubleshooting and doing repairs. i gotta say it was a really good decision on my part i wouldn't trade the knowledge and experience i acquired for anything.
Interesting, all the complex systems just to keep beer cold at the taps located in another room. I thought it was just a simple cooler at the tap to keep a keg cold. All that electricity for a cold beer.
So was that sensor a positive or negative? Some I've found are either depending on the year made from suppliers. This is something to watch out for. Good stuff Chris. Have a great night.
Instead of trying to trick the temperature controller, he bypassed it entirely with a mechanical temperature controller. In more detail, he removed the contactor coil wires from the digital temperature controller and put them on the mechanical temperature controller, along with a power feed to complete the circuit. The mechanical temperature controller's sensing bulb was placed in the glycol tank tied off to the glycol return line with a zip tie.
@@1337woody yeah, yesterday I found a few 208v control wires just kinda hanging out in a freezer condensing unit. I guess they didn't do anything. I taped them up so they wouldn't short out.
Great video. I work on glycol units. Something i noticed was the glycol bath seemed low. The unit has 3 pumps on it so its obviously servicing a lot of beer lines. Possibly multiple towers n lines splitting off. Such a low bath temp sensor was just picking up return glycol more so then supply. I also carry a glycometer n check brix %. 25% brix is good. But as always great video the replaced sensor worked. U the man
They use a special food grade glycol, I will discuss this live on TH-cam this evening 6/22/20 @5:PM (pacific) come check it out. th-cam.com/video/UHTXNEb887Y/w-d-xo.html
"The glycol doesn't mix with the beer."
Thanks for the clarification. Sad that in today's world I don't blame you for making that clear to the audience.
"Hopefully nothing blows up" that's how I feel every time I turn a disconnect back on.
"Hey look, it didn't catch on fire. That's a good start!"
That was me when I was connecting my brand new 200$ charger controller to my batteries, lol
Any day you get home and still have your eyebrows is a good day.
3 rules to living a long time while working with electrical disconnecting apparatus....
1. Always wear gloves when opening ir closing breakers or disconnects
2. Always look away from any breaker or disconnect whe closing or opening
3. If you are dealing with a breaker that is big enough that it has to be racked in - always always rack the breaker in with your back to it and always always stand to the side of the breaker. Lots of times these big breakers are electrically operated and as you rack them in they have electric motors that cock closing and tripping springs- all it takes is one small failed part in the breaker winding or tripping mechanism for the breaker to wind up and trip closed while your racking it in. Its a bad day when the breaker fails and gets into this wind up trip closed cycle.. there is nothing you can do but run away and find another breaker further up stream. In my 40 year work history as a commercial electrician working in very large switch gear rooms and with power distribution and generation I have witnessed a few of these failures - that is why I offer this little warning - I see lots of these service guys opening and closing breakers and disconnects all the time bare handed standing right in front of it. Take it from an old man that managed to make it so far through life with all his fingers hands and eyes ... shit happens but you dont have to be standing in it when it does... everybody think and be safe
@@jth1699 and make sure all covers are in place. when I started a mechanic said he had a contactor explode and send molten plastic everywhere. he fortunatly was on the side of the unit.
My corner bar doesn't use chillers as you worked on. I just made them a stainless steel box 24''X 42" and ran copper tubing back and forth in it. They use ice in it, filling it a couple times a day. Coldest beer I 've ever sipped. Poor Mans Chiller.
the only problem with that, how warm does the beer get in the lines before it gets to the chiller box of ice? a lot of places use a cold block in a cooler or refrigerator somewhere near the bar. usually just a block of aluminum with stainless tubes ran inside. it chills the beer in a flash, but often ends with foamy beer. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I really don't like these cheaper methods, because they often don't work well. if it does work well, that's great, keep doing it. but don't let customers suffer from poorly chilled beer, give them a good product they'll enjoy.
I mainly do residential service but watching your videos and how thorough you are has actually made me a better technician I feel like because look at the whole picture or big picture as you say overall I feel like I'm doing better at this because of your videos thank you
Chris, i work on the same power packs with the 4" long Dixell probe. I keep spare Dixell probes that are normal size. I just wire that in to the controller and secure the probe as you did. It just saves me time and a Penn control. I keep 1/4 in. compression fittings for those probes on my truck.
"One of the units isn't working. I won't say which -- left or right. I'll switch both off and pay you to hang around and work that out."
I think I prefer that over "this unit did sound funny but I left it on and now it's dead".
lets say that with the bad one he might have been done good as if the line froze it could get messy, but for the good one he doesn't have excuses unless he's not the type that complains about how much it takes to discover what's wrong between innie minnie manny moe...
@@nicusor86 he may not know which one controls which beer lines.
Wouldn't bother me, I get paid by the hour...
When units aren't numbered, I energize the opposite mode required and check the rooftops after to see which one runs in the wrong mode to make sure I'm working on the right unit.
Troubleshoot, troubleshoot and troubleshoot until you start throwing stuff at it. Loved how you stayed away from just trying to add refrigerant to make it cooler. Great video... I'm hooked
I installed a lot of these Perlick remote beer systems back in 80’s. They are very reliable and I only got one warranty call when somebody in the factory forgot to tighten the coupling between the motor and glycol pump. The units that I installed were much simpler and did not have the electronic temperature display.
"Major temporary repair" love it
Call that a mighty mouse..
I have those same probes. Love them. I particularly like how small they are, makes them fit in a small tool bag easily.
HVAC tech for 16 years. Never bothered with refrigeration but now I'm considering it because I've been maxed out for years and I'm not really gaining my knowledge enough. I've watched a bunch of your videos and am intrigued. Despite not having that much experience in refrigeration I'm grasping it very quickly as the concept of it it is equal to what I already know. Thanks.
Serious question. Aren't HVAC guys automatically refrigeration guys?
I've never worked on a glycol system for beer. I have worked on Manitowoc Multiplex soft drink chillers at fast food restaurants. Same principle, but no glycol. Another above and beyond service repair, Chris. Thanks!
Biggest difference is that on the beverage systems you are chilling carbonated water and syrup lines that will be mixed at the machine. Pressure is higher on the post mix machines vs beer systems that need aligal to keep the lighter beers from carbonating. Most beer systems are running 25psi vs 100psi carb water and 50psi syrup for post mix. Does that make sense?
I keep a few of each NTC and PTC probes on the van, they are really cheap, doesn't matter if they are a different brand to the controller so long as they are the right type.
Also as a temporary 'fix' you can usually adjust the offset for the probe in the settings so it reads right on the display (though the probe can continue to drift and make the offset inaccurate)
Its so nice to see Refrigeration Videos on TH-cam. Im an Apprentice To Refrigeration Technician and its so Helpful. Thank you for this. Greets from Germany
I really enjoy all of your videos, it gives me the impression that I am in a school learning or actually doing it on a job. Keep these videos coming I find them better than what is on TV rather than waste my time with tv I rather watch your videos. I can't wait until I finish my breakfast in the morning and watch your videos on my phone and on my tablet as well.
You seem to be the first one professional enough to really repair a "temporary fix" later on...
ive watched alot of your videos, my dad and brothers are in commercial HVAC/R. Im learning to become one and i cant wait to get started. thanks for all the information on these units!
Nice video. I’m loving your content. It’s refreshing to see someone else do a good job. Nice temporary repair. I do the same kind of work plus hot side cooking equipment. Can you not program an offset for the temp probe on that model dixell? I love the controllers that allow you to do that, great for a pinch.
I remember that you worked on this glycol unit back in July 2019. I immediately recognized these units because that 2019 repair video was the first video of yours I ever watched.
thats funny
Nice job Chris. Thanks for posting.
If I had a business that needed HVAC service and repair you would be my service call tech. I know things would get done and one thing to worry less about. You Rock.
AHHH, The Dreaded Odd Sized Ferrule! I've had this exact same issue on the same Perlick unit and No, the typical big box store didn't have the size around here! The one from Perlick was astronomically high, considering as well. I really need to get me some of those probes
A ferrule on the probe? Considering the base cost most manufacturers charge for a chiller like this, you'd think they might have the decency to throw a $20 well in the tank to make life easier for those who have to work on it.
Engineers dont give a rats ass about service techs. I wish after their CAD programn they had to physically had to take it apart. That would solve us a ton of issues
@@FlyEaglesFly19111 I wouldn't go that far, engineers typically are under constant pressure by stakeholders, and marketers to get something out the door, and work is cycled through multiple heads without a clear birds-eye view of the entire process, causing a lot of isolated tasking, and misinterpretation of information. Engineers also value feedback, if there are design alterations in the field you'd like to see changed or frustrating tasks, call up the company, explain that you are looking to provide feedback on some design choices, and people are happy to give a direct email to the head in charge of the engineering teams. Admittedly, sometimes it can be hard for an engineer to evaluate every scenario, and having direct feedback from technicians is welcomed.
then the well corrodes it or builds up corrosion and insulates it skewing the temperature multiple degrees.
they should be in thermal transfer compound which dries and gets stuck with age(worse on heating devices), but stuck junk is stuck junk :)
@@TickyTack23 This is so true. A design will pass through multiple teams hands. It isn't that the engineers don't care. It's that teams work in silos and don't see the entire birds eye view of how everything is put together.
If you suggest the fix to them, they will likely stick it on their continuous improvement list. Reliability and ease of service becomes a marketing point. At the company I work for, we bend over backwards to make sure the equipment is serviceable (at least for our product line) We like feedback because we like happy customers.
@@donh8833 no my friend they just dont give a f#ck as long it is cheap its ok
I’m surprised those little chillers don’t have a flow switch to stop the the system running if it freezes up, or like when you turned the pumps off.
Brilliant vid 👍🏻
The problem isn't the glycol freezing, instead it's the beer that would freeze first. With the small alchohol content of most beers (typically under 10%), the beer has a higher freezing point than the glycol. So the glycol can cool the beer below it's freezing point, the beer freezes in the tap lines, and then you get no/foamy beer to the taps.
No beer happens when the line is totally frozen, and Foamy beer happens if the line is only partially frozen. The flow restriction of a partially frozen line would cause a pressure drop which makes the beer foam up due to the carbonation.
44R0Ndin oh right cool, I get ya. I work on large glycol chillers for crop storage. So my biggest worry would be a heat exchanger freezing and cracking! I wasn’t thinking about the actual beer freezing up 👍🏻
Brilliant work and thanks for the content stay safe and take care
I respect your experience, and Yankee ingenuity for temporary fixes.
Hey! Love your vids! Troubleshooting this one if it's the sensor or display.. You could measure the temp sensor to get the resistance value and compare it to the table what it should be like. Also you could have a potentiometer or some resistors handy with the corresponding resistance values for certain temperatures to see if the display shows the correct value! I used to have dummy resistors handy, if for example motor temp sensor were shot so you could still let it run for a while till you get the temp sensor
Chili's in Auburn NY, I am here working on a perlick beer line glycol system. Sensor says 33°f but
Not moving fluid.
Coupling between motor and pump failed. Whopped out the id... Used a 3/8" copper coupling, squished it down to make up the gap. Temp repair until new parts ordered Tuesday 6/16/20.
I try and use my core depressor tool on critically charges equipment like that. Especially on the high side. I have better luck with it than the low lose fittings.
I have enjoyed all of your videos/repairs.A good work ethic with respect for the gear and the customer.
I did domestic refrigerators.Not sure which of us had the most trying logistics...
When you finish some of these jobs, do you ever think "I am NEVER eating there!"?
I'd ask Gordon Ramsay. Probably throw out the lot. lol
All the time
I used to fix equipment for a certain mcchain restaurant. I would always tell my friends that ate there which ones to never go to.
I should say tho, the franchises were usually very well kept. Usually.
Ha! All too often. Pretty much have to accept the idea that you're probably eating nastiness at a majority of these places.
@@MW-xv1sj yep, I worked on mc d equpment for a guy that had 5 stores about 30 years ago, I swore to never eat in one again. in one case a freezer went down on a friday evening, none of my suppliers had a compressor and it would be tuesday morning on delivery. i recommended they rent a truck for the weekend, well they didnt and when we finished with the job on tuesday they were still using stuff from the freezer which was now up to 70 inside. they actually refroze what was left and never threw anything out. the cleanest places i ever serviced were Sonic franchises and anytime they had major freezer or cooler problems they rented a truck.
Good job! Those chillers should have an stainless steel thermowell in their tank to replace the sensor easily & avoid contamination, not a very service-friendly design.
Im not in the HVAC industry at all but your videos are always really interesting to watch and ive learned so much from watching them. Thankyou and keep up the good work.
Using the valve instead of capillary lets the units be tuned. The little errors in such small charges can be difficult over the lifespan of a system.
I keep Teflon ferrules on hand for similar problems.
very good suggestion
Everytime when I watch your video, I feel like I have learnt something ... many things. Even I have no relation with HVAC and Refrigeration stuff at all. I'm studying Computer Engineering. But this kind of thing is very interesting to me and I really like to watch them.
By the way, nice video as ever!
Great videos the only problem I’m looking up is to ask the customers show me what you did first or what your touched the way they saving you a lot problems in the future thanks.
I tell ya what, i find this stuff really interesting, I do HVAC work on automotives in my shop, and alot of the same things go into this, go into automotive HVAC. I didnt realize how much was similar.
Just like my every-day. Love your videos and as well the comments on all your hard work! Well done!
He makes a living fixing other "installers" mistakes,
Because if he would install a new system he will put himself out business,
Hats off to you sir, master of his craft
Pretty sure the Issue here was a Sensor going bad.
His company is the only one working on the Unit do it might even be their install.
Also in the Industry your gonna see A lot of stuff that's very old, because you can't just install a new unit due to price and maybe construction needing to be redone
Every time you do a really good beer cooler vid , it makes me want to drink a beer . So please keep doing them ...Lol
I never knew these kind of refrigeration things existed. This is real cool!
3:17 "still hasnt dropped in temperature" *increased a degree*
Great video we had a system that was doing the same thing and found that the lines under ground pipe had water in it about 20 gallon vacuum out at the bar
Your video just showed the value of experience and an educated guess using same! Good show !!
I don't even own a manifold. I have a set of the Testo wireless probes and I use small core depressor tools and a tee. If i need to charge, I just use a single hose from the jug. If I need to remove, I use a single hose to the recovery tank. Nice and tidy and can check charge without losing more than a tiny puff of refrigerant.
And the ability to make something work without using OEM parts means you understand how systems work on a deeper level. Good work!
That glycol sure looks a lot like car antifreeze of the ethylene variety. When we used propylene glycol in our chiller at work, it was clear like water, so we added blue dye to it so that we could tell if we ever had a leak.
One of my fears used to be that while we'd found the first leak easily (*), the next one would be (was?) camoflaged when we couldn't/didn't get the dye off of the primer-painted framework/structure.
(*) I didn't know there was something that *could* leak until somebody actually mentioned that they had to keep refilling the resivor to prevent it from making an "infuriating racket" when asked how their hands got stained. Guy was good enough to always include the dye in the recipe (in the manual/worksheet) but splotches of dye seeped everywhere other things lower on the same supports went.
I started to paint over parts of it w/ some left-over paint, before noticing the dye was coming/(showing?) through, and things cascaded from there as *everybody* had a turn trying anything other than cleaning up the previous attempt and waiting for a concealing layer of paint to dry.
[ :/ ] I don't think anybody updated the worksheet to include reporting/recording when the resivoir was topped off.
Fortunately I went back to school before that could become my problem. I was just there for the comms wiring.
Use Yellow Jacket part # 19209 low loss fitting, I have for years, no refrigerant oils coming back on your hands.
When I spend time on units like you do the customer always comes and asks if I know what I'm doing. I just look at them with a blank stare and tell them "I'll let you know when I'm done and they're working".
lol i just tell them " nope but i fake it real well" (auto tech)
@HVACR Videos, a question - I like the fact you bought a spare sensor and left it on-site, but why inside the unit where you already replaced it? I would be inclined to stash it inside the other unit, where one would expect to need it sooner or later. Just curious.
In NYC about 1960 time frame Kold Draft ice cube company had the market on this type of system. Water was used . It wasn't as fancy as this system.
Nice work man. Super professional. I don’t do commercial work but it’s interesting to see your troubleshooting process. Good stuff, keep it up.
Great job
soon as you said it wasn't dropping in temp but was flooding back and then sweating at the pumps, my mind said bad temp probe :)
but I know how often the junk fails and many thermal fuses.
Normally the xr60 comes with 2 sensors.
$125.00 up here in NYS
I remember when I decided that I wasn't going to do refrigeration anymore. It was around midnight, and over someones beer cooler. It's an emotional roller coaster. At least that's what I think. Oh, Have I mentioned. Your a gentleman and a fuc*in good schooler. Good yob!
What did you move on to? Or literally just don’t do refrigeration and just do AC?
Literally AC only
Thank you!
I would like to learn about those systems in depth. I service, water source heat pumps on house boats. Might be something I'm interested in. In definitely need training in the beverage industry, any help would be appreciated. Thanks love the vids.
Please explain the problem of useing service gauges with smallish compressors. Perlick is usualy really good about getting parts- but i understand if somone is freeking you need to do it that day. OMFG that looks like automotive ethelene glycol!!! It absolutly needs to be food grade propylene glycol.
Good job
Great video as always. The roofs all look alike where you are because sometimes I wonder if you are on one of ours.
That unit looked slightly low on glycol as well and that color is not likely hydrolic food grade.
I had a similar call recently. I adjusted the controller to compensate for the differential in temperature until the part came in. Please video changing the probe as there is a trick to doing it without leaking out all of the glyco
My bad commented b4 video was done...,
Hi Chris, nice vid 👌🏻 GEV is good place for electronic Dixell/Eliwell components/fan motors etc. May be useful for you for different parts. 😉
You should look into the weh quick disconnect fitting for your guages they work really good
Great video. Unless axv have changed superheat is not adjuatable.
sometimes the glycol mix can get weak overtime, advise to replace the mix and/or check the freezing temp of the glycol mix
if you are leaving the parts in the unit, do you tag them as "spare" so if someone else ever came along they would know why it's their and not assume its a bad one from a previous lazy tech or wonder what is going on?
Nice video I love the video I spent all day yesterday watching your video
Also I want to mention is I can follow and understand everything that is going on, this is the kind of work that I wanted to get into, I can follow everything that is going on not only this video but all of them.
Thanks bud, I will be going live on TH-cam this evening 1/24/22 @ 5:PM (pacific) to discuss recent videos and answer questions from emails, TH-cam comments and the live chat, come over and check it out th-cam.com/video/lbSNs2Wizok/w-d-xo.html
Yes poly pro. We called it a sweet water bath not sure why maybe be cause the water (polypropylene) is sweet tasting
uh that bar needs to switch out the ethylene glycol for propylene glycol. super not ok to run with automotive coolant.
Hey Chris, I just got the Benie today!, Thanks!
Thanks for the support bud!@
@@HVACRVIDEOS : Any time buddy!. looking to make more purchases in the near future!!!!!!
The temperature probe looks like a standard PT100 RTD. They should be commonly available. Can also be tested easily with an ohm meter. Just wondering.
I've been doing commercial work for the past year after I finished hvac school. School will not get you ready for the majority of things you will run into.
in some cases i agree with you, I have worked with several who went thru school, some had the aptitude for it, some didnt . best one i ever worked with was like me, self taught and trained on the job.
lol i see why u got wrong one but singer fix is replace fitting
if i were u i would have parts number list in every machine that way can be easy find currently one if ya dont like it than well better off getting tools that can help you find right diagnosed size
Great job and video
Another awesome job !!
Great video👌👌👌just wondering how did you wire the temporary temperature control ?
Nice video! Fixes like this make my think about bailing on my desk job in engineering to become an HVAC technician..
What would you say to me?
j p fixes like this? Watch all his videos.....not many are like this with a simple sensor swap. Usually crazy multiple issues at all hours of the night and weekends. Lol
Be ready to not know what you are doing for a couple of years.
Enjoy working outside in the heat and late at night. Oh also enjoy waking up at 2:00 am to go and replace a capacitor or turn a switch to the "on" position. I love solving problems and that is what being an HVAC tech basically is. Most importantly really understand the systems you are working on, I mean understand the fundamentals of actual operational equipment. This is an excellent channel to get a firm understanding of the life.
i did the move from being a building engineer to full blown HVAC/R 2 years ago, the first couple of months were a struggle due to having to be more precise and faster on diagnosing and repairing equipment. After 2 years of being in it i still struggle everyday but i feel more comfortable troubleshooting and doing repairs. i gotta say it was a really good decision on my part i wouldn't trade the knowledge and experience i acquired for anything.
Interesting, all the complex systems just to keep beer cold at the taps located in another room. I thought it was just a simple cooler at the tap to keep a keg cold. All that electricity for a cold beer.
Nice Job👍🏻
So was that sensor a positive or negative? Some I've found are either depending on the year made from suppliers. This is something to watch out for. Good stuff Chris. Have a great night.
Why don’t they use immersion wells?
excellent video...thanks!
Someone start a petition for Chris to legally change his name to "The HVAC Whisperer"
How did you wire the temporary thermostat?
Do you guys remember that one of them had the line-set was replaced?
Great video as usual my man. Much love from Canada!
an air conditioner to cool the room to cool the glycol unit to cool the beer. that's a high energy bill for cold beer
Wonder what the break-even point is for energy savings from using a roof-mounted condenser glycol unit versus the installation cost of such a system.
Did the controller read the signal from temp temperature sensor or did you have to trick it somehow to work correctly?
Instead of trying to trick the temperature controller, he bypassed it entirely with a mechanical temperature controller.
In more detail, he removed the contactor coil wires from the digital temperature controller and put them on the mechanical temperature controller, along with a power feed to complete the circuit. The mechanical temperature controller's sensing bulb was placed in the glycol tank tied off to the glycol return line with a zip tie.
Have you tried out Testo ? We use it up here in Norway 🇳🇴
Great music comes from you Norwegians thank you 🤘🏻
Your customers should thank god they picked your company to service they're equipment. 👍👍
Your videos make me want to change careers and become a HVACR tech. I am 58 so maybe a little too late. Great content, thanks.
What type of compressors do those units have?
Why not switch out the temp control with the other unit temp control?
Nice find and the temp fix if that was here and you get it running they'll tell you leave it like that... They are super el cheapo here
Same goes for electrical. "It's just temporary" Ya, and 3 yrs later it will still be there.
Nothing more permanent than a temporary solution
@@1337woody yeah, yesterday I found a few 208v control wires just kinda hanging out in a freezer condensing unit. I guess they didn't do anything. I taped them up so they wouldn't short out.
@@1337woody 9i⁰9th of 9th
Great video. I work on glycol units. Something i noticed was the glycol bath seemed low. The unit has 3 pumps on it so its obviously servicing a lot of beer lines. Possibly multiple towers n lines splitting off. Such a low bath temp sensor was just picking up return glycol more so then supply. I also carry a glycometer n check brix %. 25% brix is good. But as always great video the replaced sensor worked. U the man
So, on these glycol units, do they use standard automotive antifreeze, or is there a special glycol fluid for these?
They use a special food grade glycol, I will discuss this live on TH-cam this evening 6/22/20 @5:PM (pacific) come check it out. th-cam.com/video/UHTXNEb887Y/w-d-xo.html
When are you selling those HVAC-R hats??
Love the vids keep it up