You need proper gauges to do it "right". Odds are you'll be okay though. Untold millions of people have probably topped their systems off the same way you just did and I bet most of them are fine. If you are losing refrigerant, there is an underlying issue that shouldn't be there - these are closed systems. What you did may let you limp along with cool air until you can address the underlying issue (which will likely require a drain and refill, unless it is something as simple as a schraeder valve.
Build 2008 LX Live Camera Car and Overlanding Build.
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- #322
Is there a way to check for refrigerant leaks? Ive heard of using dye but wasn’t sure if there was an easier way. I checked the pressure again and it is lower than yesterday, could this be a sign of a leak or is that normal? It is much cooler today than yesterday, not sure if that affects the pressure.
If you have time, link the gauge I need and the special tool I need to capture expelled refrigerant, and I will make plans to redo it the proper way.
Thanks again! I do really appreciate having you guys here to watch over things because I can be quite sloppy sometimes lol. It comes with the learning experience.
You might need an AC pro to say more (aka not me).
I doubt you would buy a refrigerant capture tool - it is a big machine that shops have. It prevents the refrigerant from going into the atmosphere and destroying the ozone layer. You can probably find a shop willing to recover it for you instead of buying this expensive equipment.
They make tools (leak detectors) that are sniffers that can help you find a leak and there are dye kits too.
In addition to a way to recover refrigerant, you'll need a set of gauges (two gauges, blue and red hoses), a line to connect to your refrigerant/vac pump (yellow hose), a vacuum pump, plus R134A refrigerant and PAG oil.
You can buy it all separately from a bunch of different sources, including cheap stuff from Harbor Fright, up to professional grade tools.
Here is a link so you can see some of the main equipment: OEMTOOLS 68988 Professional A/C Kit - R134a
An AC valve core tool can come in handy (Amazon product ASIN B07HC9FNQY).
If you dig into it, you may need to replace ac specific green (nitrile?) o-rings. The last time I worked on ac on a cruiser (former 100 series) I replaced my compressor and receiver/dryer and some other stuff. I haven't touched this on my 200. I've used it on several other brands of car too, same basic idea.
I think ac work is a job most people would leave to a professional.
I doubt you would buy a refrigerant capture tool - it is a big machine that shops have. It prevents the refrigerant from going into the atmosphere and destroying the ozone layer. You can probably find a shop willing to recover it for you instead of buying this expensive equipment.
They make tools (leak detectors) that are sniffers that can help you find a leak and there are dye kits too.
In addition to a way to recover refrigerant, you'll need a set of gauges (two gauges, blue and red hoses), a line to connect to your refrigerant/vac pump (yellow hose), a vacuum pump, plus R134A refrigerant and PAG oil.
You can buy it all separately from a bunch of different sources, including cheap stuff from Harbor Fright, up to professional grade tools.
Here is a link so you can see some of the main equipment: OEMTOOLS 68988 Professional A/C Kit - R134a
An AC valve core tool can come in handy (Amazon product ASIN B07HC9FNQY).
If you dig into it, you may need to replace ac specific green (nitrile?) o-rings. The last time I worked on ac on a cruiser (former 100 series) I replaced my compressor and receiver/dryer and some other stuff. I haven't touched this on my 200. I've used it on several other brands of car too, same basic idea.
I think ac work is a job most people would leave to a professional.
Seems like these are all good options! What about a refrigerator? And don't forget to pay yourself too, put a small percent into a savings or rainy day fund.
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- #325
Noted on the leaving the hard stuff to the pros. What I am trying to gather is, how do I know when it’s time to take it to the pros?
I’m guessing if it starts Getting warm again too soon or if my condenser stops spinning? Are there more subtle signs, or signs that come sooner?
Fingers crossed!
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- #326
Can always count on you to keep me on track.
I’m not a “savings” kind of person, since I am blessed to have people around me that will help me anytime I come up short on necessities. I just have a lot of faith in people and never really felt the need to have a savings account.
I do what I can for people without expecting money or anything in return, and because of that people do the same for me. On most days I am borderline broke or just broke, but I never worry about money. It’s quite liberating. I do realize that I say this from a very privileged standpoint, which is why I say that I am blessed.
At one point I gave away most of my material belongings, minus what I needed/fit in the car, and to this day I still have friends trying to give me money or asking what I need for my car. I turn down the help because I don’t need it yet, but you can consider that my “savings”. I invest into it by investing my time into helping others so that when I need help, they can have the opportunity to return the favor.
Anyways, With it being 90 degrees and July being next month, I think the fridge for sure needs to be squeezed in. So many things I want and as you guys know I’m ADD as hell, so I will jump around 100 different places and forget my priorities real fast xD. Keep Tiger Cool this summer, Got it, Thanks for the reminder.
If I go kayak route I can afford fridge for sure, and likely rim route. The sidecar is most expensive thing on list. Darn, sorry Tiger!
Anyways, this peaked my interest for $250:
funding project almost done and shipping begins in July
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- #327
And I will leave this here so we don’t forget the dream:
So I was thinking have them do the custom rack for the Kayak so that it lays down instead, and then I get a 2 seater kayak, and Tiger can sit in the Kayak while the Kayak sits in the carrier, while we ride to the lake. This is for when the awning room is deployed, when I don’t feel like putting the kayak back on the roof, or when I just feel like riding to the lake with Tiger instead of driving.
We are not giving up on the dream, just simply pushing it back.
So I was thinking have them do the custom rack for the Kayak so that it lays down instead, and then I get a 2 seater kayak, and Tiger can sit in the Kayak while the Kayak sits in the carrier, while we ride to the lake. This is for when the awning room is deployed, when I don’t feel like putting the kayak back on the roof, or when I just feel like riding to the lake with Tiger instead of driving.
We are not giving up on the dream, just simply pushing it back.
It's a super stratified market the refrigerators. At the top end is something like the 45L Engel Combi. They are renowned for lasting literally generations, and are $1200 or so. Then there is the middle ground, where it's $500 to $800. Some new players in there, and some lower end items from the originals, Dometic has a line in this price point.
Then the mass produced random brand stuff like Alpicool, which is $200 to $500. If you're really setting up for the long haul, it's a buy once cry once deal and just get the 'one'. If it fit behind my 3rd row, I would have gotten a Combi. Also for those that boondock for 10 days, the power draw becomes the one selection factor as they are on solar power only and counting watts. At that point you want to spend up front for more insulation and better compressor and advanced power management.
However, I chose an asian mass produced. I selected it entirely because it was the largest volume I 'think' (not received yet, it will be close like 1/8" tolerance) will fit behind the third row seat. It isn't the long term build plan, just for this summer and next probably. Then it will live a pampered life as a garage beer fridge. Since I have a third row right now, I can't devote 1/2 the car to a permanently installed fridge; that has to be used for cargo space. Not everyone will have this kind of limitation.
The one I got:
Amazon item B07PKBPK7S
If it doesn't fit I'll be returning and getting a 20 or 23l chest fridge.
These are too small for your need probably. and I think the fridge/freezer at the same time would be a good feature for you (ice and cold beer, yes, right!) Maybe if you're not buy once cry once with an ARB or Engel, look at the Alpicool T50?
Then the mass produced random brand stuff like Alpicool, which is $200 to $500. If you're really setting up for the long haul, it's a buy once cry once deal and just get the 'one'. If it fit behind my 3rd row, I would have gotten a Combi. Also for those that boondock for 10 days, the power draw becomes the one selection factor as they are on solar power only and counting watts. At that point you want to spend up front for more insulation and better compressor and advanced power management.
However, I chose an asian mass produced. I selected it entirely because it was the largest volume I 'think' (not received yet, it will be close like 1/8" tolerance) will fit behind the third row seat. It isn't the long term build plan, just for this summer and next probably. Then it will live a pampered life as a garage beer fridge. Since I have a third row right now, I can't devote 1/2 the car to a permanently installed fridge; that has to be used for cargo space. Not everyone will have this kind of limitation.
The one I got:
Amazon item B07PKBPK7S
If it doesn't fit I'll be returning and getting a 20 or 23l chest fridge.
These are too small for your need probably. and I think the fridge/freezer at the same time would be a good feature for you (ice and cold beer, yes, right!) Maybe if you're not buy once cry once with an ARB or Engel, look at the Alpicool T50?
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Example Alpicool T50 rebrand
www.costway.com
53 Quarts Portable Electric Car Cooler Refrigerator - Costway
Buy 53 Quarts Portable Electric Car Cooler Refrigerator at Costway, enjoy great savings and discounts with fast, free shipping on everything.
I bought a cheap one (Edgestar 43 quart, I paid $459) thinking it would be a short term solution. I picked it up years ago when I had my first 80 series. It has been indestructible. We've used it as a backup fridge during Covid, running 24/7 for months.
We got another one in a package deal with an offroad camper (Dometic, I think) that is much nicer, bluetooth enabled, blah, blah, blah, but hasn't stood the test of time yet. It has worked well for what little we've used it so far.
We got another one in a package deal with an offroad camper (Dometic, I think) that is much nicer, bluetooth enabled, blah, blah, blah, but hasn't stood the test of time yet. It has worked well for what little we've used it so far.
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- #331
You guys are awesome. You just saved me from spending hours looking at fridges, now I can go take Tiger on a nice walk and enjoy this amazing breeze outside before it rains.
@grinchy where should I order the T50 from? The cost way link? Also, I think we all want a “buy once cry once” (ARB elements fridge looks badass), but I think most of us actually have a “Buy Chinese and if it breaks I can buy 3 more before I hit ARB price” budget. And when it doesn’t break like @CharlieS said, then it’s icing on the cake! The amazon link didn’t work but like you said it’s likely too small. Thanks again for taking all that time to research this and sharing! The T50 looks perfect for me.
I think it’s time for me to come to terms with letting the 3rd row go. I need to free up storage space to get rid of the roof storage bag and make room for a future fishing kayak. This will also put drawers into the plans for the near-ish future.
I have a pair of 3rd row seats to donate if anyone knows of anyone needing them. I can ship.
@grinchy where should I order the T50 from? The cost way link? Also, I think we all want a “buy once cry once” (ARB elements fridge looks badass), but I think most of us actually have a “Buy Chinese and if it breaks I can buy 3 more before I hit ARB price” budget. And when it doesn’t break like @CharlieS said, then it’s icing on the cake! The amazon link didn’t work but like you said it’s likely too small. Thanks again for taking all that time to research this and sharing! The T50 looks perfect for me.
I think it’s time for me to come to terms with letting the 3rd row go. I need to free up storage space to get rid of the roof storage bag and make room for a future fishing kayak. This will also put drawers into the plans for the near-ish future.
I have a pair of 3rd row seats to donate if anyone knows of anyone needing them. I can ship.
YMMV will vary buying the alpicool rebrands. I haven't ever used costway, but they do offer free shipping, there is a T30, T50, and T60, the only difference is how tall they are. It's a consideration if you want to put it on a drawer and then open the lid how tall it can be. All this stuff is hard to know ahead of time.
I bet your search ninja is better than mine! Maybe look at a matching image search on the T50? I didn't see an amazon link, but that doesn't mean there isn't one under another name. Recently Costco was selling them. Homedepot also has a rebrand Alpicool line . . . not sure if this model is in it.
I put the item number above now instead of the direct link for Amazon. The only reason to go this small is to fit it behind the seat. Or if you're into replacing the front console in a minivan.
I bet your search ninja is better than mine! Maybe look at a matching image search on the T50? I didn't see an amazon link, but that doesn't mean there isn't one under another name. Recently Costco was selling them. Homedepot also has a rebrand Alpicool line . . . not sure if this model is in it.
I put the item number above now instead of the direct link for Amazon. The only reason to go this small is to fit it behind the seat. Or if you're into replacing the front console in a minivan.
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- #333
Yeah you’re right about the rebrands, these are everywhere. There is one version with the display/controls on the side with cup holders on top, and one with controls on top and no cup holders. Both are 53 qts. I have to think about where I want my controls. Top is easier for adjusting inside the car, but I don’t picture me messing with the settings enough for it to matter?
Going to see if I can find one cheaper than 340, which is amazon price with coupon. Don’t buy the one from 4wheelparts, it looks slightly modified but twice the price. Xtremepowerus is an amazon seller that seems to carry multiple Alpicool fridges rebranded under their store name.
Going to see if I can find one cheaper than 340, which is amazon price with coupon. Don’t buy the one from 4wheelparts, it looks slightly modified but twice the price. Xtremepowerus is an amazon seller that seems to carry multiple Alpicool fridges rebranded under their store name.
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Be careful, some of those pictured are single zone (one big space all one temperature), essentially last years model. The T50 will have wheels and the handles are fold out not fixed. Also you'll want handles to strap to. beware of those with only indentations.
As far as I can find the costway 53qt is the only readily available rebrand. Price seems good. Costway probably has coupons hidden somewhere.
Not to cloud the decision process, but in the mid price range there are some metal dual chamber Whynter's on amazon. It is double the price . ..
Amazon product ASIN B008VX01P2
Amazon product ASIN B008VX01P2
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- #336
No worries here brother. I’m really glad you pointed out the wheel and dual zone on the 53qt!
also, not sure if it’s mobile issue but the last 2 amazon links have not worked for me. When I click it it opens my amazon app but doesn’t take me to any product.
I’d love to take a look at it if you have the actual url or item name/number.
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- #337
Nvm, when I quote your post then the link works... definitely a mobile issue.
it's an embedding automation on mud that isn't working correctly. It will look right at posting time, but then on refresh it borks it. sorry for the broken link. the Whynter 62 quart dual is Amazon product ASIN B008VX01P2
Product ID is B008VX01P2. Probably too much at $685. In that range you could get a more recognized brand name. I looked at the 'slim' model in that range, it was still too wide to fit behind the seat; just liked the metal construction and dual chambers. You have to live out of it, so those little niceties make a big difference if you are in there 15 or 20 times a day.
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- #339
Another good thing about metal is that it’s going to feel like Heaven for Tiger on a hot day, when it’s cooled. I have a feeling the top of the fridge will be his new favorite spot to lay on.
I have never had a fridge with a plastic lid on it, I imagine the metal will be much better as a cool platform for Tiger yeah? That adds value to it for sure. This means I won’t be putting a drawer underneath, so I could go taller/more volume. I actually want the top of the fridge to be level with the top of the bed similar to how my cooler sits currently. Going to do some measurements later and take that into consideration.
The biggest thing with moving up from the 300 to 700 price range is that at the 700 price range I will be a little salty if it breaks out of warranty and I smack myself wishing I’d went with the ARB or Engel.
Would you trust them for long term with the occasional bumpy trail rides?
i've not had one. Reviews are reviews . . . I have a Whynter roll around AC unit we trundle out every summer for a couple months. Bought it because there was a 'heat wave' and all the local stores had no stock and it was the only one with one day delivery . . . It's still ticking after five summers, but I wouldn't call my use putting it to the test. Most all this stuff is built in the one or two factories that make it. Quality Control costs $$ and warranties cost $$, so if it starts and runs for a month, it'll probably last forever, but the chance of a dud is higher as QC is less.
I don't think the outside will be cool (aside from it being metal), the insulation should keep the cold in and the hot out.
Definitely measure and think about where you want the build to go. That is in the end more valuable than a $250 savings. Or it might be you buy a disposable one now, run it this summer, Craigslist it when you put the drawers in. That's my plan. Except I'm going to use it for beer instead of CL.