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PARTS OF THE CONDENSING UNIT:

Suction Line and Liquid Line Service Valves:

Figure 7 is the suction line service valve and is the one for the checking of the "freon" (refrigerant) inside the SUCTION or low side of the refrigerant cycle.

Suction & Discharge Valves To use this port, you need a set of refrigerant hoses, manifold and gauges. Here you would remove the small cap (1/4 inch flare or grommet sealed) and screw onto it the hose to test the pressure inside. When you remove the cap, there should be no pressure escaping since it has a Schrader valve in the port to hold back the pressure.
This is like the bicycle air valve. Or, it may have another cap near it when removed will reveal a stem device that must be screwed down a bit to release the pressure into the gauge port while your hoses are attached.

This expanded view shows the details of its design
Larger Port drawing
At any rate, when you attempt to remove the cap or caps, there should be no pressure escaping. If there is, stop and tighten it back and seek help in this part. Refrigerant under pressure in the unit can be extremely dangerous, so don't proceed. Call a dealer and tell him what you did and ask his advice.

Notice the screw device in the picture above. If you screw the valve clockwise you move a valve plunger downward into the flow of the refrigerant and that flow will stop. But please, notice that if your hose is attached to the service port, it will still have on it the pressure inside the tubing from one side of the valve unless you have removed it.

Figure 8 is for the checking of the refrigerant inside the LIQUID or high side of the system and is probably identical to the one for the suction line, but will be smaller. This one can be really dangerous until you are familiar with its characteristics. It is best that you not use this port until you have watched someone else do it and have "hands-on" experience. The refrigerant in this side is in the liquid state and under a much higher pressure. It can give you frost bite or worse before you can get away. It may be at a temperature of minus 30 degrees or less and is not to be handled without prior knowledge. However, you must use the service port if you wish to check the high side pressure (and you need to know what it is if you are trouble-shooting a problem).

If you do use this port, be sure to put it on the HIGH SIDE GAUGE. Its pressure may exceed the low side gauge capability and damage the gauge. Also, make sure the hose you use is of new or like-new quality. The pressure could stress an old hose and it may burst. A professional replaces his or her hoses every year and buys only good quality.

For more information on the service port valve plungers and service access ports, also view the information on one of the secondary pages of the Refrigerants and Charging section.


Other Parts Of The Condenser
Blade Assembly Motor Mounting Bracket
Capacitors Contactors Condenser Coils
Line Valves Compressor Feet Compressors



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