The ac service call in this video is on first hot 90 degree weekend of the season. On call emergency service is different than standard service calls. The objective is do whatever can be done to make system work. On service call and I run into a compressor that has overheated. I checked the windings and find at the windings are opened. Therefore I have to cool off the compressor. After cooling off the compressor I mag out the compressor windings to verify the insulation is still good. Furthermore a check and verify that the compressor has closed its overloads and I have continuity and ohms on each winding.
Now that I’ve verified the compressor windings insulation is good. I start up the unit and find the system refrigerant charge is low on r-22. Not enough refrigerant returning to the compressor has cause it to overheat.
I let the homeowner know it is time to replace the system. They want me to recharge the system at first using only 3 pounds of our 22 since it’s expensive. I told him they were going to have to pay me what are the 3 pounds would fix their system or not. After putting 3 pounds of our 22 into the system, the pressure still we’re low. The homeowner told me to put another pound. Afterwards one more until the system was correctly charged. I put 5 pounds in and I charge the system back into operating correctly. The homeowners know they need to replace the system. Since R-22 no longer is in production. Yet with temps above 90 they just wanted relief from the heat.