Sea Frost DC 5000 - Manual (Page 31)

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8. Leak check the capped connection service ports with the leak detector.
9. Spray the acrylic coating, or similar rust inhibitor, on all the fittings and components
when they are dry.
10. Finish insulating the V/U, suction line and any suction line connectors.
11. BREAK-IN PERIOD. During the first four hours of operation of a new compressor,
limit the compressor running times to thirty minutes with an hour rest period.
READING THE SIGHT GLASS
A clear sight glass when the compressor is operating signifies a sufficiently charged
SEA FROST DC 5000 System. To determine the meaning of "clear", notice the
appearance of the RFD sight glass when the system is at rest with the compressor off.
This is a "clear" glass.
WARNING: A clear sight glass can also indicate a completely EMPTY system.
Anytime the compressor is started, white foam should appear in the sight glass
indicating that refrigerant is present. This foam may disappear quite quickly, but
IF NO FOAM IS EVIDENT and the system is not cooling, the system is empty. DO
NOT OPERATE THE SYSTEM in this empty condition. Operation in this mode will
ruin the compressor. Be sure to disable the system (Disconnect wiring.) to
prevent operation until the problem is solved.
Fast moving white foam with the compressor operating indicates an insufficient charge
level. Watch closely for a transition from foam to total liquid, indicated by a clear sight
glass. This transition point can be missed if proper attention is not given. Also, IT IS
POSSIBLE for the sight glass to show large bubbles even when the charge is
sufficient, so it is important to differentiate between "foam" and "bubbles". The
foam condition has velocity and direction; the bubbles are large, temporary, and nearly
stationary. Do not try to chase away these larger bubbles with more refrigerant:
overcharging will then occur. Air in the system may give a false sight glass reading,
which could lead to overcharging. If in doubt, discharge a suspected overcharged
system to continuous foam and slowly add refrigerant to clear the glass. Monitor the
sight glass continually since the glass will not indicate when the system is overcharged.
In a warm system, when the plate is above freezing (32.F) upon start-up, the sight glass
may take several minutes to clear. A cold system, in cold water, may show a clear
glass within seconds of start-up.