Owners of household appliances are often faced with a situation when refrigerator stops freezing, and the first suspicion is a leak freon. The question of exactly how much refrigerant should be in the system becomes critical when planning repairs or self-diagnosis. Two-chamber models of the brand Indesit have their own design features that directly affect the volume and type of gas used.
Understanding the principles of operation refrigerant helps to avoid unnecessary call costs wizard for simple refueling, which is often impossible in modern systems. Unlike old Soviet units, modern two-chamber solutions require precise adherence to dosage. Even a minimal deviation from the norm can lead to failure compressor or ineffective operation of the entire system.
In this article we will look in detail at what the quantity depends on freon in different series Indesithow to find out the exact rate for your model and why simply “add gas” is often a wrong strategy. It is important to consider that each circuit cooling system is sealed and designed for a strictly defined pressure.
Factors influencing the volume of refrigerant
The amount of freon in the cooling system Indesit is not a universal constant for all models. It is calculated by engineers individually for each series, based on the volume evaporator and capacitor. The main factor here is the type of gas used, since different substances have different densities and heat capacities. gas, since different substances have different densities and heat capacities.
Modern two-chamber refrigerators most often run on isobutane (R600a) or tetrafluoroethane (R134a). isobutane requires a significantly smaller amount of substance compared to freon R134a. An error in determining the type of gas can lead to incorrect calculation of the mass of the filling, which is critical for systems with their complex pipeline structure. availability of the system two-chamber systems with their complex pipeline structure.
Size also affects volume. chambers and availability of a system No Frost. If the refrigerator has automatic defrosting technology, the number of heat exchangers increases, which may slightly change the overall volume of the system. However, the main volume of gas is always concentrated in the lines, and not in the evaporator.
- 🔹 Type of refrigerant (R600a requires less grams than R134a).
- 🔹 Volume of refrigeration and freezer chambers (affects the length pipeline).
- 🔹 The presence of a No Frost or drip defrosting system.
- 🔹 Year of manufacture of the model (old series used other types of gases).
It is important to understand that weight freon is indicated on the technical sticker, but the actual amount in the system may differ after repair. If the compressor or filter-drier was replaced, the technician must calculate a new dosage, since the old gas may not have been completely removed.
Types of refrigerants in Indesit refrigerators
Brand Indesit in its two-chamber models it mainly uses two types refrigerants. The choice of a specific substance depends on environmental standards and the year of production of the equipment. Early models could operate on R134awhich belongs to the class of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons).
More modern and energy-efficient series switch to R600a (isobutane). This is natural gas, which has excellent refrigerated properties, but is flammable. That is why working with it requires special care and professional equipment. Isobutane dosages are typically only 50–60 grams, making weighing accuracy critical.
⚠️ Caution: Isobutane (R600a) is explosive when concentrated in air. It is strictly forbidden to solder pipelines or open the system if there are open sources of fire or sparking devices in the room. Before starting any work, it is necessary to ensure ventilation.
You can determine the type of gas by the technical sticker located inside refrigeration chamber or on the back wall of the unit. The chemical composition and weight of the refill are indicated there. If the sticker is worn off, the type of freon can be determined by the color of the service pipe fitting (for R600a it often has a distinctive marking) or by the characteristics of the refrigerator compartment compressor.
Is it possible to mix different types of freon?
Mixing different types of refrigerants (for example, R134a and R600a) is strictly prohibited. This leads to a chemical reaction, the formation of acids, destruction of the oil in the compressor and complete breakdown of the refrigeration unit. The system can only be filled with the type of gas for which it is designed.
Table of filling rates for popular series
To make it easier to find information, we have systematized data on filling rates for common two-chamber models Indesit. Please note that the values are average factory settings. The exact figure for your copy is always indicated on nameplate.
| Series / Model | Refrigerant type | Charging mass (grams) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit DF 520 | R600a (Isobutane) | 130 ± 5 | No Frost System |
| Indesit C 138 | R134a (Tetrafluoroethane) | 210 ± 10 | Drip system |
| Indesit B 18 | R600a (Isobutane) | 110 ± 5 | Economy class |
| Indesit DS 320 | R600a (Isobutane) | 145 ± 5 | Increased volume |
As can be seen from the table, the difference in mass can be significant. R134a is characterized by higher filling values, while isobutane requires pinpoint precision. Underfilling will lead to the compressor work without interruption, trying to gain temperature, which will shorten its life.
Overfilling is also dangerous: excess pressure can trigger the emergency valve or damage condenser. In systems with No Frost excessive amounts of oil and gas can lead to water hammer, as liquid freon enters the suction pipe.
Signs of a leak and the need for refueling
Before thinking about the quantity freon, you need to make sure that a leak has actually occurred. The system Indesit is sealed and gas is not consumed during operation. If the level refrigerant has dropped, it means that the integrity of the circuit has been compromised.
The first and most obvious sign is a violation of the temperature regime. Products in freezer compartment
Before thinking about the amount of freon, you need to make sure that a leak has actually occurred. The system Indesit is sealed and gas is not consumed during operation. If the level refrigerant has dropped, it means that the integrity of the circuit has been compromised.
The first and most obvious sign is a violation of the temperature regime. Food thermal protection has been triggered begins to thaw, and the refrigerator compartment becomes warm. In this case, the compressor can work continuously without turning off, or, conversely, turn on extremely rarely if the freezer thermal protection.
Visually it is difficult to detect a leak, but you can pay attention to the swelling of the back wall inside the chamber (at the place where the evaporator foams) or the appearance oily stains under the refrigerator. The oil comes out together with gas, so greasy marks on the condenser tubes are a sure sign of depressurization.
- 🔸 The compressor hums constantly, but there is no cold.
- 🔸 There is no ice on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment (for drip systems).
- 🔸 The appearance of a characteristic oil stain at the leak site.
- 🔸 Swelling of the internal panel of the case.
The gas will go away again in a few days or weeks. The repair should include nitrogen testing, searching for a fistula, soldering, and only then vacuuming and refilling.
Refilling process: why accuracy is important
The process of restoring the amount of freon in a two-chamber Indesit requires special equipment. You can’t just connect the cylinder and open the valve. First, the system must be carefully vacuumed to remove moisture and air.
Residual moisture in the circuit, when mixed with oil and freon, forms an acid that corrodes the windings compressor from the inside. Therefore, the use of a vacuum pump and pumping time (usually at least 15–20 minutes) are mandatory steps. Only after creating a deep vacuum does the introduction of refrigerant begin.
⚠️ Attention: Filling “by eye” or by the temperature of the tubes is unacceptable for modern refrigerators. Electronic scales accurate to 1 gram are required. Exceeding the mass of freon even by 10-15 grams can disrupt oil circulation.
Gas is introduced in the liquid phase (if R134a is used) or steam (for R600a, with caution), strictly controlling the mass on the scales. After refueling refrigerator turn on and check the pressure in the system, condensation temperature and operation of the evaporator.
☑️ Checklist before refueling
If you do not have the skills to work with refrigeration equipment, it is better to entrust this procedure to specialists. Incorrect refueling can lead to costly repairs or complete replacement of the unit.
Common mistakes during self-repair
Attempts to save on the services of specialists often lead to worsening breakdowns. One of the main mistakes is the belief that freon needs to be “added” periodically, like oil in a car engine. This is a myth: gas circulates in a sealed circuit for decades without loss. Indesit gas circulates for decades without loss.
Another common mistake is using the wrong oil or freon. For example, an attempt to fill a system designed for R600awith gas R134awill lead to an increase in pressure in the system by 1.5–2 times. This is guaranteed to disable the compressor and possibly damage the pipelines.
Replacement is also often ignored filter-drier. When opening the system to find a leak or replace the compressor, the filter must be changed. The old sorbent becomes saturated with moisture and stops working, which leads to the formation of an ice plug in the capillary tube.
Don't forget about safety. Opening the circuit in an unventilated area during use isobutane creates a risk of explosion. The gas concentration in the air must be controlled, and any sparking tools must be excluded from the work area.
FAQ: Answers to popular questions
Is it possible to refuel the Indesit refrigerator yourself without a scale?
It is strictly not recommended. Modern two-chamber models require gram accuracy. Refilling without scales will either lead to underheating or overload the compressor and burn it out.
How often do you need to change freon in the refrigerator?
Freon has no expiration date and is not consumed. It is changed only in case of leakage. If the system is sealed, the gas lasts as long as the refrigerator itself.
Why does the refrigerator freeze after refueling, but is very noisy?
The noise may indicate air getting into the system (poor vacuum), the wrong type of oil or an excess amount of freon, causing water hammer in the compressor.
Where is the sticker with the filling rate on Indesit?
Usually it is located inside the refrigerator compartment on the left or right wall, or on the rear outer wall of the unit. Look for the “Gas” or “Refrigerant” label.
Is it dangerous to breathe freon vapors from a refrigerator?
In small quantities (leakage from a household refrigerator), freon is not toxic, but displaces oxygen. However, R600a (isobutane) is explosive. In case of a severe leak, it is necessary to ventilate the room.