Polycold and Telemark Refrigerant Replacement Charges

Please refer to the Polycold Recharge Procedure for specific details relating to your particular Polycold model series.

As a general rule, replacement charges are installed utilizing the Polycold unit's own compressor to suck in any remaining refrigerant from the replacement charge cylinders. The use of a charge recovery system for this purpose is not recommended for the following reasons:

Each replacement charge that M&T Systems sells¹, has been calibrated to the compressor pump-down capabilities and needs of a given unit. A unit such as the PFC-1100HC with its 10 HP 37 CFM compressor can usually pump-down into a much deeper vacuum than most recovery systems are capable of, or at least do so in a much shorter time period. If a recovery system were used instead of the unit's compressor, there is a very good chance that refrigerant would be left behind in the replacement charge cylinder. Thereby resulting in a slightly under charged unit, and potential capacity loss as a result.

When it comes to smaller units such as a P-100, PGC-150, or a PFC-330, the pump-down capabilities of the unit's compressor tend to be not as good as some charge recovery systems. So if a recovery system were used to transfer the replacement charge to the unit, there is a high likelihood that too much refrigerant would be present within the unit, and either prevent the unit from starting, or result in a shut-down occuring soon afterwards due to a high pressure fault.

IMPORTANT It is quite common for the unit's initial balance pressure to exceed what is listed in our Unit Balance Pressure Chart. Large units such as the PFC-1100HC, will normally be 15-20 psi higher, and smaller units can deviate even more. Please do not be tempted to remove some of the charge until at least 24 hours has passed, during which time the refrigerant will "soak-in" and the balance pressure will drop into a more reasonable range.

M&T Systems replacement charges are sized appropriately¹, and should not require balance pressure adjustment if all recharge procedures were followed correctly.

¹ Exception: our Polycold '02 Series Charges which are provided by a 3rd party due to licensing restrictions, usually have extra refrigerant above and beyond what is actually needed by the unit.