Reily Air Conditioning Characteristics
 

Hi,

Right now I'm scrambling to find my misplaced addendum logs for N639GC, but in the meantime I'd asked my AP to have a look at my progressively weakening Air Conditioning system. He asked me if it's a 134a system. I do recall, from a earlier reading of aformentioned wandering logs, that this 337G had an AC system put in by Reily. Is it almost certainly a 134a system?

Tim Cote

Looks like r12/134, not sure if they are interchangeable. This photo is from a pulled accumulator on a rocket. I would email or call Bill Crews. He’ll know for sure.


https://ibb.co/bbjL962

I understand the fittings are different to refill the system. You should be able to tell by that. R134a became mandatory in 1993. If you have an R12 system you can still use it, but R12 is hard to find and highly regulated.

The three different ones that I've had we're all R12/ I still have a big bottle of R12 left!! $$$$$$ Like Gold

Tim:

It is an R 134 system. I just serviced it a couple of weeks ago. I replaced most major components back in 2017 after I bought the aircraft with an inoperative AC. Parts are not difficult to find.

I have the 134 serviced every year during the annual. Easy to do.

The only tricky part to it is changing the AC compressor belt if you have to. Takes a bit of time as you have to remove the upper rear cowling...

Richard

1976 T337G

AC questions Continuing
 

Thanks for all these comments. My system is indeed a 134a system, but there is precious little documentation. My AP asked me to ask the group if anyone knows how much the system takes, and what to pressurize it to. He doesn't want to over pressurize it, but none of that is written anywhere.

My AC system was serviced in Feb 2019 when some new components were installed by someone long before, but it isn't hardly working at all now. Shouldn't leak down so quickly; he is getting 134a with dye to look for a leak.

Any advice?

Tim Cote
2027386336
timcote1960@gmail.com

Tim:

It should take 220 PSI.

If leaking, check the rear of the compressor. There are two bolts there. Vibration can loosen them and get the gas to leak. If you remove the two bolts and open the rear cover of the compressor, you will see two O'Rings. Mine were leaking slightly. Replaced them and all good now.

Richard

N289 1976 T337G SN P3370233

AC questions Continuing
 

Thanks for all these comments. My system is indeed a 134a system, but there is precious little documentation. My AP asked me to ask the group if anyone knows how much the system takes, and what to pressurize it to. He doesn't want to over pressurize it, but none of that is written anywhere.

My AC system was serviced in Feb 2019 when some new components were installed by someone long before, but it isn't hardly working at all now. Shouldn't leak down so quickly; he is getting 134a with dye to look for a leak.

Any advice? Pressure? Volume? PV=nRT (still remember that much!)

Tim Cote
2027386336
timcote1960@gmail.com

AirCon Heaven....Alternator hell
 

Thanks for all the help on this. My A/P reports the recharge (with dye-laced refrigerant) was successful and it is chilly inside now. He will watch for leaks.

My rear alternator has gone bust. It's always something. I go through alternators like some folks go through water. Not the coupling this time, it's the windings, maybe still under warrantee. I've learned having an extra alternator on the shelf is worth it so will go and buy one.

I don't want to jinx myself here, but I did want to chime in about the frequency of servicing. I've had mine 10 years and have not serviced it and it still blows cold...thats running it every flight averaging probably 70 hours a year flight time. I just wanted the one's that have it to know if its tight, its like a car and rarely will need maintenance. Also, in humid environments, once the water holder thing fills up you're fan only till you land and it empties/pees. I count on it to keep me cool till I get where its cool...low flights over Florida on a summer day may not make the whole flight till it fills up.

Brent

Upgrade alternator(s)
 

I vaguely recall the standard alternators are something like 38 amps.

And the AC unit draws MORE than 38 amps, so if it loads onto just one alternator, kapowee.

Upgrade the alternators with as much max rating as you can find, to get the max headroom, and you should stop eating alternators.

I think Reilly put 60 amp alternators on...fwiw my alternator problems went away with the 400 series regulator mod