Operating Manual Model 16900 Refrigerant Identifier
Table of Contents Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hardware Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Precautions WARNING : To prevent personal injury: • Study, understand, and follow all warnings in this manual before operating this unit. If the operator cannot read these instructions, operating instructions and safety precautions must be read and discussed in the operator’s native language. —Si el operador no puede leer las instrucciones, las instrucciones de operación y las precauciones de seguridad deberán leerse y comentarse en el idioma nativo del operador.
Safety Precautions CAUTION: To prevent equipment damage, • • • • • • • • • • • Sample Filter: Inspect the outside diameter of the white sample filter element before and after each use of this instrument. As soon as red spots begin to appear on any portion of the white element outside diameter, the filter requires replacement. Failure to replace the filter when so indicated may result in “out of warranty” damage to the instrument.
Overview DESCRIPTION OF THE 16900 IDENTIFIER Contamination of refrigerant in air conditioning systems or storage cylinders can lead to component corrosion, component destruction, elevated system head pressure, and system failures when used by unsuspecting technicians. The ability of a technician to determine refrigerant type and purity is severely hampered by the presence of air when attempting to use pressure-temperature relationships.
Overview Sample gas is admitted into the instrument through the supplied sample hose and presented to the sensing devices. The instrument provides a digital readout of refrigerant purity, a pass or fail condition, and the amount of contamination. A sample is considered to be pure, or passed, if the concentration has been determined to be 98% or greater by weight of a single refrigerant (R-134a or R-12).
Hardware Descriptions HARDWARE The instrument houses the following basic components required to operate the Identifier: 1. Case: An injection-molded plastic housing that contains all internal components. 2. Hanger: Connects into the top of the case and provides the user a means to hang the instrument above the working area for handsfree operation. 3.
Hardware Descriptions 8. Air Detection Sensor: A chemical fuel cell that detects the amount of air contained within a refrigerant sample. 9. Control Circuit Board: Directs all activities of the instrument through the embedded microprocessor. The infrared detection device is also contained on this circuit board and provides all detection of refrigerant components of the sample gas. 10.
Hardware Descriptions POWER HARNESSES 1. Vehicle Battery Adapter: This is a 6-foot power cable that has an instrument mating connector on one end and vehicle battery connection clips on the other end. This harness is used to connect power from the vehicle battery to operate the instrument and avoid the use of extension cords. 2. Wall Power Adapter: This is a 6-foot power cable that has an instrument mating connector on one end and a plug-in power transformer on the other end.
Operating Procedure PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION 1. Inspect the outside diameter of the white element contained within the sample filter for any signs of red spots. The appearance of red spots anywhere on the outside diameter of the element indicates the filter requires replacement to avoid fouling the instrument. 2. Select the R-12 or R-134a sample hose as dictated by the application. Inspect the hose for cracks, signs of wear, obstruction, or fouling. Do NOT use a hose that has any signs of wear.
Operating Procedure 3. During the warm-up period, enter your local elevation above sea level into the instrument memory. The instrument is sensitive to elevation changes of 500 feet (152 meters), and the local elevation must be entered into the instrument memory upon initial use. Normal barometric variations do not affect the performance of the instrument. Once the elevation has been entered, it does not require entry again unless the instrument is moved to a new elevation.
Operating Procedure 4. The instrument draws in ambient air through the air intake port for approximately one minute. Ambient air is used to calibrate the detection devices and purges the instrument plumbing of residue refrigerant vapors. NOTE: For a correct calibration, the surrounding ambient air must be clear of refrigerant vapors, hydrocarbons, and oxygen-depleting compounds such as carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. 5.
Operating Procedure 7. The results of the analysis are now presented to the user on the instrument display. PASS: Displayed when a sample is detected to have 98% or greater of R-12 or R-134a by weight. The refrigerant type and air concentration are also displayed. FAIL: Displayed when a sample is detected to be a blend of R-12 and R-134a refrigerants with neither R-12 or R-134a having 98% or greater concentration. The weight percentages of R-12, R-134a, and air are displayed.
Operating Procedure POST-OPERATION PROCEDURE 1. Disconnect the sample hose from the instrument sample inlet port. Inspect the hose for signs of wear, cracking, oil fouling, or obstruction, and replace if necessary. Clean the outside of the hose, and coil and stow it in the storage case. 2. Inspect the sample filter white element outside diameter for the presence of red spots. If any red spots are found, replace the sample filter, as directed in the Maintenance Procedures on page 17. 3.
Error Codes ERROR CODES AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS The instrument is supplied with self-diagnostic software to aid in determining problems. The software will supply error messages that direct the user toward specific corrective actions in the event of system failure. Should corrective measures not correct the problem, the user is advised to contact Robinair at 1-800-822-5561 for assistance.
Error Codes DETECTOR FAULT: Signifies internal infrared sensor failure due to temperature extremes. Corrective Actions: 1. Allow the instrument to stabilize at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before attempting use. 2. To clear the error code, power down the instrument. The error code automatically clears. CALIBRATION FAULT: Signifies an infrared calibration fault. Corrective Actions: 1. Verify the air intake port and sample exhaust port of the instrument are not clogged or obstructed. 2.
Error Codes AIR SENSOR FAULT: Signifies an air detection sensor calibration fault. Corrective Action: 1. Verify the air intake port and sample exhaust port of the instrument are not clogged or obstructed. 2. If the instrument is being used in an enclosed area, oxygendepleting compounds, such as carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, may accumulate in the surrounding atmosphere and be drawn into the intake port during calibration.
Maintenance MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES SAMPLE FILTER REPLACEMENT Inspection Frequency: Inspect the sample filter before and after each use of the instrument. Failure to replace the sample filter when so indicated may result in out-of-warranty damage to the instrument. What To Look For: Inspect the outside diameter of the white element for the appearance of red spots or discoloration, which indicate the sample filter requires replacement. Note: Inspect only the outside diameter.
Maintenance SAMPLE HOSE INSPECTION AND CLEANING Inspection Frequency: Inspect sample hose(s) before and after each use of the instrument and after every replacement of the sample filter. What To Look For: Inspect the inside diameter of the inner tube for signs of cracking, fouling, oil entrapment, kinks, or other signs of wear. Oil contamination is cleansed by flushing the hose(s) as described below. Immediately replace hoses that show signs of wear. Sample Hose Flushing Procedure: 1.
Maintenance AIR DETECTION SENSOR REPLACEMENT Inspection Frequency: The Identifier informs the user of possible air detection replacement requirements by displaying AIR SENSOR FAULT. Air Detection Sensor Replacement Procedure: Refer to Error Codes and Corrective Actions, and try each suggested action. If the instrument still shows the error code, the air detection sensor needs to be replaced. 1. Power down the instrument, and remove the sample hose from the instrument sample inlet port. 2.
Replacement Parts REPLACEMENT PARTS Replacement parts are available directly from Robinair distributors. To find the nearest distributor, visit the website at www.robinair.com or call 1-800-822-5561. Part Description 20 Part No. Sample Filter (pkg.
Specifications SPECIFICATIONS Sample Parameters: Vapor only, oil and liquid free, 300 psig (2 MPa) maximum. Detected Compounds: R-12, R-134a, air, and unknown compounds. Sensor Technologies: Non-dispersive infrared and chemical fuel cell. Refrigerant Sample Size: 0.12 ounces (3.5 grams) per typical sample—weight of vapor loss. Power (standard or optional): Powered by vehicle battery through clip-on adapter harness (10–14V DC), or powered by line power through plug-in wall adapter harness (120V AC, 60 Hz).
Notes 22
Notes 16900 Refrigerant Identifier 23
Notes 24
Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year after the sale of the product. Exceptions to this policy will be individually identified.
% Visit our web site at www.robinair.com or call our Toll-Free Technical Support Line at 800-822-5561 in the continental U.S. or Canada. In all other locations, contact your local distributor. To help us serve you better, be prepared to provide the model number, serial number, and date of purchase. To validate the warranty, complete the warranty card attached to the unit, and return it within ten days from date of purchase.
