Whirlpool R600A User manual

TECHNICAL EDUCATION
JOB AID W10329932
L-84
Vertical Modular
Washer
R-125
SERVICE MANUAL
R600A Refrigerant
W11105483
Multimedia
Enhanced

ii n R600A Sealed System 2017
FORWARD
This Whirlpool Service Manual, (Part No. W11105483), provides the In-Home Service Professional with
service information for the “R600A Refrigerant Sealed System.”
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of this Service Manual is to provide informaon that will enable the In-Home Service
Professional to properly diagnose malfuncons and repair the “R600A Sealed system .”
The objecves of this Service Manual are to:
•Understand and follow proper safety precauons.
• Understand the R600a Refrigerant.
• Successfully perform necessary repairs.
•Successfully return the refrigerator to its proper operaonal status.
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION assumes no responsibility for any repairs made on our
products by anyone other than authorized In-Home Service Professionals.
Copyright © 2017, Whirlpool Corporaon, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

R600A Sealed System 2017 n iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
R600A Sealed System

 ................................................................................................................
R600A INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................
APPROVED R600A CONTAINERS.....................................................................................................
 ..............................................................
LEAK DETECTION ...........................................................................................................................1-4
 ....................................................................................1-5
 ..............................................................................................................................1-6
......................................................................................................................1-7
...............................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
.................................................................
 ...............................................................................
....................................................................................................................

GENERAL INFORMATION
R600A Sealed System 2017 n 1-1
Section 1:
General Information
This section provides general safety, parts, and
information for the R600A repair process.
¾Refrigeration Safety
¾R600A Introduction
¾Approved R600a Containers
¾Storage, Handling, and Transportation of
R600a
¾Leak Detection
¾Evacuation
¾Tools and Supplys
¾Charging Kit

1-2 n R600A Sealed System 2017
GENERAL INFORMATION
Refrigeration Safety
You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't immediately
You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't follow
All safety messages will tell you what the potential hazard is, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can
happen if the instructions are not followed.
Your safety and the safety of others are very important.
We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety
messages.
This is the safety alert symbol.
This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.
All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER” or “WARNING.”
These words mean:
follow instructions.
instructions.
DANGER
WARNING

GENERAL INFORMATION
R600A Sealed System 2017 n 1-3
Introduction
Whirlpool is introducing R600a as a new refrigerant for new
production household refrigerators and freezers. R600a is
a hydrocarbon with the benefits of zero ozone depletion
potential (ODP) and a very low global warming potential
(GWP) as compared to other refrigerants. An important
characteristic of R600a --a hydrocarbon is it's flammability.
This Manual details the procedure for performing sealed system
work on refrigerators and freezers utilizing R600a hydrocarbon
refrigerant. Special attention is given to mitigating flammability
concerns.
Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are flammable organic compounds made up of
hydrogen and carbon.
Hydrocarbon refrigerants are desirable because they have zero
ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a very low global warming
potential (GWP) compared to other refrigerants.
Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants have been used extensively
in household refrigerators and freezers for over 15 years in
countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and
Japan.
R600a
The EPA is updating the safe handling requirements under
Section 608 that currently applies to ozone depleting
refrigerants and extending them to substitutes like
hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs). These changes strengthen the existing program, in
particular, by requiring a number of industry best practices.
Link to the EPA testing and regulations: https://www.epa.gov/
section608/revised-section-608-refrigerant-management-
regulations
Isobutane is a hydrocarbon approved for use by the EPA
as a refrigerant in household refrigerators and freezers.
As a hydrocarbon, the EPA has exempted R600a from the
requirement to recapture used refrigerant. This service manual
covers the procedure for venting R600a to atmosphere.
Link: https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations
R600a is the designation given to refrigerant grade isobutane by
the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). ASHRAE categorizes R600a in
the A3 safety group. The A3 safety group is reserved for
refrigerants with lower toxicity, and higher flammability.
National Refrigerants, INC. Safety Data Sheet Link; www.
refrigerants.com/pdf/SDS%20R600a%20%20Isobutane.pdf
Other uses for Isobutane Link: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/
ingredient/isobutane
Introducon
Use Conditions
The use condions are:
1) R600a can only be used in new equipment designed
specically and clearly idened for the refrigerant.
2) Refrigerators or freezers using R600a must meet all
requirements listed in Supplement SA to UL 250.
3) A 150 gram charge size limitaon is imposed.
4) Refrigerators and freezers must meet labeling requirements.
5) Idenfying Refrigerators Containing R600a
To implement the proper safety precauons, it is necessary to
idenfy refrigerator using R600a refrigerant.
Check the Model and Serial Number tag inside the refrigerator
compartment. This tag lists the type and quanty of refrigerant
used.
Storage, Handling, and Transportation of R600a
It is the responsibility of the Service Company and Service
Technician to understand and comply with all Federal, and local
laws.
Technician Certification
Technicians must:
¾Pass a cercaon EPA exam oered by an approved
technician cercaon program in order to maintain, service,
repair, or dispose of appliances containing ODS or substute
refrigerants.
¾The cercaon exam will be updated to reect the new rules
and new refrigerants prior to this date.
¾Keep a copy of their cercate at their place of business.
¾Maintain a copy of their cercate unl three years aer no
longer operang as a technician.
¾Link; hps://www.epa.gov/sites/producon/les/2016-09/
documents/608_fact_sheet_technicians_0.pdf
(Figure K)
Approved R600a Containers
This is a Example of a Charging kit from Vulkan (Figure K). Follow
all handling instrucons listed on the cylinder or provided by the
supplier. Quanty of R600a transported should be limited to one
420 gram cylinders.

1-4 n R600A Sealed System 2017
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note: The Gas detector needs to be activated before any repairs are attempted and is to remain on
during the complete repair.
Locate the Gas detector at the lowest point and close to the work is being done.
Leak detection
Most electronic leak detectors used for HFC and HCFC leak detecon are not safe and sensive for use with ammable
refrigerants, so electronic detectors specically designed for ammable gases (or leak detecon spray) must be used.
The TIF TIF8900 is the perfect tool to be used in a situaon where a combusble gas, vapor or residue needs to be found. It is a
highly-sensive, cordless, combusble gas detector that idenes a broad range of natural gases including propane, methanol,
butane, and gasoline. Its uses include: Gas lines and Pipes, Exhaust and Fuel leaks, Propane lling staons, Fuel in marine bilges,
Heat Exchanger leaks, Check manholes for safety, Detect arson residue, IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) tests, and Liquid or gas red
heang systems.
Use a combusble gas leak detector to perform a background check around the appliance. Technicians must be trained in the
use, and the device must be cered for use with the specic refrigerant class being serviced.
Operang Instrucons
Once the baeries are fully charged, the instrument is ready to use (before use, carefully read and understand the warnings and
Cauons).
1. Turn the Instrument on in a non-contaminated atmosphere by moving the slide switch to the ON posion. The light should be
lit. No sound should be heard.
2. The lemost LED will illuminate to show that the unit is switched on.
3. Aer the automac warm up period is completed (about 30 seconds), a cking sound should be heard.
4. Adjust the sensivity control upwards unl a rapid signal is heard (Hi sensivity).

GENERAL INFORMATION
R600A Sealed System 2017 n 1-5
Gas detector Continued
5. The frequency of the ck (sound) is an indicaon of the
sensivity. Move the knob unl the cking is rapid, for High
sensivity, or slow for Low sensivity.
NOTE: If a steady ck cannot be maintained, it is indicave that
the baeries may need to be recharged.
6. Search the general area of the suspected refrigerant leak.
When a detectable compound enters the p, the ck rate
speeds up.
7. In conjuncon with the increased speed of the ck the LEDs
will light from le to right as a combusble is detected. The
larger the concentraon, the more the LEDS will light.
8. In most cases, it will not be necessary to adjust the sensivity
of the detector. However, if the siren sounds before a possible
leak source can be found, it is likely that air is contaminated with
heavy concentraons of gas. Therefore, you may desensize the
detector by moving the adjustment knob down to low sensivity
unl the cking slows to normal.
9. If your are searching for extremely small leaks, Make certain
the control knob is in the High posion or you hear rapid cking.
Ulize vacuum pumps, recovery equipment, and other tools
that are rated for and cered for use with A3 ammable
refrigerants. Vacuum pumps must be cered for the
refrigerant being used.
Evacuation:
If a vacuum pump rated for A3-refrigerant is not available,
check with your vacuum pump manufacturer for
instrucons about using equipment for A3s such as R600a.

1-6 n R600A Sealed System 2017
GENERAL INFORMATION
Refrigerants
Refrigerants
The use of ammable refrigerants in refrigeraon systems was
disconnued aer the appearance and large scale producon
of CFC refrigerants. CFC refrigerants became the refrigerants of
choice because they are low in cost, non-toxic and are not
ammable.
However, studies have shown that CFCs have damaged, and
connue to threaten, the Earth’s delicate ozone layer. In light
of this, the Montreal Protocol was established to manage the
disconnuaon of these refrigerants.
Various alternave refrigerants to CFC12 were studied
and some are now being used by the refrigeraon industry
worldwide. Among them, are some ammable
refrigerants.
Refrigerants such as (R 600a) isobutane have increased in
popularity with the consumer populaon primary because of its
environmentally benign properes. More specically, hydrocarbon
refrigerants are safe to the Earth’s ozone layer.
The Isobutane Refrigerant
Isobutane refrigerant, like other alternave refrigerants,
presents dierent thermodynamic characteriscs dierent from
those of R 12 or R134a (see gure 1).
Figure 1 shows that isobutane (R 600a) presents lower
vapour pressures than R 12 or R 134a, in the standard
operaonal temperature range for a refrigeraon system.
To beer observe the impact of substung R 12 for R 600a
in refrigeraon applicaons, please see the table.
Fig.1. - Behavior of vapor pressure of R 600a and R 134a in
relaon to R 12, according to temperature.
Compressor Label
gure 1

GENERAL INFORMATION
R600A Sealed System 2017 n 1-7
Tools & Supplies
Tools & Supplies
•Vacuum Pump; Preferred to have a rating 6 CFM capacity
•Gram measuring Scale
•¼” High Pressure Hose
•¼” Low Pressure Hose
•Exclusive manifold gages and hoses should be
used for servicing R600a Appliances. (High, Low, and
Vacuum) Hose requirements for R600a are still being
defined.
•Rubber Charging Hose with “T” Adapter & Shutoff Valve
•20’ PVC Recovery Hose
•R600a Refrigerant Maximum 420 Gram Cylinder
•Piercing Pliers
•Pinch Off Pliers
•Tubing Cutters
•Rubber Mallet
•Certified and calibrated combustible gas leak detector to
test for leaks if the system is charged with an A2L or A3
refrigerant.
•Liquid Charging Fitting
•Quick Disconnect Fittings
•Shutoff Valves
•Fire Extinguisher dry-powder fire extinguisher
rated for Class B fires
•Ventilation Fan
•Note: All tools are suggested to be Spark less tools.
Whirlpool requires and AHAM recommends using a leak
detector during the entire process. If gas or a leak is
detected, stop work and do not use tools that could cause
a spark during operation.
Figure 1
Figure 1: This is an example of a manifold gauge,
vacuum pump combinaon. Figure 2: Typical 6 cfm
vacuum pump without gauges. Figure 3: Vulkan R600a
Cylinder
Figure 2
Figure 3: Vulkan
R 6 0 0 a C y l i n d e r