Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this comprehensive training video, we provide valuable Crankcase Heaters and Refrigerant Charging tips that can make or break your repair job:
Proper Refrigerant Charging Techniques
Why charging location matters: Learn the difference between charging into the suction line vs. liquid line
System off vs. system running: Best practices for each scenario
Preventing compressor damage: How improper charging can cause oil foaming and premature compressor failure
The automotive analogy: Why short oil circulation is like running a new car engine without proper lubrication
Crankcase Heater Wiring and Operation
Understanding crankcase heater purpose: Why they prevent refrigerant condensation in the compressor
Single pole vs. two pole contactors: Critical wiring differences that affect heater operation
Electrical theory explained: How the crankcase heater uses compressor windings as additional heating elements
Common wiring mistakes: What happens when you replace a single pole with a two pole contactor
Solutions and workarounds: Proper fixes and temporary solutions for field situations
Key Takeaways:
Always charge refrigerant into the liquid line when the system is off
Verify crankcase heater operation after compressor replacement
Use proper single pole contactors for crankcase heater circuits
Always weigh refrigerant to identify potential leaks
Think holistically about system problems and root causes
Pro Tips Covered:
How to bypass a two pole contactor temporarily (and why you shouldn't)
The White-Rodgers SureSwitch contactor by Copeland advantage
Why weighing refrigerant can reveal hidden leaks
Importance of addressing root causes, not just symptoms
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
In this comprehensive training video, we provide valuable Crankcase Heaters and Refrigerant Charging tips that can make or break your repair job:
Proper Refrigerant Charging Techniques
Why charging location matters: Learn the difference between charging into the suction line vs. liquid line
System off vs. system running: Best practices for each scenario
Preventing compressor damage: How improper charging can cause oil foaming and premature compressor failure
The automotive analogy: Why short oil circulation is like running a new car engine without proper lubrication
Crankcase Heater Wiring and Operation
Understanding crankcase heater purpose: Why they prevent refrigerant condensation in the compressor
Single pole vs. two pole contactors: Critical wiring differences that affect heater operation
Electrical theory explained: How the crankcase heater uses compressor windings as additional heating elements
Common wiring mistakes: What happens when you replace a single pole with a two pole contactor
Solutions and workarounds: Proper fixes and temporary solutions for field situations
Key Takeaways:
Always charge refrigerant into the liquid line when the system is off
Verify crankcase heater operation after compressor replacement
Use proper single pole contactors for crankcase heater circuits
Always weigh refrigerant to identify potential leaks
Think holistically about system problems and root causes
Pro Tips Covered:
How to bypass a two pole contactor temporarily (and why you shouldn't)
The White-Rodgers SureSwitch contactor by Copeland advantage
Why weighing refrigerant can reveal hidden leaks
Importance of addressing root causes, not just symptoms
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
