LokRing GE Refrigeration Lok Ring Manual 31 9067

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LOKRING Connectors

GE Consumer Home Services Training

TECHNICAL SERVICE GUIDE

Pub # 31-9067 01/01

1

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Before cutting or using a torch on refrigerant tubes, recover the refrigerant

from the system using approved recovery equipment.

Never charge new refrigerant through the purge valve. This valve is

always located on the high pressure side of the system.

Never apply heat from any source to a container of refrigerant. Such

action will cause excessive pressure in the container.

Always wear approved safety glasses when working with refrigerants and

nitrogen holding charge in the replacement compressor. Contact with

these gases may cause injury.

NOTE: The LOKRING system is ONLY approved for repair or replacement

of GE/Hotpoint/RCA evaporators. Use of the LOKRING connectors on

sealed system repairs other than the evaporator is NOT approved.

2

The LOKRING Connector

The LOKRING connector provides a

durable, vibration resistant compression

connection for both copper and aluminum

tubing. The connector can be used within a

temperature range of -58°F and +302°F and

has shown to have a higher burst strength

than that of the tube itself. They are available

in both brass and aluminum.

NOTE: To prevent an electrolytic reaction

between aluminum and brass,

always use an

aluminum connector when either tube to be

joined is aluminum

. For copper to copper

tubes, use brass connectors.

The compression joint is made when

the tubes are inserted into the connector up

to an internal stop and using the special

LOKRING tool, the ends of the connector are

compressed together. Internal ribs seal

around the tube without changing the flow

capability of the tube itself.

NOTE: When selecting a location to install

the LOKRING connector, allow a minimum of

1 1/8” of straight tubing on either side of the

connector to make the repair correctly.

The LOKRING Tool

The LOKRING repair method utilizes

a newly designed tool with a ratchet action

that provides proper compression on the

LOKRING connector while requiring less

force than previous tools.

The tool is supplied with a 3/8” set of

jaws, that are easily interchanged with 5/16”

jaws, available through GE or your local part

distributor. It is very important to use the

correct size jaws for the connector being

used. Some connectors have different

dimensions at each end. In those applications,

you will need to mix jaw sizes to make certain

each jaw matches the size of the connector

end.

Remove the locking pins to switch between

different jaws.

NOTE: It is important to keep the jaws as

clean as possible. Dirt buildup over a period

of time may cause the connector to seat

improperly in the jaws. Make certain to wipe

the jaws clean after every use.

PRIMARY

SEALING AREAS

SEAL AND STRESS

RELIEF AREAS

RIBS

PINS

3

Creating a Perfect Seal

One of the most important steps in

the LOKRING repair method is the proper

preparation of the tubing to be joined. It is

critical that the tubing be clean and free from

any burrs.

Clean any epoxy residue, dirt, oil or

grease from the tubing using an emery cloth

or 3M Scotch-Brite™ pad. Always clean the

tube in a circular motion, going around the

tube. Never clean along the length of the tube

in a side-to-side direction, since this could

create deep scratches in the tube that may

prevent a good seal.

When cutting the tubing, use only a

tubing cutter.

Do not use a hacksaw

. This

ensures that the outer diameter of the tube is

burr-free and filings don’t contaminate the

sealed system. Cut all the way through the

tubing. Do not bend the tubing to break it since

this could affect the shape of the end of the

tube.

The Rules Of LOKRING

• You must have at least 1 1/8” of straight tubing

on either side of the cut point

• Clean the tubing using a circular motion

(3M Scotch-Brite™ is an excellent cleaning

material)

• The tubing must be clean, dry and free of

paint, epoxy, oil and dirt

• Use only a tubing cutter and cut all the way

through the tubing to prevent burrs

• Apply 3 drops of Lokprep to each end of the

tubing, staying 1/8” from the end

• Tubing must “bottom-out” at the internal stop

when placed in the connector

• Rotate the fitting at least one complete

revolution to evenly distribute Lokprep

• Lokprep should not be used after the

expiration date

• You have one minute to compress the

connector once Lokprep has been applied

• Make certain the connector is seated

properly in the jaws and the tool is straight

and aligned with the tubing to prevent an

improper joint.

• Wipe the tool jaws clean after each use

The Lokprep Sealant

A solution called

Lokprep is used as a sealant

to fill any scratches, grooves

or imperfections on the surface

of the tubing. It is compatible

with all known refrigerant oils.

Three drops of the anaerobic solution

(reacting in the absence of air) is applied to

the end of each tube to be

joined before compressing

the connector.

Keep the

solution approximately 1/8”

away from the end of the

tube.

The solution has been

improved to allow up to a

minute to complete the

compression seal.

NOTE: Keep the solution approximately 1/8”

away from the end of the tube. This will

prevent the possibility of excessive solution

from running into the tube and contaminating

the system.

Once Lokprep has been applied to the

tubing, fully insert the tubing into the connector

until it hits the stop and rotate the connector

several revolutions to distribute the sealant

completely.

NOTE: Use of Lokprep beyond the expiration

date on the bottle should be avoided. Once

the solution reaches the expiration date, it has

a tendency to thicken. If the solution cannot

flow freely, its effectiveness in filling

imperfections in the surface of the tubing is

reduced and may cause leaks in the fitting.

1/8"

4

LOKRING Step by Step

1. Locate an area of straight tubing that will

allow at least 1 1/8” on either side of the

connector.

2. Clean any epoxy residue, dirt, oil or grease

from the tubing using an emery cloth or 3M

Scotch-Brite™ pad. Always clean in a circular

motion around the tubing. Never clean in a

side-to-side motion.

3. Cut all the way through the tubing using a

tubing cutter.

4. Bend the tubing so that the ends overlap

each other. This will provide tension and keep

the tubing “bottomed-out” in the connector.

5. Apply 3 drops of Lokprep to each end of

the tubing. Keep the solution 1/8” from the

end and do not use Lokprep that has

exceeded it’s expiration date.

6. Insert the tubing into the connector until

the ends “bottom-out” inside the connector.

7. Rotate the LOKRING connector at least 1

complete revolution to thoroughly distribute

the sealant.

8. Within 1 minute of applying Lokprep, use

the LOKRING tool to compress the connector

on the tubing. Make certain the connector is

seated properly in the jaws and the tool is

straight and aligned with the tubing to prevent

an improper joint. Compress the connector

until the ends meet the center stop.

9. Wipe the jaws clean of any residue.

10. The connection is complete and pressure

can immediately be put into the system. Make

certain to check all fittings for leaks.

1/8"

5

Replacing an Epoxy Joint

In situations where a refrigerant leak

is in the epoxy joint of an evaporator, a special

LOKRING connector can now be used to

repair the leak rather than replace the

evaporator. The connector has an extended

center section to compensate for the removal

of the entire epoxy coupling.

Although the steps are similar to the

standard LOKRING connector, the epoxy

joint repair requires a different method of

compressing the connector.

1. Clean the tubing on both sides of the epoxy

joint to be removed and cut the tubing as close

to the epoxy joint as possible.

2. Bend the tubing together to keep it fully

inserted in the connector when compressing.

Then apply 3 drops of Lokprep to each end

of the tubing.

EXTRA LENGTH

65G

LOKPREP

65G

1/8"

3. Insert the tubing into the connector until it

“bottoms-out.” Rotate the connector at least

one full revolution to thoroughly distribute the

sealant.

4. Compressing this type of connector is a

two step process. You have one minute to

complete both compression joints. Using the

LOKRING tool, compress one side of the

connector.

5. Compress the other side of the connector.

6. Wipe the jaws clean of any residue.

6

LOKRING COMPONENTS

(2) 5/16" Jaws

WX5X516

(2) 3/8" Jaws

WX5X38

REPLACEABLE JAWS

THE LOKRING CONNECTOR

LOKRING

SEALANT

WR88X16

THE LOKRING TOOL

WX5X1

7

The Rules Of LOKRING

• You must have at least 1 1/8” of straight tubing on either side of the cut

point

• Clean the tubing using a circular motion (3M Scotch-Brite™ is an excellent

cleaning material)

• The tubing must be clean, dry and free of paint, epoxy, oil and dirt

• Use a tubing cutter and cut all the way through the tubing to prevent burrs

• Bend the tubing so the ends overlap. This will provide tension to keep the

tubing fully inserted in the connector

• Apply three drops of Lokprep to the ends of each tube. Keep the solution

approximately 1/8” away from the end of the tubing

• Tubing must “bottom-out” at the internal stop when placed in the connector

• Rotate the connector at least one complete revolution to evenly distribute

Lokprep

• Lokprep should not be used after the expiration date

• You have one minute to compress the connector once Lokprep has been

applied

• Make certain the connector is seated properly in the jaws and the tool is

straight and aligned with the tubing

• Wipe the tool jaws clean after each use to prevent the possibility of the

connector not seating properly in the jaws