AMI PARTS BPV31 Bullet Piercing Valve （1Pc） Compatible with 1/4,5/16,3/8 inch Universal Refrigerator Tubing

I had never added freon to a refrigerator before but have done it many times to my vehicles over the years. This saddle valve system/application works perfectly when installed correctly. My refrigerator was not blowing cold anymore so I thought I had a compressor problem because it never kicked in. Actually, it kicked in and was running constantly, causing the starter to burn up. I replace the starter and then decided to check for leaks and found none. the refrigerator is a sealed system with no place to add freon. A car has the valve system for adding. I saw this valve in use on YouTube and thought I would give it a try. Installation only took a few minutes, followed by adding the freon. The refrigerator is now blowing cold again. Saving me some more money instead of calling a repairman. I am a long time DIYer and only recommend this conversion/installation if you have some previous knowledge with introducing freon to refrigeration systems. I got the part very quickly and it wasn't very expensive.

Works great, seals good and no leaks. I have used these on RV units several times. Clean up the mounting surface with a little scotch bright and install.

The piercing valve is very well made and I am glad to say it seals well. However, the smaller insert-sleeve was cracked and had to be replaced before I finally could use the valve. Luckily, I had a similar old piercing valve, so I was able to replace the cracked sleeve and use the old inserts to finish the job.

works well, a good buy .

My 12v RV refrigerator wasn't cooling well anymore. Only 20+ years old :P Since the compressor was still running and those fridges are very very expensive. ($1000+) I thought I give it a shot and try to refill. Finding a spot at the refrigerant line which is straight and you can later put a gauge set to it, was the tricky part. Then after installation, I've let the fridge run and added a r134a very slowly. Added a little bit, waited for a minute, repeat. Felt the condenser in the fridge until it started really getting cold. When I connected to the fridge with my gauge set I still had about 7psi left. Which was not cooling well. After adding just a small amount - the fridge started running like new again. For this fridge that was around 15-20 psi. Now a few weeks later the fridge is still running fine, so where ever the leak is. It's not very big. Hope to get a few more decades of service out of this fridge. Better for the environment to repair then to trash.

Worked as it should

Worked as it should

I received the valve and found that the connection port does not have a Schrader valve at the charge port (port covered with the large cap). Instructions are poor. It should instruct the user to: 1. retract the needle first; 2. then mount the valve to the copper tubing using the shims matching the tubing diameter, 3. connect the refrigerant line to the valve; 4. with the refrigerant line a bit loose, leak slowly for 1-2 second some refrigerant to replace the air inside the valve (not doing so risks to add water vapors to the refrigerant and ruin the compressor); 5. tighten the refrigerant line; 6. pierce the copper tubing; 7. retract a bit the needle to allow the refrigerant in; 8. fill the lines with the right quantity of refrigerant; 9. tighten the needle valve to seal the line; 10. disconnect the refrigerant line; 11. replace the cap. The design is poor because it does not have a Schrader type of valve installed in the refrigerant port, so upon refrigerant line disconnection, air and water vapors will be trapped between the cap and the needle valve. Because of these issues I am planning to return the valve provided I can find a better valve design. P.S. What the seller does not tell you is that if the refrigerant is completely gone you need to find where the leak is , then pump down the line until all water vapors are removed and then attempt to refill - unfortunately this is a very ellaborate process and requires equipment. P.S1 Installed the piercing valve today, July 25,2025 and recharged the dehumidifier. First I retracted the pin to be located visually behind the O ring gasket.It was installed on 1/4 copper pipe. For 1/4 copper pipe I used ( as per instructions) both spacers. Had the 1/4 cap tight, pierced the pipe,nretracted the pin ( to open the hole created by the pin and then slowly opened the cap for 1 second to verify whether there was any refrigerant left in the dehumidifier. THIS is an important step: if not refrigerant comes out more likely the system is empty and absorbed moisture. If that would be the case, the repair would be too complicated and it is not worth proceeding. Fortunetly I still had some refrigerant left so I proceeded with feeding small puffs of refrigerant. Closed the pin valve and replaced the cap.