A/C Vacuum pump

[JR]

Well, I've had the a/c on two of our vehicles go T U in the last week and am looking at a substantial bill to get both repaired. Quite frankly I'm sick of paying big dollars to have this work performed at least once a summer (yes I own a lot of vehicles). Figure this is as good a time as any to get my own equipment rather than continue throwing money down the rabbit hole.
My main question re vacuum pumps, is a two stage worth the added expense for a DIY system. Seems like as long as a single stage will draw the system down to 30 in hg it should be sufficient. Is there anything I'm missing here? I'm not making money off of this so an extra few minutes to draw a system down isn't a big deal.

I kind of like this little set up if nothing else because it's all together and on a cart. But not sold on it by any means. Would like to hear what works for you guys.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...ov9aIolAB2QUPvU0d_ZoNPz9dDLnYI8RoCcb4QAvD_BwE

 

[DavidC]

I have a harbor freight single stage 2.5 and it pulled the Wife's Sienna with dual air (front and back) down just fine.

Dave

 

[JR]

I never thought to check China Freight . What is the quality of the pump in your opinion? Do you remember the price point?
Im not expecting top quality equipment even at the price point in the link above but I don't necessarily want to have to buy one again in a few years. We have 4 vehicles with A/C, but I'm sure once word gets around to immediate family JR has some new tools the list of vehicles will grow

 

[DavidC]

List's for 95.00 if you can get a 20% coupon of course it is less. I have used it a handful of times without any problems but I already had gauges, hoses and a scale so I did not need all the things your find list's.
https://www.harborfreight.com/catal...atured+Weight,f,Sale+Rank,f&q=a/c+vacuum+pump
It is built very well and is heavy, thinking 30lbs or so.

Dave

 

[mwilson]

Go big or go home. Get the two stage. Why am I sticking my nose in you ask???

I bought a Robinair knock off just like what is pictured. It is NOT strong enough to hold a solid 30 in Of vacuum. 29 to 29.5 and then it struggles.

My T/K tech / guru maintains you need a solid 30 in or your just wasting time and electricity. The moisture remains in the system and performance suffers.
Not so critical out where Dave is but very important for us that live with summer humidity.

 

[mwilson]

On a new unit install or working on a system that was open to the atmosphere
I’ve seen Brian run the big T/K pump overnight, sometimes 24 continuous hours.

 

[mwilson]

My next purchase will a used reclaim / vacuum / recharge machine.
We have a pair of Snap On units and do those work some kind of nice....

 

[JR]

That's kinda what I was afraid of. The unit I'm looking at is rated down to 15 micron, but the fine print disclaimers state this is done in a lab.
Do you have any experience with the Mastercool brand Mike? They seem like decent pumps and have two stage units but I have no first hand experiences.

 

[JR]

Where did you buy your Robinair unit through?

 

[DavidC]

Some useful info
http://www.jbind.com/technical/faq-pumps.aspx

Dave

 

[mwilson]

That's kinda what I was afraid of. The unit I'm looking at is rated down to 15 micron, but the fine print disclaimers state this is done in a lab.
Do you have any experience with the Mastercool brand Mike? They seem like decent pumps and have two stage units but I have no first hand experiences.

I think that they are fine for our crowd, if you were trying to make a living with it probably not. Carquest / Advance Auto sells the line and I've never heard anything bad about the product.
I'll look and see what brand mine is when I go out in the garage later today for another round of "Let's Fix Broken Vehicles!!"

 

[mwilson]

Where did you buy your Robinair unit through?

Mine is a Robinair look alike. I bought from a company in Michigan that offered them, but their main business is Service Manuals...Bought a Manual for the '97 Cadillac I used to have and saw they offered the Vacuum Pumps as well so said why not and bought one.
It's done an ok job but I think the 2 stage is a better choice even for a DIY.

 

[mwilson]

Some useful info
http://www.jbind.com/technical/faq-pumps.aspx

Dave

Good Stuff in there for sure Dave.

 

[Tuesdak]

My next purchase will a used reclaim / vacuum / recharge machine.
We have a pair of Snap On units and do those work some kind of nice....

X2.

Look for some used recycler units that have the vac pump built in. Call your Snap-on, Mac, or other tool truck owner and see if they know of one for sale. Some older machines can't do the hybrid vehicles or the "small" charges the latest vehicles use so they are being replaced and sold. Hoses are too long for example. If you do a lot of your own stuff you will break even in a couple ways. The first is less R134a expense by reclaiming your stuff and the second is 30 LB cylinders are cheaper than the cans. If you spring a leak while charging you can immediately recover the system and not loose as much R134a. Further the machines charge by weight giving you the best "easy button" to get the charge dead on. Friends and family will quickly learn of the AC work you do on the side and it's worthwhile. A leak detector is a valuable tool to have as well.

When you have the system "empty" it will save you time if you replace the high and low side valves: every single time you touch the system. They are cheap and leak often after a job esp. the high side that has the high heat and compressor wear debris to deal with.

 

[JR]

What is the difference between a recovery unit set up for R12 and one that is set up for R134a? Could it be cleaned and used with R134a?

 

[JR]

I see some of the new units claim multi refrigerent capability, but this older unit says R12 only

Thoughts?
https://ashtabula.craigslist.org/pts/d/white-industries-air/6623191852.html

 

[mwilson]

I see some of the new units claim multi refrigerent capability, but this older unit says R12 only

Thoughts?
https://ashtabula.craigslist.org/pts/d/white-industries-air/6623191852.html

I can't remember, getting old but there is something that won't work...I will ask Brian Monday....

 

[mwilson]

X2.


When you have the system "empty" it will save you time if you replace the high and low side valves: every single time you touch the system. They are cheap and leak often after a job esp. the high side that has the high heat and compressor wear debris to deal with.

Yes, cheap for sure. I stock the valve cores now and the techs change them out more often than not. It's a matter of making it a habit....

 

[JR]

Thanks Mike . I do know there would be some hoses and fittings that would need changed out. Also oil I believe is different. Just wondering if there's a physical component or valving that will not work.

 

[fest3er]

I'll bet the fittings are different so one can't accidentally use a 134 unit on an R12 system and vice-versa.