tools for auto A/C

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If I buy a recovery pump + recovery tank + scale can I do everything I need to do to recover the R134a, pull a vacuum and fill the system by weight? I assume I can reuse the R134a if I have never used stop-leak?
 
Donald we used a recovery machine that both recovered the old refrigerant and using drier cores cleaned it.

After it was cleaned and stored for 24 hours one could use a pressure temperature chart and check to insure that there was no air mixed in and that could be bled off.

I have been retired several years and am not familiar with the current laws regarding reclaiming and reuse.

In some older systems you can encounter all kinds refrigerants and many not approved for use in vehicles.

With newer systems that have R134-A you should be good to go. Just make sure that anytime you add refrigerant to a system to purge the hoses so as to avoid getting any air in with the refrigerant.
 
the ac machine filters the used refrigerant. you need a refrigerant identifier to make sure you dont cross contaminate your tank and every car that you charge. cross contamination is a big problem here.i just bought a $500 filter to keep stopleak out of my $15000.00 worth of ac machinrs
 
Back when I was working before retirement you could recover the refrigerant and turn it in at an authorized recycle place and receive credit for it for reclaimed refrigerant.

Unless you are planning on doing a huge amount of automotive refrigerant work this would be the way to go.

I also was required to have a refrigeration license and and attend classes. I am sure that there are even more requirements now as I have been retired several years.
 
You need a vacuum pump too. My recovery pump does not pull a high vacuum.

If you are recovering and servicing M-HVAC then you are probably needing equipment to find leaks. Also, once leaks are found you want to repair or replace lines or parts, so you'll need a decent set of flare wrenches. I seem to recall there's only about 4 sizes you'll commonly encounter.

You'll need a decent assortment of O-rings compatible with the oil in the system, several valve stems, and a stem replacement tool that can replace the stem while the system is still under pressure.

It's expensive for an enthusiast, I'm speaking from experience.
 
Originally Posted By: spackard
You need a vacuum pump too. My recovery pump does not pull a high vacuum.

If you are recovering and servicing M-HVAC then you are probably needing equipment to find leaks. Also, once leaks are found you want to repair or replace lines or parts, so you'll need a decent set of flare wrenches. I seem to recall there's only about 4 sizes you'll commonly encounter.

You'll need a decent assortment of O-rings compatible with the oil in the system, several valve stems, and a stem replacement tool that can replace the stem while the system is still under pressure.

It's expensive for an enthusiast, I'm speaking from experience.


What he said. I'm speaking from experience too.
 
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