A/C Recharge
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 207
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Agree with the last two posts.
Have been working on AC and cooling systems [commercial, residential and for indust equipment, my own systems generally] for the last 30 yrs and have a couple suggestions.
Harbor Freight has a gauge set for about $40 and I picked up one to look at. Looks like a good deal to me and I used it the other day. It has Teflon packings instead of neoprene and it is a little more difficult to get the hoses to stay tight but still a good deal.
HF also has a venturi type vacuum "pump" for cheap. This isn't able to pull a vacuum like a mechanical pump can do, but it can partially evac a system and if you backfill and evac a few times [in a country where this is allowed] you should be good to go. The law of dilution applies here.
Of course that should only be used in an emergency, always use a mech vac pump if possible.
HF has a vac pump for about $90.
Harbor Freight Tools
Have been working on AC and cooling systems [commercial, residential and for indust equipment, my own systems generally] for the last 30 yrs and have a couple suggestions.
Harbor Freight has a gauge set for about $40 and I picked up one to look at. Looks like a good deal to me and I used it the other day. It has Teflon packings instead of neoprene and it is a little more difficult to get the hoses to stay tight but still a good deal.
HF also has a venturi type vacuum "pump" for cheap. This isn't able to pull a vacuum like a mechanical pump can do, but it can partially evac a system and if you backfill and evac a few times [in a country where this is allowed] you should be good to go. The law of dilution applies here.
Of course that should only be used in an emergency, always use a mech vac pump if possible.
HF has a vac pump for about $90.
Harbor Freight Tools
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Expt37at,
have you seen that HF vacuum pump in use?
I have my old Robinair pump that now lives in my truck for field work. It's getting tired after 25 years and I'm thinking about replacing it.
have you seen that HF vacuum pump in use?
I have my old Robinair pump that now lives in my truck for field work. It's getting tired after 25 years and I'm thinking about replacing it.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Isrx, I have a Robinaire too, from about the early 80's.
The HF unit is likely OK, since the mystery of mfg'ing rotary vac pumps is pretty much over with CNC machining.
I'd buy one and see if it pulls a good vac, and return it if not.
I use a lot of HF stuff with good results, you just have to be knowledgable about what you buy.
I use a lot of Snap-On too.
The HF unit is likely OK, since the mystery of mfg'ing rotary vac pumps is pretty much over with CNC machining.
I'd buy one and see if it pulls a good vac, and return it if not.
I use a lot of HF stuff with good results, you just have to be knowledgable about what you buy.
I use a lot of Snap-On too.
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