recharging the ac
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
From: Hernando Ms
If your system isnt completely empty I suggest you go to Autozone,NAPA, O,reileys etc and get the can that has the gage built in. I "topped" off my 134 in the 97,and it it worked out great.
The cans with the guage incorporated are somewht more expensive than a normal can of 134A,but the guage will show you the "operational zone" as depicted in Green,Low zone in Yellow,and overcharged in the "Red zone". You will also find them in different sizes....Its either that or get a set of 134A gages......Lastly,these cans with the gages have a trigger pull,so you can fill the system while its running,and monitor the amount your installing.
The cans with the guage incorporated are somewht more expensive than a normal can of 134A,but the guage will show you the "operational zone" as depicted in Green,Low zone in Yellow,and overcharged in the "Red zone". You will also find them in different sizes....Its either that or get a set of 134A gages......Lastly,these cans with the gages have a trigger pull,so you can fill the system while its running,and monitor the amount your installing.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The cans that come with a gauge are worthless, and I know of several people who have ruined their AC systems because they trusted the gauge. The only proper way to fil an AC system is to use a manifold gauge set, which monitors both the high and low side pressures. The gauges on the cans measure the low side only. Also the pressure your system needs when you fill it is entirely dependent on ambient temperatures. The hotter the ambient temperature is, the more pressure it needs.
The cans with the gauges are targeted towards inexperienced and uneducated DIYs are they work ok if you get lucky. But every system I have seen where people filled them based on the gauges was seriously overcharged. The cans with the gauges will also not hook up to a manifold gauge set, so they are totally useless to a professional. If you use a gauge set, you can very precisely control how much you add, how quickly you add it, and verify that the ratio of pressure on both the high and low sides are correct, and by using in in conjunction with a thermometer, get the pressures to the perfect point where the cooling is at its best without overfilling the system.
The cans with the gauges are targeted towards inexperienced and uneducated DIYs are they work ok if you get lucky. But every system I have seen where people filled them based on the gauges was seriously overcharged. The cans with the gauges will also not hook up to a manifold gauge set, so they are totally useless to a professional. If you use a gauge set, you can very precisely control how much you add, how quickly you add it, and verify that the ratio of pressure on both the high and low sides are correct, and by using in in conjunction with a thermometer, get the pressures to the perfect point where the cooling is at its best without overfilling the system.
