A/C won't take charge

[angst]

Years ago a semi retired hvac acquaintance of mine “converted” my r12 to 134. I could not get a clear answer from him about what oil was used and how much was swapped out.
Things have been going fine for 5 years now. Each summer I add a can of 134 and it is good to go just slowly loosing pressure over the course of a month or two.

This year I tried to do things right. I changed the dryer and drew a vacuum down for 30 minutes.

Afterward I can not get it to take a charge. From negative pressure it would suck in about 1/3rd of a can then no more without the low side pressure gauge going way above the intended range (45psi or so?). The compressor clutch engages but nothing seems to be happening in the cooling system.

I read about engine off charging from the high side which I have tried. Once a day after it sitting overnight I can get a little shot in there.

So, three days in and I have only managed to get about 2/3 of a 12 oz can in there plus a 1oz can of oil that has like an ounce or so of some other additive. The pressures seem to be in the operating range and the clutch is engaging About 130psi on the high side and about 55psi on the low side (at around 90f ambient outside temp)
What am I doing wrong? Incorrect install of the dryer wiring perhaps? Should I just allow the low side pressure gauge to climb up above the range while charging it?