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  #1  
Old 05-10-2005, 01:14 AM
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Air condition service tools

I got my 609 certificate and warming up to the idea of fixing the AC of my 83 SD. I'd like to get some quality tools at resonable cost. Here are a few that I'm considering:

R12/R134 manifold gage:

CPS MA1234 dual R-12/R134 manifold gage, cost $123
Robinair 48450 dual manifold gage, cost $107
http://thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW220.html

Vaccum pump:

FJC 2.5 CFM 2 stage, cost $122
Robinair 15434 4 CFM 2 stage, cost $204
http://thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW46.html

Any recomandations? TIA

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  #2  
Old 05-10-2005, 07:02 AM
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I've got a good spare r12/22 recovery machine if you are interested let me know.
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  #3  
Old 05-10-2005, 08:03 AM
boneheaddoctor's Avatar
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I'm going ot do the same.....I got my vacume pump ...need the guages yet.....
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1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Old 05-10-2005, 08:57 AM
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This is the vacuum pump I own:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/ROB-15234.html

I'm not saying the other ones aren't any good or this one is better. All I know is it works great on cars. If you want something that will work on a home AC system you probably want some more CFM. Depending on size I would say a 4 cfm would do for just about any residential unit.

As far as gauges that gauge set is fine. You don't need the most expensive one. Sometimes simpler is better.

Danny
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  #5  
Old 05-10-2005, 09:11 AM
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This is my vacuum pump............

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7509582400&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

I'm only likely to use it a couple times so it should serve its purpose.......
__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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  #6  
Old 05-10-2005, 09:12 AM
LarryBible
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I personally would never use a dual set. You should not contaminate a 134 system with 12 refrigerant and oil and vice versa.

A 2 stage vacuum pump is the way to go.

Your best bet would be to get Jims recovery machine. Having a recovery machine is THE way to go IMHO.

R12 is down in price now, so you can keep your SD on the good stuff for very little more money these days.

Have a great day,
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  #7  
Old 05-10-2005, 09:25 AM
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Well I need to find the problem in my W123 A/C and fix it....and I want to retrofit my W116 back to R12.....per a label it has R134 in it now....and in the heat of summer its just barely able to do its job.
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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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  #8  
Old 05-10-2005, 10:37 AM
LarryBible
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boneheaddoctor,

If you have gauges and a vac pump, you can reverse convert by breaking all connections, flushing all components making sure to THOROUGHLY blow out the flushing agent, reconnect, replace r/d, add specified amount of mineral oil, evacuate and charge.

I have reverse converted several systems with great success.

Good luck,
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  #9  
Old 05-10-2005, 11:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryBible
boneheaddoctor,

If you have gauges and a vac pump, you can reverse convert by breaking all connections, flushing all components making sure to THOROUGHLY blow out the flushing agent, reconnect, replace r/d, add specified amount of mineral oil, evacuate and charge.

I have reverse converted several systems with great success.

Good luck,

I'll do that...as its a functional system now on the W116.........no leaks at all. Guess I need to get New O rings to make sure it stays leak free.

Now te W123 when I get the other tools...including one of those flush tank things...and my certification to buy some R12 I hope to be able to do it in the next month.........
__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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  #10  
Old 05-11-2005, 11:24 PM
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Location: S.F. Bayarea
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Updates

I decided to order the FJC 2.5 CFM 2 stage vaccum pump and a basic Yellow Jacket R12 gage set. Looking through YJ's web site, I'm quite impressed. They have some tech tips I find interesting:
http://www.yellowjacket.com/tt.html

I also ordered the automotive service manual to keep me out of trouble.

Thanks Jim for the offer of the evacuation machine. I'm still very "green" on the AC stuff. I'll keep the evacuation machine in mind.
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  #11  
Old 05-12-2005, 08:50 AM
LarryBible
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Shane,

I don't know how old you are, but investing in quality tools and equipment even for DIY work pays off over the long haul. For the last 35 years or more, I have been paying more for tools and equipment to do a job than it would cost to have someone do the work for me. When the need for that tool comes around the second time I'm home free.

After taking this approach for 35 years, there's not much that happens that I am not equipped to handle.

The Yellow Jacket products are good stuff.

Good luck,
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  #12  
Old 05-12-2005, 12:21 PM
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LarryB:

You have recently indicated that R12 is dropping in price so there is little reason to consider changing over to R134a. Around here (Montana) 134a is routinely available for $3 a can and sometimes less with no license needed to buy it. What is R12 selling for in your neck of the woods?

Cheers,

230/8
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  #13  
Old 05-12-2005, 10:51 PM
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Larry,

Fully agree with what you said regarding getting quality tools. I like simple, robust stuff without fancy features.

The reason I'm getting the FJC pump instead of Robinair's is that I've read the vaccum pump is a throwaway item, which means it cannot be rebuild to new condition. There is no rebuild parts from Yellowjacket, Robinair etc. Maybe it is not true, but I already figured this in.
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  #14  
Old 05-13-2005, 06:42 AM
LarryBible
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230/8,

What you are lucky enough to be getting for $3 a can is last years stock, or you haven't bought any in the last 60 days or so. It has nearly doubled in price almost everywhere in the last two months.

I just bought a 30 pound cylinder of R12 for $425 total cost. That's right at $15 per POUND. A CAN of refrigerant is only 3/4 pound.

shane,

For a DIYer your vac pump will last forever if you will do two things; change the oil every couple of years or when it stops pumping a good, quick vacuum and put a cap over the inlet when not in use to prevent oil contamination not only from dust but also from moisture in the air contaminating the oil.

Good luck,
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  #15  
Old 05-13-2005, 08:40 AM
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Quote:
The reason I'm getting the FJC pump instead of Robinair's is that I've read the vaccum pump is a throwaway item, which means it cannot be rebuild to new condition. There is no rebuild parts from Yellowjacket, Robinair etc. Maybe it is not true, but I already figured this in.
Throw away item? No way!
I've never heard of a vacuum pump that can't be rebuilt. Unless you get a cheap one maybe. Robinair has service centers that fix them but I'm sure you can get them to send you a rebuilding kit.
Vacuum pumps are like any other tool. You pay what you have to to get a good one and consider it an investment.

Danny

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