Getting in to A/C, trying to figure out what to buy... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

arcticathlon · #1 07-02-2016, 10:11 AM

I am an A/C newbie, and dont know everything that i need. So i am planning on buying a 2.5cfm vacuum pump, and a A/C gauge set. i am thinking of getting this r12 set and a set of r134a quick adapters if i want to work on my wife's Ford Expedition.

What else will i need?

my 240d's situation is that the air is not cold, and i don't know the state of the compressor. i wanted to go the sanden route, but i cant commit as much money as w was hoping. i am thinking of trying to see if my current system works if i flush and recharge.

Electric Vacuum Pump - 2.5 CFM

https://www.amazon.com/Pit-Bull-CHIMG777-Conditioning-Manifold-Gauge/dp/B000VAQQ3Y

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JFHNEC/ref=pd_aw_sim_469_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41z-UTkJ0tL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C67_&psc=1&refRID=YWVWTFKX5HZQMCJ32GR7

leathermang · #2 07-02-2016, 10:22 AM

I suggest that you be sure to get a TWO STAGE vacuum pump... that one is one stage... HF does put its 2stage on sale...that is when I got mine....

and recommend reading the AC thread listed in my signature...

Mike D · #3 07-02-2016, 10:44 AM

This is a decent starter set.

Bottom-line pricing on FJC KIT6 at ToolTopia.com

It isn't two stage but it does have the additional fitting which allows you to pull vacuum from both ports at the same time. It's not as fast as the true two-stager but it gets the job done.

You will need adapters for the existing R12 fittings.

It has a much higher quality set of gauges with real seals, not the hard plastic pieces of crap HF uses.

If you decide to use the HF manifold, the FIRST thing you need to do is to replace ALL the seals on the manifold.

funola · #4 07-02-2016, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D

This is a decent starter set.

Bottom-line pricing on FJC KIT6 at ToolTopia.com

It isn't two stage but it does have the additional fitting which allows you to pull vacuum from both ports at the same time. It's not as fast as the true two-stager but it gets the job done.

You will need adapters for the existing R12 fittings.

It has a much higher quality set of gauges with real seals, not the hard plastic pieces of crap HF uses.

If you decide to use the HF manifold, the FIRST thing you need to do is to replace ALL the seals on the manifold.

I thought the seals on the HF manifold hoses are Teflon. They are white and tend to loosen up during use if you did't tighten them enough. I pressure tested mine to make sure there were no leaks before use.

Where do you buy good quality rubber seals to replace the hard white ones on the HF manifold?

arcticathlon · #5 07-02-2016, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

I suggest that you be sure to get a TWO STAGE vacuum pump... that one is one stage... HF does put its 2stage on sale...that is when I got mine....

and recommend reading the AC thread listed in my signature...

Lethermang,

Saw the thread last night, and started reading it. have not been able to get very far because of kids. this weekend has a lot of sales going on, and i was looking to buy stuff cheaper. that is why i am trying to see all i need.

Mike D · #6 07-02-2016, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticathlon

Lethermang,

Saw the thread last night, and started reading it. have not been able to get very far because of kids. this weekend has a lot of sales going on, and i was looking to buy stuff cheaper. that is why i am trying to see all i need.

"cheaper" ≠ good.

arcticathlon · #7 07-02-2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D

"cheaper" ≠ good.

I meant on sale because of 4th of July sales.

funola · #8 07-03-2016, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticathlon

I meant on sale because of 4th of July sales.

Autozones around here recently (within the last year) started to rent out (free) single stage vacuum pumps. You may want to check your local Autozone for SKU 90059 R-AZ if you do not want to buy one. Make sure there is sufficient vacuum oil in the sight glass.

I currently have 2 of them on rental from 2 different Autozones to do some tests and experiments. They are different pumps with the same SKU. Tag on one says is a 1.5 CFM unit 1/6 HP micron not specified. The other says 3 CFM 1/3 HP 80 micron ultimate vacuum. I do not have a Micron gauge so can't verify what's claimed.

ah-kay · #9 07-02-2016, 11:21 AM

If you are going to use the tool every day as a professional then buy the best one you can afford. if you are doing it once or twice or year then a cheap VP is good enough. You don't need the best vacuum for A/C to work. I used to use the Venturi VP ( $12 ) pump with a compressor to do A/C work at home. never failed. I would recommend to replace the rec/driver every time you open up the system.

arcticathlon · #10 07-02-2016, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

if you are doing it once or twice or year then a cheap VP is good enough. You don't need the best vacuum for A/C to work. I used to use the Venturi VP ( $12 ) pump with a compressor to do A/C work at home.

i read up on those, and one person said it used more air than his 12 gallon compressor could keep up with. i only have a 3 gallon pancake and a 5 gallon, so i was assuming that would not work for me.

leathermang · #11 07-02-2016, 11:25 AM

You guys know I researched this before I bought a vacuum pump....
buy the CHEAPEST TWO STAGE pump you can afford....
some people on here think the world is full of conspiracies... and do not consult physics manuals to make their decisions.. and worse yet their Recommendations to OTHERS.....

Mike D · #12 07-02-2016, 11:45 AM

Post removed due to lack of relevance.

leathermang · #13 07-02-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D

Ehhh? "Some people on here"? There are exactly four people on this thread, two of whom agree with you 99% of the time, one who is asking you for advice and you. Just who are these "some people" who believe in "conspiracies"?

One of them is already in this thread....and I expect the other one to arrive any minute... LOL
It is not you that I am referring to...
that tool kit you recommend IS two stage... thumbs up...

This part of his statement " cheap VP is good enough. You don't need the best vacuum for A/C to work. I used to use the Venturi VP ( $12 ) pump with a compressor to do A/C work at home. never failed. "

NO ONE who knows about the physics of taking the moisture out of and AC system agrees that a ' cheap' VENTURI VP ( OR EVEN AN Expensive one ) will pull enough vacuum to be effective....

ah-kay · #14 07-02-2016, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

One of them is already in this thread....and I expect the other one to arrive any minute... LOL
It is not you that I am referring to...
that tool kit you recommend IS two stage... thumbs up...

This part of his statement " cheap VP is good enough. You don't need the best vacuum for A/C to work. I used to use the Venturi VP ( $12 ) pump with a compressor to do A/C work at home. never failed. "

NO ONE who knows about the physics of taking the moisture out of and AC system agrees that a ' cheap' VENTURI VP ( OR EVEN AN Expensive one ) will pull enough vacuum to be effective....

OK. It is me who wrote the Venturi pump. If it does not work then it will not be manufactured by Harbor Freight or others. Is it ideal? No. Does it work? YES. There is NO conspirator or conspiracy theory here. Please do not elevate yourself. You may fall and fall hard.

leathermang · #15 07-02-2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

OK. It is me who wrote the Venturi pump. If it does not work then it will not be manufactured by Harbor Freight or others. Is it ideal? No. Does it work? YES. There is NO conspirator or conspiracy theory here. Please do not elevate yourself. You may fall and fall hard.

' does work or will not be manufactured by HF ' ...LOL
the Venturi type of pump does NOT WORK WELL ENOUGH to properly evacuate an AC unit...
it can make a vacuum for less ' needy ' uses.... but drawing enough vacuum to BOIL out the moisture is in a different category than that...