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Looking to purchase a set of refridgeration guages.

CalG

Diamond
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Location
Vt USA
Manifold, gauges and hoses. in the "usual set" configuration.

I've got a couple of autos that need service and it's time I had my own gauges.

With the prevalence of "charge carts" at the auto service outfits, I would have thought that a set would have come my way long ago. but no... so I ask.

I'm in VT let me know what you have.

Thanks

Cal
 
Manifold, gauges and hoses. in the "usual set" configuration.

I've got a couple of autos that need service and it's time I had my own gauges.

With the prevalence of "charge carts" at the auto service outfits, I would have thought that a set would have come my way long ago. but no... so I ask.

I'm in VT let me know what you have.

Thanks

Cal

Gauges, manifold, and valves have never been the problem. Even the "imports" last OK, 30 year olds or five year olds, residential or automotive.

It's the verdamnt hoses and end-fittings that are pure shite.

Get the best of those you can find.

A local HVAC pro supply had decent ones I could see, touch, and sniff before buying, then trash the OEM ones. Do that, even HF or Autozone manifold and gauges will do OK for now-and-then use.

2CW
 
They are specific to the refrigerant you are working with.

Yes, I have the adaptors, and I can read units of psi. Notice the mention of "automotive A/C service work. There is a clue there as to the type of refrigerants.

This isn't a knowledge based thread. It is a request for hardware by someone who wants to save a buck and put unused equipment back to work. I believe in "use it up".
 
yes, i have the adaptors, and i can read units of psi.

This isn't a knowledge based thread. It is a request for hardware by someone who wants to save a buck and put unused equipment back to work. I believe in "use it up".

NEW hoses! GOOD ones! Full stop. ANY refrigerant. You already KNOW the rest, yah?

Only R22 loss I've had in a dozen years came from a hose that leaked into its outer abrasion jacked, then blew THAT apart. Stuff has gone from $50 a jug to $600 or so over that period, too. No new being made. Have to have the creds even to purchase recycled.
 
A set of three new hoses are somewhere north of $100 ....

Figured in the cost of doing business.... ;-)

Prezaclty. Whereas the cheap manifolds with shite polymerized soybean oil hoses on them are less than good hoses alone.

Same thing with my 4-channel Rigol O'scope. Nice 'scope. really. It is.

HV leads to be safe with DC spikes, set of four, US made, cost more than the 'scope did.

But it, and I both still alive, so...

"cost of doing business".
 
Calg are you looking to just add refrigerant? Unless you have 1970's vehicle, the most likely gas you will need is R134a. You can buy 1 pound cans with the proper fittings at most any auto store. Do it 1 pound at a time.

Tom
 
Digger

It's been over 90 degrees with rain every day for weeks now. Go figure! I'm worried about the tomatoes. First it was too hot to set fruit, now it is so wet we will get blight for sure. ;_0

Driving to town is miserable without A/C ;-)
 
Calg are you looking to just add refrigerant? Unless you have 1970's vehicle, the most likely gas you will need is R134a. You can buy 1 pound cans with the proper fittings at most any auto store. Do it 1 pound at a time.

Tom


Tom.

One rig has been dry for a couple of years now. It needs evacuated.
The second has a failed pump. I have the replacement, just need to order out the dryer/ accumulator.

Don't fret, I've got vacuum pumps and plenty of useful experience. It's just that I'm tired of borrowing the gauges!
 
Just took a look on the local Craigslist

Nothing...

I must not have the right search terms, because craigslist has EVERYTHING! ;-)
 
Not yet, please!

I still need some new ones, too. Need to know if what you ordered turns out to be GOOD!

:)

Well, If it follows the way of the times, these "Name brand in the industry" specialist tools will be some chi com bastards not suited for land fill. But I have my hopes up. At least they are brass. ;-)

I'll PM the impressions.
 
Well, If it follows the way of the times, these "Name brand in the industry" specialist tools will be some chi com bastards not suited for land fill. But I have my hopes up. At least they are brass. ;-)

I'll PM the impressions.

I'll prolly have to get what I need IN China and haul them home if that is what shows-up. They do make most of the world's Air-con, and use much of it themselves.

The better service guys might be using German, Israeli, French, Australian, or Czech made equipment, of course. They do that s**t a LOT!

So do WE!

Faucets are Israeli, US and HKG, HKG toilets are French, electricals Schneider or Oz, copper piping Oz, washer US-made-not-just-branded Maytags or Whirlpools, Microwave Swedish, fridges Japanese, dryers Korean, gas cookers and Faber Magnum range hood Italian, lighting German, four split AC units Carrier, then Japanese, finally Chinese as they now - finally - build the best ones.

HKG Chinese don't BUY much from PRC until they prove they can beat Bosch, Meihle, etc.

And, when they "get it right", they are seldom "copies".

More like the old Eastern European approach - they've addressed the weak spots, their market is third-world environments and technicians. More critical to be bulletproof than USA:

"Powerful Katrinka, not very much good for pretty, but pretty much good for strong!"
 
Well, If it follows the way of the times, these "Name brand in the industry" specialist tools will be some chi com bastards not suited for land fill. But I have my hopes up. At least they are brass. ;-)

I'll PM the impressions.

-Following, would like to know too please.
 
Gauges were on my doorstep today! What speedy delivery!

Exactly what I expected as a Robin Air offering. Packaging reads "Made in USA from globally sourced components". That is what it looks like,
6 foot long hoses are identified with Robin-air Enviro markings and suited for 134a. What ever that may be worth.
The connection ends for the high and low side are the components that suggest "global sourcing" still, they look and feel fine, and the elastomer sealing components appear well done.

The manifold is a forged unit, and has the hose storage "dummy" connector fittings integral. Dials on the gauges are fine. No BS, just Pressure/ Vacuum/ Temp on the "Blue" side, and Pressure / Temp on the high side. Both faces are printed "R-12, R-134a". Again, whatever that may be worth.

So all in all, for only a few bucks more than a new set hoses with correct ends (as I may have purchased and "older set" ;-)

The Robin-Air set is the classic set I've been familiar with for more than 30 years. Only with updated fittings.

Only time will tell if the valves seal and hold. ;-) I like to keep everything drippy oily to aid in seal life and integrity. ;-)

eta
Sorry for some of the less than logical sentence structure in the post above. I'm just back from 8 hours down and 8 hours back through the "Eastern Corridor" since 9 o'cklock yesterday morning. Family!

Bottom line: Would I recommend this product? YES
 
Gauges were on my doorstep today! What speedy delivery!

Exactly what I expected as a Robin Air offering. Packaging reads "Made in USA from globally sourced components". That is what it looks like,
6 foot long hoses are identified with Robin-air Enviro markings and suited for 134a. What ever that may be worth.
The connection ends for the high and low side are the components that suggest "global sourcing" still, they look and feel fine, and the elastomer sealing components appear well done.

The manifold is a forged unit, and has the hose storage "dummy" connector fittings integral. Dials on the gauges are fine. No BS, just Pressure/ Vacuum/ Temp on the "Blue" side, and Pressure / Temp on the high side. Both faces are printed "R-12, R-134a". Again, whatever that may be worth.

So all in all, for only a few bucks more than a new set hoses with correct ends (as I may have purchased and "older set" ;-)

The Robin-Air set is the classic set I've been familiar with for more than 30 years. Only with updated fittings.

Only time will tell if the valves seal and hold. ;-) I like to keep everything drippy oily to aid in seal life and integrity. ;-)

Sounds awfully like a dead-ringer for my older set with plain numbers, no coloured segments on the dials.

Prolly Taiwanese, that one, as we hadn't started trade with PRC yet.

I've been a guest in the "Nixon's visit" wing of the PRC's State Guesthouse BTW.

Yes, they copied it right out of America and imported US-made toilets, wash basins, wallpaper, doors, carpet, bedding, and all.

Downside?

They must have scouted a 1947 vintage "5 star" hotel in East Bumf**k Arkansas for the model!

:)
 








 
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