All in 1 manifold set? Need help!!

[gear junkie]

I'm getting started in the industry and need to buy my own tools and was looking at getting a J/B 4 valve manifold set that does 22, 134a, 404a and 410a(model 25615). I mostly do 134 and 410 and once in a while 22 systems. Is there any disadvantage to this gauge or are there better ones out there?

[hvacrjones]

the best is to have a gage set with the correct working pressures for the refrigerant you are working with in the middle of the gage therefore most of us will use one gage set for 12 22 134 ect one for 410a and many of us will have a special set for one refrigerant if we do work that is more sensitive like medical refrigeration applications.

As for brand someone loves every brand and someone else will hate it. Myself I like J/B and Yellow Jacket. I also have a set of bellows gages from refco that is awesome but so was the price.

good luck

[karl k]

Generally, you will want to have a set of guages c/w hoses for every different refrigerant you work on. That doesn't really work in the real world. At the very least, you will want to have a set of guages and hoses for every refrigerant oil that is in the different systems you work on. That is: one set for mineral and one set for POE.

Take a look at what you work on and then decide what sets of guages to buy.

[amickracing]

Another thing to take into consideration. If you have 2 sets of gauges, then you'll, to some degree, have a back up for that time when one set will break.

[gear junkie]

First off I appreciate the advice and I decided to go ahead and buy the gauges and they're great. The guy whose gauges I've been borrowing has over 24 years experience and he was impressed. The only problem is that he keeps "forgetting" to bring his manifold so we always have to use mine. They're dead on accurate w/ 22, 134 and 410. I haven't checked 404 because I never use it. The only thing is the calibration screw is on top and not inside the gauge like the instructions show. You're going to see this setup from ritchie and robinair real soon.

[t527ed]

never use the same set of gauges for r-22 and r-410.

[mark beiser]

The combo R22/R410a gauges suck for R22 if you are at all interested in being somewhat accurate, the resolution is to low for the pressure range.

Go digital. ;)

http://www.digi-cool.com

I went digital this summer and I don't think I'll ever go back to dial gauges. I'm actually picking up another digital setup soon.

[Edited by mark beiser on 10-21-2006 at 12:21 AM]

[mark beiser]

Originally posted by t527ed
never use the same set of gauges for r-22 and r-410.

As long as you use some common sense when connecting and disconnecting from systems, you will never have enough oil in your manifold and hoses for it to be a problem using the same set.

[dhvac]

mark you put the wrong link in i think

[mark beiser]

Originally posted by dhvac
mark you put the wrong link in i think

Ooops! http://www.digi-cool.com

[gear junkie]

Originally posted by t527ed
never use the same set of gauges for r-22 and r-410.


How is this manifold different than the digital sets that uses a traditional manifold and hoses. I have my own theories and would like to hear yours( or anyone else's). Thanks.

[t527ed]

when 410 first came out we were told not to contaminate poe oil in 410 with mineral oil from 22 systems. i guess some of us believed them and some did not. i choose not to risk it. gauges are cheap compared to compressors.

[amickracing]

Originally posted by mark beiser

Originally posted by t527ed
never use the same set of gauges for r-22 and r-410.

As long as you use some common sense when connecting and disconnecting from systems, you will never have enough oil in your manifold and hoses for it to be a problem using the same set.

:)

While I still think it's a good idea to have 2 sets of gauges... I also don't think the end of the world will come if you don't use a different set.

[condenseddave]

Originally posted by t527ed
when 410 first came out we were told not to contaminate poe oil in 410 with mineral oil from 22 systems. i guess some of us believed them and some did not. i choose not to risk it. gauges are cheap compared to compressors.

I discovered that it didn't matter, even on undercounter freezers with 1/8hp compressors and cap tubes, much less 120 hp racks.

Doubt it would dick up a 3 ton resi unit.

[gear junkie]

I understand you're not supposed to mix oils but at the same time when established, quality companies like JB, Ritchie, Robinair etc. make a manifold for 22 and 410 it can't such a bad thing. Those companies spends 10's of 1000's probably on just design and engineering and I can't see them putting out an obviously bad design that would ruin their reputation at the expense of selling a couple hundred manifold sets. That's just not good business sense.

[r22coolguy]

Gearjunkie,
You may be right about the manufactures and all, but after twenty years of monitoring, installing and calibrating gauges on Naval Nuclear Submarines, experience tells me you want the proper gauge range for the proper pressure. In other words there is significant pressure differences between 22 and 410a that warrant a different set of analog gauges. Besides, coming from a redundant mindset (backups for backups) another set of gauges might just save your butt.

[ptemko]

I have 2 sets of gauges. Both are from Ritchie. One is for 410A and the other for R22. I was told never to mix the 2 and the company stressed that we have and use 2 different sets. So if I wanted to go Digi-Cool I would have to invest in a double set. That is allot of money. Is everyone that has a set using 2 different sets. I would like to know before going out and dropping that kind of money.

[hvaclover]

Originally posted by gear junkie
I understand you're not supposed to mix oils but at the same time when established, quality companies like JB, Ritchie, Robinair etc. make a manifold for 22 and 410 it can't such a bad thing. Those companies spends 10's of 1000's probably on just design and engineering and I can't see them putting out an obviously bad design that would ruin their reputation at the expense of selling a couple hundred manifold sets. That's just not good business sense.

Gear,

You have an optimistic out look which is commendable.
But mfgs have put out various kinds of tools over the years that defied recommended service techniques. It's about the buck, that's all.

I was a schmuck and bought TIF digital gauges when they first came out. If anybody here remembers that fiasco they can tell you they flopped big time.

.

The idea of a multi spectrum gauge set appeals to service techs, but the truth is the accuracy is suspect as the bourdon has to work over a much larger range of pressure.

The veterans here are right, you'll probably be disappointed by the gauges you bought.


All the luck