R22 and 410A question

[Eaallred]

Alright, probably a stupid question, but since I haven't actually seen anything in print I want to double check with you guys.

My gauge set is for 410A and R22 (and 404a).

I've been borrowing my boss's 410A gauges when a system like that comes up, but as 410A is going to be more and more common, i'd like to stop borrowing and stick with my own gear.

Now, I've always heard (all heresay so far) that since i've used my gauge set for R22, I can only use it for R22. Is this true? Or since its rated for both, can you use it for both if you want without issue?

It's fine if I can't, but if I can avoid buying another manifold and hose set that would be great. I've searched online and haven't come up with anything. Anyone got some links?

Thanks in advance guys!

[tjc76]

Alright, probably a stupid question, but since I haven't actually seen anything in print I want to double check with you guys.

My gauge set is for 410A and R22 (and 404a).

I've been borrowing my boss's 410A gauges when a system like that comes up, but as 410A is going to be more and more common, i'd like to stop borrowing and stick with my own gear.

Now, I've always heard (all heresay so far) that since i've used my gauge set for R22, I can only use it for R22. Is this true? Or since its rated for both, can you use it for both if you want without issue?

It's fine if I can't, but if I can avoid buying another manifold and hose set that would be great. I've searched online and haven't come up with anything. Anyone got some links?

Thanks in advance guys!
just because the gauges you use have a pressure-temperature scale for 410a, it does not mean that you can use this for 410 a, unless your hoses are approved for it, as they need to be rated for higher operating and burst pressures. if you had hoses rated for 410a, why can you not use them also on r22? as long as you purge the hoses, i don't see why not.

[Eaallred]

My hoses are rated 800psi.

Does this mean I can save myself a good chunk of change?

[newoldtech]

My hoses are rated 800psi.

Does this mean I can save myself a good chunk of change?



Thats what I do. Just make sure you have low loss fittings especially on the high side and you should be fine. Some say you should have two sets of hoses but every one I know just uses one without any problems.

[sodd81927]

I would think that your more likely to have contamination with two sets of hoses. except in the perfect world where you have a helper to change the hoses and keep them clean and capped when not in use.

[tjc76]

My hoses are rated 800psi.

Does this mean I can save myself a good chunk of change?

if your hoses are rated for 800 psi working pressure and 4000 psi burst pressure, then you can use them for 410a

[mark beiser]

Those combo R22/R410A gauges are pretty useless for R22, if you are interested in being at all accurate. Pretty useless for R410A too.
Since they have a large pressure scale compressed into the same size gauge, the resolution is very poor, especially the resolution of the temperature scale.

Go digital. ;)

[slctech]

Eric its George...check your email.

[usedtoknow]

I use a 410-A set and have a couple of "R-22" sets in the truck. I don't want to get the POE and mineral oils mixed. Before 410-A you always needed several sets so you could work on several units at the same time oil mixing was not an issue then.

[icehouse]

:confused: This should not even be a question. Separate gauges for each, especially that 410A is highly susceptible to moisture. Tools are the most important thing a "Technician" can have.

[beachtech]

i have a set for each, just because the pressures are so close togetther on 410a gauges, in the r-22 operating range. it makes it a little easier for me to see where i am at on a r-22 system with r-22 gauges. i also have low loss on both sets and always return whatever is in my high side back to the system. a six foot hose can hold up to 3 ounces of refrigerant. a couple years of PM calls and all the sudden a system has some mysterious leak :) from not properly removing gauges. but if you like to use just one set of gauges, then a 410a set will do just fine. just the hassle of purging the hose between calls. i leave the refrigerant in my hoses all the time :D

[beachtech]

I use a 410-A set and have a couple of "R-22" sets in the truck. I don't want to get the POE and mineral oils mixed. Before 410-A you always needed several sets so you could work on several units at the same time oil mixing was not an issue then.

at least one extra for backup, if you break the set you use all the time. finish the call and go get a new gauge or whatever :)

[kritic]

I suppose everyone knows this but while we are on the subject of specific tools for specific situations, gotta use seperate recovery machines for the 2 different refrigerants too. ( its all in the name of money):D

[dh1052002]

I'm a rookie looking for any and all info and was pondering this very question.
It makes sense to me to have seperate sets to avoid the mixing of the oils.

[dh1052002]

different vacpumps aren't needed are they?

[BigJon3475]

Trace amounts of oil will not make a difference. If your gauges are completely full of an oil that can not mix with POE then you might want to be worried.....either about your gauges or where the oil came from.

"When converting from a CFC to one of these refrigerants, it is recommended that at least 95% of the existing mineral oil or AB in the system be replaced with the POE"

http://www.refrigerants.dupont.com

Remove every bit of old oil you can refill with new oil and run for 48 hours and recheck with the a refractometer. Till you have a >95% POE in the system. Moisture is also not as big of a deal as would be made out to be unless like in the case of the oil your storing water in your gauges and hooking up immediately to the system. If your using a POE oil anyways anytime you open the system you should be replacing the drier.

[beenthere]

As staed earlier.
R410A guages aren't very acturate for R22.
You should have 2 or 3 guage sets.
1 set for old R22 systems(never know what additives are in the system), 1 for new R22 systems and start ups.
1 for R410A systems. Then some years down the road, add anothe R410A set for new R410A systems, and start ups.

Never be afraid to spend money on the tools that make you money.

[wildtech]

Iv'e used used the same set gauges for all types of refrigerants
and I have'nt screwed up one rack yet. The only thing is if your working with R-410a use 410a rated because of the pressure. But if I was using differant set for each refrigerant boy I'd need alot a set of gauges. I also never use the temp scale I always use an p/t chart. I'd also need a whole lot of recover machines. For hoses I like 6ft. anything less and it's a pain on racks also shut-off ball valves.

[dngtig]

:confused: This should not even be a question. Separate gauges for each, especially that 410A is highly susceptible to moisture. Tools are the most important thing a "Technician" can have.

I use my Yellow Jacket Digi-Cool for every refrigerant I come across and there isn't a thing anyone can say that would change my mind. Except a burn out then I use my J/B manifold to recover it.

Icehouse a dedicated R410a manifold can be cantaminated with moisture just like any other manifold. just because you used it for r22 before doesn't mean it's contaminated. How much oil or refrigerant is left in your hose when you remove them? Very little. I use a shut valve on my high side and bleed it back into the low side before removing my gauges.

To answer the original post, 1 good set of gauges is needed but you will find you will need 2 or 3 sets before your through. If in your mind you think you need a different manifold for each refrigerant by all means buy them but I have 7 different refrigerants that I travel with daily and at least 4 others in the shop if needed. I am not buying that many manifolds:)

[krriffle]

What the ****. Just get a new set. I have many sets. 2 are for vacuum only(1 r22 @ 1 for 410a) 3 beater sets. And 1 digital analyzer. Back up tool are always good.

[icehouse]

I use my Yellow Jacket Digi-Cool for every refrigerant I come across and there isn't a thing anyone can say that would change my mind. Except a burn out then I use my J/B manifold to recover it.

Icehouse a dedicated R410a manifold can be contaminated with moisture just like any other manifold. just because you used it for R22 before doesn't mean it's contaminated. How much oil or refrigerant is left in your hose when you remove them? Very little. I use a shut valve on my high side and bleed it back into the low side before removing my gauges.

To answer the original post, 1 good set of gauges is needed but you will find you will need 2 or 3 sets before your through. If in your mind you think you need a different manifold for each refrigerant by all means buy them but I have 7 different refrigerants that I travel with daily and at least 4 others in the shop if needed. I am not buying that many manifolds:)
This was highly recommended at a 410A clinic given by Sporlan here on Long Island. The worry was about moisture. Maybe Andy Schoen can enlighten us further. :)

[BigJon3475]

This was highly recommended at a 410A clinic given by Sporlan here on Long Island. The worry was about moisture. Maybe Andy Schoen can enlighten us further. :)


Look up or search Roby he has some of the most informative post on refrigerants.