What gauges do you use?

[KLEINman]

Yet another tools post lol, a recent reply prompted my to ask about this. So what kind ok gauges do you prefer? I know some like the digi cool, two port, four port, what ever. Just tryin to get an idea of what is good on the market. Post pics if availible.

[beachtech]

this is the only one i could find at this time :) i think its kinda big, i don't remember, we'll see lol

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/hotrodtim/097.jpg

[KLEINman]

a LOT of buttons lol. would deff take some gettin used too. im guessing they are accurate, and what is that cap for on the right? i guess it tells you all of the service stuff, superheat, subcool, etc.

[hvacrmedic]

a LOT of buttons lol. would deff take some gettin used too. im guessing they are accurate, and what is that cap for on the right? i guess it tells you all of the service stuff, superheat, subcool, etc.

I have the same set. 4 port Titan Manifold with 3/8 vacuum port. The cap on the right is where you attach the temperature probe lead. FWIW, after setting units and display contrast, the only buttons I ever use on this thing are the refrigerant selection buttons, the power button and the mode button (switchs between actual line temp, SC, SH readings). Not complicated at all. The integrated temperature reading feature is more convenient than using a separate temperature measuring instrument, and the sensor type used is more accurate than K type thermocouples.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one of these things, even if the one I have were to break tomorrow, which I doubt seriously it will do.

Yep, it's a chunk of change, but well worth every penny. So far this is the "only" digital instrument purchase that I've felt completely comfortable with.

[jpsmith1cm]

Yellow jacket analog gauges with additional valves for my convenience and to make my job easier.

[Texas-Tech]

Just make sure you have at least 2 sets, one favorite like a digital and one for spare or throwdown set.

[cory321]

YJ brute 2 with series 41 handles. I also use Yj 60" hoses with ball valves. It's a little bulky but I am happy with them

[KLEINman]

Just make sure you have at least 2 sets, one favorite like a digital and one for spare or throwdown set.

So far i have my fav, the JB 2 port with the NRP glycerin gauges. I also have a set of YJ btute 2, i retired them for the JB 2 ports, and i have an old set of two port NRP. Next will be a set of 410a gauges.

[KLEINman]

YJ brute 2 with series 41 handles. I also use Yj 60" hoses with ball valves. It's a little bulky but I am happy with them

I have a set of nrp hoses like that, ive always had problems with low loss, dont like em.

[tarheel_tech]

I have 4 41 series in my van(3-22,1-410A) and 2 Titan sets(1-22,1-410A)Never liked any gauges other than YJ.All my hose sets are black HD's with ball valve cutoffs

[t527ed]

2 sets of jb 2 valve manifolds with nrp glycerine gages, 1 r-410, 1 r-22.
digi cool 1250 on a 2 valve jb manifold, one set of cheapo gages on a 2 valve for the crappy systems.

[Pascone10]

umm i own...

Brute 2's they're ehh, on the bottom of the list lol

imperial 4 valve manifold ( r 22)

Imperial 3 valve (410a quik charger)

imperial 2 port ( 22 or 410 havnt decided yet...)

maybe digi's coming soon:rolleyes:

[KLEINman]

2 sets of jb 2 valve manifolds with nrp glycerine gages, 1 r-410, 1 r-22.
digi cool 1250 on a 2 valve jb manifold, one set of cheapo gages on a 2 valve for the crappy systems.

How do you like your glycerin filled gauges, i just recently got mine over the winter, only have one flaw, the caps, i just put a little silver tape over top and it does the trick.

[t527ed]

have had them about a year, no problems so far.

[beachtech]

i have so many sets of gauges it's not even funny!!

heck i gave a good friend of mine who is in school and trying to get into the field, i hooked him up with a couple sets of Y/J 41 series mani's and liquid filled gauges with low loss hoses :)

[boldthvac]

Upgraded to a Testo 560-1 4 manifold unit last summer - lasted about a month before problems. There's a pressure relief built into front that started leaking. Returned unit under warranty. Testo gave me a 523 "loaner" to use. Haven't heard back from them on update yet. They said vendor who made relief went out of business and they haven't found a replacement vendor yet. Liked it until it failed. Like 523 but want a 4 manifold.:D

[slapdash]

Purchased YJ Brute in summer love the 3/8 hose for pulling a vaccum. Only buy YJ most suppliers have gaskets instock when you need them.

[hvacrmedic]

Purchased YJ Brute in summer love the 3/8 hose for pulling a vaccum. Only buy YJ most suppliers have gaskets instock when you need them.

The Brute manifold I have weighs in at about 50 lb. I use it for decoration. Might come in handy as a weapon too. If you got knocked down with that thing you wouldn't get back up. I had an old belt drive vacuum pump one time, I think it was lighter than the Brute. Yes, of course I'm talking about the original Brute, not the new one. :)

[Texas-Tech]

The Brute manifold I have weighs in at about 50 lb. I use it for decoration. Might come in handy as a weapon too. If you got knocked down with that thing you wouldn't get back up. I had an old belt drive vacuum pump one time, I think it was lighter than the Brute. Yes, of course I'm talking about the original Brute, not the new one. :)


I have one of the original Brute 4 ways and you are correct they are hefty. They are on their 2nd rebuild still kicken.

[beachtech]

The Brute manifold I have weighs in at about 50 lb. I use it for decoration. Might come in handy as a weapon too. If you got knocked down with that thing you wouldn't get back up. I had an old belt drive vacuum pump one time, I think it was lighter than the Brute. Yes, of course I'm talking about the original Brute, not the new one. :)

lol a weapon.

my old service manager has a set of those things lmao they not only are heavy but the look real cheap and dorky :) or maybe it was him that made them look dorky :confused:

[NathanVanKCMO]

I like the YJ's 2 valve for simple use... but those digital sure sound interesting. (Counting pennies)

Does the 3/8" port really speed up vacs for residential with shraders in place? I can see how it would work great on refrigeration with service valves...

Nathan

[NathanVanKCMO]

Also I've recently bought a micron gage... with a 2 valve gauge set how does everyone put the micron gauge in line? a T? short hoses?

The guy I learned basically used his gauges to put in refrigerant. I'm trying to make amends.

:)

[toptech]

Just pick these up, should be OK

[KLEINman]

Just pick these up, should be OK

I have a set of those two ports like yours, i love them. I also bought a set of high and low side NRP glycerin filled gauges, way better than the stock ones IMO.

[hvacrmedic]

I like the YJ's 2 valve for simple use... but those digital sure sound interesting. (Counting pennies)

Does the 3/8" port really speed up vacs for residential with shraders in place? I can see how it would work great on refrigeration with service valves...

Nathan

If someone were to loan you the YJ (Digi-cool) digital gauges for a month you wouldn't want to give them up. I was a huge skeptic not too long ago, until I bought a set. You get it in your mind that it doesn't do anything analog gauges don't do. That may be true, but what the analog gauges do, the Digi-cool does better. Easy to read, superheat and subcooling in real time at a glance, and despite being able to calculate superheat or subcooling yourself, you realize after being able to just see it on the display that it really was a PITA doing it the old way, and might I add, never being sure of the accuracy of your superheat and subcooling readings. Also, seeing these values change in real time speeds up charging time. How many times do you find yourself calculating these values using analog gauges, during a single service call checking or adjusting the charge? I realized that it was a bunch when I no longer had to do it. Keep saving those pennies.

[emcoasthvacr]

YJ Titan & Brute II 4 valves, and I also use an Imperial 4 valve.

YJs are better with easier reading guages, forged body, and the hook doesn't come out like the Imperial.

If I were to buy a digital, it would be a YJ.

[Indoor Comfort]

After using the 4 valveYJs titans I wouldn't want to use anything else. I would not want to go back to a 2 valve set they just make pulling a vac so much easier and the forth valve works perfect for hooking up your vac guage. That said the digis sure do look cool but since i spend more time in the office than the field i just cant see getting them and I dont want to spend that much for my techs to abuse.

[Freezeking2000]

this is the only one i could find at this time :) i think its kinda big, i don't remember, we'll see lol

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/hotrodtim/097.jpg

This is what i use.

[beachtech]

After using the 4 valveYJs titans I wouldn't want to use anything else. I would not want to go back to a 2 valve set they just make pulling a vac so much easier and the forth valve works perfect for hooking up your vac guage. That said the digis sure do look cool but since i spend more time in the office than the field i just cant see getting them and I dont want to spend that much for my techs to abuse.

and you think a 4 valve manifold make it easy...

i can show you easier and much faster, without a manifold!!

[beachtech]

YJ Titan & Brute II 4 valves, and I also use an Imperial 4 valve.

YJs are better with easier reading guages, forged body, and the hook doesn't come out like the Imperial.

If I were to buy a digital, it would be a YJ.

and if we wanted a homeowners opinion, we would have asked...

[beachtech]

Also I've recently bought a micron gage... with a 2 valve gauge set how does everyone put the micron gauge in line? a T? short hoses?

The guy I learned basically used his gauges to put in refrigerant. I'm trying to make amends.

:)

if it was a good micron gauge it would have came with some instructions telling you to mount it in the system as far from vacuum pump as possible. those instructions will and should also say that exposing the sensor to any oil will ruin it.

[cory321]

I am waiting until digi-cools new manifold comes out. They look awesome

[gan]

1 -yj titan r-134a/404
1- yj titan r410a
1- uniweld r410a (backup)
1- robinair r22
1- yj brute r-22

want to get a set of digital gauges preferbly the yellow jacket one

[beachtech]

I am waiting until digi-cools new manifold comes out. They look awesome

they're out :)

what you waiting for??