Hobbiyst Level Tools?

[heavytank2]

What? Hobbiyst in AC? Well. If there is such a thing... I am it. And I am looking for a recommendation on a R12/134A compatabile manifold+guage set that isn't for a "rely on it for a living" price.

R-22 compat. would be a bonus, but not required as of now.

[Shophound]

I am looking for a recommendation on a R12/134A compatabile manifold+guage set that isn't for a "rely on it for a living" price.


A/C as a hobby? Hmmm...whatever floats your boat, man. :D

Seriously, my hobby is woodworking. It's not a cheap hobby by any means, being that it is an extremely tool dependant pasttime. And I learned long ago that cheap tools are actually more expensive than their higher priced counterparts.

Yes, I many not need a cabinet saw, heavy duty jointer, thickness planer, dust collector, radial arm saw, portable power tools, and a shop building to do woodworking, but it sure makes the hobby that much more pleasurable when I have the time to spend on it.

Just curious...what kind of projects does a hobby in HVAC produce?

Are you EPA certified?

[heavytank2]

Computing. We use small-scale systems (like AC wall units) to directly chill the processor. Effect? You can usually get a 6-month lead in performance with a few clicks. :)

[heavytank2]

And negative on the EPA. But I am not going to be doing any "sunshine recovery" as I find it wrong morally.

[Wild Leg]

Originally posted by heavytank2
What? Hobbiyst in AC? Well. If there is such a thing... I am it. And I am looking for a recommendation on a R12/134A compatabile manifold+guage set that isn't for a "rely on it for a living" price.

R-22 compat. would be a bonus, but not required as of now.

Last I looked, r-12 & 134a required different gauges, due to the difference in lubrication.

I appreciate your concern for the environment,
but if you are in the USA, you must be EPA certified for stationary refrigeration.
Even for a hobby.
It's a federal law.

You must also show proof of ownership of an EPA-approved recovery device.
Even for 134a.
The EPA has pretty much done away with casual refrigerant use.
All this makes it somewhat expensive to squeeze a few more clock cycles out of a desktop.
Now if you are in a 3rd world country...



Have you tried dry ice?
I wonder what a processor would do when cooled to -109.3°F?
Or maybe a cascade system?

[heavytank2]

There is a huge following in this field, and yes, cascades have been homebuilt and used. :) Some even using ethylene. Pumping -160C and more!

http://www.teampuss.com

[mattm]

What kind of stupid forum is that link to?

[midhvac]

Originally posted by heavytank2
There is a huge following in this field, and yes, cascades have been homebuilt and used. :) Some even using ethylene. Pumping -160C and more!

http://www.teampuss.com

That's a pretty cool site. (no pun intended)\
Some of those guys are kinda serious about freezin stuff!!!

[swat]

That is a nice place. That is a mesh of my 2 favorite things, HVAC and Computers.

[condenseddave]

Originally posted by bwal2


Last I looked, r-12 & 134a required different gauges, due to the difference in lubrication.



Wrong. That was bull**** propaganda put out by the automotive industry, and picked up by SOME equipment manufacturers. The commercial refrigeration industry has spent the past twelve years proving what total BS ireally was.

[Milk man]

Originally posted by heavytank2
And negative on the EPA. But I am not going to be doing any "sunshine recovery" as I find it wrong morally.
A true hobbist.

I don't vent because I'd get caught.

[Wild Leg]

Originally posted by condenseddave

Originally posted by bwal2


Last I looked, r-12 & 134a required different gauges, due to the difference in lubrication.



Wrong. That was bull**** propaganda put out by the automotive industry, and picked up by SOME equipment manufacturers. The commercial refrigeration industry has spent the past twelve years proving what total BS ireally was.

Careful, now. Easy on the fertilizer...

You are going to give the secret away.

Next thing you know, there's no such thing as holes in ozone.

I, for one, do not like to mix refrigerants nor oils.

Therefore, separate gauges.

What are the O-rings in your one-size-fits-all manifold set lubricated with?

Which manufacturers expressly RECOMMEND using the same set on every system?

Now it's your turn.

[heavytank2]

OK then, assuming I'd only use R-134 then. And using a spare compressor to suction it out. When would I know to stop?

(I realize that using a spare compressor would not get as deep, or as clean of a vacum. But it IS better then nothing)

[Wild Leg]

Originally posted by heavytank2
OK then, assuming I'd only use R-134 then. And using a spare compressor to suction it out. When would I know to stop?

(I realize that using a spare compressor would not get as deep, or as clean of a vacum. But it IS better then nothing)

I'm pretty sure you are going to do it anyway, so...

Run your "spare" for exactly 37 seconds.
(That's just a guess, but so is going without a micron gauge.)

It won't do much anyway, except make you feel better.

IF it doesn't blow up in your face.

Then you will feel worse.

[swat]

I know it is just a hobby for you but there is a reason for doing it the right way. If you do not pulll that system all the way down there is a chance for getting moisture in the circuit and if you have read up on the subject well you will see that moisture does not go well with refrigerant. In fact it will mix and under the normal conditions it will begin to make acid and cause a burn out. Some burn outs blow pins and can be dangerous. If you melt down a computer it is just expensive. If you melt down a refrigerant system it is an ecological F!@#$ up.

[heavytank2]

Thats why we use driers, no exception. Decessidents too.

[jacob perkins]

[QUOTE Effect? You can usually get a 6-month lead in performance with a few clicks.


Okay,what does that mean?

[jacob perkins]

And with a P-T chart you can use any gauges ...
The spare compressor is not recommended,but it is better than nothing.Just make sure it pulls down to 29 inch HG,let it run awhile,then isolate the system,let it sit awhile, then repeat...and to do this at or above room temp.,like above 70F you might use light bulbs or heat gun.
It would be good to break your vacuum with nitrogen or carbon dioxide -(NEVER OXYGEN) -The more moisture is thought to be in the system,the longer you should repeat...

Now what did that mean? your freezing your computer why?

[heavytank2]

Well. What you do is, make an evaporator. About 1-2" square and place this on the processor itself. When you do this you dampen the effects of "eddy currents" if I remember right. This allows you to gain stability when you push your computer to the limit.

A 6-month lead is basically stating that you can achieve performance currently not availible for the next 6 months. Just a rough guide.