vacuum tree

[hvac wiz 79]

finally getting to set this bad boy up but I had to adapt my pump with 2 fittings .. right now I have nylog, teflon tape & leak lock ... which should I use ? I need to do this tonight since I busted the existing setup & am not making it to a supply house in the a.m. & am opening a system early .. im thinking nylog or teflon tape at least temporarily since it cleans easier until I can come across something else or are they good enough?

[trouble time]

finally getting to set this bad boy up but I had to adapt my pump with 2 fittings .. right now I have nylog, teflon tape & leak lock ... which should I use ? I need to do this tonight since I busted the existing setup & am not making it to a supply house in the a.m. & am opening a system early .. im thinking nylog or teflon tape at least temporarily since it cleans easier until I can come across something else or are they good enough?

I like Teflon tape. The pink or yellow will give you the thickness required to make a good leak proof connection. I have never needed anything else.
IMHO

[Pascone10]

I like Teflon tape. The pink or yellow will give you the thickness required to make a good leak proof connection. I have never needed anything else.
IMHO

I use nylog.. I like the blue (POE) because it is not as sticky when you go to take it apart.

[itsiceman]

Since you are changing to multiple connections at the pump do you still need the tree now?

[hvac wiz 79]

thanks guys ....... yea a tree is a must! lol

[itsiceman]

Not really.
Core removers, large diameter hoses and a vacuum pump with multiple connections takes the place of the tree.

[Texas-Tech]

To many places for leaks on those things, they take up to much room and are rather awkward. Quit using mine 15 years ago.

[hvac wiz 79]

damn u guys r killing my excitement lol .. I've been using various setups of fittings over the years and am just trying something different .. the tree seems pretty solid as far as connections

[Dchappa21]

Yea I agree the tree sounded like a waste of $ for me.... I already have a jb pump with 2 3/8" fittings on it..

But what ever works for you. It will be way faster than a manifold.

[Dchappa21]

O ya Nylog or Teflon will work fine. I would stay away from the blue goop.

[pacnw]

so the thread about the proper vacuum set up, on this site someplace, is not so great as it claims?

I understand the less connections the less places for leaks.

just use CRT at the service valves, vacuum rated hoses to your pump and the micron gauge at one of the side ports on the CRT, that is the newest best set up?

[270wsm]

where do you guys get these fittings for your pumps. I have the yellow jacket 6cfm SuperEvac. I would like to use two 3/8 hoses instead of using my manifold.

[MechAcc]

where do you guys get these fittings for your pumps. I have the yellow jacket 6cfm SuperEvac. I would like to use two 3/8 hoses instead of using my manifold.

Go to the Ritchie Yellow Jacket site and look through their catalogs. The vacuum trees, 3/8" x 1/4" hoses, stainless steel hoses, etc. are all there in the catalogs. Then talk with your local wholesalers about ordering them or do a search Yellow Jacket with the UPC number you are looking for if your looking for an online sale.

[hceptj]

I'd use the teflon tape...you'll take it apart at some point and it won't be as much of a mess as leak lock.

I've been using the trees for about 3 years now...it might be my imagination, but with the 3/8" hoses and vacuum rated core removers it sure seems faster. We usually do the triple evac, breaking it with nitrogen and most jobs are an hour or less. We did a 10 ton scroll a couple weeks ago and it took about 1.5 hrs.

[Indy]

My setup.

[pacnw]

so this thread about the vacuum set up, as referenced before, no longer is the "standard"?

also, the micron gauge the company provides, http://www.acsuperstore.com/specs/jb/Page_29-30_JB_Industries_2007_catalog.pdf, does not have a core depressor in it, so what would you do, short of using a better gauge?

if using the tree it would be at the pump, not a good place for it. You would have to have a "tree" connection at the unit or a third CRT, to put on one of the CRT vacuum ports.

also, stainless/braided hoses or just black vacuum rated hoses.

[Rcb2875]

Aren't steel braiding on hoses only effective for expansion? Or good to keep them from abrasions/punctures I suppose.

Just curious.

[Indy]

Aren't steel braiding on hoses only effective for expansion? Or good to keep them from abrasions/punctures I suppose.

Just curious.

Permeation and moisture infusion

[MechAcc]

Aren't steel braiding on hoses only effective for expansion? Or good to keep them from abrasions/punctures I suppose.

Just curious.

Stainless steel reduces permeation that happens with regular hoses.

[energy star]

My setup.

I like the set-up you have. I will say, six out of ten times pulling a vacuum is a PITA for me. I always have to tighten my hoses down again and again. I have a tree, but don't use it. I have been thinking about revamping the way I tackle this issue. Perhaps a tree is what I may switch to (start using the one I have). I have been using a manifold. That has so many connections that the leak possibilities drive me crazy. I want to ask two questions.

1. do you pull your vacuum and then crack open a service valve to release a positive pressure in the line?

2. Your micron gauge is on the pump. Does this work and seem accurate? I thought it was best AWAY from the pump. Don't want to hi-jack but I think others may have the same question. I'm going to try what you have in the pic.

Thanks for the post

[trippintl0]

If you would attach the hoses on the back of the core removers rather than the side, then you could attach micron gauge on the side and valve it off after evacuating. That way it doesn't matter if the hoses have any small leaks, or if the blank off valve on the tree leaks, etc.

I'm guessing you removed the Schrader cores from the side ports of those core remover tools?

[Rcb2875]

Permeation and moisture infusion

Thanks. I was unaware of that.

[Indy]

If you would attach the hoses on the back of the core removers rather than the side, then you could attach micron gauge on the side and valve it off after evacuating. That way it doesn't matter if the hoses have any small leaks, or if the blank off valve on the tree leaks, etc.

I'm guessing you removed the Schrader cores from the side ports of those core remover tools?

Yes, I remove the schrader's. I don't like attaching the micron gauge to the side of the core remover tool because it up's the chances of getting oil on the sensor of the gauge. I have used it hooked up to the side and also to the top of the tree with the results being the same. Just my preferance.

[Appion-ChrisP]

Aren't steel braiding on hoses only effective for expansion? Or good to keep them from abrasions/punctures I suppose.

Just curious.

The steel braiding does not change the interior layers of the hose, therefore it does not directly relate to the effect on vacuum. However, AFAIK, most steel-braided hoses use inner-hose materials that are less susceptible to permeation in a vacuum, but this may not always be true.

For example, we make vacuum-certified hoses that do not permeate under a vacuum, but we use rubber and other materials instead of the steel braiding.

Basically, even if picking a steel-braided hose, be sure it is rated for vacuum.

[neophytes serendipity]

The steel braiding does not change the interior layers of the hose, therefore it does not directly relate to the effect on vacuum. However, AFAIK, most steel-braided hoses use inner-hose materials that are less susceptible to permeation in a vacuum, but this may not always be true.

For example, we make vacuum-certified hoses that do not permeate under a vacuum, but we use rubber and other materials instead of the steel braiding.

Basically, even if picking a steel-braided hose, be sure it is rated for vacuum.

I looked at some SS Anaconda hoses, and there is no rubber inside.

[trippintl0]

That's a good idea to help prevent oil contamination.

I just ordered a Yellow Jacket vacuum tree also just like original poster (that's why I'm following this thread and also felt like ya'll were killing my excitement too!) I might try putting the micron gauge on the tree also. Not sure if the blank-off valve on the vacuum tree will hold a micron vacuum though. We'll see.

[hvac wiz 79]

how come everyone prefers the appion core removal tool? .. I have had the yj ones for a few years & am going to use them for now .. I love tools & am not cheap but they are a tad over priced. but I'm impressed with the tree & 3/8 hose setup .. used it yesterday & I pulled down a reach in freezer very efficiently

[Appion-ChrisP]

I looked at some SS Anaconda hoses, and there is no rubber inside.

Corrugated stainless steel hose is right up there with copper pipe in terms of vacuum quality, as long as you don't pull any oil out the system as you start evacuation (this is a much more common occurrence than you'd think... ever seen the oil level rise on your vacuum pump?). Oil stuck in the corrugation can hold onto moisture and contaminants. Aside from that, I haven't used the Anaconda hoses myself, but that should certainly be good for preventing permeation.

There are other stainless steel braided hoses that have rubber or other internal materials, and some rubber-coated hoses (like ours) have a vacuum-rated internal coating that prevents permeation. It all comes back down to: make sure the hoses are rated specifically for vacuum. If you can evacuate the hose under 100 microns and get it to hold on a blank-off test, you should be good to go.

[hvac wiz 79]

the first use was great . . now I can't even pull a hose lower than 300 & if I blank it off forget about it, it rises well over 1000 ... last night I took my pump, tree, blue vac & new hose connecting them .. couldn't pull lower than 3 so blanked it off @ the tree .. this morning its at over 5000 .. im ASSuming its the tree .... the joints on it appear pretty darn solid .. any thoughts ?

[MechAcc]

the first use was great . . now I can't even pull a hose lower than 300 & if I blank it off forget about it, it rises well over 1000 ... last night I took my pump, tree, blue vac & new hose connecting them .. couldn't pull lower than 3 so blanked it off @ the tree .. this morning its at over 5000 .. im ASSuming its the tree .... the joints on it appear pretty darn solid .. any thoughts ?

If the tree is new make sure to lubricate the seal and put oil around the valve shaft and operate a few times to seat.

If that doesn't work take thumb gum and pack tightly around the valve. This should seal off the leak if it is in the valve. If the vacuum drops then you have located the leak.

[hvac wiz 79]

thanks, tried the oil thing no difference ... i dont understand the thumb gum part ... think I might break the tree down . ughh what a p.i.t.a

[MechAcc]

It's a trick picked up in the Air Force. We would occasionally get site glasses that would leak only under a high vacuum. Nothing under pressure not even a micro bubble. We would pack the glass with thumb gum to make a seal. Some call it duct seal. Gardner Bender part number DS-110N

[hvac wiz 79]

thanks for replies mech ... pulled it completely apart & using teflon tape reassembled it & made it a whole lot tighter then it was .. looks r deceiving ... just using same setup as described a few posts ago I've had it on for a minute & I'm already at 87 microns ... damn vacuum tree must of been assembled in mexico :beat: .. lol

[hvac wiz 79]

edit lol ... pulls down but dont hold .. idk I'm leaving it alone n going to have some fun