refrigerant transformator

[bigsmooth]

the company I work for bought one recently, cps makes it, basically just a sub cooler for recovering refrigerant, I got to use a couple times im really impressed that it cuts the time down on recovering refrigerant really well. have been thinking on picking one up for myself so I don't have to ask to use

[CoolWine]

seems silly to me. just take some scrap copper and build one. just more crap to haul around. can't imagine the time savings would be worthwhile on systems less than 10#.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I think I know what you speak of... I use it with the Appion twin recovery machine. I carry a few paint buckets for other things anyhow, so I just empty one, put some water in it, connect this CPS heat exchanger to it, and let it run. It does speed up recovery by condensing the output of the Appion.

I think I paid a little over a 'C' note for mine.

[ararams]

I would just put my recovery tank inside the bucket of water (with some ice if available) and let it the recovery machine run.

[Freightshaker]

Build one from scrap or job leftovers! Recovery tanks take a lot of ice or a big bucket and yes you can just run a hose on a drum and that helps. This setup does work great though. We make them and just shove it in a bucket of ice and it really helps. Like another poster said it is not worth the time on small stuff. On a hot roof with a big RTU and tough water access it is hard to beat!

[Tommy knocker]

10' of 3/8 copper, 2 sweat in stubs, 5 gal bucket, and a bag of ice. Made one awhile back and it lives on my truck now. Keeps tank pressure way down so the recovery machine can do its thing. Adds a step, gotta recover it when system is down, but well worth it on a large system.

[toocoolforschool]

they work good for making moonshine.

[Freightshaker]

they work good for making moonshine.

Hahaha we call them "Texas refrigerant distilleries"

[ga-hvac-tech]

I would just put my recovery tank inside the bucket of water (with some ice if available) and let it the recovery machine run.

You will need a larger bucket, and go to the store for ice...

I have the bucket anyhow (it has drop lights and cords for the drop lights... quick to set up for an install)... all I have to do is take a few things out/bucket and ready to go.

The hotter a day it is, the slower a recovery goes... so the hotter it is the more this little gadget helps.

[cuchulain]

We have the 10 gallon bucket that you get chlorine tabs in from the pool supply. We put ice from our ice machine in the bottom place our reclaim drum on top and then fill the rest with ice. after the reclaim is done pull out the drum and you still have ice to put your water jug in to keep cool while in the sun.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Yes, sounds like a plan... however:

I use the same van for service and repairs/installs. Need to have all the tools on there all the time... too much hassle trying to remember all the stuff each time I go out.

The CPS gadget is not that big... and it fits in a place in the van nicely. Just takes a minute more to set it up... then leave it while doing another part of the job.

[meplumber]

One of the other things that we don't run into that often up here. Along with snakes, deadly spiders, and heat stroke.

We don't have too big of a problem with recovery tanks overheating that often. Our biggest problem is generating enough head in the fall and winter on critical cooling. And for the few days a summer when we make it to the mid 80's, we put on the sunglasses and enjoy the sun. A little 45 deg water from the tap in a bucket is usually enough.

[jnsrose]

Would like to see some pics of someones setup if possible. Sounds interesting. Don't understand why cps made a recovery machine that needs a separate condenser cooler to keep her from overheating. Co-worker used it and said it kept shutting off because it got to hot recovering appox 200 lbs of r-22. If I have to carry extra equipment I will just stick to my Appion.

[Tommy knocker]

This is what I made and use. Notice the little pale it's sitting on. A bag of ice is all you need to pull a couple hundred pounds. You can also set the tank on a scale this way and track your progress. I have used mop buckets to set a tank in with some ice in the past. This is cheep, easy and far more convienient. If you look at my avatar you'll see it in action.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Would like to see some pics of someones setup if possible. Sounds interesting. Don't understand why cps made a recovery machine that needs a separate condenser cooler to keep her from overheating. Co-worker used it and said it kept shutting off because it got to hot recovering appox 200 lbs of r-22. If I have to carry extra equipment I will just stick to my Appion.

I use it with my Appion G5 twin... mostly when outdoor temps are 90+ and mostly with 410.