Dedicated set of manifold gauges?

[local553]

You are learning a lesson about how things go here.

We all have opinions, and many of us aren't afraid to share them.

Do I agree with everything he said in his last couple of posts? Nope, but he raises some excellent points. There is a lot more to the refrigeration system than just measuring pressures.

Heck... Wasn't it you who just recently called me a smart-ass???????

In this biz that should be second nature

[AiResearch]

Thank you jp.


I would carry your tool bag AND your digi cool on the next call.

[jpsmith1cm]

well guys you should know that :

if your airflow and heat exchangers are not up to par .....

than your saturated refrigerant temps will be off .....

a moot measurement ....

get the system cleaned up and airflow correct ....

then look and see what the refrigerant is doing ....

how many guys have added gas to a system with a fouled air side?

A lot of what your getting on about doesn't really impact a guy working on refer equipment. No ductwork, no fan speeds to mess with. Airflow is what it is and you diagnose the refrigeration system.

This CAN burn your ass as I found out very painfully a few months back, but one problem in 16 years of service. Yeah, I'll take those odds.

AC work is a totally different animal in that you have a lot more factors that affect airflow, and i'l not pretend to be an expert in any of that mess. I'm just learning airflow myself.

[jpsmith1cm]

Thank you jp.


I would carry your tool bag AND your digi cool on the next call.

Thank you.

I take that as quite a compliment.

You can carry my tools and that will free my shoulders up to carry Mikey's.

[AiResearch]

I tend to agree with most things you post.

Vast majority of my experience is commercial A/C.

Dabble in refrig b/c my employers tell me to.

I try to do the best I can using good old theory.

It seems as though we could learn a couple of things from each other.




respect to ya.

[AiResearch]

Thank you.

I take that as quite a compliment.

You can carry my tools and that will free my shoulders up to carry Mikey's.

LOL deal.

I might even spring for lunch.

[cperk]

we should be more worried about airflow and clean coils

not to worry about system pressures before that is made correct

low suction?

take a look at that supply duct

and that evaporator saturated with kitchen grease

This is why you need your gauges AND your thermometer, to check superheat and subcooling. This will tell you to look at other things like dirty coils, TXV's and airflow.

[AiResearch]

This is why you need your gauges AND your thermometer, to check superheat and subcooling. This will tell you to look at other things like dirty coils, TXV's and airflow.

This is true.

However , a flashlight and nut driver seem to be more direct for me.

Me will go there first. When visiting a system for the first time. The operational conditions can be seen more truly this way. (initially)

Airflow and the coils ability to do its job comes first for me.

[jtrouse]

[One 4 valve digital (DC 1200) set that I am enjoying and still learning on. It is also used also to set the calibration and to pressure test all my stuff.


Worth the investment?

I think you were quoting from my post.

Worth the investment?
I expect so, but time will tell.

"It is also used also to set the calibration and..."
I used "also" instead of "only".

My investment of 350.00, new, with shipping.
So far, I'd say it is also well worth the full price.
The DigiCool 1200; an excellent, well designed, very well made tool.

[UltraLowTemp]

I know this may come across to many as a silly statement, but, I feel obligated to say it. Purging your Manifold and Hoses is the "right thing to do", but we seem to be nit-picking. When I hook up my set that is dedicated to
R404 (as an example), I purge the air out before I do anything, which is important when the suction is in a vacuum. However, when I hook up my set that is dedicated to R-22, I do the same thing.

I am not advocating buying a truck full of Manifold Sets, I am simply saying that having a set for Mineral Oil/AB, a set for POE, a set for R410a, and a junk set for acid burns seems to be prudent.

It is strange to say that I SHOULD have only one Manifold that I need to clean out between Refrigerants. I have way to much on my plate to worry about that. Does that really make me lazy?

[ChaseAir]

Yeah, While I don't claim to know it all, or think that I do, I have enough experience and qualifications to get by. I am a bit of a Quack cause I know I can always learn more. This field of work is ever changing and you never know it all, whether YOU believe it or not Bee. I am on HVAC-talk for that reason, and I'd even go as far to say you could learn something from me and visa-versa. Let's all drop the attitudes and maybe this forum could be more useful. Good day.

The question remains, do you use different recovery units also? There would be far more oil in the recovery unit than the insignificant amount in the hoses.

[jpsmith1cm]

Moved thread to tools

[heff2727]

I have 6 manifolds in my van.

4 valve brute, 5' hoses, ball valves-22 vac/charge
4 valve titan, 4' hoses, ball valves-410 vac/charge
2 valve YJ, 2' hoses, ball valves - recovery/dirty
2 valve YJ, 3'hoses seal right - 410 test
2 valve black max, 3' hoses with bv -22 test
Fieldpiece sman3, 3'hoses with bv-everything test

since I've bought the digital manifold, my analogs barely move. Would never use a good set of gauges for recovery tho. Blow nitro through fairly regularly...I still feel more comfortable separating mineral and poe whenever possible