Recovery Compressor

[unixxx]

Before I go and buy another compressor for refrigerant recovery I was wondering what compressor horse power I'd need to create the appropriate vacuum. What kind of compressor and horse power do you guys use to evacuate your system? Thanx.

[JSU]

Are you talking about legaly? Legaly you need to full 5hg so any compressor should do that. Normaly you dont use a regualar compressor b/c it has oil and if will go into your bottle. So you want a oiless pump. 5hg realy is nothing.

[unixxx]

Are oil-less compressors used in appliances or am I gonna have to buy an oil-less compressor specifically designed to recover refrigerant? The reason I ask is that I found a few cheap oiled compressors on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3871364515&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1
Also, if I'm not going to use the recovery cylinder more than once does it matter if I get oil in it, or is getting oil in the cylinder hazardous to its integrity? Thanx.

[chilly1]

Keep your eye on Ebay for a certified recovery unit You will need a recovery unit with an oilless compressor unless you want to change the oil every time you recover refrigerant.
If you want new they run from 300 to 500 .

[unixxx]

Thanks, searching recovery on eBay reveals tons of recovery unit results. So many in fact that I don't know where to start. Being an HVAC Engineer do you recommend any particular brand? The ones that keep coming up are: Promax, Amprobe, and Robinair, is this because they're bad an people want to get rid of them or just because they're the most popular? Thanx again for the help.

[chilly1]

MOst popular, I use a promax 1410RG it will operate at a high enough pressure to recover R410

[unixxx]

Does the model number have anything to do with the type of refrigerant the recovery unit is meant for? I noticed that the model number of the unit you have is almost identical to the refrigerant with which you said it could work. Sorry to ask such a trivial question but I can't find a corporate site for Amprobe/Promax. Are all Promax recovery units oil free? I'm not sure if this matters too much but I'm planning on using R290. Thanx again.

[chilly1]

Yes an oil less copmpressor will not need the maintenance that a standard compressor does. And you dont have to recover R290.. but be careful venting it...

[unixxx]

You know, that's a good point, LOL. Right now I'm in the situation of recovering the R22 in my A/C unit so that I can replumb it and charge it with R290. I'll probably end up buying one of those Promaxs.

[unixxx]

I've noticed that almost all of the Promax recovery units on eBay are model number RG5000 or RG5410A. After a bit of research I believe I've determined that the only difference is that the RG5410A can recover R410a while the RG5000 can't. Is R410a a commonly used gas that might be worth spending a little more for the ability to recover? If not I'll just go with the RG5000. Thanx for the help guys.

[JSU]

i dont see why they all cant recover r410a, the pressure differance isnt much greater.

[Pandrone]

Wouldn't it be possible to just use an ordinary compressor and then attach a oilseperator to it? I think i might do that in the future, recovery units are very expensive here in sweden :(.

[unixxx]

If so, I'd do that instead, they're expensive here (USA) too.

[JSU]

you can also just get a tank and attach the tank to the high side of the system then turn on the compressor ;)

[unixxx]

Yeah, but the tank would have to be evacuated first anyways, wouldn't it? Anyway, I bought the Promax RG5000 last night, now I just need to find a tank.

[dward3]

Those recovery units are cute. :D

[unixxx]

Well, my recovery unit arrived yesterday and outwardly looks fine. Does anyone know if there's some sort of guide or manual to using these? I wanna test it without breaking it and I don't really trust myself yet :) Thanks

[dward3]

Did you get any type of warranty with your recovery unit? Found the manual @ amprobe.com :)

User Operating Manual (http://www.amprobe.com/manuals/RG5000.pdf)

[unixxx]

According to the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3873576920&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

This unit is ready to go, it has been reconditioned and is as good as new. Be cautious when buying a used system, this has been factory refurbished and guaranteed top performance.

Thanks for the manual link.

[unixxx]

The manual was enlightening :) The recovery unit appears to be working as the manual describes; the guage reads an increasing vacuum as increasingly turn the knob to liquid input and the vacuum disappears as I turn the knob to vapor input. If I put my finger over the input inlet I get a full vacuum and there's air coming out of the output outlet. Is there anything else I should check to make sure that the unit is fully functioning? Thanks.

[dward3]

Any new pics of your new toy? I would PM one of the Mods and get there advice. :)

[unixxx]

Sure:

ftp://fuzzymuzzle.serveftp.net:3333/FuzzyMuzzle/PhaseChange/Amprobe/P2240028.JPG
ftp://fuzzymuzzle.serveftp.net:3333/FuzzyMuzzle/PhaseChange/Amprobe/P2240029.JPG
ftp://fuzzymuzzle.serveftp.net:3333/FuzzyMuzzle/PhaseChange/Amprobe/P2240030.JPG
ftp://fuzzymuzzle.serveftp.net:3333/FuzzyMuzzle/PhaseChange/Amprobe/P2240031.JPG

Now I just need a recovery tank, piercing valve, and manifold.

BTW, do the images load quickly?

[dward3]

The images loaded okay, but I doubt if you could see them from a windows box.

Edit: Forget my last. The images loaded fine.