1/2 Charging Hoses to Decrease Vacuum Times

**one_servant** · 06-09-2008, 07:34 AM

I was reading Teyber's thread about his cascade and I noticed that he's using 1/2" hoses for his system evacuation. Last weekend I was pulling down a new heat pump that I had just installed (side project work) and it took hours and hours to pull the vacuum down to an acceptable level. Anyway, his 94 micron vacuum has me searching for 1/2" vacuum hoses on eBay. What do you guys think of this hose....it says its for R134...but it should work for any refrigerant shouldn't it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Charging-Hose-R-...3286.m20.l1116

**killermiller** · 06-10-2008, 06:32 AM

1/2" ACME....134a is always a tipoff a=automobile

Anyway, I wouldn't buy is unless it is heavy duty or stainless steel. $50-$100+

**Planet** · 06-10-2008, 07:20 AM

Also the length of the hose help the vaccum times as well. If I remember correctly he was using a super short hose as well which helps even further to cut down time.

**one_servant** · 06-10-2008, 09:03 AM

Alright, I guess I'll see if I can hit up a refrigeration supply company.

**killermiller** · 06-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Also nothing helps vacuum more then a quality pump. Connect your meter directly to the pump and see how you pull. That will tell you if it is worth buying stuff to help or just buy a new pump.

**n00b 0f l337** · 06-10-2008, 10:52 AM

And even more important than that for long term is constantly changing the pumps oil!

**wdrzal** · 06-10-2008, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by one_servant

I was reading Teyber's thread about his cascade and I noticed that he's using 1/2" hoses for his system evacuation. Last weekend I was pulling down a new heat pump that I had just installed (side project work) and it took hours and hours to pull the vacuum down to an acceptable level. Anyway, his 94 micron vacuum has me searching for 1/2" vacuum hoses on eBay. What do you guys think of this hose....it says its for R134...but it should work for any refrigerant shouldn't it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Charging-Hose-R-...3286.m20.l1116

You need to ask if fitting type is not listed. While 134a usually has 1/2" acme for automotive, 134a can also be purchased with 1/4" sae fittings like most refrigerants. You can buy 134a jugs with either fitting........ A lot of refrigerators use 134a now.

**killermiller** · 06-10-2008, 04:32 PM

I am not sure what I was thinking with the a=automotive. I was sleepy, I just woke up.

**teyber** · 06-10-2008, 04:44 PM

hey!

arem- 81 microns
http://www.hvacr-tools.com/mm5/merch...REREMOVALTOOLS
the difference it two of those
and this expensive hose-
http://www.hvacr-tools.com/mm5/merch...Category_Code=
with a 3/8" adapter for my manifold.

For hoses to high and low side-
http://www.hvacr-tools.com/mm5/merch...Category_Code=

and this vacuum pump-
http://www.hvacr-tools.com/mm5/merch...de=VACUUMPUMPS

and a supco vg64 gauge that was just cleaned- this weekend pulled 81 microns in about 2 hours... 150 microns in about 45 minutes... it wasn't like this before i got two nice core removal tools, et ceterea.

don't get that hose... as important as diameter is the length... that won't help you much. id get a much shorter hose. obviously im not familiar with heat pumps, but hose length is crucial.

Regards

**[XC] 2long4u** · 06-10-2008, 05:12 PM

I think R134a lines are teflon coated internally. The R134a molecule is much smaller then R12 and can pass through the hose.
At least the hoses on the vehicle are that way.

**one_servant** · 06-11-2008, 05:01 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll look into a more appropriate hose...I've already got a great two-stage vacuum pump.

**teyber** · 06-11-2008, 02:22 PM

how long are the tubing your using for the heat pump?

**one_servant** · 06-12-2008, 05:10 AM

Well, the heat pump had a 25 foot line set made of 3/8 and 5/8 refrigeration copper. I would expect it to take longer than our little systems to vacuum (maybe overnight) but I saw your 94 micron number and it made my mouth water....given the amount of time you said you reached it in.

**jinu117** · 06-12-2008, 06:00 AM

LOL, let's try A LOT longer

Imagine the volume inside that need to be evac'd vs. single stage unit... Typically, you run it overnight on heat pumps... or just go to other jobsite and comeback, etc. Of course, you will rarely if ever see A/C guys doing it properly...

**one_servant** · 06-13-2008, 07:34 AM

Yup, a lot longer indeed.

I usually leave the pump running at least 8 hours...but I wondered if I could speed that time up some with larger hoses. I'll eventually find me some larger ones.

**wdrzal** · 06-13-2008, 03:38 PM

Restrictions are Critical @ very Low pressures.(absolute) Remove those vavle cores.......

Also I like to hook into the system in as many places as possible. High side ,low side schrader valves and also I like filter/dryers that give you additionl ports.

**one_servant** · 06-17-2008, 11:51 AM

Walt, I've never removed valve cores before...but I'm looking at a valve core removal tool now on eBay...if the cores are removed and the vacuum completes --- what happens when I remove the hoses from the valves? Will the vacuum hold for the installation of the cores?? I guess I don't know the complete anatomy of the valves themselves. Thanks for the help.

**wdrzal** · 06-17-2008, 01:06 PM

The valve core remover tool lets you close off the system and remove & re-install cores without loss of vacuum.

**wdrzal** · 06-17-2008, 01:13 PM

I changed out a 30,000 btu Copland scroll last week,it was hot and we were busy.So I did it my self. It was 9 years old & lost Capacity. 10 year warranty,so they got a free compressor.It took me 1.5 hours to get to 460 microns. That was compressor ,condenser and 20' line set. 3/8" & 3/4" tubing. Used a 6 cfm Robinair,Breaking the vacuum with nitrogen also helps free up the water molacules. Think surface tension. The nitrogen helps sweep the moisture. Most of the time probably was boiling the old refrigerant out of the oil in the condensor.It wan't a burn out,just lost capacity from wear. A problem in early scrolls.

I would have rather they put in a new unit,but they wanted just the compressor.

**teyber** · 06-17-2008, 01:14 PM

try picking up a pair of these-
http://www.hvacr-tools.com/mm5/merch...REREMOVALTOOLS

what you do is with all hoses installed... you push down the needle, unscrew the core, and pull the needle out. once done vacuuming/charging, you put the needle back in and screw it back in. then you pull out the needle without unscrewing the core, and you can unscrew the hoses without loosing charge of the system.

regards

**wdrzal** · 06-17-2008, 01:33 PM

We hook 2 hoses to the tool on the low side and 1 hose and a micron gauge to the high side. I don't care for those micron gauges that pull the refrigerant/oil past the sensor. (supco vg64) you can dead end them though,I think,never owned one.

**teyber** · 06-17-2008, 02:12 PM

yes you can dead end them

**wdrzal** · 06-17-2008, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by teyber

yes you can dead end them

**one_servant** · 07-23-2008, 06:43 AM

Guys,

I'm back on the hunt for some 1/2" charging/vacuuming hoses and I'm having a hard time finding a good place to purchase them. If anyone has a URL to an online store I would really appreciate the help. I’ve got the valve core removal tools en bound and I still want to grab a set of those ½ hoses to speed those charging and vacuuming times. Thanks for your help.

**killermiller** · 07-23-2008, 07:48 AM

Easiest thing to do is go to yellowjacket.com, find the length of hose, get the model # and do a search @ hvacr-tools.com.

http://www.hvacr-tools.com

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