Because your profile states you are a tech, I moved your thread to the “Tech to Tech Chat - Residential” forum. The AOP forum is where homeowners can ask non technical questions.

Please take note of this new location as the "Moved" icon in the other forum will only last a day.

 

If you really want to have access to the best minds in this Trade, please take the time to join our forum as a "Student Pro".

This will allow you to venture into all the PRO forums.

It is free and easy to apply - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...rms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-RgT4jIRT6xI9RScRcSOY_j1rJ1lcZKcAlLvijdzOSdubhw/viewform?pli=1

 

Never knew a gauge could tell what refrigerant its reading!

 

Ask your friend if you need different gauges for ALL 200+ refrigerants?

This is why you don't listen to the BS artists in the field!

Get your post count up. Plent of real information behind closed doors.

 

A gauge is a gauge. The PT charts on the gauges are what's different.

 

Almost, but not really.

Want me to post photos of the 22 guage Vs the 410 guage?

 

You’ll need adapters for r32, and r454 for your hoses. They tried this back in the 90’s saying you had to have separate hoses for Poe.

 

Aside form the electronic gauges any gauge is most accurate mid range of it's span, R-410 needs a larger range.
My old R-22 gauges won't give a reliable reading on R-410. 410 might actually damage them by maxing out the
gauge and flexing the bordon tube.
Probably cheaper to go electronic. They tell more than just pressure. I always wanted a set. If nothing else they look cool.

If you look on line be aware that most offered are inferior and made for people that need to charge their cars. Name brands are
notoriously over priced especially from the supply houses. Most will need calibration over time but the gauge manufactures don't give
a good way to achieve that. Replace the gauges over time depending on how often they are used. But who knows when that is.

 

Get an electronic set. One set (with R32/R454B adapters) will work with all of those. Just be sure to purge the gauges between refrigerants.
I prefer the probe type. But I have both types.

 

Get the fieldpiece joblink kit and be done with it.

 

Digital gauges are for lazy hipsters and people that want to show off. You'll never catch me using them.

I prefer to see my needles moving around, I can tell what's going on instantly by their little dance. Are your digital gauges reading drift or are they broken? Are your batteries dying? The batteries in my analogs never run out and I don't need to plug them into a computer to download an update. If I bust an analog gauge it's $25 and ten minutes to fix instead of having to send them back to the manufacturer for repairs and calibration.

IMO all you need is this:
- A manifold for R22/R410A. I use the Yellow Jacket 42001
- A manifold for R32/R454B. I recommend the Yellow Jacket 42035
- A couple good sets of low-loss hoses. I use the 22983 36" hoses with the quick-check ends.
- A good clamp-on digital thermometer. I prefer the Cooper 4005I.
- A good core removal tool. The Appion MGAVCT is by far the most popular one I sell but I've had a CPS TLVCS for years. It's cheap and works well.
- A couple 5/16" hose adapters for mini-splits. The CPS AD87/AD87S are very affordable.
- A left-hand tank thread adapter for A2L refrigerant tanks.

 

I used analog for the first 15 years in the trade, I’ve been using strictly digital for 15 years. Your points against digital probes are ridiculous, digital probes that work with measurequick (whether you use them with MQ or not) are far superior to analog gauges with a manifold and temp clamps.

 

Strongly agree on 36" hoses for residential

 

Is there currently anything out there that allows .CSV or similar based PT profile making to future proof it so that you're not at the mercy of factory update? Something that gives you at least three custom refrigerants with bubble/dew as needed within the upper range limit. (so... CO2 may need a special set of gauges due to extreme pressure)?

Refrigerant market is constantly evolving and designer refrigerants are constantly being put out.