[baymee]

Hello all, Just started basic A/C training and I need the following tools for the course. A refrigeration manifold and low loss hoses for R-22, an electronic thermometer, and a psychrometer.

It isn't likely that I will be going into the A/C field because I work full time in the heating industry, but I want to buy quality parts, but not for everyday use. In this day and age, it's always good to have new skills.

I've looked at some of the websites and there is so much stuff available and I have no idea what to get.

Can anybody recommend a brand name model of the 3 items above or a thread in this forum where I could read up on what is commonly considered quality equipment.

Thanks.

 

[Tiger93rsl]

Fluke makes the best test equipment. As far as refrigeration tools, Yellow Jacket, Robin Air, and supco are some of the better brands. As far as regulators and torches Victor is one of the better brands. I do have a A.O. Smith regulator Im very happy with.

 

[mechanicalgsxr]

you may want to start with a fieldpiece meter cause they are cheap and have everything you need only get midwest snips you will regret wasting your money buying low loss hoses the first time you try pulling a vacuum and charging a system just buy an anti blowback fitting makita has an awesome mini impact driver out right now you will love it and its cheap i dont have room for a bunch of screw drivers so i just have a 6 in 1 and a big flat head and a couple nut drivers for mild prying/duct punching go with a stanley masonry hammer cause theyre cheap i like husky bucket bags get a gear puller from o reilly auto parts they are very cheap lowes has these green pliers set thats not bad for little money o and get a good metal level with rare earth magnets o and a cheap flaring block ridgid tubing cutters


when i first started i was 16 and living at home so i had nothing to spend my money on but tools and before i was 20 i had more tools than 95% of 40 year olds you may not be in the same situation
you dont need the best of the best right now. these will get you through school and your first year in the field



victor torches are sweet they make me wish i didnt already have some lol

 

[BamaCool]

.

It isn't likely that I will be going into the A/C field because I work full time in the heating industry,
Thanks.

What is it that you do, where this don't go hand in hand?

 

[baymee]

Seeking advice on tools

Thanks for the advice so far. I am open to any further suggestions for model recommendations of the three tools I need. I have the hand tools already.

I work for a boiler and furnace manufacturer as a rep and technician. We only do heating.

I'm just "putting more tools in the toolbox" by taking A/C schooling. It's possible, I'll never work on any equipment other than my own (I have the epa certificate for refrigerants), but who knows in this day and age. I still have 10 years till retirement.

That's why I don't want to buy any junk, but yet, I don't plan to do this everyday, so I don't need the top tier equipment either.

 

[BamaCool]

I would get a fluke meter with a K-Type thermocouple. I know you didn't mention a meter but you difinitely need one. This choice would also take care of the thermometer.

 

[iraqveteran]

Yellow Jacket for the manifold. You can spring for the extra cash for the gylcerin filled guages but really not needed. As far as I'm concerned, Yellow Jacket make damn good manifolds.

As far as hoses, low loss hoses are gonna cost you an arm and a leg. What I did was get regular hoses with my manifold and then bought the whooping 12 buck attachment for my high side hose to make it a low loss fitting.

I have UEI meters with K-type thermocouples. I like the UEI meters but they don't really make anything else thats worth the investment. Fluke and Testo are top of the line in this category.

I have an Amprobe digital sling psycrometer. It works really well. Give my DB,WB, RH, Min/Max function, and delta T.

Digital thermometers...Cooper makes really nice ones. Thats what I have. 3 different probes, can hold 3 temps at once. Well worth the investment, especially when in the refrigeration field. But as far as just your standard everyday thermometer....get an infared temp gun for gettin temps of registers, grills, and hard to reach places. And use your digital psycrometer for the rest.


Anything else???

 

[baymee]

Tools

As one vet to another, thank you for your service. My son just got out after 10 years and works in DC.

I may be in luck. I have a UEi DL250 meter. It has a K type thermocouple tester, if I can only find it in my maze of tools. Will that pass for the digital thermometer?

I'll go for the Yellow Jacket manifold and the Amprobe and I remember the shop teacher saying that the low loss fitting was a nice option on the high side fitting, but I haven't seen anything like that for sale on the net. Link?

Thanks for your information.

 

[iraqveteran]

As one vet to another, thank you for your service. My son just got out after 10 years and works in DC.

I may be in luck. I have a UEi DL250 meter. It has a K type thermocouple tester, if I can only find it in my maze of tools. Will that pass for the digital thermometer?

I'll go for the Yellow Jacket manifold and the Amprobe and I remember the shop teacher saying that the low loss fitting was a nice option on the high side fitting, but I haven't seen anything like that for sale on the net. Link?

Thanks for your information.

I doubt you will find anything on the net. Most internet suppliers are going to sell you the low loss fittings and never mention the adapter.

Go to your local HVAC supplier and ask about it. I will attempt to find it online and post a link for you.

The DL 250 will work. If your instructor was to be that strick, then just pick up a 5 doller digital thermometer at any local store. But like I said, I use my digital psycrometer for ambient temp readings. For all other readings, its either the infared gun or the Cooper kit.

 

[iraqveteran]

Here you go my friend...


Here is a link. It should work. Just print it off and take it with you to your local supplier. If they don't know what your talkin about, then you need a new supplier.

Average cost for 1 is b/t 10-20 round here. Your price may vary according to your local area.


Let me know if the link works.


http://www.johnstonesupply.com/corp/tabid/1780/default.aspx?Product_Code=B11-958

 

[I_bend_metal]

Here you go my friend...


Here is a link. It should work. Just print it off and take it with you to your local supplier. If they don't know what your talkin about, then you need a new supplier.

Average cost for 1 is b/t 10-20 round here. Your price may vary according to your local area.


Let me know if the link works.


http://www.johnstonesupply.com/corp/tabid/1780/default.aspx?Product_Code=B11-958

You can also get these fittings in a 90 degree bend as well....my local supply house has them....makes it nice for certain situations

 

[baymee]

Tools

Is the other side of the fitting female threaded?

Also, if I were to use the hoses for R22 and 134A, are the oils compatable, or should I keep the hoses separate?

Any suggestions on a vacuum pump for the casual user?

Thanks.

 

[iraqveteran]

You can also get these fittings in a 90 degree bend as well....my local supply house has them....makes it nice for certain situations

ditto on the 90. comes in extremely handy

 

[iraqveteran]

Is the other side of the fitting female threaded?

Also, if I were to use the hoses for R22 and 134A, are the oils compatable, or should I keep the hoses separate?

Any suggestions on a vacuum pump for the casual user?

Thanks.

purge your guages before switching refrigerants and you should be good to go.


Casual Vacuum pump. Assuming your only going to use it on residential systems, get a nice 1.5 CFM. Make sure its 2 stage. Cool-Tech makes a good one at a nice cost.

 

[baymee]

Further along in buying things

I've bought many of the commonly used tools now, but there are a few that I'm not going to invest in until the need arises.

They are a vacuum pump, a recovery machine and a recovery tank.

The Robinair 16500 (15600) seems like a nice unit. I see them on ebay, new, at all sorts of prices. Also, reconditioned, which may not be a bargain in the end.

I'm clueless on a recovery machine for occasional use. Is this necessary? Can the vacuum pump move refrigerant into a tank, or no-go? There's a million choices on ebay and wondering what a decent unit would be?

 

[Kool Beans]

Must be faith/coincidence

Well hello baymee, I don't know if it's faith/luck/coincidence or kismet. But I am selling most of my HVAC tools,meters(mostly FLUKE). All of my tools are in excellent condition and my meters are like new, especially the ones that I bought 3 months ago -FLUKE 179 FLUKE 971 FLUKE 62IR - because I broke my hand 3 weeks after I bought them. Anyways, they're in the Junkyard Forum - take a look and tell me if your interested in buying them. I'm open to any reasonable offers. THANK YOU!

 

[beachtech]

buy these gauges

 

[baymee]

Tools

Thanks for the tips.

I'm still wondering about all the varieties of recovery devices. I found out that you need a dedicated recovery machine. Any agreement on something small, quality, and safe to buy used?