R134A Service Tools & Equipment

^ R-12 and R-134a require separate and non-interchangeable sets of recovery, recycle, and recharge equipment, because the refrigerants and lubricants are not compatible and cannot be mixed even in the smallest amounts.

^ DO NOT attempt to use one set of equipment for both R-12 and R-134a, as all equipment contains residual amounts of refrigerant and/or lubricant, which will result in contamination, and damage to recovery/recycle equipment.

^ Use equipment designed to meet Society of Automotive engineers (SAE) standards, which specify R-134a service equipment fitting size (1/2" - 16 ACME), and service hose identification (black stripe on hose).

^ Adapters to convert from one size fitting to the other must never be used; refrigerant/lubricant contamination will occur and system failure may result.

^ The use of incorrect equipment will result in refrigerant and/or lubricant contamination, which may cause A/C system or equipment failure.

^ ACR(4) machine will perform all required service functions (recovery, evacuation, recycle, recharge).

^ High volume A/C service facilities may benefit from "component" A/C service equipment (vacuum pump, weight scale, manifold gauge set) to supplement the ACR(4).





Comments regarding recovery/recycling equipment:

^ Be certain to follow the manufacturer's instructions for machine operation and machine maintenance.

^ Never introduce any refrigerant other than that specified into the machine.

^ Only R-134a containers with a 1/2"-16 ACME can be used to add R-134a to the ACR4 recovery/recycle machine.

^ Periodic maintenance of this equipment is required; follow the manufacturer's recommendations as described in the equipment instruction manual.





Comments regarding R-134a manifold gauge set:

^ Be certain that the gauge face indicates R134a or 134a.

^ Be certain that the manifold gauge set has the 1/2" - 16 ACME threaded connections for service hoses, ensuring that only R-134a service hoses are used.

^ Be certain that no refrigerants other than R-134a (along with only specified lubricants) are used with the manifold gauge set.





Comments regarding vacuum pump use:

^ The lubricant contained inside the vacuum pump is not compatible with the lubrication for R-134a A/C systems.

^ The vent side of the vacuum pump is exposed to atmospheric pressure, causing the vacuum pump lubricant to migrate out of the pump if the pump is switched oft after evacuation (vacuuming) and there is no shut off valve between the pump and the hose.

^ To prevent the migration of vacuum pump lubricant into service hoses, it is necessary to use a valve (which can be manually opened or closed) near the connection of the service hose to the pump.

^ On a vacuum pump which is equipped with an isolation valve (usually part of the vacuum pump), closing this valve will isolate the service hose from the pump.

^ For pumps without an isolation valve, be certain that the service hose is equipped with a manual shut off valve near the pump end of the hose.

^ Hoses which contain an automatic shut off valve at the end of the service hose must be disconnected from the vacuum pump to prevent the migration of lubricant; as long as the hose is connected, the valve is open and lubricant may migrate (with pump off).

^ One-way valves which open when vacuum is applied and close under a no vacuum condition are not recommended, because this valve may restrict the pump's ability to pull a deep vacuum.





Comments regarding leak detector use:

^ Existing R-12 leak detectors currently will not detect R-134a.

^ Many R-134a leak detectors will detect R-12; check with the equipment manufacturer.

^ Always refer to and follow the equipment manufacturers recommendations when operating leak detectors.





Comments regarding weight scale use:

^ If the scale allows electronic control of the flow of refrigerant through the scale, (i.e. internal solenoid valves) be certain that the hose fitting size is 1/2"-16 ACME, and that no refrigerant other than R-134a (along with only specified lubricant) have been used with the scale.

Charging Cylinder

^ The use of a charging cylinder is not recommended because:

^ The refrigerant may be vented into the air from the top valve of cylinder when filling the cylinder with refrigerant.

^ The accuracy of a charging cylinder is generally less than that of an electronic scale or of quality recycle/recharge equipment.