A/C gauges

[rebelmyers1]

I'm looking to purchase a set of a/c manifold gauges. Any recommendations or links would be greatly appreciated. This is for at home list


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[malibu101]

I bought an R134A Mastercool manifold last year. It was ~100 from amazon.
I've used it a couple of times with no complaints.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have a 30 year old Robinair set that I bought new when I took some refrigeration classes. I also have a 5 year old set of HF gauges for 134A, that I bought to troubleshoot mobile AC.

IMO: if you're going to do casual work, the HF set should be fine. Otherwise, go with the Robinair.

 

[gungatim]

agree the HF should be just fine for home use and is a pretty good deal. I have an older Robinaire set for R12 which rarely gets used (and cost a lot more), the HF for R134A is a pretty nice set and gets used a lot...

 

[bonneyman]

You can find good used sets on ebay and easily replace all the o-rings and seals. Many manufacturers have "rebuild kits" with all the parts you need, or you can go to Ace Hardware and dig thru their O-ring bins.
While it's all stripped down wirewheel and then polish the brass with car wax. Comes out looking nice.

Here's a set I restored.

 

[gdudik]

FYI--

I've been through two sets of the HF gauges. One leaked refrigerant, the other leaked vacuum if one of the knobs was closed too tight. After two of them, I was done. I like HF just fine, but I wouldn't recommend those.

 

[metaldad]

You can find good used sets on ebay and easily replace all the o-rings and seals. Many manufacturers have "rebuild kits" with all the parts you need, or you can go to Ace Hardware and dig thru their O-ring bins.
While it's all stripped down wirewheel and then polish the brass with car wax. Comes out looking nice.

Here's a set I restored.

i like the vintage compound gage.
i usually toss the plastic casing and use a brass one, of which most of my sets are dressed in.

 

[bonneyman]

I got that from an old boss before he retired. Been scrounging everywhere. trying to find a matching gauge for the low side.

Shoot, I forgot! There's a member (bmwpower) selling an old Madden Brass set of gauges in the classifieds! If it hasn't been snagged yet.
Madden got bought out by JB in 1967, IIRC. So, you know the set is at least that old.

Excellent buy!

 

[magicrat]

I do Ac for a living......If going new u can get new Yellow jacket or JB gauges gor 65 on ebay......good deal.....way higher quality than harbor freight and almost the same price.....you can use these gauges several times a day with no issues.

 

[Kellyblues]

Good post right here.

I do Ac for a living......If going new u can get new Yellow jacket or JB gauges gor 65 on ebay......good deal.....way higher quality than harbor freight and almost the same price.....you can use these gauges several times a day with no issues.

 

[AdamD87]

I bought a set of HF guages they leaked right out of the box. I returned them and have had the second set for a couple years now. Seems like a gamble to get the HF guages.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have a set of Mastercool gauges, USA made. I believe that they relabel for a lot of other makes.

 

[bonneyman]

I do Ac for a living......If going new u can get new Yellow jacket or JB gauges gor 65 on ebay......good deal.....way higher quality than harbor freight and almost the same price.....you can use these gauges several times a day with no issues.

Personally I'd stay clear of JB. They underwent a change of management in 2005, and everything changed. Especially warranty practices.

Yellow Jacket makes excellent stuff. Really like their hoses and quik release fittings.

 

[purplezr2]

I have RobinAir Stuff, seems to work well

 

[Blt2Lst]

I bought a set of HF guages they leaked right out of the box. I returned them and have had the second set for a couple years now. Seems like a gamble to get the HF guages.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

FYI--

I've been through two sets of the HF gauges. One leaked refrigerant, the other leaked vacuum if one of the knobs was closed too tight. After two of them, I was done. I like HF just fine, but I wouldn't recommend those.

Hello All,

This is my first post here and I felt compelled to chime in on this subject.
Purchased the HF gauge set an and vacuum pump last year and used them a few times with no issues.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, went to use the HF gauges again, hooked up to my 2003 honda and could not get gauge to read the low side. Hooked up to another vehicle and same thing, no low side reading. So I thought to myself, possible defective gauge, clogged hose, defective quick connect coupling? Confirmed hose was clear but did not feel like spending time to troubleshoot the rest.

So went back to HF and purchased new gauge set, took home, put old gauge set and couplings back in box (still looked new), kept old hoses and returned it for a refund. That's ok to do right?

After tightening all fitting on new gauges (so I thought), hooked them up, started charging the system. Discovered a leak on high side coupling where the fitting screws into the coupling, tightened up and all was well.

If the gauge set goes out again, I will purchase a better quality set next time.

For the price of the HF gauges, if you use them a few times, they have paid for themselves IMO.