A/C Vacuum Pump

[theoldwizard1]

So I am looking at refrigerant vacuum pumps. The prices are all over the map, from under $75 to over $400. These are just pumps, not recovery units !

This is for DIY use, mostly automotive, so volume is not an issue.

Is there anything out there for between $75 than $125 that is worthwhile ? Are there replacement parts available ?

Is there anything out there for less than $200 that is worthwhile ?

 

[VolvoRyan]

As a DIY-er, one of the better pumps from HF will last you a lifetime.

I think I spent $250 for mine. You want to be able to pull a serious vacuum and run it for an hour or so to get the moisture out.

-Ryan

 

[rlitman]

As a DIY-er, one of the better pumps from HF will last you a lifetime.

I think I spent $250 for mine. You want to be able to pull a serious vacuum and run it for an hour or so to get the moisture out.

-Ryan

Ditto. I have their two-stage version, and it has no problem reaching 40 on my micron gauge.

 

[Toold_up]

Get a low CFM model. Anything over 3 CFM is unnecessary unless you are working on really big commercial stuff. Get a good vacuum gauge (not manifold gauges) to verify you pulled a deep vacuum.

 

[bonneyman]

I have a JB 3.5 CFM vacuum pump that's been with me since 1988. Still pumps well.

Though I don't think JB is the same company today. FWIW

 

[Toold_up]

I have a JB 3.5 CFM vacuum pump that's been with me since 1988. Still pumps well.

Though I don't think JB is the same company today. FWIW

I also have a JB.

Good pump oil makes a world of difference as well.

 

[BD1]

I also have a JB.

Good pump oil makes a world of difference as well.

Yes, and frequently changing oil too.


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[ttpete]

Yes, and frequently changing oil too.


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This. dirty contaminated oil will off-gas, lengthening the pump-down time.

 

[dogdog]

I have 2 of the HF one... I think the 2.5 and 3CFM model... not sure.. one I paid full price, the other I paid 1/2 cause it's on that bin...but works fine for cars... and I have a huge one for vacuum bagging stuff (planning)... there are 10CFM ones on Ebay for about $200... as far as parts... not sure if any of them have replacement parts except the big one I got...

for home use, probably any one of the HF ones will last you a life time, mine is about 10 years old, and only been using it few times a year for odds and end things not even for ac... still works... if you are asking.

 

[karoc]

I use mine for a vacuum page when I was playing around with veneering. CL's usually has them

 

[vga]

I have 2 10CFM units and 2 7CFM units all JB, all over 15 yrs old. I worked on very large tonnage( 200-1800 tons) chillers in the past so I needed these large pumps to evac these units down to 400/500 microns vac before charging. For small units I suggest 5 CFM or lower but stick with a known brand.

 

[signcrafter]

I have a Robin air if I remember right. It was within your first price range. I've done a dozen or so vehicles and it's been great.

Do you have a 30 pound jug of freon you are using? I also bought a scale, think it was around 80 or so bucks so I can put in the right amount. Much easier then using a bathroom scale.

 

[engineer2]

Whatever you get, buy a micron refrigeration gauge. It may cost as much as your pump, but at least you will know what is going on.

 

[mrvm]

Last year I picked up the HF vacuum pump which performed well pulling vacuum on my '97 Avalon. Replaced the A/C compressor, drier and condenser.

 

[bmxr4life87]

I bought a like new mastercool 2 stage 5cfm for $150 years ago and easily made 10x that much with it doing auto ac repair. It stayed in my truck with my manifold and a set of ac tools and seals along with everything else I used to have side gigs lined out a week in advance. Ac work is easy money if you have the tools and clients

 

[VolvoRyan]

This stuff pays for itself real quick, whether you're doing side work or your own cars.

I got my HF one in 2008. I got a bunch of Mastercool gauges and what not as well.

-Ryan

 

[tvl]

Not to steal this post and out of curiosity, does Robinair still make quality products? I know it used to be a well respected name! Just curious as I've owned one for about 12 years now and it has served me well.

 

[mautotech]

I have used many vacuum pumps over the years and found that most pumps are junk and can't get anywhere near the 500-1000 microns needed to properly evac a system. Most people don't realize this because they rely on their gauges to determine the vacuum the system is under and whether it's evacuated correctly after isolating the pump and turning it off.
The only way to determine whether a system is properly evacuated is by using a digital vacuum "micron" gauge in conjunction with normal system gauges.

I personally use a YellowJacket 11CFM Super Evac pump and a YellowJacket digital vacuum gauge.

See the following article for more info:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...e-Vacuum.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0v8GIY7yaV7Q3QN03Lek4M

 

[IndyGarage]

I have the harbor freight one and it works fine for me. I've done home AC car AC and just the other day I fixed a refrigerator with it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[alexb2000]

I have a two stage JB (also like Yellow Jacket) with a micron gauge and a case of oil on the shelf. I've put my micron gauge on other peoples pumps and been surprised by how crappy they were and the owners had no idea.

Buy it once, do it right, be done with it.

 

[rlitman]

I have used many vacuum pumps over the years and found that most pumps are junk and can't get anywhere near the 500-1000 microns needed to properly evac a system. Most people don't realize this because they rely on their gauges to determine the vacuum the system is under and whether it's evacuated correctly after isolating the pump and turning it off.
The only way to determine whether a system is properly evacuated is by using a digital vacuum "micron" gauge in conjunction with normal system gauges.

I personally use a YellowJacket 11CFM Super Evac pump and a YellowJacket digital vacuum gauge.

See the following article for more info:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...e-Vacuum.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0v8GIY7yaV7Q3QN03Lek4M

I have a two stage JB (also like Yellow Jacket) with a micron gauge and a case of oil on the shelf. I've put my micron gauge on other peoples pumps and been surprised by how crappy they were and the owners had no idea.

Buy it once, do it right, be done with it.

The common denominator here is NOT either of your conclusions about buying better pumps. The correct answer is that NO pump can be trusted without a micron gauge.

I'd suggest you get a cheap pump and a serviceable micron gauge.

 

[mautotech]

The common denominator here is NOT either of your conclusions about buying better pumps. The correct answer is that NO pump can be trusted without a micron gauge.

I'd suggest you get a cheap pump and a serviceable micron gauge.

Unfortunately, I've never seen a cheap pump that can pull anywhere close to 500 microns. They may say they can, but I've never seen it.

 

[rlitman]

Unfortunately, I've never seen a cheap pump that can pull anywhere close to 500 microns. They may say they can, but I've never seen it.

As I said above, my HF two stage pulls my micron gauge down to 40 in seconds when directly connected. That is, with clean oil.

And it is the definition of cheap, since I bought it on CL for fifty bucks. Then again, it was unused when it got it.

 

[bonneyman]

As I said above, my HF two stage pulls my micron gauge down to 40 in seconds when directly connected. That is, with clean oil.

And it is the definition of cheap, since I bought it on CL for fifty bucks. Then again, it was unused when it got it.

Definitely!

Vacuum pump efficiency drops off quickly with used/dirty oil.