Adapter needed. Argon tank to A/C manifold.

[threewood]

I have a huge tank of argon for my tig setup. I also have a refrigerator that has a leak somewhere in the system. I want to pressurize the system with argon to find the leak.

I need an adaptor fitting that can screw into the tank regulator and attach a 1/4" sae manifold hose. Male/male fitting. I already have a pierce valve in place with a r134a fitting. I believe the regulator fitting is UNF5/8. Does an adaptor exist? And if so, link?
Thank you.

 

[bonneyman]

I used CO2 to pressurize for leaks. Alot cheaper than N2, tank lasted alot longer.
I remember I had to take the two fittings I was trying to adapt together down to the local brass supplier and do the trial-and-error method in their bins. Whenever you're doing something away from the norm you can have a devil of a time trying to make things fit.

 

[PoorUB]

Hoses for HVAC gauges are simply 1/4 flare. You should be able to pick up 1/4 flare x 1/4 NPT fitting at any decent hardware store.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...in-MIP-Brass-Adapter-Fitting-801579/207176616

 

[Wrench97]

Hoses for HVAC gauges are simply 1/4 flare. You should be able to pick up 1/4 flare x 1/4 NPT fitting at any decent hardware store.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...in-MIP-Brass-Adapter-Fitting-801579/207176616

Most 134a sets have larger hose ends then standart A/C sets.
1/2" Acme I believe.

 

[threewood]

I know it's an odd request. But I have the argon tank to use. I might need to take the pieces I have down to my gas supply store and see what they have.

 

[whateg01]

I used a spare hose from one of the welders and put a barbed npt fitting in it. Then adapted to flare to hook up to my ac manifold.

I avoid using CO2 because it's just putting moisture in that I'll have to **** back out.

 

[PoorUB]

He said 1/4 SAE, so I assume it is 1/4" flare, but 1/4 SAE is incomplete as there are many 1/4 SAE types of hardware.

 

[whateg01]

He said 1/4 SAE, so I assume it is 1/4" flare, but 1/4 SAE is incomplete as there are many 1/4 SAE types of hardware.

He's talking about refrigerant. It's the acme thread used for newer refrigerants, such as 134a.

 

[threewood]

Whatever size the manifold accepts is what I need. 1/4" sae is what my search shows.

 

[threewood]

I used a spare hose from one of the welders and put a barbed npt fitting in it. Then adapted to flare to hook up to my ac manifold.

I avoid using CO2 because it's just putting moisture in that I'll have to **** back out.

I'll try this out. I ordered a cheap 10' Argon hose and a barbed end for the hvac hose.

 

[PoorUB]

He's talking about refrigerant. It's the acme thread used for newer refrigerants, such as 134a.

Maybe, There is 1/4 SAE flare used with typical refrigerant hoses.

https://www.grainger.com/product/MUELLER-Flare-Fitting-1-4-in-SAE-M-38N875

Like I said, his description is not complete, we both are assuming.

I have been in HVAC for twenty years, trust me, I know about the R134 acme fittings.

 

[bonneyman]

I used a spare hose from one of the welders and put a barbed npt fitting in it. Then adapted to flare to hook up to my ac manifold.

I avoid using CO2 because it's just putting moisture in that I'll have to **** back out.

That's true. Excessive moisture is a potential problem with CO2. I always used a reputable dealer so never had any issues.

CO2 is nice because I could blow out dirty motors, fill a leaky tire with it if I was out in the boondocks, put out a small fire - heck, even keep my soda cold. Very versatile. One tank, many uses.

 

[whateg01]

Maybe, There is 1/4 SAE flare used with typical refrigerant hoses.

https://www.grainger.com/product/MUELLER-Flare-Fitting-1-4-in-SAE-M-38N875

Like I said, his description is not complete, we both are assuming.

I have been in HVAC for twenty years, trust me, I know about the R134 acme fittings.

Ok, he did specifically state he has the "R134A pierce fitting", so I think it's a relatively safe assumption.

 

[PoorUB]

Ok, he did specifically state he has the "R134A pierce fitting", so I think it's a relatively safe assumption.

Sure, he has the can piecing tool to dump gas in, but that doesn't explain which hoses he has. I have done a lot of automotive R134 systems and use standard 1/4 flare hoses.

Since the OP hasn't commented, we will never know.

 

[threewood]

Sure, he has the can piecing tool to dump gas in, but that doesn't explain which hoses he has. I have done a lot of automotive R134 systems and use standard 1/4 flare hoses.

Since the OP hasn't commented, we will never know.

The fitting I need is the same fitting used on hvac manifold sets. I have 2 sets, one for r134a and a seperate one for my house, 410a. They both have the same thread and size fittings. These aren't the larger sizes. My vacuum pump has 2 *******, larger one and smaller one. The smaller one is what I believe is 1/4 flare. That's what I have.

The pierce fitting (service valve) is attached to the refrigerator low side. I'm not referring to the r134a cans.

 

[PoorUB]

The smaller one is what I believe is 1/4 flare. That's what I have.

Yes. 1/4 flare. You can pick one up most anywhere. Home Depot has them, any good hardware store will have them. Nothing special about the fitting.

You could unscrew one from one of you manifold sets temporarily.

 

[threewood]

Mission accomplished! Thanks to all for the guidance.