Vacuum pumps uses and recommendations and options to consider

[mikey03]

I’m in the market for a vacuum pump for a car AC job. Honestly I don’t expect to do alot of AC work but I like to be smart with tool purchases and maybe there’s a little bit good of a model that would be a smarter idea to get.

but honestly Idk what other uses vacuum pumps have

i see them rated in terms of power so id have to use a cheaper model for a longer period of time to do the same job but if its something i use once every few years then it don’t matter if it takes 20 minutes or 45 minutes tbh.

i searched threads here and people talk about different fittings but I’m guessing i could use adapters. I got the Yellowjacket r134a manifold gauge set.

idk if this going to be a dedicated car ac tool or if there is other uses and what kinda features i should look at

 

[no704]

I use the making moulds for metal casting. Sucking fine powders into capillary tubes. Pulling vacuum on particle accelerators. Freeze drying things.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The most innovative use for a vacuum pump that I have seen is to remove water from hydraulic oil.

Place the oil/water mixture in a large tank. When you lower the pressure down to the micron range the water will boil. The water vapor (steam) gets **** out. Not fast, but it works ! Filter the oil well and reuse it

 

[Beerhippie]

Bag-clamping woodworking projects (mostly veneers) and fiberglass work. Removing water from many things. Freeze-drying. Clearing epoxy castings of bubbles. Making two iron hemispheres stick together to where wild horses can't pull them apart. Et cetera.

 

[Blickus]

Where are you located? I have a full set of AC equipment, vacuum pump, scale, micron vacuum gauge, leak detectors.... you're welcome to borrow.

Expensive equipment to have laying around after your job.

 

[charbar]

Anything that needs sucking

My old/spare vacuum pump gets used quite often for brake bleeding and fluid extraction. Just have to make your own reservoir to catch the fluid.

 

[mikey03]

Where are you located? I have a full set of AC equipment, vacuum pump, scale, micron vacuum gauge, leak detectors.... you're welcome to borrow.

Expensive equipment to have laying around after your job.

Texas but honestly I think I just need a $60 vacuum pump and I’m good appreciate it though

I figure a digital kitchen scale is accurate enough?

and picked up a manifold gauge set already

 

[Blickus]

Best of luck! Be sure to pull a deep vacuum, shut off pump, block in the valves and let it sit for a while. Check gauges for leakage (loss of vacuum).

 

[Buckaroo5]

Texas but honestly I think I just need a $60 vacuum pump and I’m good appreciate it though

I figure a digital kitchen scale is accurate enough?

and picked up a manifold gauge set already

I use a kitchen scale like this for auto AC work - bought it from HF years ago.

https://www.harborfreight.com/22-lb-digital-scale-70991.html

 

[fitter30]

The biggest killer of a vacuum pump is moisture from not changing the oil enough. Pull a vacuum and the oil is milky or dirty needs to changed. Pull a vacuum not going to be used in month or more especially in cold weather change oil before putting it up. Use only vacuum pump oil nothing else. Vac oil has a higher vapor pressure. Higher the cfm rating with the correct sized hoses will be a little faster than a smaller pump. Main problem is pulling through 1/4" schrader valves. Home owner doing the work not pulling the valve cores and having a larger cfm pump isn't a big deal. They can run the pump another hour. Have a nitrogen tank and regulator can do a double or triple evac. Micron gauge vrs manifold gauge is like using a micrometer to a tape measure.

 

[Beerhippie]

The biggest killer of a vacuum pump is moisture from not changing the oil enough. Pull a vacuum and the oil is milky or dirty needs to changed. Pull a vacuum not going to be used in month or more especially in cold weather change oil before putting it up. Use only vacuum pump oil nothing else. Vac oil has a higher vapor pressure. Higher the cfm rating with the correct sized hoses will be a little faster than a smaller pump. Main problem is pulling through 1/4" schrader valves. Home owner doing the work not pulling the valve cores and having a larger cfm pump isn't a big deal. They can run the pump another hour. Have a nitrogen tank and regulator can do a double or triple evac. Micron gauge vrs manifold gauge is like using a micrometer to a tape measure.

The nitrogen will also come in right handy when the vacuum test shows a leak. You'll also need some very thick soapy water.

 

[rsanter]

You can make an almost free AC vac pump.
get an old refrigerator that the compressor works even if it’s not cooling.
put an adapter on the suction side.
you now have an AC vac pump

 

[Steve_P]

To get kinda back on topic, meaning somewhat of a recommendation, a guy I worked with years ago had a vacuum pump from HF and it worked for him on his truck's AC system.

Probably this one, since it's the least expensive. And it does have good reviews.

2.5 CFM Vacuum Pump

Amazing deals on this 2.5Cfm Vacuum Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Nutria]

Woodturning.

 

[fitter30]

You can make an almost free AC vac pump.
get an old refrigerator that the compressor works even if it’s not cooling.
put an adapter on the suction side.
you now have an AC vac

They would work for refrigerant 22 used mineral oil. Newer refrigerant use poe and pag oil are more hydroscopic meaning they will absorb water. They absorb water through a plastic container that why they use metal. They need a vacuum down 500 microns or below. When i was in trade school 1970 made pumps like you stated from refrigerators in class and used them.

 

[AEAdam]

They would work for refrigerant 22 used mineral oil. Newer refrigerant use poe and pag oil are more hydroscopic meaning they will absorb water. They absorb water through a plastic container that why they use metal. They need a vacuum down 500 microns or below. When i was in trade school 1970 made pumps like you stated from refrigerators in class and used them.

Hygroscopic is what you mean. These aren’t words people use everyday, so in case someone needed to look it up. It seems like it should be hydro. I had to look up hydroscopic. That refers to seeing under water.