Help installing a minisplit....

[Cofi]

well i just bought a celebra minisplit 12kbtu with the toshiba compressor(r410)

the instillation did not go so well and i got a gas leak.....long story short i now have a new unit and i dont want to crack those lines untill i am sure i am leak free....can someone recommend a really really inexpensive place to buy r410 gauges and a cheap vacuum pump(even a hand powered one) these tools need to work like 2 times and ill be done with em
maybe there is a online rental place????

also any tips on the install i didnt find out untill too late that i should put some oil on the fittings before they go together(although i still dont see how that caused a leak) would teflon tape help out?

thanks all for your help

[Greengrocer]

well i just bought a celebra minisplit 12kbtu with the toshiba compressor(r410)

the instillation did not go so well and i got a gas leak.....long story short i now have a new unit and i dont want to crack those lines untill i am sure i am leak free....can someone recommend a really really inexpensive place to buy r410 gauges and a cheap vacuum pump(even a hand powered one) these tools need to work like 2 times and ill be done with em
maybe there is a online rental place????

also any tips on the install i didnt find out untill too late that i should put some oil on the fittings before they go together(although i still dont see how that caused a leak) would teflon tape help out?

thanks all for your help

I'm not familiar with the make of split you have or the retal market for specialist tools like vac pumps & gauges in the USA. However, in the UK these tools are not gennerally available for rental because use of them requires training. Your best bet would be to get a local self emplyed A/C engineer in to complete the job - probably the same cost as buying all the tools you need and you'll have the job done properly.

[The Viking]

+ you got a system working on modern refrigerant with synthetic oil. Any moisture what so ever in that system will make the oil acidic.

(=a good, deep, standing vacuum is required. Nothing you can achieve with a hand pump)

[Cofi]

so then i guess that was the problem....i was told there was no need to vac the lines....

so where can i buy a cheap vac pump and gauge set in the us....if i could get away with spending under 100 bucks i would be set....anyone have a used set they want to sell(or loan me )

i would just have the man come out but where i am in pa there isnt a place even close (the closest place wanted 300 just to come out.....for that kind of money ill just do it myself

[Grizzly]

so then i guess that was the problem....i was told there was no need to vac the lines....

so where can i buy a cheap vac pump and gauge set in the us....if i could get away with spending under 100 bucks i would be set....anyone have a used set they want to sell(or loan me )

i would just have the man come out but where i am in pa there isnt a place even close (the closest place wanted 300 just to come out.....for that kind of money ill just do it myself

Hi Cofi.
Your dilemma reminds me of when I was working in Egypt and advertised for a Local Carpenter.
The nearest I got was a guy that turned up with a Bow Saw and an Axe!!!

In this case a willingness to "have a go!" is only going to end badly.
If you still wish to continue you could try the "free ads" papers.

Basically 100 bucks ain't going to get a lot.
Oh! also us posting website address's is frowned upon as genuine Companies pay to advertise on this site.
So they understandably would be none to happy if we were to start giving out free referrals.

So in fairness it is always going to be difficult for anyone should they wish to help you!
Grizzly

[Cofi]

fair enough....but i cant get an hvac guy to my house....so doing it myself is the only option....i dont really see it being that hard if i pull vacuum and it holds....im done i have been a ASE certified mechanic for 10 years hvac is a trade just like any other

maybe my goal of 100 dollar tools is a little low i know this website frowns on links being posted but i have clicked on all the sponsers and havnt found tools in the US if you guys feel uncomfortable posting a link....pm me

so just need a little help from you guys

a. best (cheapest) place in the usa to buy tools?

b. should i use teflon tape(or something else) to seal the threads of the lineset?


c. any tips on instillation? How long should i pull vac for?

[Cofi]

btw if anyone needs any vw or porsche advice feel free to ask

[tricky007]

Why do us brits bother with safe handling!!!

[The Viking]

a. best (cheapest) place in the usa to buy tools?

b. should i use teflon tape(or something else) to seal the threads of the lineset?


c. any tips on instillation? How long should i pull vac for?

A. Haven't got a clue but have you tried Fleabay?

B. No

C. First you have to pressure test with OFN (this will remove a lot of moisture), then you will have to run your vacuum pump until it reaches ~300 microns vacuum. After it reaches this, turn the pump off and check that it is standing for ~1 hour.

Why do us brits bother with safe handling!!!

Sometimes you just give up

[paul_h]

c. any tips on instillation? How long should i pull vac for?

You'd need equipment to measure the vacuum you're getting (something else to buy). There's not point in running a vac for 3 hrs when it's not dropping below 1000 microns because you have a leak.
700 microns is good enough for a split system IMHO.

Tradesman to tradesman, refrigeration is like any other trade, except the layman can't do it because they don't have the experience or tools to do it.
Just like I don't have spring compressors, mig welder, car hoist etc. I'm more than self qualified to repair cars, self taught for 20 years, but some jobs I don't take on because I don't have the gear and it's unecomomical to buy it for the job.
That's a fact of life, I would help if I could but I'm in australia.
A good a/c install will out last most cars, so it's more than worth it to find someone to do it as $300 is stuff all for an install that will last 10 years, compared to what mechanics charge for a service that needs doing every 6/12 months for the rest of our lives. A refrigeration system is a sealed system, when it's installed, what's done is what's done and there's no easy way of going back and tweaking it or maintaining the oil etc inside, unlike a car.
edit:
I understand your plight, which is why I've only gently tried to persuade you, but the bottom line is you don't have the equipment or knowledge. I'm not doubting your ability, but tools cost money, even cheap one's will set you back $200-300.
high quality flaring kit - buy a decent one rated for R410a because you don't want a leak
cheap chinese vac pump - any one will do, even s/h, make sure you buy new oil though
gauges - again any will do as long as r410a rated
You could get them for ~$300 on ebay, but they won't tell you if you have a leak or got a good vacuum

nitrogen regulator ~$100 alone as you need high pressure for R410a testing
nitrogen cyclinder rental
Vaccum gauge to tell you when you've evacuated enough $100.
I've not made any money on installs yet, with all the gear you have to buy, plus copper in bulk etc, I barely break even when I charge $80p/h, and probably won't, (edit2: make any decent money off them), until I've done 20 installs. Doesn't make sense to buy all the gear for one install. And here you can't hire the gear because you have to be licenced as an installer to do the job anyway.

[Cofi]

cool guys im off to search for the tools i need

now the lines are said to be preflared my guess i was sent the lins for a r22 filled unit instead of the r 410a so i guess i will buy a flare kit as well

[Cofi]

ok guys here is what ive found just need to know if they are crap or not


BRAND NEW, NOT REFURBISHED ITEM.
You are Looking at a 2-Stage Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump, 1.7 CFM, Model 2Z-1.5; single phase 110 VAC; continuous duty 2-stage Rotary vane VACUUM PUMP, 1/4 HP power. More features bellow.


FEATURES:

* Aluminum ALLOY CASING: Alloy casing has high heat - dissipation keeping motor and pump cool, light weight and efficient.
* Silicon steal parts where metal fatigue occur, making our pumps more durable.
* 2-Stage Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump, will bring water to boil at room temperature.
* Direct drive motor allowing easy starting and is maintenance free.
* Elastomeric coupling between the motor and pump results in quiet running and good performance.
* FORCE FED LUBRICATION Provides clean, filtered oil to all internal bearings and wearing surfaces regardless of the pump operation. Cleaner oil reduces ware and break downs.
* Great tool for: System evacuation(Refrigeration or Air Conditioning), bell-jar, desiccator evacuation.
* Built tough to handle continuous duty jobs!
* Ballast valve on the pump
* Oil drain valve positioned at bottom of oil reservoir.
* SPECIFICATION:
POWER SUPPLY :110 VOLT
PUMPING RATE: 1.7 CFM
POWER: 1/5 HP(180 W)
INTAKE PORT: 1/4 inch SAE
WEIGHT: 17 Lb
MAX VACUUM: 29.92"Hg vacuum (15 micron)!
* Come with a bottle of vacuum oil, just dump it in, you are ready to go!
* Retail Value: $259.95. Buy it now at my store $149.95, Or win this auction. You save: $110.00
* Power cord come with the pump; power switch on the pump too.
* Last, but not the lest, All of our pumps are CE, TUV, and UL listed.M Meet all the safety standards for different countries of the world.

[The Viking]

Sounds good enough, just don't forget about the micron gauge to check what you actually achieve and that it is standing.

[superswill]

fair enough....but i cant get an hvac guy to my house....so doing it myself is the only option....i dont really see it being that hard if i pull vacuum and it holds....im done i have been a ASE certified mechanic for 10 years hvac is a trade just like any other

maybe my goal of 100 dollar tools is a little low i know this website frowns on links being posted but i have clicked on all the sponsers and havnt found tools in the US if you guys feel uncomfortable posting a link....pm me

so just need a little help from you guys

a. best (cheapest) place in the usa to buy tools?

b. should i use teflon tape(or something else) to seal the threads of the lineset?


c. any tips on instillation? How long should i pull vac for?

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Cofi]

Sounds good enough, just don't forget about the micron gauge to check what you actually achieve and that it is standing.

VIOT R410a Manifold Set, Model GM410
with 5-ft, 3-colored High Pressure Refrigeration Hoses.


Note to New Comers: Be aware of most manifolds sold at EBay have hoses with open connectors, inexperienced field men/women may get hot refrigerant in the hand/get burned when disconnecting those hoses from the system!!! The manifold you are looking at sold by bislisted will NOT do that, these hoses have Enviro-Safe connectors(valve in the connector and self closing), they are EPA applied, retain refrigerant when disconnected. If you do not understand this, email me.

FEATURES:

1. R410A Manifold:
* Large 3 1/8" diameter easy-to-read, dual gauges,
* mounted on anodized Aluminum alloy Block body(light weight, stronger than brass)
* Large sight viewing glass
* Flutter free shock resistant gauges.
* Diaphragm valves with swivel seals for more positive seal and less wear
* Large easy-to-grab hand-knobs
* One full turn positively open/close valves
* Extra large port holes/less restriction, for falter recovery or charging.
* Pressure in PSIG
* Temperature in F for R410A,
* Temperature in F for R22, R404A(need adapters for the system service ports or a new set of hoses)
* a Schroeder valve on the service line
* a heavy duty hook for hanging the gauges
2. 3 Color Coded High Pressure Hoses with Auto-Shut-Off Fittings
($69.00 if buy separately): Meet EPA, SAE, and UL standard for containment of refrigerant.
* 60 inch in length each
* 4000 PSI burst pressure
* 800 PSI working pressure
* 1/4" female SAE brass fitting to the gauge block
* automatic shut-off valves on the other end: 5/16" female SAE brass fittings on the Red and Blue hoses, 1/4" female SAE on the yellow hose.
Retain refrigerant in the hose when they are removed from the system.
* 45 degree angle on the service port site for easier access
* Enviro-Safe auto-closing valve prevents the refrigerant release of the hose.(required by EPA, old gauge sets and most new gauge sets sold on the Internet do have this devices and so do not meet this EPA requirement).
* Teflon O-ring washer provide the best seal and the most durability)
3. In stock and ready to ship.
4. Flat Rate shipping to Continental USA(48 States). by UPS ground service.
5. MSRP: $179.95: Buy It Now direct at VIOT Store Home $99.95, $89.95! You Save: $90.00

i tried to post that before but the website freaked out???

superswill please dont take any offense believe me if i am thinking about taking up hvac as a carrier path being an automotive technician is a crappy job and you guys get payed way more then we do (and im a Porsche mechanic)

[The Viking]

Waste of money for what you need.

That manifold will not tell you if you got a good vacuum. What you need is a digital micron gauge, a 1/4" (all male) (brass) flared T and 3 service hoses.

I assume you either got the equipment for pressure testing or haven't got the inclination to pressure test? Otherwise, you do need that manifold and also OFN and a regulator for that.

Good luck

[Cofi]

i wasnt going to pressure test it just pull vacuum and make sure its not leaking....let me see if i can find one of those micron gauges

thanks so much for all the help so far guys!

[paddyaircon]

pay a fitter get it done right

[tbirdtbird]

thread is 2 yrs old