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Building an Automotive AC Recovery/Charging System on a Budget -

Started by goodfellow, Jul 16, 2025, 08:03 AM

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goodfellow

Like most of you guys, when I do AC work I've made do with a set of gauges, a vacuum pump, and various adapters to that allow me to service and fill the car AC systems. BUT, it's never easy and never accurate. Also, if the system needs to be discharged for servicing, I have t take it to a local shop or (as in the past) to a friend that has a professional machine.

Well, we now have a lot of cars in the family fleet and we also have many friends and relatives who for various financial or personal reasons can no longer reliably service their AC systems. The prices are through the roof and the service is often very poorly performed. The solution is to assemble all the parts necessary to do a quality precise AC service using budget components.

The trade off is time. Whereas a fully automated professional $5000.00 machine will perform this task in minutes. This approx. $600 solution will take more time and more effort.

I already have a very good vacuum pump and professional gauge set. The other items needed are ...

1) a good electronic scale
2) a refrigerant recovery pump
3) a refrigerant storage tank
4) a service cart to efficiently haul all these components across the shop
5) various fittings and adapters to put everything together as an integrated system.

The first pieces showed up yesterday --

1- HD Vevor service cart
2- Twin piston 1HP recovery pump
3- Vevor precision electronic scale
4- Twin-valve Refrigerant Storage tank


Stay tuned and I'll show how to assemble and use this system to service your existing 134a systems. Please note that this system as configured by me can't be used on more modern 1234yf AC units, as this refrigerant gas is somewhat flammable. If you need 1234YF capability, some important changes will need to be undertaken.














Somebody hold my beer.....