Cool! Thanks for the headsup..
Can't wait to see your project pics. Weird on the 1/4" connection.
That seems like a good way to go. No adapters needed. Just the standard stuff.
I never had the need to pull out a valve core (just on bicycle tires).
I guess it would be good when brazing copper near the connection.
Just have to wait & see what that's about when you start your project thread.

CudaNet,

You could have gotten what you need at your favorite local auto parts store. The 1/4" stuff is R12 flavor. They sell a kit with o-rings, caps, a valve core tool, and fittings to convert to r134a size hoses for under $10. Most of the new gauges there are 1/2" acme with quick disconnect to fit newer r134a cars. But they still have all the fittings and such for the older cars.

If you are using a presto quick vacuum adapter, they may or may not have an old school one in stock. But they can get it tomorrow, like usual. I don't own one because I have had bad luck fiddling with schrader valves. The only time I remove them is when brazing connections. Other than that, I can wait an extra fifteen minutes for the lines to purge or vacuum out. If it don't leak, I'm not trying to make it leak.

Yes, I fully agree that the use of standard fittings will make things easier and less costly in the long run - well not for me since I have two sizes in my tool box :o. I plan on starting up the equipment Saturday morning so it'll be Monday or Tuesday before I post pics and a breakdown of parts I sourced and overall cost.

As for the ball valve/core removal tool, I opted to go this route in the unlikely event I need to R&R a core (you never know). I'll have numerous systems (sister, parents and my home) in the long run that I'll be installing and supporting if this performs as well as I expect.

Very true... I'll be honest, it hadn't actually crossed my mind to stop at an auto parts store. It might have been all the bad luck of dealing with them in the past that gave me a mental (don't do it) block.

It worked out well though, It started to rain about an hour after I moved all the tools to the garage. Rain didn't stop until last night. It's going to be a great day today - 70 for a high and sunny. Unfortunately I won't have a chance to work on it again until Saturday (again, a perfect weather day)..

Schrader cores are the same size as automobile tire valve cores. You may even have a valve cap on your car that has a core remover on the end.

Professionals like the core remover tool that can work under vacuum because it makes pump down time shorter. On a big system, this can be significant. On a small system, the time difference is pretty minor.

The end of your vacuum hose has a valve depressor built in, so you can pump down without removing the core at all. It might take longer... like maybe 5 or 10 or even 15 minutes longer.

How much are they paying you per hour to do this job, anyway?

-AC

C'mon, we're talking about family here.. I can't get away fast enough unless drinks and food are involved..

We have been shuting off the Sanyos..
 

Under 5deg F, they started using a lot of power. Plus the blizzard snow was
plugging up the outdoor units, causing many defrost cycles.

Just now turned them back on, after being off since about 6PM yesterday.
Hate wasting power on space heaters ($8 to $9 a day) and heating oil (5 to 10 gallons?).


Not really what I expected from global warming.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1388851279

Had to switch to oil also.
Could only keep the house 66* when the outside temp was 0*
Switched my ashp water heater to hybrid also as my basement was down to 46*.
Glad it's warming up.

Sucks burning oil! But, I must say it was pretty nice in my PC room.
Sitting right next to the baseboard radiator.. :)

When I saw the below zero forecast, I knew the basement would be overly chilly..
So, cranked up the A7 and made a good supply of hot water.
After burning oil, we had all the hotwater we could use.
Our basement got down to 45F before burning some oil
and it started heading slowly up to 50F..

Yesterday was a good solar day. Got good hotwater from the PV..
Even a little today too. But that's ending now.. :(
http://maps.wunderground.com/data/64...?id=1388941023

Another night of burning oil..
 

I can't believe it! Another night of burning oil.
At midnight, it was around 7 deg F and the living room Sanyo reset.
Since the dew-point was okay, it must have hit the 10A reset limit.
I shut it down and checked the Den Sanyo power use.
It was about 1200w and still making good heat. Not great, just good.

The forecast was for 2 degs at 6AM..
I pressed the 1-Hour button, so the den Sanyo would shut down at 1AM.
Set the oil heat for 67 and went to sleep.

Today, we went back on the Sanyos after the sun got the temp back up over 10F..

A week ago, we had just under 7/8 of a tank (fuel oil).
Yesterday, we had about 3/4 a tank.. Now was are heading for 5/8 !!

Any of you guys seen any Snowy Owls around? I heard they mostly hung out, around the Arctic Circle..