Refrigerant Recovery. - Page 2

IdleMind · 06-19-16, 06:32 AM

Last summer I used the ice bucket approach and heat gun on the ac to recover the r22 from a small window ac. I put it in a small propane torch cylinder which I keep in my basement where in seldom gets over 70F. For a small quantity this has been working. I don't know if these small cylinders would be safe at higher temps.

Recently I added 2 service valves to a dehumidifier compressor which I will be using to pull the r22 out of a much larger window ac. I have an empty bbq tank that I will be using. I will be doing this in the next few days, I can let you know how it works.

pinballlooking · 06-20-16, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff5may

BEST is a strong word in this subject. There are a ton of "ifs" to consider.

For R12/R22/R134/R290 systems, a compressor/condenser/fan assembly from a common upright refrigerator works wonderfully:

Will it work with 410A

You said you took EPA test online do you have a link where you took the test?

Thanks everyone for their advice!

jeff5may · 06-20-16, 12:56 PM

Google search terms:

608 study guide
608 certification

There are 4 levels of certification:
Type I Certification – Can only work on Small Appliance (5lbs or less of refrigerant)
Type II Certification – Can only work on Medium, High and Very-High Pressure Appliances.
Type III Certification – Can only work on Low-Pressure Appliances.
Universal Certification – Someone who possesses Type I, Type II and Type III Certifications

Mobile equipment is EPA Section 609.
Find a proctor near you:
https://www.epatest.com/locator/

You don't need an EPA card to purchase R-134A or R-410A. Legally doing maintenance is another story, especially as a contractor.

oil pan 4 · 06-20-16, 01:38 PM

Universal here.
I have only ever bought bulk R-404a.

NiHaoMike · 06-20-16, 06:12 PM

Many of the supply stores will give you a hard time without an EPA certification, even if you're not buying anything that requires it. Just get the 608 Universal if you are planning a future in HVAC work.

IdleMind · 06-23-16, 05:12 PM

A few days ago I recovered the r22 from a large window ac using the compressor from an old dehumidifier. I made a few mistakes and lost some of my precious r22. I had several hoses to purge and then one of the connections was not tightened enough, I also needed to purge the compressor. Then I forgot to open the valve on the bbq tank so I over heated the compressor and the temp sensor shut it down so I had to wait for it to cool down and restart.

Just saying for someone like me who doesn't do this very often the ice bucket with one hose might take longer, but I never screwed up doing it that way. And with a heat gun on the source I could recover all of it.

Xringer · 07-13-16, 06:53 PM

A few years ago, an HVAC guy gave me a empty 30 pound green R22 tank.
He told me that it might be useful for recovering a few pounds of R410A.
(In case of a Sanyo problem) At that time, he had access to a recovery machine.

Doesn't R410a have a higher pressure? Like when the tank gets warm?

jeff5may · 07-14-16, 06:50 AM

I believe the difference in the cylinders is the (over)pressure relief valve. The R410a cylinders pop open at a higher pressure than the R22 cylinders do.

AC_Hacker · 09-22-16, 05:41 PM

Is anybody building a DIY extractor? With photos?

Anybody have photos of extractors they built?

1 photo = 1000 words.

-AC

Xringer · 09-22-16, 06:43 PM

I just found a newer video.. (Feb 2, 2016)
https://youtu.be/RCsMSoIv6_s
At first glance, this seems a little confusing to me..

Here's how a legal RRM works..
How To Use A Refrigerant Recovery Machine – HVAC How To

Once in a while I see a Robinair RG3 on ebay.
Robinair RG3 Portable Refrigerant Recovery Unit Used Once Aae | eBay $290.00

Amazon has them for $352.67 ($62.67 more than Ebay).

06-20-16, 06:12 PM	#15
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	Many of the supply stores will give you a hard time without an EPA certification, even if you're not buying anything that requires it. Just get the 608 Universal if you are planning a future in HVAC work. __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...

07-13-16, 06:53 PM	#17
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	A few years ago, an HVAC guy gave me a empty 30 pound green R22 tank. He told me that it might be useful for recovering a few pounds of R410A. (In case of a Sanyo problem) At that time, he had access to a recovery machine. Doesn't R410a have a higher pressure? Like when the tank gets warm? __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

09-22-16, 05:41 PM	#19
AC_Hacker Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 4,004 Thanks: 303 Thanked 723 Times in 534 Posts	Is anybody building a DIY extractor? With photos? Anybody have photos of extractors they built? 1 photo = 1000 words. -AC __________________ I'm not an HVAC technician. In fact, I'm barely even a hacker...

09-22-16, 06:43 PM	#20
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I just found a newer video.. (Feb 2, 2016) https://youtu.be/RCsMSoIv6_s At first glance, this seems a little confusing to me.. Here's how a legal RRM works.. How To Use A Refrigerant Recovery Machine – HVAC How To Once in a while I see a Robinair RG3 on ebay. Robinair RG3 Portable Refrigerant Recovery Unit Used Once Aae \| eBay $290.00 Amazon has them for $352.67 ($62.67 more than Ebay). __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

06-19-16, 06:32 AM	#11
IdleMind Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: May 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 55 Thanks: 3 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Last summer I used the ice bucket approach and heat gun on the ac to recover the r22 from a small window ac. I put it in a small propane torch cylinder which I keep in my basement where in seldom gets over 70F. For a small quantity this has been working. I don't know if these small cylinders would be safe at higher temps. Recently I added 2 service valves to a dehumidifier compressor which I will be using to pull the r22 out of a much larger window ac. I have an empty bbq tank that I will be using. I will be doing this in the next few days, I can let you know how it works.

06-20-16, 12:56 PM	#13
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Google search terms: 608 study guide 608 certification There are 4 levels of certification: Type I Certification – Can only work on Small Appliance (5lbs or less of refrigerant) Type II Certification – Can only work on Medium, High and Very-High Pressure Appliances. Type III Certification – Can only work on Low-Pressure Appliances. Universal Certification – Someone who possesses Type I, Type II and Type III Certifications Mobile equipment is EPA Section 609. Find a proctor near you: https://www.epatest.com/locator/ You don't need an EPA card to purchase R-134A or R-410A. Legally doing maintenance is another story, especially as a contractor.

06-20-16, 01:38 PM	#14
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	Universal here. I have only ever bought bulk R-404a.

06-23-16, 05:12 PM	#16
IdleMind Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: May 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 55 Thanks: 3 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	A few days ago I recovered the r22 from a large window ac using the compressor from an old dehumidifier. I made a few mistakes and lost some of my precious r22. I had several hoses to purge and then one of the connections was not tightened enough, I also needed to purge the compressor. Then I forgot to open the valve on the bbq tank so I over heated the compressor and the temp sensor shut it down so I had to wait for it to cool down and restart. Just saying for someone like me who doesn't do this very often the ice bucket with one hose might take longer, but I never screwed up doing it that way. And with a heat gun on the source I could recover all of it.

07-14-16, 06:50 AM	#18
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	I believe the difference in the cylinders is the (over)pressure relief valve. The R410a cylinders pop open at a higher pressure than the R22 cylinders do.