HVAC Triple Evacuation

[1wildbilly]

Totally wrong. Micron gauge can't be connected to your manifold gauges. you must have it directly to the high or low side service valve on the system to gat a micron reading of the system. You have to buy the shut off kit available from JB to totally isolate your manifold gauge and have just a micrometer reading at the system. This way if the system holds under 500 microns, there is no moisture or leaks any you are goodto charge with freon. No need for nitrogen. MORON

[phuckq]

I'm always afraid of blowing pump oil all over the place when n2o is being hooked back up to my pump. I also noticed you connect your vacuum gauge right at your gauge manifold. Shouldn't you be connecting that as far away from your service valves as possible to get a more accurate reading?

[sharbelzesy]

what the filter dryer it has to be replace it befor adding any freion to the system

[bobl78]

can this also be done with CO2 ?

[DrZarkloff]

@bobl78 Most definitely yes.

[LinosHvac1]

You couldn't possibly be any more incorrect with this! You must pull down to 500 microns NOT 28" . And when you are purging with nitro you should ALWAYS bleed the line first! If you can't do it correctly don't post.

[LinosHvac1]

Wow .

[ILBEATUDOWN]

THANKS for the shout out I am working HARD at San Jose City college. I have one more semester left and I will be done with school and get my second certificate and also recieve my Associates of Science Degree in Ac and Refrigeration. As of right now I have my EPA card and first certificate and am very thankful to have been able to take these classes.

[DrZarkloff]

@ILBEATUDOWN Cool. Keep the interest.

[JohanasBilderberg]

All the while the service manager is screaming, the day is getting hotter, and then you realize evac, purge, evac, dryer, charge and gone sounds better and better.

[DrZarkloff]

@JohanasBilderberg lol. I know that triple evacuation isn't really standard procedure on a busy day. It's weird how the a/c manufacturers expect their systems to be installed in such a time consuming manner.

[dougeby69]

Dr Z mentions that the nitrogen will absorb the moisture. Actually, when you evacuate, the moisture can freeze before evaporating (I forget the term for this). Adding the nitrogen raises the pressure and boiling point, allowing the moisture that freezes to melt again. Another way to evacuate is to open the ballast valve to slow the evacuation. This will help the moisture evaporate without freezing. The nitrogen also help disloged moisture and help it move to the vacuum pump.

[skipaa2]

why do you have to do a triple vac? i realise r410a runs at a much higher pressure but what is the difference from doing a standard evacuation

[DrZarkloff]

@skipaa2 POE oil is very susceptible to moisture. It's important to all of it out of the system.

[OR0ZC0]

@skipaa2

Triple Evacuation is to remove the moisture from the system...

The Nitrogen ABSORBS the moisture in the system..

[OR0ZC0]

@skipaa2

Triple Evacuation is to remove the moisture from the system...

The Nitrogen ABSORBS the moisture in the system..

[dmack980]

Dr Zarkloff how has your luck bening with the cps micron gauge was thinking of buying one.

[DrZarkloff]

@dmack980 I've had pretty good luck with it.

[richardb3]

Wow 3 hours to Evac a system. Then if you have a leak its up to six hours to evac a system. Who in the world has 6 hours working on one A/C in the day. when you have service call piled up. there has to be a faster way.

[DrZarkloff]

@richardb3 This is the recommended way to evacuate a system. I can't do anything about the service calls piling up. This is yet another way how real world situations and text books clash.

[Jumpstartme65]

Hi Dr Z, love your videos. I'm thinking, before you remove the charging hose from the vacuum pump, the hose would contain a vacuum which would suck in air the second you disconnect it from the vacuum pump. This would mean that the air in the hose would mix with the nitrogen once the nitrogen is applied. The mixture would then be pushed into the system. Does this matter? I have ball valves at the end of each hose. Am I being too fussy?

[DrZarkloff]

@Jumpstartme65 That's why it's a good idea to back purge the hose before charging.

[dougeby69]

You are exactly right. My hoses have quick disconnects at the end that seal off when disconnected. Dr Z purges his hoses, but I don't feel that's effective. (I have 20+ years in HVAC).

[cristopherdale]

afteryou get down to 500 microns and you shut the vacum pump.before puting refer in why does the micron guage climb in numbers

[DrZarkloff]

@cristopherdale It could be because the line that you have the micron gauge connected could be open to the atmosphere.

[mhoppe920]

The other reason that you might not be able to pull 500 microns is that the vacuum pump cant pull it down. In that case you need to fix your pump.

[ptbarnumbank]

i like your videos. Are you an instructor somewhere? If not, you should be.

[DrZarkloff]

@ptbarnumbank Thanks for the compliment. I'm just an air conditioning tech.

[rafaeldelaflor]

hydrochloric acid is just a little bad for compressor life right? Or Wrong?

[DrZarkloff]

@rafaeldelaflor Yes. Hydrocloric acid is bad.

[Rueuhy]

Just curious - why not put the vacuum gauge on and ensure you can get down to 500 microns first and ensure you have no leaks before using the nitrogen? Is it because of the moisture in the system will not allow it before the nitrogen purge? Thanks for any answers.

[DrZarkloff]

@Rueuhy It's important to remove as much moisture as possible from the system. Nitrogen will soak up the moisture and allow you to pull it out easier with the vacuum pump.

[FlatOhead]

right on the mark Dr so "sickbastard 80" maybe you should be taking tyhe docs advise and evacuating. Although in a mild form it is Hydrochloric acid. Keep the videos coming Dr

[DrZarkloff]

@FlatOhead Thanks for watching.

[FlatOhead]

here is a thought/tip for you............

When breaking the vac with Dry Nitrogen in tripple evacuation, try.... Making a coil out of some copper, (3/8")put a 50 watt domestic light in the middle of the coil and turn it on. Allow the nitrogen to go through the copper, it is warmed up the nitrogen enough and will absorbe more moisture, therefore giving you a dry system.... What does moisture form when mixed with refrigerants/freon, acid What does acid do to motor windings?

[DrZarkloff]

@FlatOhead Acid eats away the isolation around the windings.

[sickbastard80]

i've had 3 different employers NON OF them ever evacuate, they say it's a waste of time and money. what do you think z??? of course all they do is A/c not refrigeration. is it really necesary to evacuate?? cos as far as i know NOBODY i know evacuates. i live in north idaho though, northern dry dessert kind of weather.

[DrZarkloff]

@sickbastard80 I advise you to evacuate but you can get away with it if your system is dry in a R-22 system. I wouldn't even try it with a R-410a system.

[xaymik]

did you make that T for the micron gauge yourself or did it come like that?

[DrZarkloff]

@xaymik It came with the micron gauge.

[braidysj]

Dr. Zarkloff,

I just love your videos. I find that in my position as a manager that the techncians although very birght are very careless with their tools. I have purchased several regulators trough out the years because the techncians forget to remove them from the nitrogen cylinders. I also have lost many a vacuum pump because technicans have failed to repace the oil in them. Could you please do a video on maintaining tools?

Thanks,

Your #1 female fan

[DrZarkloff]

@braidysj Thanks for watching.

I do have a video on changing the oil in vacuum pumps.

[tony5996e]

How can i charge refrigerant to Heat Pump in Winter when It low refrigerant? Thank you

[dragonkev78]

I show them YOUR VIDEOS SORRY FOR THE SPELLING

[dragonkev78]

i watch this video and the whole process its about 4 hours am i right or wrong and your videos are awesome can you say a comment for college of dupage in chicago il because i should your videos to all the students for them to know more practice in real life thanks dr

[DrZarkloff]

It could take four hours on large systems. It all depends on the CFM rating on your vacuum pump and the length of time that it takes to get the system down to 500 microns.

[raptorman120]

i was looking at what southern Diplomat said and was wondering where i can get my universal EPA cert. i mean, it wouldn't hurt to get it now, instead of after i finish my HVAC school

[DrZarkloff]

Johnstone Supply gives the exam.

[duane428]

How do you connect the micron gauge??

[DrZarkloff]

Much like I did in this video.

[S0uthernDipl0mat]

Im just giving you guys a heads up if you didnt know. You wanna be stupid DaninJonesboro, be stupid. I've seen three guys handcuffed and carted off to jail for not playing by the rules. We get many calls from people like you who watch these videos and get in over there heads, then they call us. I love these videos, they keep me busy after people like you screw their units up.

[S0uthernDipl0mat]

Nice opinion DaninJonesboro, but it doesnt mean s**t when the EPA shows up and wants to see you EPA card that says you are legally able to handle refrigerant.

[DaninJonesboro]

I think you are misunderstanding the point that I'm making, he's making informative videos that help me and others that own homes. You seem very argumentive and off point, yet you call yourself a professional. I never stated that I worked on any HVAC components, you need to read Moron and then make an intelligent retort as I did with your first comment. I think your issue is with the man that made these videos and not me and people who just want to know. I say again read, then respond.

Thanks

[S0uthernDipl0mat]

Do you ever tell your viewers that they have to be certified, by law, to handle or even mess with refrigerant or you could be fined $28,000 and goto jail? All your doing is creating 'Jack Leggers' that make it harder for those of us who play by the rules and get trained and certified.

[DaninJonesboro]

I think that the average person with a little intelligence can tell that this man is a professional, and I dont think he's creating anything! I think the choice of right or wrong is a personal choice made by an individual, what about all those certified tech''s that choose to do the wrong things themselves. I have learned what to look for when some of these so called "pros" come to my home to rip me off from videos such as this, so keep up the good work Doc, an informed consumer is better.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for watching.

[DaninJonesboro]

No problem and once again I thank you for informing people such as myself about the units in our homes. It never hurts to approach a problem with a little knowledge versus total ignorance. I love it when people want to argue over nothing. I'm not a mechanic but knowing how the alternator on my car works doesnt hurt anything when I negotiate repair costs, etc. You have helped me immensely and I am not the only one who thinks that.

[cud123456]

dr Z can u tell us a little more about the gas ballast on the vac pump ??????

[DrZarkloff]

It's a way for dry air to mix in with the contaminated air from the system to be easier expelled.

[hvacjeffco]

don't you need low loss fittings on you hoses ?

[DrZarkloff]

They come in handy.

[thenascaraddict]

@hvacjeffco That's what I was thinking.

[mikeanajulie]

oh and dr.z there was water on the emergency driain pan under the evap coils, so i cleaned it ,and put water in the drain pan [pan was dry as hell], then it start working again, will the blower not run if there no draining going on

[DrZarkloff]

The entire system could shut down if you have a condensate overflow. That's providing you have an emergency shut off connected to the control voltage.

[mikeanajulie]

dr my evaporter coil is freezin up becuse my blower dont turn on, what should i be looking at. sometime it will kick in if i turn off the fuse and turn it back on.

[DrZarkloff]

Make sure that you are getting the right voltage to the unit. The breaker could be going bad. Otherwise, the problem will be either a bad blower relay or a bad run capacitor or a bad blower motor.

[bobbyton80]

I am referring to the acid in the system, what effect does it have

[DrZarkloff]

Acid in the system will eat away the insulation on the electrical windings in the compressor.

[datsunmadman]

i went sjcc

[xpakpimpx]

I work for a freezer manufacturer and i like the way you work and would like you to handle some of our work in your area. How can my company contact you?

[xpakpimpx]

Dr.Zark have you ever worked on a coldtech/minus forty reach in ice cream freezer boxes?

[DrZarkloff]

Sorry no.

[ryanharrison9]

just wondering, what if you pull a deep 500 micron vac on the first pump down, then why triple evec? isnt 500 micron the same either way triple evac or not?

[DrZarkloff]

The system that I'm working on in this video had over a gallon of water in the refrigeration lines. It had an underground leak. Anyway, I flushed the lines and the coils and I've been running a vacuum pump on it for about a week now. I'm just now able to get the system down to 500 microns. Still, I have my doubts that I have all of the moisture out of the system. I guess that I'm trying to say that triple evacuation is the least you can do to insure a dry and clean system.

[bobbyton80]

As usual another good video. Do you do that with R22 also? I also would like to know if you started maintaining a system, what are the indicators that there is acid in the system? And would you trip evac in this case? Sorry about all the questions. I was iscussing it with the boss and we are curious as to what your opinion is.

bobbyton80

[DrZarkloff]

I triple evacuate with all types of systems. If the system has acid then you need to flush out the system with a flush like Pro-Flush. You can buy a 5 second acid test at any HVAC parts store.

[bobbyton80]

I understand but what if it is a system new to you would it have low head pressure or something?

[DrZarkloff]

A low head pressure isn't an indication of acid in the system. You really need to test the system oil with an acid test kit. It's an inexpensive test.

[bobbyton80]

thanks

[leshoffman1]

a low head pressure can cause acid to build up in a system but not an indication that acid is in the system. Acid forms from heat which breaks down the oil low head pressure can cause heat which over time breaks down the oil and forms acid in the system. Hope this helps with your knowledge and your question.

[leshoffman1]

Why is this rated as a poor comment?

[leshoffman1]

I didn't say a low head was an an indication of acid in the system but over time do to high heat can cause acid to form in the system. I tatally agree an acid test kit is the only way to be positive as to whether acid is in the system or not..

[bobbyton80]

I understood what you were saying

[stonems61]

Another great video Dr. Z. It's nice to see other technicians procedures, to help self evaluate your own. Thanks, again.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for watching.

[itscool1968]

ok jim whats with the boring green wall how bout doing some from youre personal truck?

or the back yard:)

[DrZarkloff]

I was going to put something in the background but I decided to just let it be green.

[BigVOLdaddy]

your HVAC vids are great Dr Z, but i always thought triple evacuation was when you sneeze, fart and piss urself all at once....ofcourse i could be mistaken.

[DearestBecky]

Leave it to you to come up with that one. Maybe you learn something today. LOL

[DrZarkloff]

lol

[raidermandave]

great video dr

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks.

[MagicPatrick1]

Do bleed the charging hose before opening the gauges. This allows the nitrogen to 'purge' out any air that was sucked in when you removed the hose from the vacuum pump. Though it may be a small amount of contaminates/air, it's perhaps twice the volume being removed in the 2nd or 3rd evacuation. Some gauges actually have a valve built onto the end of the hose. Or just use the low loss fittings. That hour your waiting is also a good time to change your pump oil too! Got Burnout?

[DrZarkloff]

Sorry about not showing that. I usually do bleed the line before opening the gauges.

[DrZarkloff]

The system that I'm working on in this video had over a gallon of water in the refrigeration lines. It had an underground leak. Anyway, I flushed the lines and the coils and I've been running a vacuum pump on it for about a week now. I'm just now able to get the system down to 500 microns. Still, I have my doubts that I have all of the moisture out of the system.

[V8Jagnut]

very good vid

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks.

[co2x3]

BRAVO LIKE YOUR METHODS. NICE JOB

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks.

[dfranklin5891]

hey dr. have you even accidentally had the vacuum oil shoot out at you

[DrZarkloff]

I've had my share of oil baths.

[jhansen2085]

you can just see if it holds pressure to see if it has a leak

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for watching.

[mechanicwarrior20]

man with a triple evacuation, who needs a filter drier lol.

But anyhow that is a teriffic way to guarantee that your system is indeed dry.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. It's my standard practice.

[fyescas777]

Awesome video, the sad thing is that many customers are not happy with the time that it takes as well as the price to do a triple evacuation. They find someone who charges $100 less but they just blow refrigerant and leave.

[DrZarkloff]

That is so true. I guess that I'm lucky that my employer allows me to take the time necessary to do the job right.

[StinkyBammerHater]

My supervisor always had me do triple evacuation on R-22 systems as well. I thought it was way overkill but it was for compressor change outs so probably not a bad idea.

[DrZarkloff]

It's good practice no matter what kind of refrigerant you're dealing with.

[diymania]

With triple evac you get a extra hour you can take have a coffee break on ;)

[DrZarkloff]

Gotta love the perks.