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A/C - electric vacuum pump purchase
QUESTION: I have a question for the air condition repairmen in this group...
I need to buy an electric vacuum pump for my DIY car projects.
I am a car repair hobbyist, do not have the shop air compressor.
The pump can be small (1/6-1/3 hp) but should be nicely
designed and must be reliable. I do not want to buy junk :-)
What manufacturer/model could you recommend around $200?
Which features are important to check when buying a pump?
p.s.
Are there pump on the market with fittings for R134 and R22 ?
ANSWER: If you're handy with a soldering iron, just buy a cheap used
refrigrerator and remove its compressor. Solder a refrigerant fitting
ont he suction line, and presto- vacuum pump for $20 or thereabout.
Just remember to feed it a teaspoon or two of refrigerant oil (use the
mineral type for R-12 or R-22)into the suction line with it running
every few hours of use.
I'll second that motion. I used those for several decades--actually
one is still in use that I made in the 70's--and they do a nice, quiet job.
You may first want to do a little research to determine one that will be
faster than others. If you wish it to look more 'presentable', you might
make a small hand-truck to fit it & roll it around on. I did that and did
the same thing on my 120-amp battery charger made from a washing machine
motor and an alternator-with-regulator. Both were small, compact, portable,
and self-supporting around the cars
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