Refrigerant recovery machines for HVAC allow technicians to safely and quickly transfer refrigerant from an air conditioning system to a cylinder for storage or reclaim. Refrigerants can no longer be dumped into the atmosphere or used in equipment owned by someone else, so it’s important for service techs to recover refrigerants before opening a system for repairs or replacements. The best refrigerant recovery machines are easy to use, and they can help technicians save time on a job.
A good recovery machine will have a compressor, a condenser and both high and low pressure gauges. It should also have a hose connection and an inline sight glass. It should also be capable of working with a variety of refrigerants. Choosing the right recovery machine will depend on what kind of refrigerant a technician works with most often. It’s also important to consider the size of the recovery tank and hoses, as well as its weight and portability.
If a technician needs to be able to move the recovery unit from house to house or climb rooftops, they’ll want to look for a smaller model with a handle. These units are lighter and easier to manage than larger models. They’ll also be able to fit in the back of a truck or van.
Another feature that’s important to consider when choosing a refrigerant recovery machine is whether or not it’s compatible with A2L refrigerants. Most recovery machines are only compatible with R-22, but some models can work with A2L refrigerants as well. Those looking for a refrigerant recovery machine that’s compatible with A2L should be sure to choose one that has a filter drier and is rated for a high amount of pressure.
It’s important to remember that any time a refrigerant is recovered from an AC system, the line must be purged of non-refrigerants. This can be done by loosening and unseating the hose connected to the liquid port on the recovery machine until refrigerant is present and then retightening it. Technicians should also open the hose valves on the core removal tool and service valves before beginning a recovery.
Once all of the hoses are connected, the technician can start the recovery process by turning on the recovery unit and opening the liquid valve. Once the vapor is completely recovered, the technician should shut off the unit and close the liquid valve on the recovery tank.
Then, the technician can reconnect all of the hoses and start the next AC system. Once the hoses are connected, the technician should turn the recovery unit on and reset the system switch to the “purge” position. When the system switch turns off and the lamp indicates that purging is complete, the technician can shut down the recovery unit, reopen the liquid valve and close the service port on the manifold. This will prevent refrigerant loss and make the process faster for the next repair. The technician should always follow the system manufacturer’s directions for proper operation of the recovery unit. Refrigerant recovery machines for HVAC
