Refrigerant Recovery Tank! Commissioning, Max Cylinder Weight, Selling Refrigerant, EPA 608 Rules!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Tool List- www.amazon.com/shop/acservicetech Support- www.patreon.com/acservicetech For those that are looking for the tools used in the videos: (Linked Below) Here is a link to the Supco Vacuum Micron Gauge amzn.to/2bH98bO Here is a link to Refrigerant hoses with valves used in the videos- amzn.to/2aBumVI Here is the Link for the Yellow Jacket Refrigerant Manifold Gauge Set used in the videos- amzn.to/2aenwTq Here is a link to the UEI DL389 Multimeter used in the videos- amzn.to/2av8s3q Here is a link to the Digital Refrigerant Scale used in the videos- amzn.to/2b9oXYl Here is a link to the Imperial 535-C Kwik Charge Vaporizer for Charging Refrigerant- amzn.to/2oge0u9 Other tool links can be found in the video description section. ACSERVICETECH is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

[@williecunningham4313]

acservicetech

[@amarierodriguez9889]

Recycle refrigerant tanks

[@fourstarrjim]

This has to be the BEST channel for HVAC. I’m just starting out in HVAC, and the info here is priceless!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thank you very much Jim!

[@JasonM35]

I'm going to school for hvac but I have to admit I'm learning quite a bit from your channel.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thats awesome to hear Jason Mills, thanks for letting me know!

[@numbs1663]

Quite useful for anyone in the HVAC field. Thanks for the great video!

[@BartSimpson-nr1dy]

Another excellent video. Very well explained and on the button. Not many are good at teaching, yet you are a natural. You are a Great instructor!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot Bart!

[@brothertech1817]

Good explanation on how to properly get ready your R-tanks! thanks for the info!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Felix Velazquez!

[@victorvillafane252]

Super video thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Victor!

[@moisessanchez870]

Thank you sir, you just taught me how to commission a recovery tank👍

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Moises!

[@geojor]

excellent videos especially for DIYers, thank you ...

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks

[@moeselec]

Excellent and very informative Chanel .Good Bless your hart .

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot moeselec! May The Lord Bless You as well!

[@Veedubbin8r]

Thank you for the VERY informative vids! I will be taking my EPA608 certification in about 3 weeks..core, i, ii, iii, hopefully passing for universal.. I have learned a lot watching these videos along with my classes I've been taking for last 6 weeks or so! Remembering all the dates for the Montreal Protocol, phase outs, etc are the worst...lol!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yup all you really need to know is all the rest of the stuff, lol. Good luck and do those practice online exams. What are you using, EPATEST.com, ESCOINST.com or something else?

[@Veedubbin8r]

Yeah EPATest.com but will check out the other you listed too.. textbooks and hands on are helping as well! Our teacher has been doing this for about 30 years.. thank you again!

[@acservicetechchannel]

My students use EPAtest.com too. The cd preparation tests and study mode seem to help a lot. Good Luck!

[@Veedubbin8r]

Thank you!

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

Good information right here. Thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Nor-Cal, I really appreciate it! Your channel is doing great!

[@jewdali1]

Very good explanation

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Salvador Dali!

[@DanO181919]

I recently ask a question on what kind of vacuum pump you used. I was waiting for a reply and instead of telling me you made this awesome video. Thank you so much for your videos and sharing your knowledge. It's guys like you who got me started in this field. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot Danny L! I think I linked some JB pumps in the description of that video. Thanks

[@DanO181919]

You sure did, that you so much! I must have my notifications turned off. I'm trying to turn my notification back on now. Thank you!!!👍

[@PaulHVAC1]

Great Job @acservicetech !!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Paul HVAC!

[@papoloco34]

Good video👍👍👍

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Pedro Rodriguez!

[@BillyBob-fd5ht]

I use an old dentist pump works great.

[@Gameboy_Steve]

cool video

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Steve Govea!

[@eman3208]

Thanks Servicetech great video....

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks eman3208!

[@Gary-ts6dh]

3:13 - Just a question: could the oil in the refrigerant (if any) in a recovery tank contaminate the micron gauge when connected to the liquid side of the tank?

[@Gary-ts6dh]

13:50 - How long did it take to rise 10 microns (14:10)?

[@mattbentley8958]

Isn't there a concern that the shrader valve will leak under vacuum? Wouldn't it be better to charge from the end of the valve core removal tool where you have a vacuum rated valve?

[@itsnotfar]

If you could explain WC and actual type of refrigerant weight. Most don't know or understand properly. I did similar with propane tanks. They are rated WC too. Now I weigh my tanks while being filled with propane. After several over fills and forklift tanks blowing off in hot weather when full. Don't need slow leaks from pressure valves into a building. If you don't do the video, I will.

[@thefungusshow2535]

Assuming an empty vacuumed tank, how much refrigerant will typically be recovered by the vacuum in the tank before the recovery machine needs to be turned on?

[@kerrodmartorella4949]

If you throw you gauge on to check for a vacuum would you be introducing the air from your hose. Not much but enough to lose the vacuum

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes you are correct. I would only vacuum right before using the tank, thanks!

[@whitesheatingairappliancer7101]

Great video thank you. How's the contest coming? Your videos are very educational. Thank you Ron White.

[@acservicetechchannel]

A couple more days to 10,000. Thanks Ron!

[@hvacrnortheastern2110]

Great explaining but fast way of figuring out 80% of each recovery tank is take numbers off the tank W.C. + T.W. *. 08 = total weight of the cylinder or get the specific weight for that refrigerant that you are using.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Edward HVACR CT, yeah even though epa says no more than 80 percent, I haven't found any distributors or manufacturers willing to take 80% yet. Even Dupont says they want no more than 80 percent minus two pounds. Thanks Edward!

[@turboflush]

Edward HVACR CT For some reason I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this. lol

[@turboflush]

Edward HVACR CT w.c. is the material weight?

[@hvacrnortheastern2110]

TurboFlush Look at the tank information it the on every tank l never to fill 80% the formula is written on every tank it an fast way to determine the weight and l know that most supply house that supply recovery tank will have and chart how much tank weights . Remember don't mix refrigerant what l do is have a tag and how much tank sure weigh and type of refrigerant every recovery tank .

[@hvacrnortheastern2110]

TurboFlush Recovery Tank MAGW = (0.8 x WC x SG ) + TW MAGW - Max Allowable Gross Weight of Recovery Tank WC - Water Capacity of tank (stamped on recovery tank) SG - Specific Gravity of Refrigerant at a specific temperature. TW - Tare Weight of recovery tank (empty weight, the # is stamped on recovery tank). Example of a 30 Lb 410A Recovery Tank: TW - 17.0 lbs (stamped on tank) WC - 26.2 lbs (stamped on tank) SG - R410A at 77ºf is 1.06 (this # will change with temperature) 39.2 lbs (MAGW) = (0.8 x 26.2 x 1.06) + 17.0

[@itsnotfar]

Great video, was looking for this info. Only question is now, what does the distributor do with used refrigerant? Technically can't resell it ? Or is it all EPA bs?

[@anthonybc]

From my understanding, it is sent off to be filtered and cleaned so it could be resold. Since the refrigerant can last a long time in the atmosphere, and will cause lots of degradation in its lifetime, the goal is to either recycle or destroy it.

[@truckinforever985]

Does it cause any kind of damage to the vacuum starting the vacuum with positive pressure in the recovery tank

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes make sure to never attach a vacuum pump or micron gauge until the pressure is back to 0psig first.

[@illthinkofsomethinglater9095]

Ac service tech. Please explain your reasoning. Why do you start your vacuum pump with the hose "a little lose" that means you are starting it not at 0psig but at atmospheric pressure. And I don't agree with you on the part about damaging the vacuum unless pressure is back to 0 psig because on a triple evacuation you would have to pump about 2-10 psig of nitrogen to break the vacuum. And then you vent it through the vacuum pump. That is per the EPA cert training book and the refrigeration and A/C tech volume 8 book. Please explain because I have also brought some of these questions to you in the past. Thank you

[@sergeyk1348]

@@illthinkofsomethinglater9095 1) 0 psig = 1 atm, 2) Vacuum pump Inficon QS5 manual: Damage to the pump may occur if evacuation is started while the system is under high pressure, 3) 10 psig is only 0.7 of atmospheric pressure

[@Froggability]

If you start the pump while under pressure? Hah! You get a blast of pump oil in the face. How do i know? Yes. And its probably not great for the vac gauge either.

[@DanO181919]

What if your saturated temp and actual ambient temp is off like 5 degrees when checking the recovery cylinder. Is there an acceptable range? Thanks.

[@acservicetechchannel]

You really want to take these measurements when the tank has been sitting in the shop for at least several hours but preferably longer like 12 hours, then you have a steady temp to work with. It should be right on otherwise air is likely mixed with it in the tank, thanks!

[@clevc112]

Question, does the refrigerant for the same owner have to stay on the same property or any property they own?

[@mackenziegray2090]

You can use it for the same customer but you cant sell it to another customer.

[@Froggability]

Or other country , at over US$300 /pound, Clean gas, we collect and use elsewhere.

[@dennisnoone7427]

i have a few older tanks, they are still in good shape but passed their test dates, and some are only filled half way or less do you know if the reclaim company could accept those?

[@acservicetechchannel]

You could move the refrigerant to a new tank or a company that comes to the site would probably just pump that right out, thanks Dennis!

[@nykid8849]

great video,i have question about the max weight i know the recovery tanks needs to be filled to 80% capacity but how do you calulate that i couldnt understand when u made the calualation because u can have a smaller size recovery tank that will take less freon what the simple way to calulate recovery cylinders of any size ?thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

50lb tank 80% is 40lbs of refrigerant, tare weight of the tank plus the 40lbs would be max weight of the tank after zeroing it out. If it were a 30lb recovery tank then 80% would be 24lbs plus tare weight for total weight after zeroing the scale, thanks ny kid!

[@nykid8849]

acservicetech got it thanks

[@eman3208]

Hey tech hi... hey is that safety valve needs to be closed by us when you get a new cylinder? i just bought a new one and with 6 pounds of refrigerant in it, it started trowing out the freon by the safety valve completely,,, i tied the valve all the way down with an allen wrench but it did it again.. it that mean the safety is bad in this thing? thank in advance for response...

[@acservicetechchannel]

That sounds like it is a manufacturer problem on the tank as long as the pressure is below the max which usually is 400psi but you can usually read the rating on the neck of the bottle, thanks!

[@eman3208]

Yeah the tank i bought it online and i didnt see any information stamp but at the notes in the internet says 400psi... Does that valve comes already set? or you need to close it all the way in?

[@acservicetechchannel]

They come preset. You may want to contact the manufacturer or distributor on that one, thanks!

[@eman3208]

ok.. thanks for your response learned a ton from you man!

[@papoloco34]

Quick question do you have anything on cfm calculation..how much cfm for ton and selecting the right motor speed tap for the right tonnage.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Not at this point, 350-425cfm per ton of cooling. Usually 400 cfm per ton of cooling. If you adjust the fan speed then you need to check the refrigerant charge. Gas furnaces should be checked to make sure that they do not exceed 50 degree temp rise in conditioned air on heat on high speed. Thanks Pedro!

[@sergioterrones8724]

Is there anyway to replace the seals on a recovery tank? I have a leaker, it won't keep a vacuum. thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

I would call your supplier and ask them what they would like you to do, maybe give it back to the supplier. We usually buy a tank from the supplier but then we exchange that tank and get another different tank which may be older or in worse or better shape to use. It is the distributor's responsibility to give you a tank that has been hydrostatically tested within the last five years and is not leaking. If it does leak within those five years then I would expect them to give me a different tank. Each of my distributors have a different recovery tank provider so I just stick with the one that gives the most money per pound for r-22 and doesn't charge cleaning or other fees, thanks!

[@sergioterrones8724]

acservicetech Thanks for the info. Keep up the awesome vids. 👍

[@truckinforever985]

Is that 6 cfm Jb pump ok for residential splits 2 to 5 ton

[@acservicetechchannel]

That is the exact size I would recommend for residential comfort cooling, 5-7cfm. That is also what most people have around here use as well. Thanks!

[@turboflush]

Does the distributor usually charge the recovery tank with nitrogen? Our shop has some tanks that show high pressures for r407c. (180psi @ 85f) However it has only 2lb of something in it. I assume this is nitrogen.. and I need to purge this and vacuum the tank. What if the tank shows high pressure (similar) however has something like 17lb in it. Purge off the nitrogen until pressure is correct? Basically someone just recovered into tank without checking it.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes the supplier usually has nitrogen in it. If the tank was not vacuumed before use I would take the gas out with a recovery unit and put it in another tank maybe that already has mix in it. then see if the remainder of the tank matches sat temp of a refrigerant you think is in it. The tanks should be labeled in some way if you have multiple techs handling these same tanks even if it is a wired tag or something, thanks TurboFlush!

[@sergeyk1348]

This is normal pressure for R407.

[@sergeyk1348]

@@acservicetechchannel If the weight of the cylinder is equal to the weight of the empty cylinder, but the pressure is higher than atmospheric, this means that it contains nitrogen, air or residues of any refrigerant in the form of gas (in very small quantities). Such a cylinder must be evacuated with a vacuum pump.

[@bigbusiness6067]

Is it possible to charge a system with a recovery tank???

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes, if you had an empty bottle that was vacuumed to 500 microns, you could recover refrigerant, and then weigh it back into the system after the repair was made. The epa through section 608 does not want refrigerant from one owners system to be recovered and used in another's system., thanks Al!

[@curtispaige2614]

Question... I had a licensed HVAC guy install a new 7/8" line set and 4 ton evaporator coil at my residence. The new line set is approximately 30 feet. I noticed that he did NOT use a micron gauge, and he vacuumed the line set for approximately 15 minutes before releasing the charge from the New 4 ton unit. It only ran for approximately 5 minutes, he said that he would have to come back on a warmer day to charge the system. would it do me any good to pump down the system and do a proper leak test and vacuum and re- release the refrigerant?? Or do I need to Evacuate the system and start completely over??

[@acservicetechchannel]

Well any moisture is already now mixed with the refrigerant. Was he using a 3/8" large vacuum line or also core valve removal tools at the service ports that would pull the system down faster? Did he leak test with nitrogen before vacuuming? A quick phone call to the company owner would fix that problem usually. I talk to business owners a lot and they want the job done right so if you can get to them and they hear that it is not, they usually respond by correcting the situation. There was a service tech in the area here that was pretty well respected and liked. He told me he liked his new vacuum gauge. I asked which brand was he using that broke because I like to know when certain tools fail for my own general knowledge. He told me this was his first one! Not good. I like micron gauges because for me they also are a double confirmation that no leaks are present besides getting the moisture out to the correct level.

[@curtispaige2614]

+acservicetech .. Thanks for the reply. . The company I used is a local owner ran Hvac Company . To be honest I had a large air conditioning company install my last unit and they did such a terrible job, I felt more confident using a established small HVAC Tech this time, But he still cut a lot of corners. I had to ask him to use nitrogen when he braised the line set and he Did do a 2 minute pressure test. Like I said, he cut corners.... He used analog gauges that really needed to be zeroed out. there was only the 1/4" hoses used coming from his manifold gauges. That is way I am going to purchase a Testo 550, a digital meter to check my wet bulb, and a bottle of 410A and charger the unit myself. . I honestly don't want to, but I feel ripped off by the guys in my area.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Got ya, is it a system with a piston and that is why you want to check wet bulb for target superheat? We use epatest.com here for the 608 Universal Cert. As far as the wet bulb, I have had this version for the last 14 years but mine is black, General Tools digital Psychrometer -amzn.to/2cSHsi1

[@curtispaige2614]

Thanks so much for this information. I am going to look further into this Universal Certification. I must say that I have learned A LOT from all the videos that you have done. I know that there is a lot more to it then you have shown, But you do a GREAT job of teaching HVAC... Yes my new system is a 4 ton, 410a system with a piston. I decided to Recover all the refrigerant and start over.. I ordered Everything I needed from Amazon last night. The Testo 550, a Recovery Machine and tank, Hoses, digital Psychrometer, refrigerant and a Lot more other stuff I will need. It was NOT cheap, But now I can service my unit Properly .. One last Question, Once I recover the old refrigerant, about 101 oz , where do I dispose of it ?? ... Thanks again for your Helpful reply. And PLEASE keep the Tech Videos coming.

[@james6794]

Curtis, how did it go?

[@Ricoswavaey]

How do you know that it’s a 50lb bottle?

[@acservicetechchannel]

You would look at the rating stamped on the neck of the bottle that would say WC. That is Water Capacity, thanks!

[@Ricoswavaey]

@@acservicetechchannel perfect, thank you!

[@apr9286]

If I have a recovery tank with R 22 and empty it into another recovery tank, than vacuum it down to 500 micron. Can I use this tank to recover R410a or do i need another tank?

[@fromanabe8639]

Yeah, I think you should go ahead and check that, then go ahead, and check this, and go ahead and do that, and go ahead and do this, and go ahead.......and go ahead.......and go ahead....ad infinitum.

[@jimbola77]

Excellent ac service tech! thank you so much for sharing! I just had a quick question do I need to renew my universal epa license and my 410? thank you sir have a great day.

[@acservicetechchannel]

No at present you do not. Thanks

[@RaulFlores-ge7uh]

How much does 410-A go for the pound when you try to sell it back?

[@acservicetechchannel]

At this point, I don't know anyone willing to purchase it, just R-22 at this point at $5LB. Thanks Raul!

[@jameschesser1338]

you cant reuse the refrigerant that you recover?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Only if the recovery bottle is empty and vacuumed down to 500 microns, then you can use it at the same property or the same owner of the original property but at his/her other property. Thanks

[@illthinkofsomethinglater9095]

Ac service tech. Please explain your reasoning. Why do you start your vacuum pump with the hose "a little lose" that means you are starting it not at 0psig but at atmospheric pressure. And I don't agree with you on the part about damaging the vacuum unless pressure is back to 0 psig because on a triple evacuation you would have to pump about 2-10 psig of nitrogen to break the vacuum. And then you vent it through the vacuum pump. That is per the EPA cert training book and the refrigeration and A/C tech volume 8 book. Please explain because I have also brought some of these questions to you in the past. Thank you

[@acservicetechchannel]

Hey Adolfo, if your vacuum pump has a gas ballast then it is best to open that when starting the pump for the pump's sake and the oil's sake. In reference to leaving the hose a little loose, that is just a habit for start up of an older vac pump and not needed for newer pumps. I believe what I may have been saying in the video is to not damage the vacuum gauge with having any positive pressure. Certainly you can add nitrogen pressure up above 0psi when breaking the vacuum. This will not hurt. You do however need to have the micron gauge disconnected or valved off though if you are planning to add any positive pressure. You can vent the excess nitrogen right out of the hose to bring it back to atmospheric pressure. If you want, you can do it through the vacuum pump but I would not let an excess of nitrogen pressure through a vacuum pump. Bringing the hoses to atmospheric by venting through the hoses themselves will not add much moisture into the hoses and certainly not into the system itself unless left open for a bit of time, thanks Adolfo!

[@illthinkofsomethinglater9095]

acservicetech thank you for your quick response. I was actually referring to a comment that you replied to on another viewers comment. On that reply you said to never install a pump or vacuum gauge to a system until that system was back down to 0psi. Other than that we do agree on all points. And I only pointed it out because it was something that i very much struggled with when I was first starting out. Very much appreciate your videos and your replies to questions. Thanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

The main point is do not put any positive pressure on the vacuum gauge. All of the manufacturers vacuum gauges are particular and it is very frustrating if there is a problem with them that occurs especially a leak. Treat them like gold, keep them in a case, keep the ends capped, try not to allow any oil to get into them, that's all. Thanks and glad for the correspondence Adolfo!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Struggling and Wrestling are all good signs of someone who cares about the product that they are putting out and the people that they are providing the product for!

[@rebeccastevens3077]

Adolfo, atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi, but 0 psig. Your gauges should be calibrated to 0 at atmospheric in order for you to obtain accurate readings when you are checking system pressures and that's the way they come from the factory. The main thing though, as AC has tried to express, is that you don't want positive pressure blowing through your vacuum pump. It can push oil out of the bearings or even contaminate the oil preventing you from getting a proper deep vacuum. On a triple evac, yes you do put 2-10 pounds dry nitrogen on the system, BUT you bleed that off to atmospheric before reopening the system to the vacuum pump. It's just to make your equipment last as long as possible.