Robinair A/C machine vacuum pump replacement and operation

[@deriklfixit]

there are so many video on these machines, but this is the only one that helps me learn. It tells "why" so I can understant the process better and remember the steps.

[@Resistolitin]

I came to KZbin looking for a video on how the 34134Z worked because I purchased one. And I have to say, I'm extremely grateful I found this video. Not only because you explained how it all works but also gave some tips on how to use it and even showed us how to replace the pump. 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@WatchWesWork]

All of these recovery machines are basically the same in their operation. The newer machines have slightly more sophisticated computers to make them easier to use, but the ideas are the same. It's really just a manifold gauge set, a vacuum pump, and a recovery compressor all packed in a nice looking shell.

[@Number1redskinfan]

I have the same machine I bought it about a year ago. This video helped a lot. I also had to recalibrate my scale

[@Resistolitin]

@@Number1redskinfan do you remember the procedure to calibrate the scale? I moved .y machine and the scale if off. Thank you

[@Number1redskinfan]

Need to have a weight. I used a 20lb dumbbell. Got to access the calibration menu. Same place you go to, to reset the vacuum pump oil and filters. Enter calibration menu and adjust weight to what you are using. Make sure scale has nothing on it and is free of debris. Place weight in the middle and then adjust the weight and press enter to confirm weight

[@RenewTheRWandBlue]

Thanks Wes! I've been considering getting one of these machines, but didn't know how they worked. Now I do!

[@erikandresen5399]

Nice explanation Wess. I'm an AC mechanic for NYC Transit. Our busses hold 26 lbs of 134a and we have 4 Robinare recovery machines, but we normally use a separate vacuum pump because the small pumps on these machines take too long. We use heavy duty vacuum pumps and pull to 500 microns. Almost retired so it won't be my problem any more😁

[@RATCHETMAN1001]

hey u are the first to say the word micron gauge. everybody on utube doin hvac work hate that micron gauge, but at least you no . without that gauge u will never no how much moisture is left in it, yep i try to get 500 or less and no more than 1000 on a 10 min decay, most of the time i get better than those numbers. some times i have to leave it on vacuum overnight. so teach wes what im talking about. 45 minutes will leave a lot of moisture even in our ac systems

[@vongroven115]

I don't know if you review comments on a video this old, but I am doubling back to catch all of your KZbin work and it is well worth it. You, my friend, are the epitome of the term "Technician" in the finest sense of that term. In my opinion ENGINEERS go through their careers generally knowing more and more about less and less. Technicians, bless their ever-expanding horizons, tend to know more and more about more and more (to re-coin an old adage). Will you take the time one day (unless you have and I haven't found it yet), sit down and, within your need for reasonable privacy, explain your education, past employment and stuff in general that allows you to travel to maintain computer controlled CNC and other exotic devices, tie into all manner of gas and diesel engines, AC and electric systems and offer precise yet totally understandable explanations and commentary. Your humor is drier that a popcorn fart and spot on, making your videos among the very few I have found on KZbin to be worth considering a Patreon membership. Please find a comfy spot on your shop couch and help us understand what makes you such an all around great teacher and "TECHNICIAN".

[@WatchWesWork]

It's fairly simple. I have the curse of being bored easily, and never having any money. So, I have always had to buy old clapped out junk and figure out how to fix it myself. That ranges from mowers, tractors, trucks, cars, etc to CNC machines. Turns out I'm better at fixing those things than I am at making money using them, so I decided to stick to the fixing side.

[@vongroven115]

Ok, have it your way, mild mannered wrench head with no discernible training but able to miraculously operate, accurately trouble shoot and then repair an amazing span of worn and forlorn devices. My bet is a degree in some hard science like mechanical engineering, advanced training in CNC maintenance or something close to that and from a family background of mechanics/machine operators who maintained their own stuff and for others. You need to get stumped once in a while if you want to maintain your amateur status, my friend. Your grasp of an amazing number of arcane and involved processes did not come out of a subscription to Popular Mechanics and your teaching style is not a result of 4-H public speaking events. Continued success😉.

[@micmichaeladflak6373]

@@vongroven115 You can't accept the fact that someone who is mechanically inclined and highly knowledgeable in his craft couldn't achieve what he knows and applies without outrageously over paid for education. You sound like my wife's family. They can't get past the fact that I do my own work because I am not quote un quote not a mechanic. As they state, your not trained for that. We educate ourselves, For free, and enjoy it. You are the man Wess. You have taught me a few things I didn't know. Thank you.

[@vongroven115]

@@micmichaeladflak6373 Wow. I don't know where you got all that bile from my message to Wes; it sounds like you have personal and family issues you applied so you can vent. I hope you feel better now. My point, Mister Hissypants, is that the skills he shows BEYOND his natural aptitude (unless you are another Einstein) that could only come from either education or a full lifetime of gained experience. Given Wes is in his early 30s, believing he has acculumated enough on-the-job experience to be a sought after CNC repair and rebuilder traveling the country, with advanced knowledge of both electrical and electronics circuitry and troubleshooting PLUS diesel and gas engine troubleshooting-electronic and hands-on and a host of other skills you are just plain silly. Like others I have known who are almost wizards, Wes ( we found out just lately) has a degree that gave him the basis on theory and systems on which he has been able to expand his knowledge and raw abilities. The degree opened a door or two that most "off the street" guys would not have had access simply because of the bias of the System. It is not fair (like your family's view) but it is real. Wes did the time and grunt work, earned a degree and used it and the knowledge as a springboard to his current vast level of expertise. I personally know inate wizards, several of them-probably near-geniuses, but lack of a diploma-any diploma has held them down, brilliant as they are. I don't like it anymore than you apparently, but that doesn't make it any less true.

[@micmichaeladflak6373]

@@vongroven115 what makes you think that Wes is being held down or back due to a lack of higher education somewhere? Mechanics don't go to college. They learn their knowledge on the job and constantly read service manuals and technical bulletins. You then go to night school or a training facility and become ase certified so you can show that you are knowledgeable about auto repair. And mechanics who work with hvac get their 608 certificate from the EPA. In a few years Wes is going to be swamped with work because of the excellence he puts into work and unfortunately that becomes a double edged sword ⚔️ because he will need to bring people on to do work for him that people want done but he actually will not be performing himself. The problem with today's world is the message that you can't get anywhere without an education. Well that's wrong. Every day perseverance, dedication to your craft and a desire to absorb and apply hands on what you learn make you a great individual. I know plenty of people with degrees, and their pathetic. But they sure as well think they are the ones whose idea is the best. Why don't you walk into a machine shop someday and ask the oldest guy in there where he got his education from. I know what he will tell you... Right here in this shop. And he makes a hell of a good living doing it.

[@fiegenfiegen]

A Robinair. My first job was with Kent-Moore in Spain. Back then (mid 1980's), Kent-Moore sold Robinair recovery stations that were really not much than a simple frame with wheels and a set of gages and valves! Very primitive compared to the unit you show us today. Looks really nice!

[@keith73z28]

Thanks Wes, disclaimer here- I am not up to your level, but this may help some listeners; the vacuum pump I use for HVAC reccomends replacing that vacuum pump oil every one or two uses. The oil absorbs moisture and moisture has no place in any refrigeration process, I think it combines with the refrigerant and produces some caustic agent that attacks the metering hardware etc. I would bet money you know that, I am just here to learn not critisize.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yep. Like I said, the interval is 10 hours for the machine. The mobile pump recommends changing after every use, but that's made for much larger systems. The vacuum pumps boils the water out of the desicant and the PAG oil. That water ends up mixed in the vacuum pump oil.

[@JourneymanRandy]

The most informative AC video I've seen. Thanks Wes

[@saurabhsharma-ts6ky]

Thank you bro 👊 your video help me allot to make my own recovery machine.

[@mikeschillinger4427]

Thanks a bunch for posting this video. I just bought a used unit with a bad vacuum pump then found out it was nla. I've been in a mild panic trying to find a replacement and 'boom' you solved my issue for me. Thanks a bunch.

[@hjc4604]

A/C is used during the Winter to defog the windshield. Most American vehicles are wired so the compressor engages when Defrost is selected. Most Japanese brands make it manual, at least they used too. I had a coworker who was complaining that her windshield was fogging up on her brand new Nissan Xterra. I asked if she hit the AC button when she had defrost selected. "Why would I use the AC in the Winter?" I explained to her that it dehumidified the air before it went to the windshield so it wouldn't fog up. Problem solved!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good Repair on the machine nice to find a Replacment vacuum pump with a Cheaper unit @Watch Wes Work

[@edlopz1722]

Nicely done… thinking outside the box !! Thanks for sharing.

[@stevecanny1583]

This is awesome Wes! I was an auto mechanic for about seven years way back when and I always wanted to know how the AC charging/recovery bit worked and never knew until now :)

[@WatchWesWork]

Pretty simple really. You can do the same thing with several separate devices, but these machines roll everything into a convenient package.

[@knulleriboy]

You seem to have good knowledge about these machines. I have problem with mine (another brand) where recovery is not working. I would really appreciate if you could point me to the right direction. I have done some troubleshooting myself but now I’m stuck. Hope to see your response here and maybe we can fix this machine together!

[@workingallday8194]

My robinair ac machine is only pulling -19 on vacuum so I’m guessing the pump is shot. Ive had the seal push out, ordered a rebuild kit and it pushed the new seal out again when trying to inject oil. I service guy told me to loctite the seal in and it’s been great ever since. (Last summer) Until now 😡. Guess I get to tear it apart again. Thanks for the conversion pump video- I’ll be doing the same And good info. I always wondered why default charging was set to high side. I’ve always charged my machine through the low side

[@WatchWesWork]

I always do the static fill through the high side to keep from washing out the oil. I can't remember if that's what I said in the video.

[@davidhamilton7628]

good job explaining how that works and the laws

[@WatchWesWork]

I can't say the laws make any sense to me, but it's not that hard to follow them.

[@dougankrum3328]

Yeah, might seem like if know your system leaks a lot, it's sort of like 'intentional' discharge...? I live here in N. California, Sacramento...the EPA stuff is like you say...

[@WatchWesWork]

I don't know what they define as "intentional", but I don't really want to find out either!

[@tumblinjack]

Great job Wes getting that A/C machine in top running order. I think the Superintendant was pleased too. Well Done. ATB, Joe

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks. Working for the man...

[@larrymatsumoto7730]

Love your videos, highly educational

[@aurelioandrade4166]

Thanks for your knowledge and information

[@dougankrum3328]

I did automobile AC work in the early 1990's when the R-12 was being phased out...these recovery machines were around $4-5K dollars. Robinaire a good quality unit, worth the repair cost. R-12 went from 1-2 $ a pound...to a dollar an OUNCE....

[@WatchWesWork]

A new Robinair machine is still $3000+. As far as I know, there is no new R12 being made, and hasn't been any for many years. What you can buy is reclaimed refrigerant from old systems. It was a lot easier to work with though. It got colder at much lower pressures, so it was less likely to leak.

[@Citronitroify]

Nice repair. You explain the procedure intuitively and well :)

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks. Pretty simple really.

[@Steve_Just_Steve]

Cute kid! Great vid as always Wes.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

I was really surprised you didn't fix that pump. It ~looked (looked to me, my dumb eyes & brain) easy to fix. There were like 6 parts in it. No? I just scored 3 cans of R12, my poor little truck needs Freon. I NEED freon! #HeatSucks

[@mattcurry29]

I did automotive A/C work back in the day and it was a money maker. Matt C

[@WatchWesWork]

It still is. Everything has AC now, and everyone wants it to work.

[@saurabhsharma-ts6ky]

I am totally agree with you 👍 Merry Christmas 🎅

[@bcbloc02]

Got to be comfy while that wheel falls off!! lol

[@WatchWesWork]

Yep, the operators of today will melt like snow flakes if the AC fails. I used to see it all the time in the truck shop. Engine leaks oil, terrible blow by, clutch slips, brakes and tires worn out, won't pass a DOT annual inspection, but all they want fixed is the AC.

[@johnfry9010]

Good info Wes , I always wondered how those machines worked .

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks. They are really very simple.

[@sellerscreekfarm8226]

I have same machine and someone started pulling the compressor out of it before I got it. Any chance you had some pictures of how that’s supposed to wire in???

[@davidhudson5452]

Saw Ozone hole Get Bigger When You Did That Im Telling

[@fomz2134]

I have the 34700z machine. My machine is not evacuating the compressor oil from the vehicles and found that there was PAG oil mixed in with the vacuum oil. Would you say the pump is trash?

[@WatchWesWork]

No. They recover very slowly and usually never recover any oil.

[@fomz2134]

@@WatchWesWork since pag oil was mixed with the vacuum pump oil I want to replace the pump. Mine is 3cfm dual stage. Would you say the pump you used work in my aplicacion?

[@akfarmboy49]

Vacuum pumps I’ve rebuilt are from lab equipment. Always spooky because you don’t know what they are Pumping. Sometimes I’ve found Mercury in oil case.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yikes. Lucky that's not the case for this one. Just water causing rust and sludge. There were some metal flakes in the oil sludge too, so I don't think it's worthwhile to rebuild it.

[@travisblaney7385]

Just Did My Conversion. Cannot Get Mine to Pull Vacuum. It Cuts Out. I Have Same Equipment as You. HELP!

[@MiguelMartinez-np8uo]

What’s the item number of the pump you bought ?

[@Number1redskinfan]

I have the same machine. Trying to figure it out still.

[@slowride55]

Did you go through DPET?

[@froggleggers1805]

Kiddo Approved!

[@akfarmboy49]

i've rebuilt lots of vacuum pumps, they are they most unmaintained thing on earth

[@WatchWesWork]

The computer actually tells you when to change the oil. But, it's 13 years old, so who knows what it's been through.

[@dougankrum3328]

Poor maintenance....most small/medium shop air compressors are right there at the top of the list for lack of maintenance.

[@mrnapolean1]

Ive got a robinair 34700z that gets hung up on clearing and when I bypass clearing it wont recover or show that it recovered anything. I searched and searched but couldn't find anything straightforward. Noise wise the machine compressor does kick on and it sounds like it overloading itself and it cuts off. someone told me its a solenoid sticking. this is my first time owning one of these machines so I know pretty much nothing about it. all I do know is that it is not recovering any refrigerant.

[@knulleriboy]

Have basically same problem but on another brand

[@wilsontapiavega3081]

hola wes tengo una maquina igual 34134z no carga el sistema talves una idea que puede ser recupera hace vaccun pero no carga el freon cambie el compresor y filtro por favor ayuda gracias donde consigo partes en south america

[@heyitschinoable]

Averiguaste el problema??

[@jesusherbertlopezespinoza7161]

Hola pregunta que tan buena sale está maquina, es para sistema R134?

[@jimm2099]

Thanks for the great info!

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks for watching.

[@saurabhsharma-ts6ky]

Why fan is running all the time

[@thomasmiller5420]

What/where did you have to drill a hole for capacitor ?

[@Mishn0]

I think it was just into the sheet metal case for the motor. It was only a hole for a self tapping screw to fasten the cover of the capacitor to the case. The replacement's cap. was housed inside the plastic handle and not fastened to the motor case like the original's. He moved the original capacitor cover to the new compressor.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Never made sense to me that leaking ac systems is okay but Intentionally opening the system and evacuating the system is a crime and illegal and your not required to fix a leaking system sometimes laws make no sense @Watch Wes Work

[@somebodyelse6673]

What happens to the reclaimed refrigerant?

[@dougankrum3328]

Usually re-used and often put back into customers cars....a good recovery machine will clean the refrigerant well.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yes, the refrigerant gets filtered and stored until it is charged back into the system. If the refrigerant is mixed with air, the machine can actually purge the air until the pressure and temperature readings match the published charts.

[@clarencewiles963]

Thumbs up 👍 gas passer

[@ke6bnl]

I guess they don't have heat pumps up in your area.

[@WatchWesWork]

There are some. Apparently the newer ones work at much lower outside temps, so we will likely see more and more.

[@ياربيارب-ص1ظ]

Very good

[@bborkzilla]

Hopefully you won't connect that to an A/C some yuck-a-puck has filled with propane or sealant.

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!!

[@pltmann]

How much did you have to pay for the machine with a bad pump ?

[@WatchWesWork]

I think I paid $700.

[@pltmann]

@@WatchWesWork I found a used one with a bad pump asking 300.00 . From a tire shop . Looks well used. Found a used pump for 180 .00 . ??

[@pltmann]

Going to get it next week . I have a topper on my truck . Is their any problem with laying this in its side to haul ?

[@WatchWesWork]

@@pltmann I would not lay it on its side. These things are really awkward and delicate.

[@pltmann]

@@WatchWesWork I'll pull the topper off . Thanks .

[@saurabhsharma-ts6ky]

you can 100% repair this vaccum pump please do it

[@heyitschinoable]

Well done, i work as an auto tech. I want to start doing AC side jobs. I was online looking for a used machine i can use at home. And found this one for $250! That sounds like a great deal being i can make that back in one or two ac jobs.

[@WatchWesWork]

Wow. That's a pretty good deal. Even the really old machines all work pretty much the same. The newer ones have smarter computers that make them easier to use. I'm not sure mine is working correctly at the moment. I have to use the vehicle compressor to pull in the refrigerant.

[@Number1redskinfan]

Got mine for 200$ and it works great. Prob did about 20 jobs last summer and almost 10 this year so far

[@heyitschinoable]

Hey im trying to fill the internal storage vessel in my ac machine. Same as yours. I followed all instructions in the manual. I hit recover and sounds like compressor in machine kicks on and draws some good amount of amperage because my lights in room dim. But takes forever to even recover 0.2 lbs any ideas what it could be?

[@WatchWesWork]

Sounds like a passage is blocked or the valve on the quick disconnect is not working right. Are you using the correct fitting to attach to the refrigerant tank?

[@heyitschinoable]

Wes Johnson Services yea im using the r134a tank adapter per the manual. I opened the full tank valve then the coupler on the ac hose then i hit recover and open the valve on the ac machine panel but nothing really recovers into the internal storage tank

[@WatchWesWork]

I guess I don't know. You might try recovering from another source, like a known good AC system, and see if the result is different.

[@heyitschinoable]

Wes Johnson Services yea ill try that out. I hope the compressor isnt bad. I tried recovering from the tank in liquid up side down and tried it pointing up as a vapor and no luck.