Small System Vacuum Tip - Short 118
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
Bryan Orr
4.9 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 1 June 2021
⏱️ 5 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this short podcast episode, Bryan goes over one of his most valuable tips for pulling a vacuum on a small system.
It can be very difficult to pull a vacuum on a small system, especially when you're dealing with a low-temperature application like a freezer. When you pull a vacuum, you're creating a low-pressure area that affects molecule behavior. So, you're creating a situation where the molecules push their way out of the system and into your vacuum pump. The low temperature and small tubing, especially capillary tubes, make this process exceptionally difficult. A very good vacuum pump can still have a hard time achieving a deep vacuum.
To make this process a little easier, Bryan likes to add heat. When you add a heat blanket around components with oil, you negate the low-temperature obstacle and make it easier to separate refrigerant from oil. You may also use a heat gun on areas where using a heat blanket is impractical. If the area is cold or has refrigerant and oil together, then you'll benefit from applying heat. Don't go crazy and use open flames, but a heat blanket or heat gun will usually be safe.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is a short episode. |
| 0:04.0 | This is the HVAC School Podcast. I am Brian. |
| 0:07.0 | Okay, a little too enthusiastic. |
| 0:10.0 | This is a short episode and this short episode is about one of the tricks for pulling vacuums on smaller systems, especially self-contained systems, maybe refrigeration splits, freezers, that sort of thing. It is a very useful evacuation tip. Before we get to that, let's thank our |
| 0:28.0 | sponsors. Refrigeration Technologies. |
| 0:31.0 | Refrigeration Technologies can be found at |
| 0:32.9 | Refrigetech.com. |
| 0:34.2 | They make all kinds of great products and chemicals |
| 0:36.8 | for the HVAC trade. |
| 0:38.0 | Specifically, one that I love is called Wet RAG. |
| 0:40.6 | Wet RAG kind of works like a wet rag, but it's easier to use, you can pack it around |
| 0:44.7 | valves, you can use it to protect the liquid line dryers and compressors or accumulators or whatever |
| 0:49.7 | you happen to be braising in, and then when you're done, can just return it to the canister. If you need to |
| 0:55.2 | rejuvenate it, just use a couple little drops of water in it and it will rejuvenate and be ready to use next time. |
| 1:01.1 | That is wet rag from refrigeration technologies find out more at |
| 1:05.3 | refriggedec.com carrier and carrier.com |
| 1:10.1 | navac at navac global dot com Mitsubishi electric Navac Global. Global.com. |
| 1:13.0 | Mitsubishi Electric. |
| 1:15.0 | We have been Mitsubishi Diamond Dealers, diamond contractors |
| 1:19.0 | for years and years at Kailos, |
| 1:21.0 | and Mitsubishi is coming out with more and more innovative products to serve both commercial and residential as well as high efficiency, high performance homes. |
| 1:30.0 | If you haven't looked at Mitsubishi in a while, now is the time to do so. |
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