I went searching for a simple A/C pressure guage, like a tire pressure guage but with the special fittings, and it appears there is no such thing.
So it looks like I'll have to get a more pricey, regular AC manifold, with valves, hoses, and guages. As long as I'm doing it, I'd prefer to get a manifold set that will meet all likely future needs.
I've checked a couple sources (http://www.robinair.com/ , http://www.mastercool.com/ ), and there are quite a lot of variations available.
Some Q's from an AC newbie :
What is purpose and benefit of a 4 valve manifold over a cheaper 2 valve ?
How helpful are glycerine filled guages (to dampen pulsations in the reading)?
Some of the 2 valve manifolds, come with 2 separate 6" flex hoses with a valve attached. This is in addition to the regular 72" hoses. What's the short hose & valve intended for?
The 2-valve manifolds have, of course, just 1 yellow hose (for evacuation/filling). If you pull vacuum, then isolate the car's AC with the valves, you're still going to get some air in the yellow hose mixing with refrigerant. Is this of concern? I guess this is where the 4-valve manifolds are used, so you can evacuate the hose leading to the refrigerant can (??).
Some sets come with extra long 96" hoses, long enough to reach inside the passenger cabin. Is there a reason you'd want the guage set inside the car, to monitor the AC pressures while driving? I suppose the 72" set could be taped to the windshield but might be hard to read.
Some manifold sets have hoses with self-sealing, quick connect ends. Does this really matter for occasional use?
TIA!
So it looks like I'll have to get a more pricey, regular AC manifold, with valves, hoses, and guages. As long as I'm doing it, I'd prefer to get a manifold set that will meet all likely future needs.
I've checked a couple sources (http://www.robinair.com/ , http://www.mastercool.com/ ), and there are quite a lot of variations available.
Some Q's from an AC newbie :
What is purpose and benefit of a 4 valve manifold over a cheaper 2 valve ?
How helpful are glycerine filled guages (to dampen pulsations in the reading)?
Some of the 2 valve manifolds, come with 2 separate 6" flex hoses with a valve attached. This is in addition to the regular 72" hoses. What's the short hose & valve intended for?
The 2-valve manifolds have, of course, just 1 yellow hose (for evacuation/filling). If you pull vacuum, then isolate the car's AC with the valves, you're still going to get some air in the yellow hose mixing with refrigerant. Is this of concern? I guess this is where the 4-valve manifolds are used, so you can evacuate the hose leading to the refrigerant can (??).
Some sets come with extra long 96" hoses, long enough to reach inside the passenger cabin. Is there a reason you'd want the guage set inside the car, to monitor the AC pressures while driving? I suppose the 72" set could be taped to the windshield but might be hard to read.
Some manifold sets have hoses with self-sealing, quick connect ends. Does this really matter for occasional use?
TIA!
