[zootjeff]

I just bought a tank of r410a off a guy who answered my craigslist ad. He wanted 120 dollars.. He said it was brand new but he had used a few pounds. He answered my ad because he said he has been there before.

I got it home and now I'm wondering if I was scammed..

It weighs just over 25 lbs.. The bottom feet are scuffed and the top is scuffed around the rim. I'm guessing it could have been rattling around in his car..

What are the chances this was his recovery tank?

 

[zootjeff]

He said he was working on the commercial system at a grocery store and had an un-logo'd white van with hvac gear in it. I know it is compressed gas..

 

[BayouRunner]

New tank weighs 33lbs give or take a few ounces. I'd be scared to use one as a recovery tank. Pretty good chance you would blow the safety. I'd say its a legit sale. Hopefully not selling his bosses refrigerant

 

[crabjoe]

I'm pretty sure all the non-recovery tanks have check valves so you can't use it as a recovery tank,

BTW, anyone in the US can buy a jug of R410a, no- EPA cert is needed for it.. Unless you have a cert, I don't know of a local supply house that will sell it, but online, they're a dime a dozen. Around me, at the supply houses sell the 25lb cylinder for about $125.. I'm pretty sure you can get it for about there online too, delivered. It was cheaper a couple months ago, but with cooling season, I think they all jacked the price up.

 

[user_12345a]

wonder if u can bring it over the boarder.

 

[Bitters]

Crabjoe is right, You can't use that bottle to recover ref.

 

[yuri]

A recovery tank looks totally different. It is very heavy built and has 2 valves. Gas and liquid plus your disposable one has a built in check valve so it cannot be refilled.

 

[bfletcher7]

To reiterate crabjoe, you can buy a new 25 lb bottle online. Today from Amazon pricing is $132.40.

 

[roughneck]

Can't use that as a recovery tank, the valve has a check built into it.
You'd probably gotten a better deal just buying a new bottle.

 

[beenthere]

He said he was working on the commercial system at a grocery store and had an un-logo'd white van with hvac gear in it. I know it is compressed gas..

Slim to no chance its was his recovery tank, as it would most likely blow the relief using that jug for recovery.

It may be stolen though, as in it was probably his bosses refrigerant he sold you.

 

[zootjeff]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I loaded 4lbs 6 oz into my system and it works great! I went from 26 lbs to 21ish. Thanks for the all the insights!

-Jeff

 

[user_12345a]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I loaded 4lbs 6 oz into my system and it works great! I went from 26 lbs to 21ish. Thanks for the all the insights!

-Jeff

fix the leak?

 

[zootjeff]

fix the leak?

Yes, I was not good at the 1/4 flare tool on my first couple flares, even though I did about 15 test flares, and I noticed it was a little cockeyed when I first did it. It held 250psi nitrogen previously, and a 600 micron vacuum. and it ran for weeks cooling. This weekend it didn't cool at all. I tested the schrader and got nothing. Put in a little nitrogen and then bumped the flare fitting and got the bubbles. Re-did the flare, ran a 150psi Nitrogen purge. Bought a new vacuum pump, pulled a vacuum. Took much longer pulling the entire outdoor unit.. But then when it held a vacuum, it held it rock solid. Before when I'd throw the valve it would creep back up but then settle out. This time it held the same value without moving for an hour. The pump was only able to get about 1000 micron. Then I weighed it in. Working like a charm.

 

[supers05]

Some of the vacuum pumps have multiple ports on them. (different sizes) Make sure that the caps are tight, as they can cause a poor vacuum.

If it held at 1000um then you should be fine, even if it's a tad high.

PS. Flares take quite some practice to get right every time. They look easy, but they are just as easy to mess up. Don't sweat over it.

Cheers!