Old Robinair vacum pump - AC Auto Repair Help Forum


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Old Robinair vacum pump

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comnavguy
User

Nov 3, 2017, 1:28 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2656 views)

Old Robinair vacum pump	Sign In

I have an old Robinair pump that was made before 134. It has a "Balast blast" connection. What is a balast blast for?

I have tried to contact them, but can't find their new contact info. Can anyone help with that?

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 3, 2017, 1:42 PM

Post #2 of 5 (2647 views)

Re: Old Robinair vacum pump	Sign In

I've never heard the term used before but it must have something to do with residual pressure not blasting out the oil in the vacuum pump.

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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 4, 2017, 1:53 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2629 views)

Re: Old Robinair vacum pump	Sign In

? Robinaire is or should be a sub product of Snap-On. Ballasts used electrically for motors essentially store the boost for start ups of motor such that it's instant start. Most wouldn't start without a working one. I doubt it has anything to do with it's vacuum functions?
Pre-134a may only mean existing ports to hook up to are not ACME threads rather just NPT of one or more sizes. Still should pull vacuum totally no matter how it's done.

Does this have a handle to exhaust what comes out and an oil level sight glass? Those are or were common plain vacuum pumps TMK. Oil is for the piston motor nothing to do with what it's vacuuming if what I'm thinking of?

T

comnavguy
User

Nov 25, 2017, 3:15 PM

Post #4 of 5 (2565 views)

Re: Old Robinair vacum pump	Sign In

I have not taken the plug out of this port, but the vacuum pump still works as if it were new. This pump was R 12 only with a sight glass for oil level.
I need to examine it further. I have not removed the plug to see what happens when operating. Gas ballast says to me "pressure", so I didn't want to open it without more info. The plug is about half to 5/8 inch. I'll come back with more info.

Thanks.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 25, 2017, 4:24 PM

Post #5 of 5 (2559 views)

Re: Old Robinair vacum pump	Sign In

Just asking and making a point: This wish is to achieve a vacuum which is total absence of vapors especially water for A/C anything.
Doesn't make a rat's butt how you get there just get there - zero is zero. Enough of that part.

They have new ones ready to hook to gauges AKA a manifold set you can just screw on the thing, know your gauges and how to use them reads the amount of vacuum achieved then lock it there. They are sold new for under $200 bucks so how much do you think you'll save vs how much use this will get? Just asking.

There are many reasons to go spend or do tons of tricks to get this thing to do just what you want it to might find out it can't and isn't worth fixing just giving you more to think about.
I've bought or made adaptors to just one vacuum pump that works perfectly still for years did have to buy adaptor from you said R-12 size is done by my legal gauges that can do both. Done.

It is worth splitting hairs to get the real full vacuum and charge only into that for A/C use. Slower or faster is only if YOU are in a hurry 1/2 hour or two hours if you get there you did it.

Hardware. Right clamps on correct types of hose even. Buy junky gauges for ACME threaded parts you can make stuff that fully works and legal to a point. Do know you are required to capture refrigerants if or when you are sure there is any significant (whatever that measure is) amount known in a system for disposal or reclaimed for reuse.

Price out some new vs way too much time fussing if you need this just now and then and run it now and then it may end up all you need. In a jam go to a shop and just pay for it right before you need to charge a system or better leave it in slight state of pressure not enough to be in the count can work from there if you don't make any mistakes,

T

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