Evacuating and Charging the V-5 A/C System

EVACUATING AND CHARGING THE V-5 A/C SYSTEM
In replacing any of the air conditioning refrigeration components, the system must be completely discharged of Refrigerant-12.

CAUTION Never charge the A/C system through the high pressure side of the system. Component damage and personal injury could result.

If the system has been opened for any repair, or the Refrigerant-12 charge lost, the system must be evacuated prior to charging. Evacuation and charging is a combined procedure, and all gage lines must be purged with R-12 prior to charging.

THERE ARE TWO EVACUATE AND CHARGE PROCEDURES.
1. J 23500-01 Charging Station Method
2. Drum Method

CAUTION Under no circumstances should alcohol be used in the system in an attempt to remove moisture. Damage to the system components could occur.

J 23500-01 or Equivalent Charging Station Method
Follow charging instructions provided with the J 23500-01 Charging Station or equivalent in use with the following exceptions:
1. Do not connect the high pressure line to the air conditioning system.
2. Keep the high pressure valve on the charging station closed at all times.
3. Perform the entire evacuate and charge procedure through the low-side pressure service fitting on suction pipe.
4. Following these procedures will prevent accidental high-side vehicle system pressure being subjected to the charging station in the event an error is made in valve sequence during compressor operation to pull in the Refrigerant-12 charge.

Charging The System With Refrigerant Drum:

Refrigerant Drum Method
If the Refrigerant-12 drum is used, place it on a scale and note the total weight before charging. Watch the scale during charging to determine the amount of R-12 used.
1. Connect manifold gage set J 23575-01 as follows.
a. Low pressure service fitting on suction pipe.
b. Gage set center hose to Refrigerant-12 source.
c. High pressure gage to vacuum pump.
2. To begin evacuation of the A/C System with manifold gage set and vacuum pump, slowly open high- and low-side gage valves and begin vacuum pump operation. Pump the system until the low- side gage reaches 711.2-736.6 mm (28-29 in. Hg) vacuum.

NOTES
- Note that in all evacuation procedures, the specification of 711.2 - 736.6mm (28-29 in. Hg) vacuum is used. This specification can only be reached at or near sea level.
- For each 304.8 m (1, 000 feet) above sea level, specification should be lowered by one inch vacuum.
- At 1524m (5,000 feet) elevation, only 584.2 - 609.6 mm (23-24 in. Hg) of vacuum is required.
- If prescribed vacuum cannot be reached, close vacuum control valve, shut off pump and look for a leak at connections or pump.

3. When gage reaches prescribed vacuum, the system is fully evacuated. Close the high-side gage set valve and turn off the vacuum pump.
4. Watch low-side gage to be sure vacuum holds for five (5) minutes. If vacuum is held, disconnect vacuum hose at gage set and then proceed to charging.
5. If vacuum does not hold for five (5) minutes, charge system with .224kg (1/2 lb.) Refrigerant-12 and leak check. Discharge system again and repair leak as necessary. Repeat evacuation procedure.