Community Forums

Mixmanbob · 07-07-2014, 10:49 AM

We have to re charge the truck AC system annually. I am looking at the AC Pro 100 recharge kit. Online video looks easy. Reviews are mostly good. Does anyone have experience with this product?

jeepthrills · 07-07-2014, 12:48 PM

This is on your toad? the dakota?

If you are recharging annually , A/C leaks are not normal...wouldn't be a good idea to find the leak?

Shouldn't be too hard to find with the freon sniffers and dye available today in a professional shop. ( might even be able to rent a sniffer form one of the bigger chain stores ( autozone)

As far as the quality of the product....it is overpriced freon with an inaccurate low side pressure gauge, in a slick black can. The marketing campaign for that stuff is expensive.

For the cost of 2 cans of that stuff you can get yourself an inexpensive set of R134a manifold gauges, (harbor freight, $50) and a venturi VAC pump ($35) and you have the tools to handle automotive A/C issues for life. By the way...R134a sells for about 7 bucks a can at Walmart.Sometimes you can find it on sale for 5. Personally, I dont think 10 bucks worth of 134a and a cheap low gauge is worth 50 bucks.

automotive a/c is not that hard once you understand it...and there is enough good info on the net to walk you through almost any issue.

If that scares you...there are also many good shops who would love your business.

Or you can believe the slick commercials from ACPro.

Just my $.02

Indy1951 · 07-07-2014, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepthrills

This is on your toad? the dakota?

If you are recharging annually , A/C leaks are not normal...wouldn't be a good idea to find the leak?

Shouldn't be too hard to find with the freon sniffers and dye available today in a professional shop. ( might even be able to rent a sniffer form one of the bigger chain stores ( autozone)

As far as the quality of the product....it is overpriced freon with an inaccurate low side pressure gauge, in a slick black can. The marketing campaign for that stuff is expensive.

For the cost of 2 cans of that stuff you can get yourself an inexpensive set of R134a manifold gauges, (harbor freight, $50) and a venturi VAC pump ($35) and you have the tools to handle automotive A/C issues for life. By the way...R134a sells for about 7 bucks a can at Walmart.Sometimes you can find it on sale for 5. Personally, I dont think 10 bucks worth of 134a and a cheap low gauge is worth 50 bucks.

automotive a/c is not that hard once you understand it...and there is enough good info on the net to walk you through almost any issue.

If that scares you...there are also many good shops who would love your business.

Or you can believe the slick commercials from ACPro.

Just my $.02

Don't forget the recovery machine and cylinder for around $700.00

jeepthrills · 07-07-2014, 01:26 PM

Of course let a shop recover the freon...(I figured that was implied.) or you can do this for short term storage

OOPS!! Sorry should have said "most of the tools".

Once the system is flat, swap parts, pull vac, and charge.

Moral of this rant is that you can repair it properly, and see if there are other issues ( high side gaugeand vac pump) for about the same money...and be prepared if it happens on other vehicles in the future.

ACPro is, as i stated above, overpriced, and not a good value IMHO.

Mixmanbob · 07-08-2014, 09:15 AM

Thanks for all the great advise. I looked at the tools online at Harbor Freight this morning and watched a couple of videos. Buying the tools seems to he a no brainer. I am recharging the MH.

Mixmanbob · 07-16-2014, 02:34 PM

Ok. I got the tools. I am a little intimated with all the warnings...can't find the low pressure port..am considering sending tools back and going to a shop..

jeepthrills · 07-18-2014, 10:34 AM

follow the hoses.
Start at the heater box ( usually up and to left from hood access)....2 lines, one fat, one thin. ( not the heater hoses)

you may have to trace them for a few minutes...and maybe even cross a drier, or condensor...but they are there.

fat one is suction line and will have your low side ( blue)port connection

skinny one is high side, and will have high ( red)connection.

they probably have plastic caps covering the connectors ( think large tire valve cap)