INFICON Vortex AC Refrigerant Recovery Machine 115V User Manual

OPERATING MANUAL

Vortex

Refrigerant Recovery Machine

®

AC

Vortex AC Operating Manual

Thank you for buying the INFICON® Vortex® AC Refrigerant Recovery Machine!

To get the best performance from your Vortex AC, please read this manual carefully
before you start using the recovery machine. If you have any questions or need
additional assistance, call 800-344-3304. We’ll be happy to help you!

Safety First!

When found on the machine, this international symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating, safety and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in this Manual. As used in the Manual, it is intended to
draw your attention to critical items.

It is important to read this entire Manual and be familiar with its contents before using
the machine!

The Vortex AC is a Recovery Machine for a broad range of refrigerants. Recovering
refrigerants into a separate storage tank involves a process of gas compression,
resulting in high pressures within the machine, the connecting hoses and the storage
tank. High pressure systems must always be treated with care and respect to prevent
careless accidents.

EPA Certification

The INFICON Vortex AC is an EPA Certified machine in accordance with Section 608 of
the Clean Air Act. It has been independently tested and certified to be in conformance
with ARI standard 740-1998 by Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

Product Safety

For the highest level of safety, the recovery operation should always be performed using
a DOT approved storage tank with a shutoff switch (tank float) properly connected to the
Vortex AC’s Over Fill Protection circuit (available as an option). Additionally, approved
refrigerant hoses must be used which have shut-off devices within 12 inches (304.8 mm)
of the ends to reduce the likelihood of refrigerant leakage to the atmosphere when
changing tanks or setups.

Responsibility
The INFICON Vortex AC must only be operated by a Qualified Technician who has

been properly trained in the care and use of such equipment and in the recovery
process itself. Use of this equipment by unqualified personnel is potentially
dangerous and should not be attempted.

Trademarks

The trademarks of the products mentioned in this manual are held by the companies that
produce them.

INFICON®, Vortex®, Compass™, D-TEK™ Select, TEK-Mate®, and Wey-TEK™ are
trademarks of INFICON.

All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.

The information contained in this manual is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, INFICON assumes no responsibility for its use and shall not be liable for any
special, incidental, or consequential damages related to the use of this product.

©2004 All rights reserved.
Reproduction or adaptation of any part of this manual without permission is unlawful.

Preface

Vortex AC Operating Manual

Table Of Contents

1.0 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2.0 Specifications, Features and Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1 Vortex AC Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.2 Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.0 Setup and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.2 Normal Recovery Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.3 PURGING the Vortex AC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3.4 Push-Pull Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3.5 Cooling The Recovery Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.6 Special Operating Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.0 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5.0 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6.0 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6.2 Electrical Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7.0 EPA Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Vortex AC Operating Manual

1.0 Safety Precautions

THIS EQUIPMENT MUST ALWAYS BE OPERATED BY A QUALIFIED
TECHNICIAN WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH REFRIGERANT SYSTEMS,
REFRIGERANTS, REFRIGERANT SAFETY AND THE EPA
REQUIREMENTS.

READ THIS MANUAL and become familiar with the specifications
and operation of this machine prior to use.

WEAR APPROPRIATE SAFETY PROTECTION APPAREL such as
gloves, eye protection and foot protection when working on refrigeration
systems.

REFRIGERANT VAPOR CAN BE HAZARDOUS AND ITS BY
PRODUCTS CAN BE LETHAL — work only in well ventilated areas. When
working indoors, ensure there is adequate airflow in the work space and
install a separate circulation fan if necessary. DO NOT WORK IN AN
ENCLOSED AREA without special safety equipment as appropriate for
the conditions.

KNOW THE PROPER SAFETY AND HANDLING REQUIREMENTS
for the Refrigerant being recovered by reviewing the Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS) and the Temperature - Vapor Pressure information.

PERFORM LEAK DETECTION in accordance with recommended
practice only. For best results use only a refrigerant detector such as the
INFICON D-TEK™ Select, Compass™, or TEK-Mate®. NEVER USE
OXYGEN for this process as it can become an explosive mixture in the
presence of oil and pressure.

STORE REFRIGERANTS in a cool, dry place.

SEPARATE DIFFERENT REFRIGERANTS. Avoid mixing
refrigerants by using separate storage cylinders and filters for each type
recovered.

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Vortex AC Operating Manual

NEVER OVERFILL A STORAGE CONTAINER. The safest approach
is to use a DOT certified storage cylinder with a “Tank Full” cutoff switch
that is properly connected to the Vortex AC’s optional Over Fill
Protection Circuit. If the storage cylinder does not have a cutoff switch,
or if PUSH-PULL OPERATION is used, the use of a refrigerant scale, such
as the INFICON Wey-TEK™, is required to prevent overfill. OVERFILLED
TANKS CAN RUPTURE EXPLOSIVELY!

OPEN SERVICE OR CYLINDER VALVES SLOWLY to ensure that all
connections are tight and there is no danger.

DISCONNECT POWER before moving or servicing the INFICON
Vortex AC.

This unit should be opened only by a technically qualified person
who has been trained in basic electronics and refrigeration. The risk of
ELECTRIC SHOCK and exposure to HOT compressor parts is possible if
the unit is opened.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, EXTENSION CORDS SHOULD
NOT BE USED with this equipment as the wiring can overheat under
conditions of high current draw. If an extension cord is absolutely
necessary, its length should be as short as possible and it should
contain size 16 AWG or larger wiring.

FLAMMABLE ENVIRONMENTS ARE DANGEROUS when any
machine is used because motors and switches can generate sparks.
This equipment should be used in locations with mechanical ventilation
providing at least four air changes per hour, or the equipment should be
located at least 18” above the floor. DO NOT USE THIS EQUIPMENT IN
THE VICINITY OF SPILLED OR OPEN CONTAINERS OF GASOLINE OR
ANY OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUID.

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Vortex AC Operating Manual

2.0 Specifications, Features and Warranty

2.1 Vortex AC Specifications

Refrigerants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EPA Certified to ARI 740-98 for

R-134a, R-22, R407, R410A
and all refrigerants listed under
categories III, IV, & V in ARI
standard 740-98.

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 V(ac), 60 Hz, 10 A

Compressor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/2 HP Oilless, No inlet valve,

AC Motor Drive

Cooling: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fan driven off AC compressor

motor

Protection: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High Pressure Switch

Cutoff at 550 PSI

Compressor motor
thermally protected

80% Tank Full Shutoff available

Pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low side design

pressure 240 PSI;

High side design
pressure 550 PSI

Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating Range

50 to 104 °F (10 to 40 °C)

Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blow-Molded,

High Impact Strength

Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18” L X 9.5” W X 14.5” H

(457.2 mm x 241.3 mm x

368.3 mm)

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.7 lbs. (12.6 kg)

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