Refrigerant Recovery Machine
Model No. RG3
Operating Manual
Manual de operaciones
Manuel d’utilisation
1
Safety PrecautionS
WARNING : TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY AND / OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE,
ALLOW ONLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO OPERATE THIS UNIT. Before operating the unit,
read and follow the instructions and warnings in this manual. The operator must be familiar with air
conditioning and refrigeration systems, refrigerants, and the dangers of pressurized components. If
the operator cannot read this manual, operating instructions and safety precautions must be read and
discussed in the operator’s native language.
PRESSURIZED TANK CONTAINS LIQUID REFRIGERANT. Do not overll storage vessels, because
overfilling may cause explosion and personal injury or death. Do not recover refrigerants into
nonrellable containers; use only federally authorized rellable containers (DOT spec. 4BW or 4BA).
HOSES MAY CONTAIN LIQUID REFRIGERANT UNDER PRESSURE. Contact with refrigerant may
cause personal injury. Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles and protective gloves.
Disconnect hoses using extreme caution.
AVOID BREATHING A/C REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT VAPOR OR MIST. Exposure may
irritate eyes, nose, and throat. To remove refrigerant from the A/C systen, use only equipment certied
for the type of refrigerant being removed. Use the unit in locations with mechanical ventilation that
provides at least four air changes per hour. If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate the work
area before resuming service.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, USE THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE EXTENSION CORD WITH A
MINIMUM SIZE OF 14 AWG. Using an undersized extension cord may result in electrical equipment
failure.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, do not use the unit in the vicinity of spilled or open containers of
gasoline or other ammable substances.
CAUTION – DO NOT PRESSURE TEST OR LEAK TEST EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLE AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEMS WITH COMPRESSED AIR. Some mixtures of air and refrigerant have
been shown to be combustible at elevated pressures. These mixtures, if ignited, may cause injury or
property damage.
DO NOT MIX REFRIGERANT TYPES THROUGH A SYSTEM OR IN THE SAME CONTAINER.
Mixing of refrigerants causes severe damage to the unit and the system being serviced.
HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY INSIDE THE UNIT HAS A RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK. Exposure
may cause personal injury. Disconnect power before servicing the unit.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained from
refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
Explanation of SafEty Signal WordS
WARNING : Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
CAUTION : Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury.
CAUTION : Used without the safety alert symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in property damage.
2
table of contentS
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Explanation of Safety Signal Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Understanding Refrigerant Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Standard Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Recovery Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Operating Instructions for Bulk Liquid Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Push – Pull Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Liquid Recovery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Vapor Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Purge Non-Condensable Gas from a Storage Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Recovery Cylinder Information
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Replacement Parts, Rebuild Kits, & Accessories
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Installation of the Filter and Filter / Drier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Burned-out System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Spanish
French
Warranty Statement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3
underStanding refrigerant recovery
NOTE: Throughout this operating manual the term “unit”
is used when referring to the RG3 refrigerant recovery
machine.
Refrigerant recovery is the process of taking refrigerant
out of a system and storing it in a cylinder. The following
information is critical to achieving the best refrigerant
recovery results.
Refrigerant
Identify the refrigerant type and quantity in the system to
be serviced.
The unit is approved for use with the following category
III, IV, and V refrigerants (per ARI-740) :
R-12, R-22, R-134a, R-401a, R-401b,R-401c, R-402a,
R-402b, R-404a, R-406a, R-407a, R-407b, R-407c,
R-407d, R-408a, R-409a, R-410a, R-411a, R-411b,
R-412a, R-500, R-502, R-507 R-509
Filters and Filter / Driers
CAUTION : Filters prevent contamination from
entering the unit, which reduces the risk of damage
to the unit and the system being serviced.
The unit is shipped with a lter screen installed behind
the inlet tting. Robinair strongly recommends that a
clean lter screen be used for every service job. Failure
to use a lter screen will invalidate your warranty.
The unit is also shipped with (1) lter / drier (Part No.
100343) for use at the inlet tting. However, if there is a
need to recover multiple, different refrigerants using this
unit, a separate lter / drier must be labeled and used for
each individual type of refrigerant.
Valves
WARNING : To prevent personal injury, open
service and cylinder valves SLOWLY to allow
rapid shut-off of gas flow if necessary. Once it is
determined there is no danger, the valves may be
opened fully.
Isolate large amounts of refrigerant and close valves
after use, so if a leak should develop anywhere in the
system, refrigerant will not escape to the atmosphere.
Hoses
Hoses must be equipped with low-loss ttings and have
pressure ratings appropriate for the refrigerant in the
system being serviced.
Shut-off Switch
This unit has an internal, high-pressure, shut-off switch.
If system pressure rises above 550 psi, the unit shuts
off. The shut-off switch automatically resets itself after
pressure drops below 400 psi.
WARNING : The internal pressure shut-off
switch does NOT prevent cylinder overfill. If the
system shuts off automatically and is connected
to a cylinder, the cylinder may be dangerously
overfilled. Take immediate measures to relieve the
high pressure and / or cylinder overfill situation, or
personal injury may result.
Push / Pull Procedure
When recovering large amounts of liquid (over 15 lbs.),
use the Push / Pull method described in this manual.
Maximum Vacuum and Recovery Rates
To achieve the deepest nal vacuum, use an evacuated
recovery cylinder. To maximize recovery rates :
Use the shortest possible length of 3/8 in. or larger
•
hose. (A hose no longer than 3 feet is recommended.)
Remove unnecessary hose core depressors, and
•
remove Schrader valves from port connections.
Deformed rubber seals and core depressors in hoses,
as well as faulty or unnecessary Schrader valves, can
restrict ow.
Maintenance
CAUTION : Keep all connections to the refrigeration
system dry and clean. Damage will occur if moisture
is allowed to enter the system.
Storage Cylinders
WARNING : A storage cylinder is full when it
reaches 80% volume. DO NOT OVERFILL. Due to
liquid expansion, the cylinder could explode if filled
to more than 80% volume, possibly causing personal
injury and equipment damage. Use a scale, such as
TIF9010A, to avoid overfilling the storage cylinder.
4
Standard oPerating inStructionS
Manifold
Gauge Set
System Being
Serviced
Vapor
Sight
Glass
Filter / Drier
Liquid
Scale
Inlet
Fitting
Outlet
Fitting
Liquid Port
Recovery
Cylinder
The following instructions are for a standard or
“common” recovery procedure.
Setup Procedure
1. Place the unit on a at, level surface.
2. Verify a clean lter screen is installed behind
the inlet tting.
3. Connect a hose from the outlet tting of the
unit to the liquid port on the recovery cylinder.
4. Connect a hose from the inlet tting of the unit
to the output port of a manifold gauge set.
Robinair recommends using a sight glass and
a lter / drier in this line.
5. Connect a hose from the liquid (low pressure)
side of the manifold gauge set to the liquid side
of the system being serviced.
6. Connect a hose from the vapor (high) side of
the manifold gauge set to the vapor side of the
system being serviced.
7. Verify the inlet and outlet valves on the unit are
closed.
8. Place the recovery cylinder on a scale (such as
TIF9010A) to avoid overlling the cylinder.
WARNING : A storage cylinder is full when
it reaches 80% volume. DO NOT OVERFILL. Due
to liquid expansion, the cylinder could explode
if lled to more than 80% volume, possibly
causing personal injury and equipment damage.
Tech Tips
The unit will perform at its peak when voltage
entering the machine (while operating) is between
115 —122 VAC.
Lower supply voltages may result in difculty
starting under high head pressure, reduced
performance, and / or motor overheating.
Use an outlet that does not have other applicances
(such as lights, machines, etc.) plugged into it.
Do not use an extension cord unless needed. If
an extension cord is used, it must be 14 AWG
minimum and as short as possible to reduce
voltage drops.
5
Standard oPerating inStructionS
Recovery Procedure
1. Connect the unit to an appropriate 115 V outlet.
2. Slowly open the liquid valve of the recovery
cylinder while watching hoses and connections
for leaks.
3. Open the liquid valve on the manifold gauge set.
Note: Opening the liquid valve removes liquid from
the system rst, greatly reducing recovery time.
4. Open the outlet valve on the unit.
5. Toggle the power switch to the ON position.
6. Slowly open the inlet valve on the unit. Note: If the unit begins to “knock”, slowly throttle back (close)
the inlet valve until the noise stops.
7. Once the liquid has been removed from the system, open the vapor valve on the manifold gauge set to
nish evacuating the system.
8. Run the unit until the desired vacuum is achieved.
9. Close the vapor and liquid valves on the manifold gauge set.
10. Turn the inlet valve on the unit to the CLOSED position.
11. Toggle the power switch OFF.
6
oPerating inStructionS for bulk liquid SyStemS
“Push – Pull” Procedure
The push – pull method removes bulk liquid from a system using the pressure differential created by the
unit. This method works only with large systems where the liquid is readily accessible; it may not work on
systems that contain less than 15 lbs. (6.8 kg) bulk liquid.
This method is used :
• on systems with receiver cylinders.
• on systems containing more than 20 lbs.
(9.1 kg) of refrigerant.
• when transferring bulk liquid refrigerant
from one cylinder to another.
System Being
Serviced
Inlet
Fitting
Filter/Drier
Outlet Fitting
Vapor
WARNING : Manually close the valves on both
the storage cylinder and the unit to prevent overfilling
the cylinder. Once the siphon is started, it can overfill
the storage cylinder, even if the cylinder is equipped
with a float level sensor. The siphon can continue
even when the unit is turned off.
Liquid
Liquid Recovery
1. Place the unit on a at, level surface.
2. Connect a hose from the outlet tting of the unit
to the vapor port on the system being serviced.
3. Connect a hose from the inlet tting of the
unit to the vapor port of a recovery cylinder.
Robinair recommends using a lter / drier in
this line.
4. Connect a hose from the liquid side of the
recovery cylinder to the liquid port of the
system being serviced. Robinair recommends
using a sight glass in this line as a method of
determining when the liquid has been removed.
5. Place the recovery cylinder on a scale (such as
TIF9010A) to avoid overlling the cylinder.
Vapor
Recovery
Cylinder
Sight
Glass
Scale
Liquid
6. Verify inlet and outlet valves on unit are closed.
7. Open the recovery cylinder valves.
8. Open the outlet valve on the unit.
9. Toggle the power switch ON.
10. SLOWLY open the inlet valve on the unit.
11. When the weight reading on the scale stops
increasing, close the inlet valve on the unit
rst; then close the liquid valve on the recovery
cylinder.
12. Toggle the power switch OFF.
13. Close the valves on the recovery cylinder, and
close the outlet valve on the unit.
14. Proceed to Vapor Recovery.
7
Operating instructiOns fOr Bulk liquid systems
Vapor Recovery
1. Place the unit on a at, level surface.
2. Connect a hose from the inlet side of the unit to
the liquid port of the system being serviced.
Tech Tip
3. Connect a hose from the outlet side of the unit
to the liquid port on a recovery cylinder.
CAUTION: The recovery cylinder should be
on a scale to avoid overlling the cylinder.
4. Open the liquid valve on the recovery cylinder.
5. Open the outlet valve on the unit.
6. Toggle the power switch ON.
7. Slowly open the inlet valve on the unit.
8. Run the unit until the desired vacuum is
achieved.
9. Close the inlet and outlet valves on the unit.
10. Toggle the power switch OFF.
11. Close the ports on the recovery cylinder.
For a faster recovery procedure, recover from both
the liquid and vapor ports of the system being
serviced by using a tee tting or manifold gauge
set in the hose setup.
purge nOn-cOndensaBle gas frOm a stOrage cylinder
1. Allow the storage cylinder to sit undisturbed for
24 hours to allow air to rise to the top.
2. Connect a manifold gauge set to the cylinder.
Read the amount of pressure in the cylinder as
indicated by the output pressure gauge.
3. Determine the ambient temperature in the
room.
4. Refer to a refrigerant pressure / temperature
chart and nd the ambient temperature. Read
across the chart to the corresponding pressure
for the type of refrigerant in the cylinder.
Determine how that relates to the reading on
the gauge.
5. If the pressure reading in the cylinder is
higher than the pressure shown on the chart,
VERY SLOWLY crack open the vapor port
valve. (This is done slowly to cause as little
turbulence inside the cylinder as possible.)
Watch the pressure on the gauge decrease. To
prevent venting, add 4–5 psi (0.26—0.34 bar)
to the pressure shown on the chart.When the
gauge corresponds to that pressure, close the
vapor port valve.
6. Allow the cylinder to sit for 10 minutes and then
check pressure again.
7. Repeat the process, if necessary.
8
recovery cylinder information
Type of Cylinder
Use only authorized, rellable, refrigerant storage
cylinders. Federal regulations require refrigerant
to be transported only in containers meeting DOT
specs. 4BW or 4BA.
NEVER use a standard disposable 30 lb.
(13.6 kg) cylinder (the type of container in which
new refrigerant is sold) to recover refrigerant.
Working Pressure
Recovery cylinders are designed for different
working pressures. Robinair strongly recommends
the use of 400 psi (27.6 bar) cylinders.
WARNING: To prevent personal injury, do
not exceed the rated working pressure of the
cylinder. At minimum, the RG3 requires the use
of a 350 psi (24.1 bar) recovery cylinder.
NOTE: The use of a 400 psi (27.6 bar) cylinder is
mandatory when recovering R-410A refrigerant.
Refer to the Parts and Accessories section of this
manual for more information.
If you expect temperatures in excess of 135º F
(57° C), consult the refrigerant supplier.
Capacity
Safety codes state that closed cylinders should
not be lled with liquid over 80% of volume. (The
remaining 20% is called head pressure room.)
Do not exceed 80% of cylinder capacity. Robinair
recommends the use of the TIF9010A Refrigerant
Scale for monitoring cylinder capacity.
Refrigerants
Cylinders and lter / driers should each be
designated for only one type of refrigerant.
If you must use a cylinder previously used for
a different refrigerant, prepare the cylinder by
completely emptying it, perform an evacuation,
purge it using dry nitrogen, and then perform
another evacuation.
Storage
Store refrigerant cylinders in a cool, dry place.
Leakage
Some cylinders have valves that were not correctly
seated when manufactured. Keeping caps on the
valves will guard against refrigerant leakage.
WARNING : To prevent personal injury, never transport an overfilled cylinder.
Refrigerant expands when it gets warm and may cause an overfilled cylinder to explode.
Storage Cylinder Temperature 60°F 70°F 100°F 130°F 150°F
15.6°C 21.1°C 37.8°C 54.4°C 65.6°C
STARTING WITH CYLINDER
80% BY VOLUME
Space Occupied by Liquid 80% 81% 83% 90% 94%
STARTING WITH CYLINDER
90% BY VOLUME
Space Occupied by Liquid 90% 92% 96% 100%
9
troubleShooting
WARNING: TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY AND / OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE,
ALLOW ONLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO OPERATE AND REPAIR THIS UNIT. Before operating
or repairing the unit, read and follow instructions and warnings in this manual. The technician
must be familiar with air conditioning and refrigeration systems, refrigerants, and the dangers
of pressurized components. If the technician cannot read this manual, operating instructions
and safety precautions must be read and discussed in the technician’s native language.
Symptom Possible Cause Possible Solution
Unit will not turn on 1. Power cord not plugged in.
2. Bad power outlet.
3. Unit is in high-pressure shut-off.
4. Motor is in thermal overload.
5. Blown or bad fuse.
Compressor tries to
start, but just buzzes
Unit pumps into
high-pressure shut-off
Slow recovery 1. Trapped liquid in system.
1. Low voltage at power source.
2. Extension cord too long, or too
small.
1. Output valve on unit is closed.
2. Recovery cylinder valve closed.
3. Head pressure too high.
2. Restriction in refrigerant ow path.
1. Check power cord at wall and unit.
2. Try a different outlet.
3. Reduce head pressure to below
400 psi (27.6 bar).
4. Allow motor / unit to cool down.
5. Check / replace fuse.
1. Locate / use better outlet.
2. Reduce length of extension cord.
Increase size (gauge) of extension
cord (14 AWG minimum).
1. Check output valve.
2. Check recovery cylinder valve.
3. Check output hoses for restrictions
or kinks. Reduce head pressure.
1. Momentarily cycle system compressor
to move trapped refrigerant.
2. Check inlet hose for restrictions or
kinks. Remove Schrader valves and
core depressers from hoses (if
possible). Use larger hoses.
Blown fuse 1. Electrical short in wiring.
2. Mechanical binding.
1. Check for and replace damaged
wires and / or electrical connectors.
2. Repair or replace compressor.
10
rePlacement PartS
12
13
20
1
15
16
4
3
17
5
2
7
8
}
18
10
6
9
14
21
Item Part
No. No. Qty. Description
1 570895 1 Case Kit (both halves)
2 SK-3001 1 Interface Kit (motor-compressor
interface, coupler, hardware)
3 SK-3003 1 Fan
4 SK-3004 1 Motor Kit
(motor, capacitor, hardware)
5 565504 1 Compressor
6 SK-3006 1 Condenser
7 565502 1 Gauge Lens (1 ea.)
8 565617 1 Motor Start Capacitor
9 SK-3007 1 Low-side Gauge Kit
(low-side gauge, lens)
10 SK-3008 1 High-side Gauge Kit
(high-side gauge, lens)
11 SK-3005 1 High-side Manifold Kit
12 565501 1 Front Bezel
13 SK-6001 1 Inlet Fitting / Filter Screen Kit
(inlet tting, lter screen, o-ring)
11
19
Item Part
No. No. Qty. Description
14 565500 1 Fuse
15 550503 1 Grommet (1 ea.)
16 SK-3009 1 Motor Clamp Kit (4 pieces)
17 550502 1 Foot (1 ea.)
18 565616 1 Inlet Tube
19 551628 1 Power Cord
20 EL1310 1 Power Switch
21 SK-3010 1 Low-side Manifold Kit
100343 1 Filter / Drier (not shown)
100345 6 in. Blue Hose (not shown)
Rebuild Kits
SK-3011 Compressor Rebuild Kit (piston
seals, valves, springs, o-rings)
SK-6007 Valve Rebuild / Replacement Kit
(inlet / outlet valves, springs, o-rings)
11
maintenance
CAUTION : To prevent personal injury, disconnect the unit from the power supply before
performing maintenance.
Installation of the Filter and Filter / Drier
1. Before performing a refrigerant recovery, inspect and clean the filter screen in the inlet fitting on the
unit. Replace the filter screen (p/n SK-6001) if necessary. A filter screen greatly reduces the risk
of damage to the unit by preventing foreign material from entering the unit and the system being
serviced. Failure to use a filter screen will invalidate the warranty.
Also use an in-line filter / drier (p/n 100343) in the inlet line.
Filter
Screen
Inlet
Fitting
Filter /Drier
p/n 100343
Burned-out System
1. Use two high-acid capacity lter / driers in series when recovering from a “burned-out” system. Robinair
recommends Alco type EK-162-F or Sporlan type C-162-F lters.
When you have nished recovering from the system, ush the unit with a small amount of clean
refrigerant and refrigerant oil to purge any foreign substances left in the unit.
Storage
1. Empty refrigerant from the unit into a storage cylinder. Liquid refrigerant left in the unit’s condenser may
expand, causing damage to components.
2. Completely evacuate the unit of any residual refrigerant and purge it with dry nitrogen before putting it
in storage for a long period of time.
12
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