Last summer I started noticing a lot of these new gauge ports on rooftop equipment. I actually had to replace one and to do that the entire charge had to be recovered. I was wondering about a valve tool for this and was told that the tool is $600. Called Carrier today (TEC) and talked with someone at length about this tool. Finally he found it. Part # P9200010 is $543.00. Wow! Did some more research. The valves are made by a company called FasTest in St Paul, MN. Got their number and called, the tool is a part # SCFT20A and it's only $182.00 So I will be ordering one of these because I am a gadget hoarder. But I also wanted to share my research findings and the delight of finding a tool at a reasonable price. Here is the tool, on the right Here is an article about these valves http://www.ien.com/article/valves-connectors-boost/112702 http://www.gocfa.com/files_pdf/catalogs/fastest/007.pdf
It just looks like a ball valve with one of the female fittings with the guts removed, and another fitting to remove the valve, doesn't look like it would be that hard to make How often do you run into defective ones? Maybe I should go into the tool bidness I'll sell them for $181.99, but they would be deeply discounted for my brothers on HPF
I have only ran into one defective so far. If I run into another, I'll be prepared. $50 to replace or call someone else and pay for recovery, evacuation, recharge & 4 hours labor.
Thanks Otto... my first experience with these ports was not good cause I didn't know what I was dealing with... I may get the tool as well.
i have no experience with what you ran into. what's the 1st pic you posted? 1/4 x 5/16? i like to collect tools, also. that hand pump is still here for you, by the way.
Crock of shit if you ask me...... Saving money on their manufacturing process so they can eff everything else up??? Might as well be Lennox trying to make everything proprietary..... I've found 1 of them defective as well..... I recovered, cut the stupid things out and brazed in a proper fitting.....
Thats what I did. recovered and trashed it. then figured out how it worked... no wonder the shrader tool didn't tighten it up... lol
The left side is where your 1/4" flare gauge hose goes. The right side goes into the fitting, special thread and O-ring seal.
Had a leaker in a discharge line before but it was out of juice and just took the whole thing out. Good find on the tool. Are there guts for the valve thats replaceable and where do you get those?
I think you just buy the valve assembly in the first picture. I'll find out more and post as necessary. There's a thread on ch3 about this but it goes on & on and a lot of bitching & moaning.
