Thinking about buying an AC recovery machine

cgrutt · Apr 17, 2026

Got three vehicles with over 600K between them thinking about buying an AC recovery machine to do some maintenance. Wife's car has had a bad bearing noise from compressor for years now but seems to be getting worse recently. Apparently common issue with this vehicle and they actually make aftermarket pulley that supposedly corrects noise but vehicle is 20 yrs old I'd prefer to replace the entire compressor and address any other issues with the AC while it was apart.

Anyway looking at a Robinair RG6 recovery machine

These are specs

Paired with a Mastercool manifold / dryer / oil separator.

Any thoughts or comments much appreciated.

BurtEggley · Apr 18, 2026

expensive to do this for just 3 jobs in your life. By the time you get to the 4th, the refrigerants, fittings and laws will have changed again. It may be less costly to pay a shop you trust to pull the system down, do the repair yourself, and then have them recharge the system in part with the refrigerant they reclaimed. Gone are the days of inexpensive vacuum pumps, inexpensive canisters of refrigerants, etc.. Might look on FB Marketplace for a good working system that was used on the type refrigerant you want to service. Also Vevor has a 3/4 HP unit for $373, 1hp for $477, and new recovery tanks for $76.

MileHighRover · Apr 18, 2026

I thought about doing the same thing but after my local shop said $100 to evacuate the system and recharge it when I'm done with repairs, seemed a no brainer.

cgrutt · Apr 18, 2026

Yeah I saw those Vevor units but just had a bad experience with a Vevor product and don't really trust the company. There is an RG3 thats smaller, doesn't have a self purging feature for not much more than the Vevor units. I have a Robinair vacuum pump already.

cgrutt · Apr 18, 2026

Recovery unit is another brand but this is basic setup that I'm considering

Pretty good video overall showing both recovery and recharging vehicle.

PoorUB · Apr 18, 2026

My experience with automotive is if there is a problem, 99% of the time it is out of refrigerant, so nothing to recover. A vacuum pump and a set of gauges will cover most of the service work.

To recharge, just buy the small 12 ounce cans as you need them.

cgrutt · Apr 18, 2026

PoorUB said:
My experience with automotive is if there is a problem, 99% of the time it is out of refrigerant, so nothing to recover. A vacuum pump and a set of gauges will cover most of the service work.

To recharge, just buy the small 12 ounce cans as you need them.

All three vehicles work fine aside from noisy bearing on my wife's car and very slow leak on son's car but the AC works. I want to change compressor in wife's car and possibly replace hoses etc. I have a vacuum pump and manifold gauges already. Also thinking about future servicing of home and vehicle units for friends and family. I do understand potential cross contamination issues with using equipment with different refrigerants.

cvairwerks · Apr 18, 2026

For HVAC, you'll need a 608 certification...

cgrutt · Apr 18, 2026

cvairwerks said:
For HVAC, you'll need a 608 certification...

I have 608 and 609.

BurtEggley · Apr 18, 2026

If you already have the pump, can't you just do it with your gauges, the pump you have and an empty bottle? That is what my HVAC guy does. I have a 608 but not 609 so I don't do home anymore. They braze the install lines now so the home HVAC has only needed service at that level twice in 20 years. Vevor has empty containers for $76. Lots of people have good luck with Vevor, we have. The are a marketing firm and not a manufacturer from what I can tell. Opening stores to compete with HF also.

cgrutt · Apr 18, 2026

BurtEggley said:
If you already have the pump, can't you just do it with your gauges, the pump you have and an empty bottle? That is what my HVAC guy does. I have a 608 but not 609 so I don't do home anymore. They braze the install lines now so the home HVAC has only needed service at that level twice in 20 years. Vevor has empty containers for $76. Lots of people have good luck with Vevor, we have. The are a marketing firm and not a manufacturer from what I can tell. Opening stores to compete with HF also.

Sorry not really following you there not sure how it's even possible to recover refrigerant with a vacuum pump. The pump "discharges" to atmosphere. Also how would you separate oil and any non-compressibles from the refrigerant?

609 is automotive not home but believe you still need 608 to buy refrigerant. I just completed the classes online haven't actually "used" it.

I did look at some videos on the Vevor units and there were some positive reviews. My actual experience with a different product wasn't so good and was widely out of spec to the point of being unusable. I get they are not manufacturer but frankly strongly prefer supporting different companies (not getting into the details here).

pcmeiners · Apr 18, 2026

If you do decide to buy a recovery unit buy used. Half the units on Ebay and FB are only used a few times. Avoid the cheapest units out there. I purchased a slightly used upper end Appion as below for around $250.You need gas lines, a recovery cylinder and small filter/dryers. Be careful if you buy recovery cylinder from Vevor, the one I have is not DOT certified, it can't be filled and shipped.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Appion-G5TWIN-APPION-G5Twin-Refrigerant-Recovery-Unit?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping_Tools&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_Tools_X_SSC_Hybrid&utm_campaignid=22227341202&utm_adgroupid=170135303970&utm_targetid=pla-2437533252845&utm_product_id=G5TWIN-APPION&utm_matchtype=&utm_keyword=&utm_adtype=pla&utm_category=Tools&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22227341202&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_9u77Yr4kwMVfEH_AR3hyThvEAQYASABEgLTcvD_BwE

67King · Apr 20, 2026

cgrutt said:
Sorry not really following you there not sure how it's even possible to recover refrigerant with a vacuum pump. The pump "discharges" to atmosphere. Also how would you separate oil and any non-compressibles from the refrigerant?

For the first question, one could use an empty cylinder. Pull a vacuum on it, close it, disconnect pump, connect refrigerant lines, open valve. That may not get all, but it'll certainly get a lot of it. I don't know of a good way to clean it, though, if it were going to be re-used, as opposed to just evacuating a system in good faith compliance with regulations.

cgrutt · Apr 20, 2026

67King said:
For the first question, one could use an empty cylinder. Pull a vacuum on it, close it, disconnect pump, connect refrigerant lines, open valve. That may not get all, but it'll certainly get a lot of it. I don't know of a good way to clean it, though, if it were going to be re-used, as opposed to just evacuating a system in good faith compliance with regulations.

Thanks. Don't see how "good faith compliance with regulations" is possible without using approved equipment specified within such regulations... anyway I understand the prior comment now thanks.

mike93lx · Apr 20, 2026

pcmeiners said:
If you do decide to buy a recovery unit buy used. Half the units on Ebay and FB are only used a few timers

Like guys that buy a full setup for just three jobs?

cgrutt · Apr 20, 2026

mike93lx said:
Like guys that buy a full setup for just three jobs?

Most tools I've ever purchased started with one or possibly a few projects in mind. I don't get the hate on this forum and often wonder why I even bother here.

mike93lx · Apr 20, 2026

cgrutt said:
Most tools I've ever purchased started with one or possibly a few projects in mind. I don't get the hate on this forum and often wonder why I even bother here.

There is no hate in my post, nothing more than a little poking fun and I own plenty of tools purchased for a single job, too.

If you take comments a little less seriously, you might enjoy it more.

racecougar · Apr 20, 2026

I'm in for the review once you get everything and try it out. Even though I'm typically repairing systems that have already lost their charge, I've considered buying refrigerant recovery equipment as well.

mm08822 · Apr 20, 2026

Money aside, you are enabling yourself to do things on your schedule and "for free".

With the knowledge gained from the cert training, correct tools and curiosity, I say go for it. It's like a science project at the same time......gas laws, absolute zero, etc.

Possibly used equipment could be ok, but I learned that if I look forever, time moves on and how much did I really save with all of my time invested.

There is always the risk of buying someone else's headache.

How far do I have to drive for this deal.

Compared to, press the enter key and in a few days it is at my door, new, unused.

Maybe one day, you are the guy selling it, but you had some fun. (Not all work is work, sometimes it is fun!)

(BTW, I'm at the same frontier, with my furnace/ac system.)

Chuckster in NJ · Apr 20, 2026

mm08822 said:
Money aside, you are enabling yourself to do things on your schedule and "for free".

With the knowledge gained from the cert training, correct tools and curiosity, I say go for it. It's like a science project at the same time......gas laws, absolute zero, etc.

Possibly used equipment could be ok, but I learned that if I look forever, time moves on and how much did I really save with all of my time invested.

There is always the risk of buying someone else's headache.

How far do I have to drive for this deal.

Compared to, press the enter key and in a few days it is at my door, new, unused.

Maybe one day, you are the guy selling it, but you had some fun. (Not all work is work, sometimes it is fun!)

(BTW, I'm at the same frontier, with my furnace/ac system.)

I say "OP should go for it" and here are a few good reasons:

Expensive? YES…….. But so is paying some other shop for AC work.
Education and equipment is expensive but it pays you back in the long run.
You do the job yourself and know it’s done right.
Hobbies are expensive and fun PLUS it can turn into a "cash only income" at early retirement age.
You will gain a lot of "new friends" and make a few bucks.
You do the job when it needs to be done, NOT take it into a shop three weeks from now in 90* temps.

fitter30 · Apr 20, 2026

Also need a reclaim tank. Refrigerate tanks have a built in check valve. Plus never want to mix the two in a factory filled tank if you could.

cgrutt · Apr 20, 2026

fitter30 said:
Also need a reclaim tank. Refrigerate tanks have a built in check valve. Plus never want to mix the two in a factory filled tank if you could.

Yes I know I will also need a reclaim tank but confused about the check valve. Are you talking about factory filled disposable tanks? Makes sense to prevent mixing new and recovered. I want to have the "reclaim tank" double as a "service" tank where I can reuse some or all of the recovered R134A (after filtering with dryer and oil separator) in my own vehicles. Seems that a check valve would prevent that if its on the reclaim tank.

cgrutt · Apr 20, 2026

Chuckster in NJ said:
I say "OP should go for it" and here are a few good reasons:

Expensive? YES…….. But so is paying some other shop for AC work.
Education and equipment is expensive but it pays you back in the long run.
You do the job yourself and know it’s done right.
Hobbies are expensive and fun PLUS it can turn into a "cash only income" at early retirement age.
You will gain a lot of "new friends" and make a few bucks.
You do the job when it needs to be done, NOT take it into a shop three weeks from now in 90* temps.

Do the job yourself and know that its done right has always been very high on my list of personal priorities. I enjoy learning new things and having ability to repair stuff for both myself as well as friends and family. And of course there's the tools... not so much having a collection but more being able to handle projects when I need to. Let's just say have a very strong preference for self reliance.

Chuckster in NJ · Apr 20, 2026

cgrutt said:
Do the job yourself and know that its done right has always been very high on my list of personal priorities. I enjoy learning new things and having ability to repair stuff for both myself as well as friends and family. And of course there's the tools... not so much having a collection but more being able to handle projects when I need to. Let's just say have a very strong preference for self reliance.

Ignore the naysayers!………. Now go and order up all the equipment you may need.

67King · Apr 20, 2026

cgrutt said:
Thanks. Don't see how "good faith compliance with regulations" is possible without using approved equipment specified within such regulations... anyway I understand the prior comment now thanks.

As opposed to deliberately releasing it into the atmosphere.

cgrutt · Apr 20, 2026

67King said:
As opposed to deliberately releasing it into the atmosphere.

Yeah I get it but the reg literally starts with "no recovery without using approved equipment" (paraphrasing) ... just don't think using an empty cylinder to try to recover refrigerant would fly with the EPA. Also don't know if that would actually pull liquid refrigerant and/or compressor oil out of the system. I do understand what you're saying just don't think it would be in compliance with regs.

ETA this is what actual code says (regarding approved equipment)...

§ 82.34 Prohibitions and required practices.

(a) No person repairing or servicing MVACs for consideration, and no person repairing or servicing MVAC-like appliances, may perform any service involving the refrigerant for such MVAC or MVAC-like appliance:

(1) Without properly using equipment approved pursuant to § 82.36;

Here is summary of requirements for MVAC...

67King · Apr 21, 2026

cgrutt said:
Yeah I get it but the reg literally starts with "no recovery without using approved equipment" (paraphrasing) ... just don't think using an empty cylinder to try to recover refrigerant would fly with the EPA. Also don't know if that would actually pull liquid refrigerant and/or compressor oil out of the system. I do understand what you're saying just don't think it would be in compliance with regs.

I understand all of that, and I was not trying to say it would be in perfect, legal de officio compliance. So I apologize for the ambiguity. 99% of people in your position are going to evacuate it to the air, and there is no realistic way for the EPA to police that. I'm saying that using a big empty cylinder is going to recover most of the refrigerant. And it will recover it, the refrigerant won't stay liquid under vacuum, it will evaporate, that's how AC systems work. If you use a large cylinder liek the 25 pound tanks they sell it in, the volume of that tank will be sufficiently larger than the volume of teh system, so it will recover the amount of refrigerant in proportion to the volume difference. In other words, if the tank plus system has 100 cubic units of volume, and that cylinder is 95 units, and the vehicle's system is 5 units, then the tank will recover 95% of the refrigerant.

I'm saying that 95% of the way there is better than 0% of the way there, not that it is perfectly in line with regulations. And again, most DIYers are going to just dump the stuff into the atmosphere. A bit ironically, as pointed out above, most of the time a bad system will have leaked out all of teh refrigerant, anyway.

cgrutt · Apr 21, 2026

Well going down the rabbit hole it seems that the Robinair RG6 recovery machine is not actually approved for MVAC. It does appear to be approved for standard HVAC I'm not sure why not for automobiles I'm thinking maybe because it does not have an integrated oil separator. The Vevor units are not approved either (not sure if they are even approved for standard HVAC).

Now I'm thinking about Mastercool 69110, which is approved for MVAC, comes with a DOT approved recovery cylinder and all the hoses and adapters. I don't think the 69500 Recovery Mate would be needed as the unit includes both oil separator, filter and drier.

Least expensive I found was just over $1k but Amazon has it for about $200 additional, which includes shipping.

Ohmthis · Apr 21, 2026

I say go for it on the recovery machine, no on the recoverymate. A set of gauges and filter will do what you want. Just recover vapor, not liquid. You will end up doing more than 3 jobs once you get the tools and the experience.

cgrutt · Apr 21, 2026

Ohmthis said:
I say go for it on the recovery machine, no on the recoverymate. A set of gauges and filter will do what you want. Just recover vapor, not liquid. You will end up doing more than 3 jobs once you get the tools and the experience.

Don't you have to recover liquid and oil in order to replace parts (i.e, compressor) and evacuate the system to test for leaks and recharge. Also to recharge with correct amount of refrigerant and oil once repairs are made? Wouldn't any remaining liquid gas off when system is exposed to atmosphere? Believe these recovery machines have setting to pull the liquids out first and then the remaining gas. I'm new to this so please forgive if they are stupid questions. Thanks.

Ohmthis · Apr 21, 2026

I reclaim in vapor mode. The liquid in the system will gas off. It takes longer this way though. Once the compressor is removed, dump out the oil in a measuring cup. You can compare that to what the system requirements are. I’ve not had issues doing it this way. I always purge the system with nitrogen and collect any remaining oil. Change the needed components and pressure test before pulling a vacuum and recharging to the weight on the nameplate.

Ohmthis · Apr 21, 2026

99% of my experience is in the residential side the the trade. This is how I was taught so take that into consideration. I’ve seen people vent what was in a system, replace the compressor, add “some” oil, pull a short vacuum, and charge. This was an acquaintance that flipped cars. It’s not what I call right or good, but hey.

BurtEggley · Apr 21, 2026

you cannot use the older atmosphere vented vacuum pumps on an AC system unless the lines are purged already of refrigerant because it would release refrigerant into the atmosphere. Most of the ones certified now are designed to connect to a reclaim tank. You basically reclaim the gas, fix the system, pull a vacuum again, and then measure the refrigerant that is going back into the repaired system, using your gauges to monitor the pressures and subcooling / superheat. Some newer AC systems are charged by weight. I thought that is what you were using on your system to pull a vacuum. Some are even called reclaim pumps instead of vacuum pumps.

dcg9381 · Apr 21, 2026

So, dumb question. If you get a re-capture system, is there a "recycle" system or some other actually environmentally friendly way to dispose of the captured refrigerant? Where do you take it and what does it cost?

cgrutt · Apr 21, 2026

dcg9381 said:
So, dumb question. If you get a re-capture system, is there a "recycle" system or some other actually environmentally friendly way to dispose of the captured refrigerant? Where do you take it and what does it cost?

I'm just learning so take it for what its worth but as I understand it there are three levels recovered, recycled and reclaimed. Recovered is simply pulling whatever is in system and putting it in a storage cylinder. This will potentially be contaminated with oils, acids and/or uncompressibles (e.g.. moisture). Recovered cannot be reused until its recycled or reclaimed. Recycled uses oil separation, filter and drier. Refrigerant that goes into storage cylinder is theoretically clean, dry oil and acid free (within limits) and can be reused within vehicles owned by same person or sold to a recycler for additional processing. The third level reclaimed is done by professional recyclers using expensive equipment and extensive testing and can be resold "as new". What I want.to do is purchase equipment needed for recycle level and reuse some or all within my own vehicles. Recovered or recycled refrigerant may have some residual value or can be dropped off at commercial or government recycle centers. This is basically what I understand from the 609 course and could be wrong.

Ohmthis · Apr 21, 2026

dcg9381 said:
So, dumb question. If you get a re-capture system, is there a "recycle" system or some other actually environmentally friendly way to dispose of the captured refrigerant? Where do you take it and what does it cost?

It’s dependent on the condition of the refrigerant and if is contaminated like said. If what I recover is trash (there are ways to test it) it goes to the supply house where they exchange my recovery tank and the refrigerant is then taken and recycled. I’m not sure what they do, but most of the big chemical companies do it. I’m not sure if it is ever sent overseas for this process.

mm08822 · Apr 21, 2026

I think you hand over your tank filled with whatever condition of freon you have and get a random empty tank back.

Not sure how clean or quality of tank received. (***** if you have a new tank.)
I suggest you call a recycler and ask.

kbeefy · Apr 21, 2026

I have a much more expensive Robinair recovery/recycling machine (with MAC badges) and love it.
If I was purchasing now, theres no way I would buy it for the stuff I do. But it's super cool to have.

Being able to recover/reclaim refrigerant before a job and then recharge it is awesome. Also, I recharge alot of the locals farm equipment.

Mines a couple models above this one, couldn't find a pic....

Screenshot 2026-04-21 at 18-42-22 Premier R-134A Refrigerant Recovery Recycling and Recharging...png

BurtEggley · Apr 22, 2026

just for giggles, there is a guy near here who charges a $50 labor fee to charge an automotive system. You provide the refrigerant, or buy his.

One option that is available to most here, is get your 609 cert online so you can legally buy the tanks of refrigerant, then have someone local purge, evacuate and charge the system using your own refrigerant. It may be less that buying the equipment. Depends on how many time you will use it in your life. I got my first equipment when I was about 32 or 33. I am 75 now. Used it about a half dozen times in the first 30 years or so, then got rid of it because EPA standards changed. It is easier to pay someone to use their recovery and charging system than to buy, store and maintain a system. At least that is how it worked out for me. I still keep my gauges etc in case something needs a small top off. I don't need a recovery system to top off one of my cars. Just learn how to use the pressure charts, subcooling, and superheat. You only need to recovery if you are pulling the system all the way down to open it up. You don't even need a recovery system if someone else recovers the refrigerant, and you are only going to charge it when you are done. You just can't do anything that releases the refrigerant into the air.

racecougar · Apr 22, 2026

BurtEggley said:
you cannot use the older atmosphere vented vacuum pumps on an AC system unless the lines are purged already of refrigerant because it would release refrigerant into the atmosphere.

A lot of folks do just that. Is it the right thing to do? No, but it is very common practice.

Thinking about buying an AC recovery machine

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