Harbor Freight Vacuum Pump Torture Test

HVAC Shop Talk is a TH-cam channel that celebrates the guys and girls in the skilled Trades - especially HVAC. In this video I torture test the Pittsburg vacuum pump I purchased from Harbor Freight.
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[@23x31]

What made you think the tubing immersed in water wouldn't be sucked into the pump?

[@FisherCatProductions]

I assume you are addressing an "experienced non-professional" audience in this vid. Any pump that pulls 500 microns will degass an AC system. Two-hundred mics will do an excellent job, quicker. Unless you are doing volume work, what is there to complain about with this pump?

[@carmichael6483]

That’s a very clean pump. Mine was all full of gunk. I ran it through a sonic cleaner and still not as nice as yours but work good enough for what I use it for.

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Thanks Zack !

[@heavydiesel]

You can clean the internals out by carefully sucking some oil through the pump, fill the oil can cap up with oil and slowly let the pump suck it in through the intake port a few times.

[@HVACShopTalk]

Thank you for the tip

[@dougr3715]

Mine removed a little moisture from R134a, but the third time I used it, it exhausted the it’s own pump oil down to the low level
And no moisture!

[@davidgearardo1788]

for automotive that has more than adequate capabilities, in a pinch on a small residential unit maybe but i’d stick to auto AC systems with it, very impressed with the run time and temp though

[@georgewelker853]

I think it’s fun that he just did that entire review in a yellow jacket shirt 😂😂

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Thanks for sharing

[@hascrack3783]

Any thoughts on their 3cfm 2 stage?

[@DJV94022]

Best

[@1marcelfilms]

experiment : Regenerate the oil by pulling a vacuum on it

[@georgewelker853]

I’d like to see how/if that works

[@ShopJock]

Looks like a better construction that the cheap robinaire pumps we had about 5yrs ago. Those had some janky plastic reeds in them

[@HVACShopTalk]

That’s some cool information, thank you. Lil pump seems to do OK as long as you don’t have any unreal expectations.

[@danielfandrade4084]

Interesting video, which other vacuum pumps do you recommend for a few dollars more?

[@HVACShopTalk]

Try this video - Best HVAC/R Vacuum Pump Under $400
th-cam.com/video/O4IIAz89Nk4/w-d-xo.html

[@pablogaviria9265]

NAVAC Cordless

[@waggtech4883]

Apion. Those cordless toys aren’t made for anything over 5 tons or a wet system repair. They’d be a cool little toy for residential installs…

[@dennisnoone7427]

I ll stick my yj and jb pump as a back up, probably need more running hours to see how long it will last, when is a giveaway for that vacuum pump?

[@HVACShopTalk]

I think I’m gonna keep this one around.

[@robertosalazarjr1205]

While considering you beat it up... I think it might work just fine for me

[@twatson6252]

Some harbor freight stuff is a lot better than expected,

[@HVACShopTalk]

I agree

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

I have the same pump - it sat for several years and when i went to turn it on it just hummed (forgot the words? 🤔)
After flipping the switch a couple times it came on but no longer draws a full 29 - only gets up to 25. I thought years of sitting rusted the piston rings. Obviously not, it has no piston, lol.
Could it just be the oil went bad?
Thanks for the video 🙂👍🏻

[@MicRuLerZ]

The oil absorbs moisture over time and is supposed to be changed before use if it's been more than a month or so as the moisture in the oil affects vacuum ability and lubrication of the pump

[@kangaroogod]

Hope you bought the extended warranty

[@zacktalksshopbside]

Hey buddy, I am an inside track club member! They bow before me when I enter.

[@stephwaylonwells3218]

👍

[@harrydickson4575]

👍👍👍

[@claycoates5056]

It is Slow but it has Worked for me there is a problem with the Cheep oil After all is that not what makes it work i only use my pump a few times a year and i have had NO problems but that is my experience and they are CHEEP pumps

[@brandonborling4730]

500microns is fine to pull a vaccum