I put on a new AC compressor, so I had to discharge the entire system. I know the proper way to recharge is to pull a vacuum and use gauges to assess pressure while adding, but can it be done on the cheap by just adding refrigerant? The compressor doesn't come on, and it appears refrigerant won't go in without the compressor running. Some jump the terminals to activate the AC clutch, but I don't want to inadvertently fry the system. The system should be relatively free of contaminants, as the clutch bearing was the issue with the previous compressor. Is there a way to add refrigerant in a completely depleted system?

 

you don't charge by pressure, you charge by weight, and if the compressor exploded you must replace the condenser

 

recharge.....or charge? big diffy

 

[QUOTE=holmesnmanny;51673635]you don't charge by pressure, you charge by weight, and if the compressor exploded you must replace the condenser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdq8JAlct6s[/QUOTE] The clutch bearing was going out - the compressor itself was still good. I wrecked the old compressor when I tried to remove the clutch pulley. Can you introduce refrigerant to the system without the compressor engaged? I don't have access to a vacuum pump or gauges.

Thanks for the video reference.

 

Charge - the system was disconnected and totally discharged.

 

[QUOTE=Zebra;51674978]you turn the ac on and the clutch will turn on when you get a minimum amount of refrigerant in the system

but, again, you charge by weight so use a scale just like he does in the video

 

Recharge? Sure. Charge? No. You need to pull a vacuum on the system no matter what. It will not turn on unless you have a 'static' charge of refrigerant to trip the low pressure cutoff, which is usually 3-5 ounces in these systems (enough to condense into a liquid). That static charge will not draw in unless the system is under a vacuum. The oil is also carried by the refrigerant. If you choose to jump the compressor without refrigerant you may cause several hundred dollars in damage to your car or A/C unit.

If you somehow get a refrigerant charge in without a vacuum, you will now have mixed it with a bunch of air and moisture, which will then add its total atmospheric pressure on top of the refrigerant's static pressure (rendering your system basically useless) and it will not run properly. Moisture also slowly turns most PAG oils into an acid, which will slowly destroy the system from the inside. When mixed in a closed system like this, air adds its total pressure on top of the refrigerant (creating unrealistic pressures across the board), and not entirely proportionate to the amount of them in the system. Once again, it's mission-critical to pull a vacuum in a closed A/C system. It's so retarded I honestly don't have something else to compare it to. A/C units need a vacuum or they don't work... Plain and simple.

TLDR; You need a set of manifold gauges and a vacuum pump, or take it to a shop. Your pick.

 

yes, definitely make sure to pull a vacuum for atleast an hour prior to charging

i was under the impression you knew to do this first as is demonstrated in the video

 

Thanks - there obviously is no short cut, as implied in some of the YouTube videoes.

 

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and in your original post where you asked about going at it the "cheap" way.

 

Less expensive, if still efficient.