Refrigerant Regassing – Training and Tools

Hi All

I have been thinking for a while that I could do with becoming trained/qualified in re gassing refrigerant systems, the rules as I understand it (please correct me if I am wrong) are as follows:

• R600a – no formal qualification required but suitable training is advisable.
• R134a (and other refrigerants excluding R600a) – F Gas qualification (City and Guilds 2079 – preferably cat 1) required.

Does anyone have any good recommendations/experience of who does/could provide the required training that is based close to the south coast? (I am based on the Isle of Wight).

I am also looking at what sort of tools/equipment I would need to get (trying to plan and budget ahead of actually buying), I find myself repairing the electrical side of lots of systems (domestic and commercial) with all the different gases so would like the tools to be suitable for the widest range possible – I know that I may need different gauges for the different gases but is everything else basically compatible after that? is the basic list below correct?

• Manifold gauge set(s) – one for R134a etc and one for R600a
• Charging hoses
• Vacuum pump
• Vacuum Gauge
• Recovery Unit

Does anyone have good recommendations for what kit would work for me? I would probably aim to start with working on R600a units and progress later to the other stuff.

Initially I am looking to get a vacuum pump as I intend to use it for a couple of things outside of work (degassing resins and checking that my car AC system is now leak free [its been open for a little while as some kind person clonked the front end and broke the hose so there is no refrigerant left in it]), The aim would be to get a pump with the main purpose/criteria of it being for work purposes with everything else being a secondary consideration – any advice on what sort of sizing etc I should be aiming for.

Thank you

Jem