Air Conditioner service port installation on sealed systems 

You Can Find The Bullet Valve Here On Amazon amzn.to/2maNu3R I show you how to install a service port on a closed air conditioner unit. You can use these bullet piercing valves on refrigerators and home ac units that are sealed off from the factory. You wanna make sure you install it on the low side Suction side. I perform this task on an old r22 rv roof top ac unit. If you need items to perform this task you can find them here amzn.to/2aik2mu for the basic and simple 134a or you can get the gauges, 30lb tank and valve here 30lb tank amzn.to/29VSBv3 gauges amzn.to/2aiksti valve amzn.to/2a8flLH tank adapter for the gauge hose amzn.to/2a5JV5R Check them out, It will give you a great idea on what to get or add to your wish list. Warning read all instructions before installation. This video is just a tutorial on how i do things. If you attempt to do this service on your own, I assume no liability. If you do not feel comfortable doing this task than you should seek a professional to perform this task. I have to write this because of the sue happy world we live in today.

You just saved me $600 bucks in having to buy a new rv AC. Thank you

Thank you for the compliment, I am glad it helped out. I wish you great luck in your career venture. Thanks for watching.

Aside from the difficulty of determining which of the two pipes to pierce, this went really well. I wish you didn't have to use an entire can of coolant, though. It turned out that our AC was only down a little bit -- maybe a quarter to a third of a can -- but because there is no valve on the can, you use an entire can of the very expensive and soon-to-be-impossible-to-obtain R22 coolant.

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching.

Happy to know that the piercing valves are available, I did not know they existed, thanks for the nice video

Awesome! I'm getting ready to try and repair a Haier Kegerator that had the evaporator break. Mainly I was trying to figure out how the hell to fill it once I was able to braise the new evaporator in! This looks easy! Hopefully I can carry the kegerator to someone licensed to charge it once I get this port installed.

I like the man who is filming clearly

thanks for this viedo :) I need to get into domestic refrigerators and have this in my shop and just finished hvac trade school so they didnt show us much on domestic repair thanks

Thank you very much for this video, best explanation about this valve, its fun to read all the haters that refer to this as "privileged info" like it is about nuclear device assembly or something...

You, good sir, just gave me a huge smile knowing there's hope to fix my old RV AC! Now to source R22...?

I purchased 2 danby A/C one was 8000btu the other a 7000btu the reason my then apartment is designed like the letter L if this makes sense. I placed one in the rear of the apt. and the second in the front of the apartment, Gosh it was COLD in my place ( hehe ) had these two guys for over 22 years and zero problem. worked great. now I moved in to a multi-floor condo and thought it was a great idea to purchase a single 12000btu to service the main floor, the lower level was always cool so one A/C would be fine, I purchased the same brand ac because they both work great for 22 years. Now I have this Danby 12000BTU DAC120EB4GDB Purchased in May 2015 worked like a charm the first year, our weather here is hot for like 4 months so lets say the AC worked for 4 months, then placed on the floor till June 2016. We froze for about a month, darn thing really blew freezing cold air, And I loved it. Then we came into some really hot weather, 40C and we were sweating bullets. The AC blew cool - not cold air - but cool air The fan works fine the compressor kicks in and off but no C O L D air - only cool at best I called Danby and they told me my warranty expired in May 2016 as it carries a 1 year warranty. Funny how they timed it huh. So now here we are sweating like pigs, my 450.00$ investment gone. I am thinking there is a Freon leak, which I have no idea were it is. So if i was to recharge my AC with freon chances are, it will spew out, I would first have to locate the leak, block the leak, then refill it / recharge it. Why don;t these A/C makers put a service port? ( so they make money when we are forced to buy a Bullet thing a ma juggie ) Danby has lost me as a client forever I can only suggest you all do the same, maybe they will get the hint. Maybe someone at Danby has his necktie too tight, ya think?

Thanks for the reply! I figured it was probably the wrong oil, but i figured it was worth a shot just in case. I just threw them out (which I would have had to do anyway). It is irritating that they seal those systems at the factory.

Why would I use this? Here is why. I bought a used, portable, 12000, btu, AC system (amcor?) about 5 years ago for $50. It ran great until last year when the compressor would switch on/off. This year it won't switch on at all due to low refrigerant (R-22). I bought the r-22 and hose ($25) to repair, only to find out afterwards that there is no port. No mention of this in the manual or unit. A new unit is about $400. I challenge anyone to find an AC service tech to repair this for less than the cost of a new unit, or at least close. Even if you do, it would still cost more than this 5 year old unit is worth. At the same time, the new units are made with lower quality components. So, is it woth the small investment to give it a shot? YOU BET! It's better than sending it to the landfill, right? I am all for supporting union workers. But, at some point, you must be realistic. Calling an AC tech to repair a $50 unit is completely F'in retarded.

Just came Across this video.. I will be trying soon. Thanks.

When you put the gas on, does the a / c have to be turned on or off? And the screw that pierces the copper leave it closed or open?

Question? Can I use the kits like you get at Auto Zone that are made for automotive, to recharge my window unit? It would be much cheaper than buying all the gauges etc, just to recharge a window AC unit, where as the auto Zone kit is about $20. Great video,,

Awesome video, one of a kind. Both my roof top AC units, on my 1978 GMC Royale, have gone down, blows cold for a while then warm. Question: Are new coolants going to be comparable with my old units? Thanks for taking the time to share. Greatly appreciated. ☺

Thanks for uploading

Thank you for loading up this video. Maine question where can I buy that kit my motorhome is a 1969 both of the units work but no no cold AC

I found a multi pack of the 12oz cans on amazon. I'll use the rest between me & the family. In the manual it says how much.

Hi ,great vid ,can you tell me what the thread is on the connector ,i have to hand a car type push on gas tube and dial which will fit the gas can but i need to buy a converter with a crew on part to fit the valve but a push on connector for the hose ,thanks

How much refrigerant do you install? I saw another video that suggested going just above equilibrium - is that what you did?

No problem, Anytime.

Thank you for sharing this! Game changer.

*We're very happy with the unit. Pretty Easy to instal **Fastly.Cool** too.*

Hello, new subscriber here... quick question. Do you open the valve when recharging with refrigerant? Thanks

Any idea where I can find info on low side psi for coleman mach 3 15k unit that uses r22? Label shows weight. But I don't see any pressures or relative pressure @ °

Really happy to see how to install a bullet valve to charge my RV AC. What adapters/connectors I would need (I do have an automotive charge gauge) to add 410 coolant? Thank you in advance for your help.

Thank you. Much needed.

Thank you so much, got it !

I have 3 lines coming out of the compressor plus a high and low service stub. Problem is there's no instruction on which line is which to attach the service port to since they are not marked. low side or high? I use the low in my car. And how do you identify the low side? Warm line? Cool line? Or does it make any difference?

How do you know which tube to pierce? And did you say you used a wire brush and break cleaner?

I’ll be using these for a compressor replacement on a wall mounted, cooling only unit, that has a shorted windings. I need it because the existing system doesn’t have service ports.. I’ll use one to recover the refrigerant, then I’ll install a low side service port, and a high side service port.

Question. that which you are installing, (the Port pierce kit) dose that fit most AC piping? and if so what size dose the Pierce kit fit? is it like universal? how do you determine which is the low pressure pipe? First time here. 6000 BTU TCL window unit only had it 3 years. Just do not want to trash it.

was wondering if you would know where to install the saddle valve on a vending machine. I already purchased the valve and it uses 134a refrigerant, I was just wondering where do i install the valve on the lines. If you could help that would be great, been searching but no clear answer was available. Thanks again....

I agree.

Does it matter where you place the valve on the copper tube

thanks for this great info....

Good question. I install it on the thicker line from the evaporator. That is your low side ( suction side) the thinner line is typically your high side. The evaporator is on the inside of the unit and the condenser is on the outside of the unit. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

how do you no wich line to put it on?

Hello I have a 2016 Creekside 27 BHS travel trailer not blowing cold I'm going to try this method I really appreciate this video bro literally saved the summer only wants to know are they labeled low and high side to tap into?

do you have a part number and where do I buy this valve ?

I always add hvac and plumbers blue tru blu goop so it never leaks and it resists 1,200 heat and freezing temps

How much does a job like this cost? Interested to know if it's worth fixing or just buying a new one.

Tks for video.what freon should I use in a 2000 coleman popup?

so do you keep it pierced while you charge or do you have to back the screw out??thank you i just ordered everything.

Thank you Mr. Handyman. I have a question. I also have a roof top A/C RV unit that uses R22. Can I convert the unit to run on R134A? and if so, what do I need to do to convert it?

Do you put it on the small tub or the big tub??

Ive read several comments about how these taps leak..so i will share a remedy for this with you.. i follow the same procedure as prescribed in this video..but i use a brass tap instead of aluminum..remove gasket material from tap body..sand/brush both curved sides of tap body..remove the piercing screw and o-ring..rub some soap or plumbers grease on a screw that matches the threads of the tap screw (i use a grade 8 allen head)..screw it into where the piercing screw goes until its flush with the inside of the tap..doing this gives you a good chance of keeping the solder out of the tap screw threads..brush some acid flux on the curved part of the tap body and a little where you scored the copper..install tap..do not completely tighten tap..use your mapp/acetylene torch preferably a tip for 1' or larger..you want to solder the tap to the copper quickly with as little heat soak as possible..best way is to concentrate most of the heat on the tap body..once soldered let cool about a minute..remove allen screw install o-ring and tap screw.. now i take a extra step..i clean the tap screw and threads in the tap housing with a non residue cleaner like brake cleaner..once its dry i use permatex ultra gray on the tap screw..run the screw in till it taps then back it out..once that gray dries you now have a leak proof permanent charge port without having to evacuate the system :)

nice and simple

Love it straight to it

As a practical matter Piercing valves may or may not leak with time. That is why most folks say to braze on a valve. HVAC book from 50 years ago mention this. Even if one brazes on a leak proof valve there is often another leak because one is already low on freon. Thus a can of freon can be all gone in a year, a month or a week or a day! That said sometimes the piercing units seal well and the once legal topping off of freon would last 5 to 10 years; and the dumb R22 15oz can was 1 to 1.5 bucks and the entire AC unit was 200 bucks . Yea R12 cans were 50 to 75 cents and one could power a BB machine gun and have fun. Today with a window AC unit here with R22 no local service places will repair them thus often the units get replaced. Thus one adds a piercing valve and a tad of R22 and one tries to find the leak with a freon heated diode type sniffer, or worse the messy UV dye stuff. If the leak is an easy to get to spot a local shop might attempt a fix for a few hundred bucks of one tries to rebraze the poor joint. The real fact of the matter is with an old R22 Window unit here *all* the local HVAC folks would not even touch one after Katrina 10 years ago since they all were saturated. 15 years ago a few would work on them but the fix often only lasted a year. Thus here I place piercing valves on my R22 units after a leak to allow a tad of freon and N2 to be added so as to find the leak and see if the leak can be fixed, or the unit scrapped. These Piercing valves have been around along time. They were patented in 1956, 1961, 1966 etc. Patent 3198206 : www.google.com/patents/US3198206 "This valve, or at least a part thereof, must be left in the line after the recharging operation has been completed in order to SEAL THE LINE. It, therefore, becomes important that the cost of the valve portion which becomes a part of the refrigeration line be kept as cheap as possible. Of even more importance is the fact that the valve should present no opportunity for the introduction of metal chips or foreign matter between the sealing elements or into the closed refrigeration system which might prevent proper sealing and loss of the refrigerant or which might measurably increase wear on the sealed and lubricated bearing surfaces within the refrigeration system, the prevention of which would require the incorporation of a cumbersome straining device. " To add a brazed on valve PROPERLY is not so quick and easy. The entire freon has to be removed and one has to blow dry Nitrogen through the pipes so the brazing process does not oxidize the insides of the copper freon lines. Then one has to pull a vacuum and add back the proper amount of freon. Piercing valves doe sometimes leak thus all that expensive freon gets leaked out and the repair was thus short lived and wastefull Thus even if one has an EPA license like me the piercing valve can still leak. In a possible repair many of us use a piercing valve to find a leak, then the leak gets fixes then we add a brazed on valve. There is no reason to waste labor on unit that might be scrapped.

I'm going to be installing a bullet valve on my 2013 camper ac. I plan on buying a can of ac pro. any chance I could overcharge it? can I just follow same directions on bottle even if it's not for an auto? thanks!

My old 1994 Coleman ac looks just like the one in your video. It blows cool air, not cold. How do you know how much freon to add if just topping it off? Im assuming it is R22 but the label is so faded out I can't read it. Also, my fan motor bushings are going bad. Sometimes screaching or siezing up. Oiling is no longer doing much good. This fan motor has 5 wires plus the ground. All new motors i have found only have 4 wires, plus the ground. Do you know if this new motor will work and if so, how to wire it with one less wire. The only difference is the old motor has 2 brown wires, new motor only has 1 brown. Can't afford a new AC and summer is just around the corner. I live in my rv and it gets hot in Texas. If its 100 outside it's 90 inside with ac full blast and that's also with a 5000 btu window unit going in the bedroom of my 38ft 5th wheel. Any help would be much appreciated from you or anyone reading this comment!! It also would be nice to find a video of someone actually recharging an RV AC unit. Been looking, haven't seen one yet. Thanks

Thanks for the Video, I like the Music

Dude you rock bro thanks!

Why can't I find a filler hose that fits both the can of coolant AND the bullet valve?

I may have missed it but it appears you have determined the top line on the compressor is the suction line and that's why you're installing the valve on that line. Is that correct?

This is an interesting video. I was reading some of the comments, and noted that it seems that those with an interest in maintaining the status quot of keeping the common man in the dark about this are all advising that only professionals be allowed to work on any of these H VAC systems. The manufacturers are all labeling their units with that same advice. And then I see that at least one guy posting comments here is saying the coolants used are restricted? And why then do they sell those coolants in the auto parts and department stores pray tell if that is true? The answer is, and I asked H VAC professionals about this, the only restricted coolant is the one(s) that have Freon in them. So that guy that calls himself a professional and says he teaches this is either lying, or extremely misinformed! My reason for checking this video out is because like most folks in this country, my family cannot afford the extremely high cost of hiring a professional to do a job that may or may not be a quality one. I've seen guys in the profession do intentional shoddy work, so they could keep getting the call back to do more shoddy work. Those guys were rip off artists, running a con on unsuspecting customers. I'm not saying all H VAC professionals are like that, but enough of them are to warrant caution, and to make necessary the DIY way of doing things. If they want to keep the profession working, then they certainly need to police their ranks, and cull out the bad apples among them. Even then they do not have the right to say DO-It-Yourselfers should leave it to them. They all practically charge high enough prices to break the bank accounts of most folks. I could name other professions where this is true as well, and the thing is, these guys are not doing anything that is really hard to learn, unless they are building the units themselves, and in most cases they aren't. As I said, not all professionals are con artists. I have several of them as friends, and here is what they have told me: Yes they want to make the money, but they realize most cannot pay their price. If someone is competent enough to learn and know what they are doing, professionally or not, they say it is a good way to save money. They also say that in their experience, most of what they learn about any given problem unit is nothing more than an maintenance issue that any person of average intelligence can easily learn to do, including pressure checks, and recharging a system. I was told by other professionals that a closed system could not be recharged or pressure checked, yet I learned today that one only needs to install a good valve or two to make such systems work like open ones, allowing such checks and recharges. And this can be done by the average joe in a way that actually works well! Thank you handy man!

How well does these valve seal after it pierce the pipe? I have a cooler unit that has a bad valve, we end up striping the screw.

do you back off the piercing screw after you pierce the pipe ?

My RV Roof AC was purchased about 4 years ago. Is it going to be R22 or R134? Also is recharging this type of unit something that I should attempt? I have recharged automobile units before. Also is it necessary to put a vacuum on the system before recharging?

How many cans of oil does the Rv roof top require

There is always one of you judgmental, ignorant guys out there. Do you know when you swear in a conversation shows your ignorance, so you are just making yourself look bad. Regardless I ll humor you. Yes, I did it all by myself. Also if you read the title, it is a sealed system, meaning they filled it up at the factory and pinched it off, thus leaving no services port so people like you throw the system away and buy a new one. Thanks for watching, you angry person.

Can this be used with R410a? My low side pressure rating is 236

Not true. 1. Most newer AC units use R410a refrigerant which they do not use in automotive applications, in which you can buy without a license. 2. Make sure you know what refrigerant is in your unit before you add any, most older units are R22 in which you do need a license to purchase. ( Mixing refrigerant harmful to the unit and also illegal) . They do sell a drop in replacement for r22 systems, but the whole system has to be evacuated and refilled with the new refrigerant.

Edit: Besides, even if you install one, you can remove it later & install a proper service port. IMO, it's better then letting it vent into the air.

Will this work for a portable ac? Also, is it the copper tube coming out the coil? Can you show a vid on how to add the freon? And I understand it should be 22?

Good👍..my air conditioner work 10 mint cool and compresor stop and work again..is this sign of need gas or not..thanx alot..

I will make a video on how to identify what kind of refrigerant an AC unit holds. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.

Thank you 👍🏻

Don't these usually leak at some point?

How do you determine the low suction side? No one seems to explain this one important step. Will the pipe be labeled "Low suction side" or something similar?

Will this work to recharge a portable ac unit?

Thanks for the comment and Thanks for watching

Really does this work and for how long

The last time a "professional" successfully repaired an AC for me was 1977 on my 66 Galaxy hotrod. An old man that ran the gas station hooked a can of r12 to it and we had a couple shots of Kesslers from the pint he carried in his toolbox while it some how went in. Worked great for several years til I sold the car. Since then I 've had a dozen episodes of "trained technicians" with their fancy cart and gauges and recovery systems work on ACs and the only thing they ever accomplished was drain my bank account and get my hopes up.Compressors, evaporators, condensers, driers, high side, low side, r12, r22, r134 etc etc. One would think with all this vast training and equipment that one of these "experts" would have successfully repaired my AC unit. Nope. Not once. Nada. Zilch. For a little while, maybe a couple weeks at best. The mystical art of AC repair may as well be alongside tarot cards and reading chicken bones. Sure, there must be competent techs out there. I just have never dealt with one except for drunken Andy at the gas station 40 years ago. I have a Coleman Mach RV unit that I know damn well needs a charge of r22 and I am sure as hell going to do it myself. Might do it again in 3 years if I have to. Works fine, just blows 60 degree air when I want 45. The only reason these units are sealed is the (&%#@*#} EPA and the hippies who believe the hype they spew.

Do hardware stores sell this piece or do you have to order it online? Thank you

Video doesn't show which GD Copper tube to place this valve on. Too close. Do I place it on one of the tubes going to the large compressor or one of the other 3 copper tubes?

Before the compressor or after the compressor? Unclear of which it is?

so you used 134a to charge it and how much did you add

Where do you get the cans yo recharge it? All the ones I find are the ones that you push on...j cant find the ones that you screw the hose onto it to recharge the unit.

WOW.. Thanks to this video... Everyone told me itrs hard to recharge an RV AC and i was nervous to do it myself. I have a thermo duo that uses R22. Please where can one buy this bullet piercing device? How can you seal it after fill"? Thanks Handyman.

What side of the compressor your installing that charging port!? Low or Hi side or don't matter!?

Do u leave that pierce bullet on there or do u removed it

Does it matter if I put it on the high pressure or low pressure? Someone said I have to pierce both lines and check pressure on both lines.

On my ac the tubes coming from the compressor are both the same size. When touching, one is hot and one is cold. Which one should I tap?

do you leave the bullet pierce valve there permanently?

My AC unit says it needs R22 which is no longer available so can I use our R134?

dam this really helps thanks

Thanks for watching.

I have a newer (2021) model GE rooftop unit that seems to be low on refrigerant. But I cannot figure out what type of coolant it uses. Any help? TIA.

there's any way of distinguish the low compression line from the hi compression one? to make sure I pierce the right line

Great music on intro...

What he doesn't tell you is that those piercing valves leak not long after installing... I've been told this by 2 hvac guys and I just noticed another guy posted the same thing here. So, go ahead and use them but plan on a huge expense of refilling with R22 every year.

is there a schrader inside this piercing valve?

Do you know how much pressure do I have to put on the AC off gas Because I don’t want that to blow up

Where can I buy the saddle valve for my ac unit?

Does anyone have any long-term experience with these valves? Say, 5+ years? I’m a little skeptical about that rubber seal. As I know that all rubber (Even silicone), has microscopic pores in it, which lets gasses pass through over time.