Best air conditioning diagnostic equipment according to redditors

any specific questions I can help with? I'm not sure what happened to that photo set. The honest value was just in seeing all the different sides for understanding assembly. BUT assembly is pretty easy when you see the parts in front of ya.

I would recommend buying hoses from discount hydraulic. Use FJX-06-06 for 3/8 female JIC on your hose.

On your system, use a 3/8 FNPT tee, and put a gauge (will need bushings to adapt size), and a 3/8 NPT valve with a NPT/JIC fitting.
I would consider using an 8in or 10 inch collection chamber. Couple that with a "shatter platter" for ease of collection.

You can get custom lids from Glacier tanks these days Ensure that yours has the fittings you need, and a central dip tube

6"

8"

10" with sight glass for extra funsies

For recovery manifold, I would do something similar to the MKIII design, although I only have a gauge and recovery port (pull vac from the same place) on mine. Simple is best.

For general quality stainless fittings: www.stainlesssteelfittings.com (also carry compression fittings)

I vomited a bunch of information. Let me know if there's some basic stuff I can point you in the direction of.

And check out the WIKI. it's a work in progress, so definitely ask questions.

Not something easily done DIY if you haven't done it before. You would need a manifold gauge and know how to use it. If he is quoting 3lbs refrigerant as part of the coil replacement chances are it's low. Replacing the coil shouldn't require any additional refrigerant as the existing stuff would be vacuumed out before the coil was removed and pumped back after it was replaced.

Definitely call another company and get their opinion.

Self-wrencher here. AFAIK, the belt tensioner moving is normal. The angry noise you hear is your A/C compressor turning on (specifically, the clutch engaging so the internals actually spin). That's normal, although the cycle times are off.

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Your A/C system is supposed to function like that, it'll have a drop in pressure when the A/C compressor is engaged as it pulls the freon through the system (so the low side drops, and the high side rises). The trick is balancing it all- Putting enough freon in so that there is still enough pressure when it's running (as too low of a pressure will cause the unit to stop running), but also not overfilling it to the point where either the low or high sides get too pressurized and pop a seal (or compressor).

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If you're using one of those cheap gauges mounted on top of a can, you're going to have off-readings. They're ok for most things, but I'd recommend one of the fancier full kits (the one with the vacuum is optional) so you can see the pressure independent of the can (and also measure the high side pressure as well).

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Worst case, just replace the tensioner & pulley if you think it's a problem (they're like $30 bucks and a ratchet pull followed by a bolt to remove/replace).

This may not be the best, or up to daily use/abuse, but there are options for the DIY'er that will work without breaking the bank:
F2C 3.5CFM 1/4HP HVAC Air Vacuum Pump Kit with/AC Refrigeration Gauge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AAB2YCU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZtfCCbHQZW53H