YTFSA A/C Retrofit Valve Kit, BPV31 Bullet Piercing Tap Valve Line Tap Valve Kit, R12 to R134a Conversion Kit with Dust Cap, A/C Recharge Kit for HVAC Refrigerant System R12 R22 R502 R134A

I had ordered this with the intent to use it as soon as it arrived, but circumstances changed. I changed out a window A/C unit a few weeks ago because it was several years old and had lost enough of it's refrigerant charge that it wasn't cooling effectively. I had set it on the curb with a sign on it for anyone wanting to either take it for scrap or take it to recharge and put back in service since it was working fine otherwise and was one of the nicer models with a digital readout/remote etc.There were no takers after a day so I decided I'd just install one of these saddle valves on it and save it as the backup unit for when one of my two in-service window units went kaput. Within five minutes of ordering this my wife told me the neighbor had taken the window unit.Anyway, my dad ran a heat and air business since 1972 and I used my HVAC tech training and certification to segway into other career paths, but prior to doing so I installed a lot of these saddle valves. If you aren't familiar with them, this style of valve almost always leaks. Generally slowly, like aeroquip fittings (aka screw-on) on the pressure lines of, say, through the wall mini split units installed a lot these days. They're fine for keeping otherwise working sealed-from-the-factory systems, like window A/Cs or larger through the wall package units, in service when they develop their own leaks, but you'll probably need to plan on recharging them once every year or two once one of these go on. They make a saddle valve that can be brazed on as well that would be a better option for units that are not easily serviceable.This kit is every bit as good as any I've ever gotten from an HVAC supply store. It comes with a valve core tool, which is a nice plus, and a metal valve cap with an o-ring inside it. Of course it has the required small allen wrench to fasten the valve in place and to operate the line piercing mechanism. There is a plump o-ring inside the valve where it punctures the line. It comes with two shims to allow it to work on 3/8, 5/16 or 1/4" lines. Finally, it has an adapter to convert the standard screw-on service port to a r-134a fitting port.It's a pretty great all-in-one kit for your sealed A/C system rescue needs.

This worked to put a new low side port on my 97 Audi A8. A better option than filling through an adapter on the high side and forcing compressor on.

If you want to reload the refrigerant in your fridge this is the kit you need to do it safely. Once you use it you will need to leave it installed. Comes with all the tools you need to install, including two adapters to accommodate whatever size piping your fridge uses. Please read instructions carefully and follow them to the letter as it is dangerous to inhale refrigerant. There are tons of videos online that will walk you through the process.