Best Refrigerant Scale on the Market in 2021 (TOP 5 REVIEWS)
Refrigerant scales are an important tool designed to accurately measure the quantity of refrigerant that is being removed or added, into the compressor of an air conditioning unit.
Apart from assisting technicians to charge the system, it also helps them detect and even locate leaks, during routine maintenance.
This aids in the proper maintenance of an air conditioning system by preventing any kind of pressure build-up or pressure-loss in the system.
An accurate set of scales is, therefore, an essential part of the process. In this article, we have reviewed 5 of the best scales currently on the market. For our findings at a glance, just head to the table below. For an in-depth review of each of our choices, keep on reading.
Best Refrigerant Scale – Top 5
Refrigerant scales available today
Refrigerant scales have a weighing platform where refrigerant cylinders are placed to be weighed.
This cylinder needs to be connected to an air condition system using a series of hoses. These tubes transfer the refrigerant between the cylinder and compressor unit, and the refrigerant scale measures how much refrigerant has been exchanged.
High-quality refrigerant scales are programmable so that they can automatically charge or relieve the compressor of a specified amount of refrigerant. Generally, refrigerant scales are electrically powered.
There are different types and sizes of refrigerant scales. There are also different models and brands of scales in the market today, and technicians need to choose the one that suits their needs.
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Best Refrigerant Scales Reviewed
The refrigerant scales in the market can be rated in terms of quality and performance. The following review focuses on 5 of the best refrigerant scales currently available.
1. TOP PICK: Robinair TIF9010A Slimline Review
This refrigerant electronic scale is designed to provide exceptional performance and reliability. It is made by Robinair, a leading reputable maker of refrigerant scales.
It belongs to the TIF Slimline series of scales, and it features the trademark slim design that characterizes this product series. It is purposely built to support refrigerant recovery and system charging.
The Robinair TIF9010A Slimline is a compactly-designed lightweight scale that comes inside a transferable case. It measures 16 inches in length and is 11.2 inches wide and 2.4 inches thick. The load-free scale weighs about 3.2 pounds.
It can accurately weigh all refrigerant cylinders so long as their maximum capacity does not exceed 110 pounds. The scale is made from high-quality wear-resistant materials.
This scale uses easy-to-understand indicators to denote whether the system is being charged or recovered.
A minus (-) sign indicates that refrigerant is flowing from the refrigerant cylinder into the system, and hence the cylinder is losing weight as the system is being charged.
The plus (+) sign denotes recovery from the system and the cylinder gains weight. The quantity changes can be measured in either a high-resolution or a low-resolution mode.
The high-resolution modes allow for extremely accurate measurements, but this causes the readings to regularly fluctuate as the cylinder position shifts, or as the wind velocity fluctuates. To eliminate these reading fluctuations, the low-resolution mode can be turned on.
Weight measurements are displayed in either of three units; pound-ounces, decimal pounds, or kilograms. The user can choose any one of these three weight measurement modes using the conveniently-positioned touch key controls.
The scale features a hand-held reader that relieves the technician of the need to stare constantly at the scale.
This reader has an LCD readout panel which serves as its display indicator.
Four critical items are shown in its display indicator:
- The +/- sign,
- battery level,
- weight measurement mode,
- and measurement value.
The indicator also supports an over-range indication, which notifies the technician of an overweight (111+ pounds) cylinder by appending a 1 on the far left side of the indicator panel.
It also features the auto-zero button which allows the user the set the weight value to zero after measuring the cylinder weight, but before allowing refrigerant to flow in, or out, of the cylinder. This allows for charging, or recovery, measurements to be accurately recorded.
It is powered by a 9-volt alkaline battery. It also features a battery enunciator which notifies the user when the battery needs to be replaced. A fully-charged alkaline battery has a battery life of approximately 30 hours.
The operating temperature range of this scale is 32-120 degrees Fahrenheit (0-49 degrees centigrade). The scale also benefits from a 2-year warranty, which is valid so long as there is no undue tampering.
- Supports all refrigerants.
- Compact design allows for easy portability.
- Can easily handle the common 30-pound and 50-pound refrigerant cylinders.
- Provides accurate measurements.
- Comes with a 24-months guarantee.
- Lacks an auto shut-off switch and battery can be drained of power if user forgets to manually shut it off.
- Capacity limited to 110 pounds.
- High electrical noise can cause the scale to give false readings.
Bottom-Line
The Robinair TIF9010A Slimline is a high-performance electrically-powered scale designed to provide reliable measurements.
It is made from high-quality wear-resistant materials, and this gives it a long lifespan.
Its great performance, combined with affordability makes the Robinair TIF9010A Slimline our top pick best refrigerant scale in this review round up.
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2. BEST BUDGET: Zeny Portable Digital Refrigerant Scale Review
This is an electrically-powered digital refrigerant scale that is built for high performance. It is manufactured by Zeny. It has a slim design and is purposely built to aid refrigerant recovery and system charging.
Its design, mode of operation, and measurement profile closely resemble those of Robinair TIF9010A Slimline.
However, the accuracy of its measurements is slightly lower than those provided by the Robinair.
The Zeny is a compactly-designed lightweight scale that comes inside a rugged transferable case.
It measures 9 inches in length, 9 inches wide, and 1.5 inches thick. The load-free scale weighs about 5.5 pounds.
It can accurately weigh all refrigerant cylinders so long as their maximum capacity does not exceed 220 pounds. This gives a significant advantage over the Robinair TIF9010A which is limited to refrigerant cylinders weighing less than 110 pounds.
To support cylinder weights of up to 220 pounds, the Zeny portable scale is built using high-quality wear-resistant materials, including a 9-inch by 9-inch slip-resistant weighing platform.
The Zeny Portable Digital Refrigerant scale also features a hand-held reader that relieves the technician of staring constantly at the scale.
This reader has a large LCD readout panel which serves as its display indicator. A powerful background lamp lights up this LCD panel.
The main critical values are displayed on this panel. Still, there is one slight, but a key difference between these two refrigerant scales.
Even though both support weight measurements to be are displayed in any of three units; the Zeny scale only supports ounces, pounds, and kilograms, unlike the Robinair TIF9010A Slimline scale which supports pound-ounces and decimal pounds.
The result is that the calibration profile of this Zeny scale is less accurate than that found in the TIF9010A Slimline scale.
Even so, the user can choose to use any of these three weight measurement modes in Zeny portable via a conveniently-placed and aptly-labeled unit button.
This hand-held reader features a flexible long coil that connects it to the scale. This coil provides a good length allowance that allows the user to easily read values without straining the body.
Likewise, the reader uses the easy-to-understand +/- indicators to denote whether the system is being charged or recovered.
The Zeny portable is powered by an alkaline battery that possess a long battery life. Its operating temperature range of this scale is 32-113 degrees Fahrenheit (0-45 degrees centigrade).
- Supports all refrigerants.
- Capacity up to 220 pounds.
- Compact design allows for easy portability.
- Can easily handle the common 30-pound and 50-pound refrigerant cylinders.
- Durable construction.
- Lacks a high-resolution mode for more precise weight measurements.
- Doesn’t display pound-ounces and decimal pounds
Bottom-Line
The Zeny Portable 220Lbs Digital-Refrigerant Electronic-Charging/Recover-Scale HVAC with Case is a medium duty, long-lasting electrically-powered scale with a good top end capacity. Highly recommended.
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3. Mastercool 98210-A Electronic Scale
This is a programmable electronic scale designed to quality performance and exceptional reliability. It is made by Mastercool.
Like the top pick Robinair, it features a slim design and is purposely built to support refrigerant recovery and system charging.
The Mastercool 98210-A is a compactly-designed lightweight scale that comes inside a transferable case.
It measures 16.2 inches in length and is 11.7 inches wide and 3.8 inches thick. The load-free scale weighs about 7.6 pounds, and this makes it heavier than both the Robinair TIF9010A Slimline and Zeny Portable Digital Scale.
However, this does not greatly impact its portability as its weight is still light enough for any technician to carry around.
Even so, this scale offers an advantage in terms of a range of cylinders that it can support. It can accurately weigh all refrigerant cylinders so long as their maximum capacity does not exceed 110 kilograms (240 pounds).
The scale is made from high-quality wear-resistant materials, including a 9-inch by 9-inch slip-resistant weighing platform.
It features charge programming which allows the user to specify the amount of refrigerant that is to flow into, or out of, the refrigerant cylinder.
Once this is done, an alarm is automatically set to go off when the charge amount is about to fill, and this notifies the user to turn off both the refrigerant cylinder and weighing scale.
It also includes a pause-charge module which allows the user to pause refrigerant flow, and then resume it later on.
This allows for the repair of leaks and faulty hose connections. Similarly, it also has a memory module that allows for charging a system using a previously stored amount value.
This scale also supports tank capacity programming which enables the technician to know the quantity of refrigerant inside the tank. These programmable features make the Mastercool 98210-A a highly accurate electronic scale.
Also, just like Robinair and Zeny, the Mastercool features a hand-held reader that has a large LCD readout panel which serves as its display indicator.
The main critical values are displayed on this panel. Its weight measurement mode can be selected using the conveniently-placed touch key controls.
Moreover, the hand-held reader features a flexible long coil that connects it to the scale. This coil provides a good length allowance that allows the user to easily read values without straining the body.
The Mastercool 98210-A is powered by an alkaline battery whose battery life of approximately 40 hours.
The Auto Shut-off feature which helps conserve battery power automatically shuts off the scale after 3 hours of inactivity.
The operating temperature range of this scale is 32-120 degrees Fahrenheit (0-49 degrees centigrade).
- Supports programmable charging and recovery.
- Supports all refrigerants.
- High capacity up to to 240 pounds.
- Compact design allows for easy portability.
- Can easily handle the common 30-pound and 50-pound refrigerant cylinders.
- It provides highly-accurate measurements.
- It has an Auto-Off feature that helps conserve battery power.
- Relatively expensive compared to other options in our list.
Bottom-Line
The Mastercool 98210-A Electronic Refrigerant-Scale is a programmable, high-performance, and durable electrically-powered weighing scale designed to provide highly accurate measurements.
It has a high 240lb capacity and will prove very useful for the working professional. It is one of the most expensive scales in our top 5 however.
4. BEST PREMIUM: Fieldpiece SRS2C Wireless Scale Review
This is a wireless wear-resistant electronic scale that features a heavy-duty construction and cordless components, which are designed to offer optimal weight measurements. It is made by Fieldpiece.
Like the three refrigerant scales reviewed above, the Fieldpiece-SRS2C Wireless Scale features a slim design; and is purposely built to support refrigerant recovery and system charging.
The Fieldpiece-SRS2C is a lightweight electronic scale that comes with a rugged nylon case that has a strap. Its remote reader is placed in its enclosure located underneath the platform.
It measures 12 inches in length and is 12 inches wide and 3 inches thick. The load-free scale weighs about 5 pounds.
It can accurately weigh all refrigerant cylinders so long as their maximum capacity does not exceed 220 pounds. The scale is made from high-quality wear-resistant materials
Its heavy-duty weighing platform is made from high-quality cast aluminum, and its smooth corner edges are covered with rugged wear-resistant rubber bumpers.
These bumpers protect the edges from developing cracks during falls or wearing off when the cylinder weight rests on the edges.
Likewise, the weighing platform is covered by a diamond-plated rubber pad which prevents the cylinder base from slipping or sliding.
Unlike the 3 aforementioned refrigerant scales which use a cabled hand-held reader to display measurement values, the Fieldpiece SRS2C uses a cordless (remote) hand-held reader.
This cordless reader connects to the electronic scale through a WiFi connection, and this indicates that both the scale and its hand-held reader are WiFi-capable.
Even so, the user must sync the reader with the scale before performing any refrigerant measurements.
To ensure that the sync process is as simple as possible, the manufacturer has built the gadget in such a way that when both the scale and reader are turned on, they immediately connect with each other and sync automatically.
The Wi-Fi capability also affords the technician another unique advantage.
The remote controller can connect with the weighing platform within a distance range of 33 feet, and this allows the technician to attend to other pressing matters nearby and still keep tabs on the weighing scale.
The platform of the Fieldpiece SRS2C is powered by 6 AA batteries while the remote is powered by a 9-volt battery.
Both the platform and remote benefit from a long battery life of between 80 hours (remote) and 100 hours (platform). The Auto Shut-off feature of the scale also helps conserve battery power.
- Supports all refrigerants.
- Supports wireless connectivity.
- Long battery life.
- Compact design allows for easy portability.
- Can easily handle the common 30-pound and 50-pound refrigerant cylinders.
- It provides highly-accurate measurements.
- Has an Auto-Off feature that helps conserve battery power.
- Capacity limited to 220 pounds.
- Quite expensive.
Bottom-Line
The Fieldpiece-SRS2C Wireless Refrigerant-Scale is a high-performance, top-of-the-range electrically-powered weighing scale that has some great design features.
5. FJC-2850 Electronic Scale Review
This electronic scale is designed for reliability. It is made by FJC. Just like the other four refrigerant scales reviewed above, the FJC-2850 features a slim design, and is purposely built to support refrigerant recovery and system charging.
The FJC-2850 is a compactly-designed lightweight scale that comes along with an ABS thermoplastic case.
It measures 15.6 inches in length and is 15 inches wide and 3.5 inches thick. The load-free scale weighs about 4.7 pounds.
It can accurately weigh all refrigerant cylinders so long as their maximum capacity does not exceed 176 pounds. The scale is made from high-quality wear-resistant materials.
It has a heavy-duty weighing platform which is made from high-grade Di-cast aluminum. The platform is square, and it measures 9-inches by 9-inches.
The FJC-2850 features a hand-held reader that has a large XL-LCD readout panel which serves as its display indicator.
The main critical values are displayed on this panel. Its weight measurement mode can be selected using the conveniently-placed touch key controls.
Moreover, the hand-held reader features a flexible long coil that connects it to the scale. This coil provides a good length allowance that allows the user to easily read values without straining the body.
The reader also features an auto-zero button which allows the user the set the weight value to zero after measuring the cylinder weight, but before allowing refrigerant to flow in, or out, of the cylinder.
This allows for charging, or recovery, measurements to be accurately recorded.
Likewise, just like the reader of the Zero Portable Digital scale, the reader of FJC-2850 features a powerful background lamp lights up this LCD panel as well as display weight measurements in any of the following three units; ounces, pounds, and kilograms.
The user can choose to use any of these units, and the selection is done using the aptly-labeled unit bubble button.
The FJC-2850 is powered by an alkaline battery. The Auto Shut-off feature which helps conserve battery power automatically shuts off the scale within 15 minutes.
- Supports all refrigerants.
- Compact design allows for easy portability.
- Can easily handle the common 30-pound and 50-pound refrigerant cylinders.
- Simple to use
- Features a 15-minute auto shutoff function
- Electrical noise causes the scale to give false readings.
- Capacity limited to 176 pounds.
Bottom-Line
The FJC-2850 Electronic Scale is a high-performance electrically-powered scale designed to provide reliable measurements.
It is made from high-quality wear-resistant materials, and can be used with the common 30-pound and 50-pound refrigerant cylinders.
What to consider when buying Refrigerant Scales
There are a number of issues to bear in mind when looking to buy new refrigerant scales. In this guide we will look through some of the most important ones.
Precision and Accuracy
Accuracy is clearly the prerequisite for any refrigerant scale you buy. However, the level of accuracy can be down to personal requirements. Some scales will provide a reading down to the 100th of a pound. If your workflow requires this degree of precision, then you will need to look for a set of scales that offers such.
However, it is more likely that measurements down to a 10th of a pound will suffice. More scales will fit this requirement, giving you a wider choice. Think about the level of accuracy you require, before you start your search.
Display and Readability
A quality set of scales will have a clear display and be easy to read. When taking the measurements, you do not want to be struggling to see what the scales are stating.
If your work has you outside a lot, then high-intensity illumination will be required on the screen so that you can see the readings in direct sunlight.
Look out for scales that can connect to a device such as a tablet or a smartphone. Connecting via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, these can record the reading within the associated app, meaning the data is accessible as and when you need it.
Such storage capability essentially means you can save weights and see them later. A handy option for any busy technician.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is another issue to consider before buying refrigerant scales. As with other specifications, you can narrow down your options by knowing in advance what your minimum requirements are.
The majority of R-22 or R-410a refrigerant tanks weigh under 60 pounds, however, there are also a number of tanks on the market that are heavier. If you encounter these often, you will need a set of scales that have sufficient capacity.
We recommend going for scales that can handle up to 90 pounds, that way you are covered for most eventualities.
Charging Process
The most common form of power for scales is a battery. This makes them portable, which is important. However, this also means they need to be charged before you can work.
A reliable battery that has enough capacity for your working day, and is quick to charge is obviously what you should be looking for. In some instances, you will be able to plug the device into an outlet using a power cord, so that work can continue while it charges.
Check the batteries for moisture and corrosion over time, and know when and how replacements are bought or original batteries maintained.
Build Quality
Build quality and in turn, durability is another consideration when buying refrigerant scales. A busy technician will be moving from job to job with the scales sometimes taking a little bit of a beating in the process. Essentially, a daily tool needs to be up to daily use.
A well-designed outer-case with quality components inside the unit will help ensure a long life. Of course, this can be hard to ascertain from sight alone, (especially when buying online), however, user reviews can be very helpful in this regard.
What do other customers say about the scales you are interested in. Do they report malfunction after a while, or are people happy? A good warranty will provide peace of mind, while also demonstrating a manufactures faith in the reliability of their own product.
Additional Features
Beyond the added features such a data recording and WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity to other devices, there are other “bells and whistles” that might be of use to you.
One of the better ones is the addition of a non-slip platform. This helps tanks stay in place as you measure. A wider platform is also worth looking out for.
Additional batteries or installed Lithium-ion batteries is a specification you should pay attention to. Accessories such as a durable carry case are another bonus.
Price Point
Finally, there is the issue of your budget. There are many affordable refrigerant scales available so you should not have to break the bank buying one.
That being said, you may have a price point in mind, which will in turn help narrow down your options.
Ultimately, you need to take stock of your requirements (such as weight capacity, precision, and features) and purchase the best quality device you can afford in accordance with those needs.
With all of that in mind, you should have no problems buying the best refrigerant scales for you.
Refrigerant Scales FAQs
Q. What are refrigerant scales used for?
Refrigerant scales are used to provide accuracy when filling HVAC systems with the required amount of refrigerant. Each system is different and the amount of refrigerant needed to fill it will vary, without scales, the technician risks both over or underfilling the system.
Q. What happens if too much refrigerant is put into a system?
A system with too much refrigerant may cause the compressor to build-up with liquid. This can then flood the system, shorting out important electric components. Too much pressure within the system may also occur. While signs won’t be immediate, this will put a strain on the system, shortening its lifespan.
Q. How can I tell if an AC system has too much refrigerant?
The condenser unit and the compressor are where you will see signs of an overcharged AC system. The compressor may cycle on and off and even shut down. If the AC has the relevant features it may give a high-pressure readout. In case of flooding, the system could short due to damaged electrics.
Q. Is there a difference between HVAC EPA certification and Refrigeration EPA certification?
No, there isn’t any difference between the certifications as they are both refer to the EPA 608 certification. However, there are specializations beyond the 608 such as the R-410a certification, which is a certification for that refrigerant only.