Evacuating through a Schrader valve costs you time, but how much time? We looked at Schrader valves and how they impact evacuation times and what that means for your facility. We set up a simple experiment comparing evacuation:
- Through a Schrader valve
- By a Schrader valve with the core removed
- Via our recommended solution: a process tube with a Hanson quick-connect fitting installed
The Results
The video below shows that evacuation through a Schrader valve took about four minutes to reach 300 microns. By just removing the Schrader valve core, we cut the time by about 25 percent (approximately three minutes). But when using a process tube with the Hanson quick-connect fitting, we reached that same 300-micron level in less than one minute.
Most of the time you’re going to be evacuating a circuit that’s larger and more complicated than a simple cylinder. So the total evacuation time is going to be longer; nevertheless, you can use these percentages as a guide. It’s clear that if you’re evacuating through Schrader valves in your facility you’re losing a lot of time.
Time Is Money
Lost time can equate to lost floor space due to evacuating multiple units at once. You might need more pumps operating or more operators and probably, worst of all, may be missing important production deadlines. A lot of our customers will choose Schrader valves intending to save money or hassle in the short term or because they fear that adding a process tube might create another potential leak point.
However modern ultrasonic tube sealers like our URV20, for example, all but eliminate that risk and the process takes about a second. Time is money. So if it takes up to four times longer to evacuate through a Schrader valve, how much money are you leaving on the table?
If you have an HVAC/R production problem that you’re struggling with, feel free to reach out to us.