How many types of car air conditioning pressure gauges are there?
2 Answers
There are 2 types of car air conditioning pressure gauges: 1. High-pressure gauge: It mainly displays the pressure on the high-pressure side of the system and is read when charging refrigerant or measuring pressure; 2. Low-pressure gauge: It displays the pressure value on the low-pressure side and is mainly used for checking during vacuuming, measuring pressure, and charging refrigerant. The car air conditioning pressure gauge has two dials—the red dial is the high-pressure gauge, and the blue dial is the low-pressure gauge. Under normal operation of the air conditioning system, the high pressure should be between 15 and 18 bar, and the low pressure should be between 1.0 and 2.5 bar. If the low pressure is higher or lower than this range, it indicates that the expansion valve is not regulating properly or that there is an issue with the compressor's performance.
I've been working in the automotive repair industry for over a decade and frequently encounter air conditioning issues. There are mainly two types of pressure gauges: the high-pressure gauge and the low-pressure gauge. The high-pressure gauge measures the refrigerant pressure coming out of the compressor, typically in the range of 200-300 psi, while the low-pressure gauge measures the pressure being drawn into the compressor, around 25-35 psi. These gauges are essential for diagnosing whether the air conditioning system is functioning properly. For example, excessively high pressure might indicate a clogged condenser or fan issues, while excessively low pressure could suggest insufficient refrigerant or a faulty expansion valve. Using these gauges requires professional skills, so I recommend that car owners check the pressure values when the air conditioning isn’t cooling, but it’s best to leave the handling to a technician to avoid the dangers of refrigerant leaks. Regular maintenance combined with pressure checks can prevent costly overhauls and extend the life of the air conditioning system. When selecting gauges, pay attention to quality and calibration—analog gauges are sufficient, while digital ones are more precise but more expensive. Always remember safety first and wear protective gloves when operating.
