Chargin Hoses

HOW TO USE AN AC REFRIGERANT CHARGING HOSE

Charging hoses connect your manifold gauges to the system for adding refrigerant, recovering, or pulling a vacuum. They’re colour-coded for quick, safe setup and sized to balance flow with control.

What Are Refrigerant Hoses?

These flexible, reinforced hoses are used to charge or discharge refrigerant and to measure system pressures when paired with a manifold gauge set.

Adapter and fitting sizes vary by system and refrigerant. Some hoses are optimized for high-pressure blends, others for vacuum/evacuation or low-pressure transfer.

Inside a Quality Hose

• Outer Cover: Weather-resistant rubber that protects against abrasion and jobsite wear.
• Reinforcement Braid: Woven fabric layer for strength and kink resistance.
• Inner Tube: Permeation-resistant rubber (often with a nylon barrier) to keep refrigerant and oil where they belong.

Rubber construction keeps hoses flexible, so they route cleanly without cracking during service.

Refrigerant Hose Sets

Most sets include three colour-coded hoses:

• Red: High-side line—add/remove refrigerant or read high pressure.
• Blue: Low-side line—pull vacuum, add refrigerant, or read low pressure.
• Yellow: Centre/service line—charging, recovery, or vacuum via the manifold centre port.

Quick Setup with a Manifold Gauge Set

• Connect yellow hose to your refrigerant source, recovery machine, or vacuum pump.
• Connect red hose to the high-pressure service port.
• Connect blue hose to the low-pressure service port.

The red/blue lines let you monitor pressures, diagnose restrictions or low refrigerant, and verify performance.

WHY USE PROPER CHARGING HOSES?

During the cooling cycle, refrigerant changes pressure, temperature, and state. Hoses must remain tight and durable to prevent leaks, resist permeation, and handle vibration and heat around engines or condensers. Quality hoses also keep connections secure with the right fittings for your vehicle or stationary system.

Sizing & Length

Common inside diameters include 1/4", 3/8", and 5/16". Evacuation work benefits from larger-ID hoses for faster flow, while high-side lines typically use smaller diameters. Typical lengths are 90–180 cm (3–6 ft) for easy port reach.

HOW TO REPLACE / MAINTAIN CHARGING HOSES

Inspect seals and gaskets regularly. Avoid over-tightening (the #1 cause of split seals), check for flattening or wear, and replace when needed. If you notice vacuum performance issues or pressure drops, inspect hoses and core tools for leaks.

Low-Side vs High-Side Hoses

Low-side hoses see lower pressures but still age from heat and oil exposure; replace at the first sign of cracking. High-side hoses carry high pressure and work the hardest—watch for bulges, kinks, or damage and swap immediately if found.

CHOOSING THE BEST CHARGING HOSE

Compatibility

Match hoses to the refrigerant and fittings you use (e.g., R32/R410A high-pressure compatibility). Colour coding (red/blue/yellow) helps prevent mix-ups.

Type

Use charging hoses for adding refrigerant, evacuation hoses for high-flow vacuum, and test/pressure lines as specified by your manifold or digital gauges.

Specs to Check

• Working and burst pressure ratings appropriate to your refrigerant.
• Barrier construction for low permeation and oil compatibility.
• Ball valves or low-loss fittings to minimise emissions and mess.

Other Considerations

• Length that comfortably reaches your service ports (often 150–180 cm for vehicles and splits).
• Durable outer jacket and reinforced braid to resist kinks and abrasion.
• Brand support, warranty, and readily available spare seals.

Quick Buying Guide

• Price: Balance budget with safety features like ball valves and barrier liners.
• Durability: Choose proven brands with strong jackets and quality crimps.
• Fit/Size: Confirm hose ID/length and fitting type match your setup.
• Ease of Use: Features such as swivel ends and colour coding speed up service.

Further reading & related ranges:

• Refrigerant Hoses Collection
• Hoses & Couplings
• HVAC Trade Supply Blog