New and economical Robinair AC1234-3i and AC1x34-3i air conditioning service units

Karlsruhe / Plochingen – As spring sets it, automotive workshops start into the A/C service season. Most manufacturers recommend checking and servicing the air conditioning system once a year to make sure that the air conditioning system works efficiently and reliably at all times, whilst also helping to provide a healthy, balanced cabin environment.

Just in time for this year’s air conditioning service season, Robinair now launched two new series of air conditioning service units onto the market: AC1234-3i for air conditioning systems using R1234yf refrigerant and AC1x34-3i for R134a refrigerant. The new units complement Robinair's air conditioning service portfolio and support workshops at everyday service tasks such as refrigerant recovery, charging and refrigerant recycling. This enables the workshop to perform all standard service tasks on air conditioning systems of passenger cars and commercial vehicles with combustion engines as well as on those of hybrid and electric vehicles. As a result, the new units also allow smaller workshops to start performing professional and economical air conditioning service and to create additional revenue opportunities. Used at automotive workshops with high A/C service volumes, AC1234-3i and AC1x34-3i units can also be used as secondary units, for example in case of high workloads during the A/C service season.

The fully automatic process of the new A/C service units does not require any manual intervention. It ensures short service times and thus efficient A/C service. Nevertheless, individual service functions can also be selected directly. The intuitive graphical user interface of the color display and 100 mm wide gauges allow efficient and easy operation. The integrated database including A/C system specifications for most of the vehicles on the market is yet another support feature easing the operator’s work.

Within a short time, the units recover up to 95 percent of the refrigerant. This saves time and money while ensuring sustainable use of resources. The internal air exchange is electronically controlled. This reduces the risk of overpressure and increases the safety for the workshop technician. AC1234-3i and AC1x34-3i A/C service units feature a user-friendly and guided program for the management of oil-type changes with integrated hose flushing function. Therefore, the new units can be used in a highly flexible manner for vehicles with combustion engines as well as for electric and hybrid vehicles. The precise electronic purge system management for non-condensable gases and the internal, high-efficiency filter dryer make sure that the recovered refrigerant is free of air and moisture.

The maintenance-friendly unit design allows easy access to its internal components. In addition, a robust metal frame protects the internal tank and all components against impacts. Measurement errors regarding the recovered or charged refrigerant as well as problems concerning the functionality and accuracy of the working results are thus avoided. The extensive range of accessories available allows adapting the units to specific workshop requirements.

Powerful A/C service units for professional A/C service

Besides the new AC1234-3i and AC1x34-3i A/C service units, Robinair offers additional A/C service units for workshops with a high volume of A/C service and repair tasks. These include the high-quality models AC1234-5i and AC1x34-5i as well as the premium units AC1234-7i, AC1x34-7i and AC1234-8i. They stand out for their simple operation and fully automatic processes as well as for their particularly high performance. Thanks to the exclusive "Deep Recovery System," they recover up to 99 percent of the refrigerant – even under difficult ambient conditions. The two-stage vacuum pump has a pumping capacity of 170 liters per minute. Therefore, even larger air conditioning systems in commercial vehicles can be serviced quickly and efficiently. An integrated pressure test option for forming gas is used for accurate leak testing.

At the top-level model AC1234-8i, even the purity level of the refrigerant R1234yf is tested automatically. In addition, AC1234-7i, AC1x34-7i and AC1234-8i units feature an integrated nitrogen and hydrogen pressure test for accurate leak testing. As a standard, they also provide the option to remotely monitor the work processes on a smartphone. This is achieved by installing the "A/C Connect" app on the respective smartphone. Using the integrated WLAN dongle, these A/C service units can be connected to the Bosch Connected Repair workshop software or an ASA Network. The integrated printer can be used to print the maintenance results right on the device.

AC1234-5i and AC1x34-5i models also achieve a recovery rate of up to 99 percent and perform A/C service fully automatically without manual intervention. By means of several optional retrofit kits, these units can be customized for any workshop need.

Extensive range of accessories for air conditioning work

A wide range of accessories complements the Robinair portfolio for professional air conditioning service and repair work on automotive air conditioning systems. In addition to special flushing kits and manufacturer-specific recharging adapters, an extensive selection of refrigerant/leak-test equipment is also available. Quick couplings, service adapters, oil bottles, filter dryers and high-quality vacuum pump oils round off the range.