Datasheet Content
BluVac
Digital Vacuum Gauge
User’s Guide
AccuTools® is a registered trademark of Core Enterprises, Inc. P/N 10525-01 Rev. C
BluVac User’s Guide
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the AccuTools® BluVac Digital Vacuum Gauge. The BluVac is the
most accurate and precise vacuum gauge available today with patent-pending technology that cannot
be found anywhere else.
With the BluVac, you can accurately measure vacuum pressure in Microns, Pascals, Millibar,
Millitorr, and mmHg with resolution down to 0.1 micron. Ideal for the HVAC/R professional, the
BluVac is small, lightweight, rugged and easy to use. It is programmable, and allows for unattended
evacuation of HVAC/R systems of all sizes.
Features
• Large, high-visibility back-lit LCD display
• Measures Vacuum in Microns, Pascals, Millibar, Millitorr and mmHg
• 0 to 25,000 Micron Range with 0.1 Micron Resolution less than 10,000 Microns
• “Analog” Vacuum Level Bar Graph
• Vacuum Leak Rate and Ambient Temperature Indicator
• Automatic Oil Sensor
• Measures Temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius to 0.1°
• Built-in memory retains all previous settings
• Rugged, Compact Design – About the Size of a Manifold Gauge
• Long Battery Life
• Programmable
• Calibration Self Test -- Can be field calibrated with no special equipment
• Ideal for HVAC/R Service and Industrial Use
Specifications
Range: 0 – 25,000 Microns (3333.1 Pa, 33.331 mBar,
25,000 mTorr, 25.000 mmHg)
Vacuum Accuracy: 5% of Reading +/- 5 Microns
Vacuum Resolution: 0.1 Micron (@ 0.0 to 9999.9 Microns)
Temperature Accuracy: 0.2°F (0.1°C)
Temperature Resolution: 0.1°
Warm-up Time: Instant
Response Time: Instant
Power: 9V Alkaline Battery
(9V Lithium recommended for low temperature operation)
Battery Life: Up to 300 Hours
Operating Temperature: 10°F – 122°F (-12°C – 50°C)
Vacuum Port Fitting: ¼” Male Flare – Nickel Plated for Durability with Dust Cap
Weight: 6 oz. (170g) including Battery and Swivel Hook
Dimensions: 3.5” x 3” x 1.25” (9cm x 7.5cm x 3cm)
WARNING: To avoid personal injury and to prevent damage to the BluVac Digital Vacuum Gauge,
never exceed 500 PSI.
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BluVac User’s Guide
Parts Diagram
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BluVac User’s Guide
LCD Display
Item Function
A Main Numeric Display
B Alternate Numeric Display
C “Analog” Vacuum Level Bar Graph
Backlight Indicator. Flashing: Temporary, Solid: Always On
Sound Indicator
Battery Level Indicator
Set Mode Indicator
Run Mode Indicator
Run Mode Complete Indicator
Oil Sensor Indicator
Calibration Mode Indicator
Indicates that Time is Displayed on the Alternate Numeric Display
Indicates that Temperature is Displayed on the Alternate Numeric Display
Indicates that the Vacuum Leak Rate is Displayed on the Alternate Numeric Display
Indicates either Celsius or Fahrenheit Degrees are Displayed
Indicates that the Vacuum Leak Rate is Displayed in UNITS/second.
Pascal Units Indicator
Millibar Units Indicator
Millitorr Units Indicator
Millimeters of Mercury Units Indicator
Micron Units Indicator
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BluVac User’s Guide
Keypad
Item Function
Press to Turn Power On, Press and Hold to Turn Power Off
Press and Release to Change Display Units
Press and Hold to Change Temperature Display Units (°F or °C)
Press and Release to Enter RUN Mode
Press and Hold to Cancel RUN Mode
Press to Switch Between Temperature Display and Leak Rate Display
Press and Release to Activate Backlight
Press or Press and Hold to Change Programmed Pressure or Time in SET mode
Press and Hold to Enter SET Mode
Press and Release to Switch to Next Setting
Press and Hold to Exit SET Mode
Press and Hold to Mute/Un-mute Sound
Quick Start
To operate the BluVac as a basic vacuum gauge:
1. Install the battery as described in the “Battery Installation” section below.
2. Turn the power on by pressing . The display will show to indicate pressure greater
than 25,000 Microns.
3. Select the desired units by repeatedly pressing .
4. Attach the BluVac to the system to be evacuated with a high quality vacuum hose. Start the
vacuum pump. Read the vacuum level from the Main Display.
5. Turn the power off by pressing and holding .
WARNING: To avoid damaging the BluVac, only hand-tighten sensor connection. If greater torque is
required, support the sensor housing with a ¾” wrench.
NOTE: To assist in the use of this gauge and the interpretation of vacuum information, please refer to
the Frequently Asked Questions Section at the end of this guide.
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BluVac User’s Guide
Battery Installation & Replacement
1. Remove the battery cover from the rear of the BluVac by compressing tab at the base of the
battery cover.
2. If necessary, remove and detach old battery from battery clip.
3. Attach battery clip to new battery and insert into battery compartment. Replace battery cover by
aligning tab and snapping back into place.
IMPORTANT: TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM LEAKING BATTERIES, DO NOT LEAVE A DEAD
BATTERY INSIDE THE BluVac. REMOVE BATTERY IF THE BluVac IS NOT TO BE USED FOR
AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Battery Level Indicator
The battery level indicator shows the relative strength of the battery. Full power is indicated by four
bars. As the battery is depleted, the number of bars displayed decreases, until no bars are left. At
this point, it is necessary to replace the batteries (refer to the Battery Installation section above). If
the battery power drops to the point where the BluVac can no longer function accurately, the alarm
will beep 10 times and the power will turn off automatically. When the battery is replaced, and the
BluVac is turned back on, the BluVac will resume operation with all previous setting intact.
Hi-Pressure Indication
If the sensed vacuum pressure exceeds 25,000 Microns (3333.1 Pa, 33.331 mBar, 25,000 mTorr, or
25.000 mmHg), the display will show .
Sleep Mode
Unlike other Digital Vacuum Gauges, the BluVac helps to conserve battery life through advanced
power management. After 5 minutes of displaying , the BluVac will enter “Sleep Mode” in
which the sensor and backlight are turned off, thus reducing the load on the battery and extending the
battery life up to 300 hours or more. While in this mode, the display will show .
Approximately every 35 seconds, the gauge will automatically check the pressure and exit Sleep
Mode if the pressure is less than 25,000 Microns. The gauge can be manually brought out of Sleep
Mode by pressing any key on the keypad. While in Sleep, the gauge will beep twice every 5 minutes
to remind you that it is on. The BluVac will not sleep in the Set Mode or the Calibration Mode (see the
corresponding sections below).
Auto Power-Off
After 1 hour in “Sleep Mode” the BluVac will automatically turn itself off to further conserve battery
power.
Oil Sensor
It is necessary to prevent oil from being drawn into the Vacuum Sensor. For HVAC/R service, always
recover refrigerant prior to attaching gauge. If possible, always close the blank-off valve on the
vacuum pump prior to turning the vacuum pump off. Over time, oil vapor and other materials may
contaminate the sensor. The BluVac has a built in Oil Sensor that will detect this condition. If the OIL
indicator on the display illuminates, this is an indication that the vacuum sensor has been
contaminated and is no longer functioning accurately. If the sensor becomes completely saturated
with oil to the extent that it cannot function properly at all, the message will show on the
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BluVac User’s Guide
display. Prior to further use of the BluVac, clean the sensor as describe in the “Cleaning the Vacuum
Sensor” section below.
Units
Change the displayed units by pressing and releasing the key on the keypad. The appropriate
units indicator on the LCD display will show Pa, mBar, mTorr, mmHg, or Microns depending on the units
set. The units cannot be changed in the Set Mode or the Run Mode (see corresponding sections
below).
Range and Resolution
The BluVac has a broad vacuum pressure measurement range, and the highest resolution of any
gauge. The display range and resolution depends upon the units displayed and the vacuum pressure
reading, according to the table below:
Vacuum Vacuum Pressure
Range Reading Resolution
1,000.0 — 3,333.1 0.1 Pa
Pascals (Pa) 0 — 3,333.1
0 — 999.99 0.01 Pa
10.000 — 33.331 0.001 mBar
Millibar (mBar) 0 — 33.331
0 — 9.9999 0.0001 mBar
10,000 — 25,000 1 mTorr
Millitorr (mTorr) 0 — 25,000
0 — 9,999.9 0.1 mTorr
10.000 — 25.000 0.001 mmHg
mmHg (mmHg) 0 — 25.000
0 — 9.9999 0.0001 mmHg
10,000 — 25,000 1 Micron
Microns (Microns) 0 — 25,000
0 — 9,999.9 0.1 Micron
“Analog” Vacuum Level Bar Graph
The BluVac also displays a Vacuum Level Bar Graph allowing for a quick visual determination of the
vacuum level achieved. Each bar corresponds to a vacuum pressure range depending on units
according to the following table:
Units
Bar
Value Microns Pa Millibar Millitorr mmHg
10K 10,000 — ATM 1,000 — ATM 10 — ATM 10,000 — ATM 10 — ATM
5K 5,000 — 10,000 500 — 1,000 5 — 10 5,000 — 10,000 5 — 10
2K 2,000 — 5,000 200 — 500 2—5 2,000 — 5,000 2—5
1K 1,000 — 2,000 100 — 200 1—2 1,000 — 2,000 1—2
500 500 — 1,000 50 — 100 0.5 — 1 500 — 1,000 0.5 — 1
200 200 — 500 20 — 50 0.2 — 0.5 200 — 500 0.2 — 0.5
100 100 — 200 10 — 20 0.1 — 0.2 100 — 200 0.1 — 0.2
50 50 — 100 5 — 10 0.05 — 0.1 50 — 100 0.05 — 0.1
20 20 — 50 2—5 0.02 — 0.05 20…
