Datasheet Content
Wireless
Digital Vacuum Gauge
User’s Guide
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,504,313, 8,768,633, 8,976,939
BluVac+ Professional User’s Guide
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the AccuTools® BluVac+ Pro Digital Vacuum Gauge with
Bluetooth Smart wireless technology. The BluVac+ Pro is the most accurate and precise vacuum
instrument available today with patented technology that cannot be found anywhere else.
With the BluVac+ Pro, you can accurately measure vacuum pressure in Microns, Pascals, Millibar,
Millitorr, mmHg, PSI, and inHg with resolution down to 0.1 micron. Ideal for the HVAC/R, Industrial,
and Scientific professionals, the BluVac+ Pro is small, lightweight, rugged and easy to use. It is
programmable, allowing for unattended evacuation and rise-time testing of HVAC/R systems of all
sizes.
Features
• Large, high-visibility back-lit LCD display
• Measures Vacuum in Microns, Pascals, Millibar, Millitorr, mmHg, PSI, and inHg
• 0 to 25,000 Micron Range with 0.1 Micron Resolution less than 10,000 Microns
• “Analog” Vacuum Level Bar Graph
• Evacuation Progress Indicator shows Vacuum between 25,000 Microns and ATM
• Vacuum Leak Rate, Ambient Temperature, and Saturation Temperature Indicator
• Automatic Oil Sensor
• Measures Ambient and Saturation Temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius to 0.1°
• Built-in memory retains all previous settings
• Rugged, Compact Design with Protective Silicone Rubber Boot
• Long Battery Life
• Programmable Automatic Evacuation and Rise-Time Testing
• Calibration Self Test -- Can be field calibrated with no special equipment
• Ideal for HVAC/R Service, Industrial Use, and Scientific Measurement
Specifications
Range: 0 – 25,000 Microns (3333.1 Pa, 33.331 mBar, 25,000 mTorr,
25.000 mmHg, 0.48341 PSI, -28.037 inHg)
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 (Bluetooth disabled)
Operating Temperature: 10°F – 122°F (-12°C – 50°C)
Vacuum Port Fitting: ¼” Male Flare – Anodized Aluminum with Dust Cap
Maximum Overpressure 500 PSI
Weight: 6 oz. (170g) including Battery and Swivel Hook
Dimensions: 3.5” x 3” x 1.25” (9cm x 7.5cm x 3cm)
Wireless Technology: Bluetooth Smart
Wireless Range: Up to100m (328’) Line-of-Sight
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BluVac+ Professional User’s Guide
Parts Diagram
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BluVac+ Professional User’s Guide
LCD Display
Item Function
A Main Numeric Display
B Alternate Numeric Display
C “Analog” Vacuum Level Bar Graph and Evacuation Progress Indicator
Backlight Indicator. Flashing: Temporary, Solid: Always On
Sound Indicator
Bluetooth Indicator. Flashing: Advertising, Solid: Connected
Battery Level Indicator
Set Mode Indicator
Indicates Programmed Evacuation or Rise Time Analysis in Progress
Indicates Programmed Evacuation or Rise Time Analysis is Complete
Oil Sensor Indicator
Calibration Mode Indicator
Indicates that Evacuation Time is Displayed on the Alternate Numeric Display
Indicates that Rise Time is Displayed on the Alternate Numeric Display
Indicates that Ambient Temperature is Displayed on the Alternate Numeric Display
Indicates that Saturation 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 or UNITS/minute.
Pound per Square Inch Units Indicator
Inches of Mercury Units Indicator (Gauge Pressure Referenced to –29.921 inHg)
Pascal Units Indicator
Millibar Units Indicator
Millimeters of Mercury Units Indicator
Millitorr Units Indicator
Micron Units Indicator
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BluVac+ Professional User’s Guide
Keypad
Item Function
Press to Turn Power On.
Press and Hold to Turn Power Off.
While power is off, Press and Hold for Calibration Test.
Press and Release to Change Display Units.
Press and Hold to Change Temperature Display Units (°F or °C).
Press and Release to Start RUN Mode (Evacuation or Rise Time Analysis).
Press and Hold to Cancel RUN Mode .
Press to Switch Between Ambient Temperature, Leak Rate, and Saturation
Temperature on Alternate Display.
Upon Initiating RUN Mode, Press to switch between Evacuation and Rise Time
Analysis.
Press and Release to Activate/Deactivate Bluetooth Wireless Functionality
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+ Pro 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+ Pro to the system to be evacuated with a high quality vacuum hose or brass
coupler. 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+ Pro, only hand-tighten the sensor connection. If greater
torque is required, support the sensor body with a ¾” wrench. Do not use gauge body for leverage.
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+ Professional User’s Guide
Battery Installation & Replacement
1. If installed, remove the protective boot.
2. Remove the battery cover from the rear of the BluVac+ Pro by compressing tab at the base of
the battery cover.
3. If necessary, remove and detach old battery from battery clip.
4. Attach battery clip to new battery and insert into battery compartment. Replace battery cover by
aligning tab and snapping back into place.
5. Reinstall the protective boot.
IMPORTANT: TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM LEAKING BATTERIES, DO NOT LEAVE A DEAD
BATTERY INSIDE THE BluVac+ Pro. REMOVE BATTERY IF THE BluVac+ Pro 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. Four bars indicate full power.
As the battery is depleted, the number of bars displayed decreases, until no bars are left. At this
point, the battery must be replaced (refer to the Battery Installation section above). If the battery
power drops to the point where the BluVac+ Pro 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+ Pro is turned back on, the BluVac+ Pro will resume operation with all previous setting intact.
Units
Change the displayed units by pressing and releasing the key on the keypad. The appropriate
units indicator on the LCD display will cycle through PSI, inHg, Pa, mBar, mTorr, mmHg, or Microns with
each press. The units cannot be changed in the Set Mode or the Run Mode (see corresponding
sections below).
Hi-Pressure Indication
If the sensed vacuum pressure exceeds 25,000 Microns (0.48342 PSI, -28.937 inHg, 3333.1 Pa,
33.331 mBar, 25,000 mTorr, or 25.000 mmHg), the display will show .
Sleep Mode
Unlike lesser Digital Vacuum Gauges, the BluVac+ Pro conserves battery life through advanced
power management. After 5 minutes of displaying , the BluVac+ Pro 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+ Pro will not sleep in the Set Mode or the Calibration Mode (see the
corresponding sections below), or if the wireless function is activated and a connection is active.
Auto Power-Off
After 1 hour in “Sleep Mode” the BluVac+ Pro will automatically turn itself off to further conserve
battery power. The BluVac+ Pro will not auto power-off if an Evacuation or Rise Time Test program
is running.
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BluVac+ Professional User’s Guide
Oil Sensor
Prevent oil from being drawn into the Vacuum Sensor. For HVAC/R service, always recover
refrigerant prior to attaching the 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+ Pro has a built in Oil Sensor that will detect this condition. If the 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 display. Prior to further use
of the BluVac+ Pro, clean the sensor as describe in the “Cleaning the Vacuum Sensor” section below.
Backlight
To activate the Backlight temporarily, press once. The indicator on the display will flash, and
the backlight will turn off automatically after 1 minute. To activate the Backlight permanently, press
again. The indicator on the display will show solid. Turn off the backlight by pressing
repeatedly until the indicator turns off. The Backlight is turned off temporarily during Sleep Mode.
Sound
The BluVac+ Pro has an internal speaker that will emit a beep for each valid key press, and also
functions as an alarm in the Programming and Calibration modes (see corresponding sections
below). It will also beep every 5 minutes in Sleep Mode. For silent operation, pressing and holding
the key will mute the sound. The alarm is not affected by the mute status. The indicator on the
LCD display indicates that the sound is on (not muted).
Range and Resolution
The BluVac+ Pro 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…
