Refrigerant Scales

Refrigerant Scales – Digital Charging Scales for HVAC & Refrigeration

Charging by weight is the only accurate way to recharge a refrigerant system. Guessing by pressure or sight glass leads to overcharging, undercharging, and callbacks. A quality digital refrigerant scale gives you a precise reading every time — protecting the system, the compressor, and your reputation.

This collection covers digital refrigerant charging scales from Javac, Fieldpiece, and Hilmor, suited to residential splits, commercial refrigeration, and automotive A/C work across Australia.

What to Look for in a Refrigerant Scale

• Capacity — most HVAC scales handle 50–100 kg. For large commercial systems with big cylinders, confirm the scale's maximum load before buying.
• Resolution — 5 g resolution is standard for HVAC work. Finer resolution (1–2 g) is useful for critical charging of small refrigeration systems.
• Tare function — essential for zeroing out the cylinder weight so you're only measuring the refrigerant added or removed.
• Auto-shutoff — saves battery life between jobs; look for models that retain the last reading on restart.
• Programmable target weight — set the required charge weight and the scale alarms when you hit it — no need to watch the display constantly.
• Platform size — ensure the platform is large enough for your cylinder base.
• Battery life — 60+ hours is typical for field use; check the power source (AA, AAA, or rechargeable).

Javac Procharge vs Standard Scales

Related Categories

• Manifold Gauge Sets — monitor system pressures during charging
• Vacuum Pumps — evacuate before recharging
• Recovery Machines — recover refrigerant before service work
• HVAC Tool Kits — bundled kits that include a scale
• Javac Tools — browse the full Javac range

Frequently Asked Questions

Why charge by weight instead of pressure?

System pressure varies with ambient temperature, refrigerant type, and system condition. Weight is a fixed, accurate measurement that doesn't change with conditions. Charging by weight is the manufacturer-recommended method for most modern systems and is required for accurate superheat and subcooling targets.

Can I use a kitchen scale for refrigerant charging?

No. Kitchen scales lack the resolution, capacity, and tare accuracy needed for refrigerant work. A dedicated refrigerant scale is calibrated for the task and built to handle the weight of full cylinders safely.