Adapter for Shop Air-to-Manifold Gauges

[lothian]

I need to pressure test a sealed system to find a leak. Problem is, I can't find the correct fittings to hook up shop air (or a bottle of nitrogen) to my manifold gauges. The former is a typical 3/8-in by 18tpi male NPT fitting; the latter uses male ACME thread. (Picture the threaded connector on a bottle of r124 refrigerant here.)

I've asked two different AC techs I happened upon at a Home Depot parking lot this question, but neither had a clue.

Anyone have any idea where I can buy this sort of adapter?

 

[Shaggy]

I need to pressure test a sealed system to find a leak. Problem is, I can't find the correct fittings to hook up shop air (or a bottle of nitrogen) to my manifold gauges. The former is a typical 3/8-in by 18tpi male NPT fitting; the latter uses male ACME thread. (Picture the threaded connector on a bottle of r124 refrigerant here.)

I've asked two different AC techs I happened upon at a Home Depot parking lot this question, but neither had a clue.

Anyone have any idea where I can buy this sort of adapter?

You're on the right track. You’ll need an adapter that goes from your shop air fitting (usually 3/8" NPT) to the kind of fitting used on AC manifold gauges, usually something like a male ACME or 1/4" SAE. They do make those adapters, and you can usually find them as part of a manifold or recharge kit. Just double-check the threads match what your setup uses. Shouldn’t be too hard to rig up once you’ve got the right piece. Have you found a place to get one yet?