EvacMax™: The Automated Evacuation System That Cuts Vacuum Evacuation Time in Half
Fully automated, portable evac machine for optimized refrigeration system processing with real-time monitoring, vacuum decay testing, and built-in data acquisition.
The Shift from Manual Hassle to Automated Efficiency
Manual evacuation is one of the most time-consuming steps in refrigeration system commissioning, installation, and service. Technicians connect hoses, start the vacuum pump, and then wait—checking gauges, babysitting the process, and running separate vacuum decay tests by hand. If the system fails, the entire cycle starts over.
EvacMax™ changes that completely. This fully automated evacuation system lets technicians set their target evacuation vacuum, start the process, and walk away. EvacMax™ handles the pump-down, monitors up to 6 vacuum gauges in real time, automatically initiates vacuum decay testing when the target is reached, and retries the cycle if the system fails—all while recording every data point to a downloadable file. The result is hands-free vacuum evacuation that’s often twice as fast as conventional methods.
Built around FasTest’s ICON™ technology and optimized to work with the high-flow CoreMax® and PortMax™ access port families, EvacMax™ is the only evac machine on the market that combines automated evacuation, integrated vacuum decay testing, multi-gauge monitoring, and full data acquisition in a single portable cart.
Rapid and Automated Evacuation in a Portable Compact Cart.
Integrated with ICON™ technology, technicians now have the ability to set testing targets, start the evacuation and walk away.
EvacMax™ evacuates the system while displaying progress in real-time on the user interface, tracking up to 6 vacuum gauges simultaneously. If the target vacuum set point is reached, it automatically begins a vacuum decay test. If the test fails, EvacMax will rerun and attempt to pass the test. The entire process is recorded to a downloadable data file for record keeping and analysis. The result is hands-free, fast system evacuation, often in half the time of current evacuation methods.
Faster Evacuation is Now Possible.
Optimized system of matched components to fully utilize the capabilities of the “MAX” family of access ports - CoreMax® & PortMax™ - or even common Packed Angle, Rotolock, Schrader, Ball and other service valves.
Drastically improve evacuation times.
Real-time process monitoring and downloadable data logging.
Hands-free automated evacuation and vacuum decay testing.
Quickly identify problems and optimize your evacuation process.
Why Traditional Evacuation Methods Cost You Time, Money, and Data
If your team is still using a standalone vacuum pump, manual gauges, and a stopwatch to evacuate systems, you’re dealing with problems that are costing more than most contractors or plant managers realize:
- Wasted labor: Technician downtime while babysitting the pump-down process, unable to move to other tasks.
- Inconsistent results: Manual gauge checks introduce human error—readings are inconsistent, especially across different technicians and shifts.
- Skipped or inadequate decay tests: Without automated vacuum decay testing, decay checks are often skipped, shortened, or performed incorrectly, leading to callbacks, warranty claims, and refrigerant loss.
- No data, no traceability: Most conventional evacuation setups produce no data trail. When a system leaks months later, there’s nothing to reference for root cause analysis or warranty documentation.
- Flow restrictions from outdated valves: Packed angle valves, Schrader valves, and undersized hoses create bottlenecks that extend evacuation vacuum times far beyond what the pump is capable of delivering.
EvacMax™ was engineered to solve every one of these problems in a single, turn-key automated evacuation system.
EvacMax™ Automated Evacuation System — Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Automation Level | Fully automated pump-down, vacuum decay test, auto-retry, and status signaling. No technician intervention after start. |
| Vacuum Gauge Monitoring | Simultaneous real-time tracking of up to 6 vacuum gauges at strategic system locations. |
| Evacuation Profiles | Store and recall up to 6 pre-configured evacuation profiles for fast setup across different system types. |
| Vacuum Decay Testing | Automatic vacuum decay test initiation when target evacuation vacuum is reached. Configurable pass/fail thresholds. |
| Auto-Retry Logic | Preset number of automatic retry cycles if the vacuum decay test fails, before alerting the technician. |
| Data Acquisition | Full process data recorded to downloadable file: timestamps, vacuum levels, decay rates, pass/fail status. |
| Status Indication | High-visibility Andon tower light for at-a-distance process monitoring: in-progress, pass, fail. |
| User Interface | Integrated touchscreen display with real-time graphs, parameter configuration, and profile management. |
| Portability | Mobile cart with durable construction. Suitable for plant floors, installation sites, and field service. |
| Storage | Lockable cabinets for secure component storage during transport and between jobs. |
| Access Port Integration | Optimized for CoreMax® and PortMax™ high-flow access ports. Also compatible with Schrader, packed angle, Rotolock, and ball valves. |
| ICON™ Technology | Built on FasTest’s ICON™ intelligent connection platform for maximum performance and system integration. |
Why Contractors and Plant Teams Are Switching to Automated Evacuation
The shift from manual evacuation setups to an automated evacuation system like EvacMax™ isn’t just about speed—though cutting evacuation times in half is reason enough. It’s about the compounding benefits across labor efficiency, process quality, and business documentation.
| Conventional Setup | EvacMax™ | |
|---|---|---|
| Evacuation Speed | Limited by manual valve restrictions and undersized connections | Up to 2x faster with optimized flow paths and high-flow access ports |
| Technician Time | Technician must babysit entire pump-down and manually check gauges | Set and walk away — fully automated, hands-free operation |
| Vacuum Decay Test | Often skipped, shortened, or done inconsistently | Automatic initiation with configurable thresholds and auto-retry |
| Gauge Monitoring | Single gauge, manual spot checks | Up to 6 gauges monitored simultaneously in real time |
| Data & Records | None — no process documentation | Full data logging: timestamps, levels, decay rates, pass/fail exported to file |
| Consistency | Varies by technician skill and attention | Repeatable, standardized process across every job and every technician |
| Failure Response | Manual restart, often without diagnosis | Auto-retry with failure alert prompting leak investigation or nitrogen purge |
| Portability | Loose components, ad hoc setup | Integrated mobile cart with lockable storage |
Rapid Evacuation of Large Capacity Systems
Industrial Refrigeration
Manufacturing, Chemical, Petro-Chemical, Power Plants.
Commercial Refrigeration
Grocery/Supermarkets, Strip Malls, Office Buildings, Ice Rinks, Server Farms.
Institutional Refrigeration
Medical/Hospital Facilities, Laboratories, Schools.
Cold Chain
Food Warehouses, Grocery Super Stores, Pharmaceutical Facilities.
VRV / VRF
Office & Apartment Buildings, Hotel, College Campus, Multi-Use Facilities. Rapidly evacuate extremely long tubing runs typical in these applications.
Air Handlers
Industrial Facilities, Warehouses, and Industrial Kitchens/Food Service Facilities.
Fully Automatic Evacuation
Set
Using the integrated touchscreen interface, technicians configure the evacuation parameters for the job. EvacMax™ allows you to set your target evacuation vacuum level, define allowable vacuum decay limits, specify the number of automatic retries if the system fails the decay test, and select from up to 6 saved evacuation profiles for different system types or job sites. Profiles can be saved and recalled instantly, which means a technician arriving at a new job site can load the correct parameters in seconds—no manual calculations, no reference charts, no guesswork.
Start
Press start and walk away. EvacMax™ begins the pump-down and the technician is free to perform other work on the job site. The system’s high-visibility Andon tower light provides continuous visual status so the technician—and anyone else on the job site—can see process status from a distance without approaching the cart.
Go
EvacMax™ fully automates the process:
- Pumps down to the target vacuum and initiates decay testing automatically.
- Monitors up to 6 gauges in real time, signaling status via the Andon tower.
- Logs all data for compliance and documentation.
- Automatically restarts or alerts the technician if tests fail.
EvacMax Automatically:
- Pumps down to the target vacuum level that has been programmed, and if target is reached, begins a vacuum decay test.
- Continuously signals process status via the high visibility Andon Tower Light.
Signals a successful completion of the process via the high visibility Andon Tower Light. -
Records the entire process to a downloadable data file.
If the system fails the vacuum decay test:
- EvacMax will repeat the cycle a predetermined (set) number of times until the refrigeration system passes.
EvacMax™ signals a repeated failure informing the technician that further investigation for leaks or excessive moisture (and possibly a nitrogen purge cycle) is required.
For the Fastest Evacuation Vacuum Times, Pair EvacMax™ with High-Flow Access Ports
FasTest’s CoreMax® and PortMax™ systems eliminate these bottlenecks. Purpose-built for high-flow operations, these ports enable EvacMax™ to pull a deeper vacuum faster than conventional valves.
Designed for faster processing of systems that currently use Schrader-type valves. CoreMax® replaces the Schrader core with a high-flow brazed access port that delivers dramatically improved flow without modifying the existing tube connection. Ideal for retrofits and new installations where Schrader access points are specified.
PortMax™ is a full-bore access port designed for maximum flow in large-capacity systems. When paired with EvacMax™, it enables the shortest evacuation times for high-volume commercial and industrial refrigeration applications.
Every Evacuation, Fully Documented
In an industry increasingly focused on quality documentation, traceability, and warranty protection, EvacMax™’s built-in data acquisition capability is a significant competitive advantage for contractors and plant teams.
Every EvacMax™ evacuation cycle automatically records a comprehensive data set including the start time, date, and duration of the evacuation, real-time vacuum levels from all active gauges throughout the process, the vacuum decay test parameters (target, threshold, and actual measured decay), pass/fail results for each test cycle and retry attempt, and a complete timeline of system events (pump start, target reached, valve close, decay test start, result).
This data is exported as a downloadable file that can be attached to commissioning reports, shared with building owners or facility managers, stored for warranty documentation, or analyzed to optimize evacuation processes across multiple job sites and system types.
Why Evacuation Data Matters:
- Warranty protection: Demonstrates proper evacuation procedure was followed—critical for warranty claims and manufacturer requirements.
- Commissioning documentation: Provides objective evidence of system integrity at the time of commissioning.
- Process optimization: Compare evacuation times and decay rates across jobs to identify best practices and problem patterns.
- Liability protection: Archived data supports dispute resolution if system performance issues arise after handoff.
Turn-key, optimized solution with real-time tracking and data capabilities directly from FasTest.
Fully automated easy-to-use intuitive design, set target vacuum, vacuum decay limits and monitor in real time. Store and download evacuation data records. - Facilitates process improvement and optimization.
- Lockable storage cabinets safely store components when not in use. Full line of accessories to meet your needs.
- Mobile cart can be used in plant, at installation site and for service.
- Durable construction will provide years of reliable service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EvacMax™ evacuation system?
EvacMax™ is a fully automated evacuation system from FasTest designed for commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. It combines automated pump-down, real-time multi-gauge vacuum monitoring, automatic vacuum decay testing, auto-retry logic, and full data acquisition in a single portable cart. It is designed to evacuate system refrigeration circuits faster and more consistently than conventional manual methods.
How much faster is EvacMax™ compared to conventional evacuation?
EvacMax™ typically cuts vacuum evacuation times in half compared to manual methods. The exact improvement depends on system volume, the number and type of access points (CoreMax® and PortMax™ access ports deliver the fastest results), and current piping configuration. On large-capacity VRV/VRF and industrial refrigeration systems, the time savings are often even more dramatic.
What types of refrigeration systems can EvacMax™ evacuate?
EvacMax™ is designed for large-capacity commercial and industrial refrigeration systems including industrial plants, supermarkets, cold chain facilities, VRV/VRF installations, institutional buildings, and large air handlers. It works with CoreMax® and PortMax™ access ports as well as conventional Schrader, packed angle, Rotolock, and ball service valves.
Does EvacMax™ perform vacuum decay testing automatically?
Yes. When the programmed target evacuation vacuum level is reached, EvacMax™ automatically closes the valve and initiates a vacuum decay test using the parameters you’ve configured. If the system fails, EvacMax™ automatically restarts the evacuation and retries up to the preset number of attempts before alerting the technician.
How many vacuum gauges can EvacMax™ monitor at once?
EvacMax™ can track up to 6 vacuum gauges simultaneously. Gauges can be placed at strategic points on the refrigeration system—such as at opposite ends of long tubing runs or at different circuit branches—to verify that the entire system is reaching the target evacuation vacuum uniformly.
What data does EvacMax™ record?
EvacMax™ logs the full evacuation process including timestamps, vacuum levels from all active gauges, vacuum decay test parameters and results, pass/fail status, and retry history. All data is exported to a downloadable file for commissioning documentation, warranty records, and process analysis.
Is EvacMax™ portable?
Yes. EvacMax™ is built on a mobile cart with durable construction and lockable storage cabinets. It is designed for use on plant floors, at installation sites, and for field service. Technicians can roll it to the job, set up quickly using saved evacuation profiles, and move to the next site.
What is the difference between an evac machine and an automated evacuation system?
An evac machine typically refers to a vacuum pump or basic pump cart used to pull a vacuum on refrigeration systems. An automated evacuation system like EvacMax™ goes far beyond basic pump-down: it automates the entire process including target monitoring, vacuum decay testing, pass/fail determination, automatic retries, and data recording. The difference is hands-free operation with documented results versus manual babysitting with no data trail.
Do I need CoreMax® or PortMax™ access ports to use EvacMax™?
No. EvacMax™ is compatible with standard Schrader, packed angle, Rotolock, and ball service valves. However, pairing EvacMax™ with CoreMax® or PortMax™ high-flow access ports delivers the fastest vacuum evacuation times because these ports eliminate the flow restrictions inherent in conventional valves.
Can EvacMax™ save different evacuation settings for different systems?
Yes. EvacMax™ stores up to 6 evacuation profiles, each with its own target vacuum, decay parameters, and retry settings. Technicians can load the correct profile for each job type instantly, ensuring consistent settings without manual configuration.
How does EvacMax™ help with warranty protection?
EvacMax™’s data acquisition records the complete evacuation and vacuum decay test process for every job. This documentation provides objective evidence that proper evacuation procedures were followed, which is increasingly required by equipment manufacturers for warranty validation. If a warranty claim arises, the archived data file supports your case.
What happens if the system fails the vacuum decay test?
EvacMax™ automatically restarts the evacuation cycle and retries the vacuum decay test up to the number of attempts you’ve preset. If the system continues to fail after all retries, EvacMax™ signals the technician via the Andon tower light and interface display, indicating that further investigation is needed—typically for leak sources, excessive moisture, or the need for a nitrogen purge cycle.
