Red is the high side..
The low side is blue..
On a manifold gauge set, there are two gauges. The gauge encased in red measures pressure on the high pressure (discharge) side. That's the "high side gauge". The other will be incased in blue, and measures vacuum pressure on the low side.
the color is red
That's extremely high pressure on the low side. While I believe there's still a good chance that you have an AC problem, I'm more inclined to believe that you have a faulty manifold gauge set than I am to believe your compressor isn't putting any pressure to the high side, and the low side pressure gauge may be faulty, as well. Tools are something where you get what you pay for - if you bought your gauge set at a place like Harbor Freight or Wal Mart, don't be surprised if it's faulty.
On a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria : The H / L ( High / Low ) gauge : On the drivers side of the speedometer is the battery voltage gauge On the passenger side of the speedometer is the engine oil pressure gauge
Blue
Yes you can. A dry standpipe system has an air pressure and a water gauge the air pressure gauge is normally found on the top or the (pressure side) the water gauge is normally located on the bottom under the air pressure gauge or the (supply side)
You need to specify what kind of system. Automotive AC systems and home AC systems use different refrigerants. That, along with the temperature/pressure relationship and ambient air temperature, all factor into what your high pressure (and, consequentially, low pressure) side should read on your manifold pressure gauge.
High side and low side refer to the pressure in the ac system. Ie The high side is the high pressure line and low side is the low pressure line.
The port next to the radiator is the low-side port
Freon goes into the low pressure side of the air conditioning system. The attachment from the gauge used to put the freon in will only attach to the low pressure valve so it would be pretty hard to do it incorrectly.
I have worked on air conditioners since 1960 and have never heard of a low side reading without a high side reading. Are you sure you are on the low side, the fitting is on the accumulator. If so you need to be sure that the hose is depressing the schrader valve. If you loosen the line at the gauge you should have pressure. If the high side is 120psi and the low side is zero, then you are low on refrigerant or you could have a clogged orfice tube.
No, the liquid (discharge) line is the high pressure side. The suction line is the low pressure side.