Generally the system will be initially charged with approximately 80% to 85% of the original amount of R12, using R134a. Sponsored. eBay requires that anyone posting an auction for R12 check that the buyer has that certification, but eBay has no way to enforce it. The global warming potential of R134a is 1430. There are many thousands of older air conditioning and refrigeration plants that use these refrigerants. Reattach the hose lines using new R134a compatible o-rings, lightly lubricate with compressor oil. Pound for pound R134a is a more efficient refrigerant than R12, however it runs at higher pressures in some aspects and therefore requires more effective condensing. What's the difference between these and how do. Condensers designed to release greater amounts of heat help to expel the greater amount of heat which R134a removes from the cars interior. Your decision could be made based on economics, environmental concerns, or both. Remove the old mineral oil from the compressor by turning it upside down, side to side, and turn the front hub on the clutch assembly. R12 has not be manufactured for a long time it was outlawed in the US. You do not however need to replace all the o-rings or seals for a simple conversion, it is simply a logical thing to do when and if the time comes to work or replace certain components because of age issues. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. R12 is highly destructive of the ozone layer, and R134a is over 1,000 times more dangerous in terms of global warming than carbon dioxide. Older fridges and air conditioning units that use this refrigerant will still work efficiently, and converting them to more modern refrigerants will be difficult and unrealistically expensive. The issue is whether you should. This should give you a rough idea of how much youll need. Most vehicles manufactured before 1993 have the R12 A/C system. Make sure to wear safety gloves, goggles, and shoes when theres a possibility of exposure to the chemical (R134a). The R12a cans use the same taps as the R134a cans and the supplied hose has R134a compatible fittings on both ends, so R12a can be used to recharge R134a systems too. If youre resurrecting the A/C in a vintage car, the vast majority of the time the refrigerant has long since leaked out, but if your car has refrigerant in it, and you need to open up the A/C system to work on it, spend a little money and take the car to an A/C shop. The global warming potential is a factor that measures the amount of heat trapped by any gas when compared to the amount of heat trapped by the same amount of carbon dioxide. This chart has a column of ambient (outside) air temperatures on one side and a corresponding range of high side pressures on the other side. The name of the oil is Polyol Ester (POE). It belongs to a class of chemicals known as HFCs, and they dont contain chlorine, so R134a doesnt damage the ozone layer. Its often said that R12 is no longer available. That doesnt mean to say that theyre no longer used. Just leave it alone for now. R12s boiling point is -21.6F or -29.8C. If your a/c system is empty/low on refrigerant, if your system has a leak or if you need to open the system, then now is the time to decide which refrigerant you want to use. Converting them is extremely expensive, and in many cases, replacement is the only option available. They frame it as a replacement for R134a in cars and other vehicles. A final difference is that most (though not all) R-1234yf cars will have a Suction Line Heat Exchanger. The problems that arise are related to the oils used in the system and the fact that they have different charge weights and different boiling points. We consider the the various types alternative refrigerants that are illegal or not approved to be in two sectors: non-flammables and flammables. Typically 5 to 6 ounces of a/c oil is adequate but this may vary depending upon the car. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of zero and a global warming potential of 1430. R22, or to give it its proper chemical name, chlorodifluoromethane (CHCIF), is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable alternative to older refrigerants. Well worth the money if your A/C system is still in good shape. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. With R12 you use to check to see if the site glass was full, if it had bubbles it meant you had a low charge. The global warming potential measures the amount of heat trapped by any gas compared to the amount of heat trapped by the same amount of carbon dioxide. There are significant differences between R12, R134a, and R513A, which must be considered when handling, processing, applying, or retrofitting with these refrigerants. By using a qualified a/c shop with the proper equipment you odds are in your favor of having the job done correctly the first time. A vacuum pump, a refrigerant recover system, quality service gauge set with both low and high side gagues, and much more besides the lessons to learn what to do and what not to do. 21, 1439 AH. Its chemical name is dichlorodifluoromethane, and its chemical formula is CCl2F2. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. In fact, R12 was used for many years as a propellant in a variety of aerosol products and sprayed directly into the air, and it is closely related to the halon used in fire extinguishers. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101. The weight is only 2.4 ounces. When this happens, the chlorine in the product contributes significantly to the ozone layers depletion, leading to a lack of protection from harmful radiation. R134a wont damage the earths ozone layer. The system will accumulate a type of acidic sludge that will eventually destroy the system. If the oil didnt dissolve into the refrigerant, it would reduce the refrigerants ability to transfer heat. Very few DIY-ers have recovery equipment (I dont), so you need to take the car to a shop that does, and fewer and fewer shops keep and maintain R12-recovery equipment. For example, while R12 itself is similar to the halon used in fire extinguishers, when R12 is mixed with mineral oilthe most commonly-used lubricant oil in R12 systemsand aerosolized and burned, it creates phosgene gas, which was used as a chemical agent in WWI. The original expansion valves work very well with R134a. This makes it expensive to purchase and adds to the attraction of replacing it with other greener products. However, you need calibrated gauges for R410A. R12s ODP is 1 (the highest rating). However, if it is taken close to a fire flame or any electrical heating element, it disintegrates into toxic products. I did a beer cooler with a target temp of 36 degrees, these are largely different pressures than you'll see in automotive which has a max desired temp of 60 degrees. Some compressor manufacturers or OEMs suggest PAG type oil for R134a. Also, since R134a uses synthetic oil, it has a low global warming potential, unlike R12 which uses mineral oil which poses a negative environmental impact. The flammables have hydrocarbons. Weve been talking about air conditioning for a couple of weeks now, so if youre still feeling the heat then its time to wrap up the series so you can get out to your garage and put what youve learned to good use. Theyve moved away from using R12 in favor of more modern, environmentally safer products. And by matching the correct amount of R134a to use in a given vehicle, correcting the superheat of the expansion valve (if necessary), you can in some manner nearly balance or match the amount of heat drawn out by the evaporator and released by the condenser. pdrayton on Sat July 14, 2007 2:12 PM Year: 1983 Make: Mercedes Model: 240D Engine Size: 2.4 Refrigerant Type: R12 Ambient Temp: 90 Pressure Low: 35 Pressure High: ? Now, in the case of big American cars, with their massively overbuilt A/C systems and huge condensers, R134a conversion often worked fine. Below are the major differences between R134a and R12: The chemical composition of R12 and R134a differ. R12 is considered to be superior in cooling to R134a. Santech R12 to R134a Coupler Conversion Kit. So, along with R134a came a new oil: Polyalkylene Glycolor PAG oil. R12 and R134a are not the only game in town. You either get a system that will function well with R1234yf or get any other type. Oil doesnt stay in the compressor, however, it dissolves in the liquid refrigerant and gets carried through the system as a fine particulate mist when the refrigerant goes through its liquid/gaseous transition. Lastly, there are the flammable organic refrigerants (propane and its blends). This is because the pressure temperature relationship of R-12 and R-134a is different. Its better that this is done by professional technicians as venting any of this gas into the atmosphere is environmentally damaging and illegal. Yes, there will be less refrigerant by weight. So as long as the system was functioning correctly and not leaking, it appeared that you could flush the system of any old oil, change the oil in the compressor to PAG or ester oil, replace only the receiver-drier and the o-rings, screw on the charging port adapters, evacuate the system, and recharge it with the new R134a, using about 80% as much as the original R12 volume. 135, three new EPA-approved climate-friendly alternatives., Installing a lift pump in a Duramax diesel. However, there wereand aresome challenges to using it in an automotive A/C system designed for R12. His new book, Just Needs a Recharge: The Hack Mechanic Guide to Vintage Air Conditioning, is now available on Amazon. The biggest giveaway is the air conditioning connectors. If your car does not have a high pressure cut-out switch in the AC system then youll need to have one installed (call us if you need help). In contrast, older CFC refrigerants had an ODP of 1. Unfortunately, the R12 refrigerant doesnt always blow cold air. These efforts to balance the system can not be realized if there are problems within the a/c system, such as: poor performing compressor, dirty condenser or poor air flow through the condenser, malfunctioning expansion valve, water or air in the system, improperly operating fresh air or heat input in the climate-air mixing system. The following is verbatim from EPAs website: EPA performs random inspections, responds to tips, and pursues potential cases against violators of the Section 608 regulations. Its highest value is 1. Stay on the right side of the law, the environment, and your conscience, and dont vent refrigerant. Thats not the case with R12, ensuring that the efficiency of the plant isnt compromised. You should keep in mind that recharging your air conditioner improperly could result in more serious damage. For R12, its mineral oil. Ensure you contact a professional mechanic to do the work for you so you dont end up incurring more costs for yourself. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. 5 foreign cars that were copied from American style. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. R134a has a boiling point of -14.9 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas R410 boils at -61.9 degrees. Refrigerant 134a, or R134a, was developed as an alternative to the CFC refrigerants known to cause environmental damage. The value of carbon dioxide is 1. Tiny amounts of oil will inevitably find their way into the stream of gas. Compatible with multiple applications: The major reason for the introduction of R134a was to replace R12, so it functions perfectly in the same range of applications like rotary, screw, and centrifugal compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration. You do not have to split up the 5-6 oz of oil and add it to each component, just simply put it all in the compressor as it will move throughout the whole system once the system is operational. R134a is the most commonly used refrigerant to convert automotive air conditioning away from the destructive R12. It became known as R12 or Freon. On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. But once youre on that path, you can improve the system with a new compressor and parallel-flow condenser which, in most cases, will allow you to get good results with R134a. My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. However, leaks do occur. R12s GWP is 10,910. Attach the R134a charge port adaptors, there are two types.. one of which you need to remove the old R12 valve cores. The manufacture and sale of the small cans of R12 used by hobbyists to top off a system also ended, although New Old Stock (NOS) cans of R12 are still privately traded on eBay and Craigslist (Ill come back to that). The safe high side pressures are determined with a PT (pressures and temperatures) chart. In Stock. This drop can affect energy consumption since the plant will operate for a longer period or a larger plant will have to be installed. While the use of this product is steadily increasing in many developing countries, its now banned in the USA and, since 2020, is no longer manufactured or imported to the USA. At this point it is time to make an appointment with the a/c shop. Unfortunately, this product still contains chlorine. Any old black o-rings should be replaced with R134a-compliant green o-rings. This gas is then cooled via environmental means, and the gas slowly loses heat and reverts to a liquid state. What is usually sniffed are all the connections in the system: hoses and compressor, condenser, drier, expansion valve and evaporator fittings. R12, on the other hand, is called chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Lets have a closer look at these similarities and differences. As this gas has such an effect on the environment, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has strict guidelines for its use. To prevent refrigerant loss you should consider replacing your old hose lines with barrier type hose. First things first. Swapping the components isnt a herculean task, but recharging the AC is a challenge. In todays world, the combination of its ozone-depleting ability and its contribution to global warming makes this product a major issue for many countries. They differ in the number of ports, alias manifolds, that are used for attaching accessories. Problem solved, right? Its called Polyol Ester Oil or POE oil. Hope this helps Reply 10-10-2020, 01:12 PM #4 Chris Stritchko Whenever its exposed to the environment, it changes to a gas. Plus, not releasing the chemical into the air is morally justifiable. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. Skin contact: If the R134a (liquid) comes in contact with your skin, it could cause a burn. If youre still uncertain, go to a trained technician wholl tell you what refrigeration you have. The common problem when converting from R12 to R134a is lack of knowledge or equipment. It has a lower global warming potential than R134a. R12 has a GWP of 10,910, so its effect on global warming is over 10,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. However, you will need different recovery machines and other equipment to handle R1234yf. A simple rule of thumb conversion would be to take the amount of R12 refrigerant your system requires, in pounds, and multiply by 0.9 (your answer should be 90% of the R12 value). But if you live in a hot climate, want to daily-drive the car, and the car has a tiny-capacity A/C system which, even after modernization, may only perform marginally, you may want to consider sticking with R12. The Internet is a large and often-strange place, and if you want to search for sites that claim that R12 isnt harmful to the ozone layer, and that the whole thing was a conspiracy by DuPont because its patent on R12 was about to expire, youll find them. All compressors require oils to lubricate the moving parts. You may have heard of a friend that did the job himself with borrowed equipment and 12 or 16 ounce cans of refrigerant. R134a was touted as the replacement for R12 until it too was deemed environmentally undesirable. Here are the basics for converting a system that does not have a charge of R12, its empty. This implies that the discharge pressure of the compressor should be moderate so it can produce the refrigerants condensation in the condenser at the atmospheric temperature. Kuehl is a registered trademark of Griffiths Technical Inc. Griffiths Technical Inc is not associated with Porsche Cars North America. We recently created this blog site to enable us to share our knowledge with other automotive mechanics and car owners. Once you take these precautions, it would be possible to use R134A gauges R410A systems seamlessly. Best for varieties of operating conditions: Its boiling point is -21.6 Celsius. R134a reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid which damages the internal A/C components. The molecule size of R134a is smaller than that of R12, so there was concern that R134a could leak out through the hoses and flare fittings that R12 systems used. Further production of R12 was banned in some developed countries by the Montreal Protocol because of its harsh effect on the ozone layer. This is a remarkable read about the history of R12 to R134a, and the reasons and (few) exceptions to not convert to R134a. You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. Safety: R134a is safe to use as its non-flammable and cant explode. Theres a lot of misinformation surrounding R12. Merely an emerging auto hacker. Thats simply not true. NOTICE: All images, artwork, text & copy on this site and page are legally protected and are not to be reproduced or distributed without prior written consent of Griffiths Technical Inc.Porsche is a registered trademark of Dr. Ing. Piston Slap: Booting a Torino in a snap without snaps? Though you can purchase 12 or 16 ounce cans of R134a from local retailers it is very difficult to measure out the correct amount into your system. You can look up the law yourself at www.epa.gov/mvac, but basically it boils down to three things. This is why it is crucially important that R134a systems be properly evacuated (pumped down to boil off any moisture) and kept sealed. The alternator, sometimes called a generator, generates electricity to charge the battery and power all the electric auxiliaries while driving. Besides R134a there are some other refrigerants that are approved to replace R12 and there is a long list of refrigerants that are not approved. R12 costs about 4 times as much as R134a. R134a has a smaller molecule than R12 so R134a will leak out sooner than R12. The global warming potential of R134a is 1430. You can get it and use it. One of the biggest advantages of using R134a is that its well known, tried, and tested technology. By noting the ambient temperature you can look up what the preferred high side pressure should be. The reason is that the vehicles, for instance, manufactured currently configure the engine for R1234yf refrigerant, making no provision for replacement. R134a is otherwise called 1,1,1,2 Tetrafluoroethane, Florasol 134a, Freon 134a, Norflurane (INN) or HFC 134a. R12 is otherwise called dichlorodifluoromethane is a colorless gas (chlorofluorocarbon halomethane (CPC) that is used as an aerosol spray propellant and a refrigerant, and is soluble in organic solvents. Its not illegal to own this product, but with it being withdrawn from use in so many countries, its no longer manufactured. In sum, R12 has done more bad than good. Energy usage: R134a is less efficient in cooling compared to R12. An R134a-specific expansion valve was preferred but not strictly necessary. This means that it has a high potential of causing depletion to the ozone layer. Its unlikely that air conditioners or refrigeration plants will be converted from R12 or R134a to R22, but it can be done if reclaimed R22 refrigerant can be located. You can order a personally inscribed copy here. This means that the oil used in the system must be compatible with the refrigerant in use. R134a replaced R12 from 1994 onwards. Converting these plants to run modern refrigerants will be extremely expensive, and in many cases, mean complete replacement; these plants will likely continue to run for many years. The problem is that some inexpensive available refrigerantsammonia and propane, for exampleare poisonous and/or flammable. Winner: R-600a. R134a belongs to the family of HFCs or hydrofluorocarbons. Its a safe product for use in a variety of domestic and commercial environments. Its legal to own either of these gasses, but its illegal to vent them into the air. Alternator Overcharging - Causes and Fixes. Im not a lawyer, but charging a known-leaky system with something flammable sounds like culpable negligence to me. Ed. However, some old air conditioning units still use them. These are cars with poor A/C reputations, which is precisely why I continue to use R12 in them. A comparison between R12 vs. R134a temperature will show that R12 has a higher temperature than R134a. A qualified technician should vacuum out the gas and the refrigerant changed for something more modern and environmentally sympathetic. When the ambient air temps get above 80F the gauge readings can run a bit higher on the high side and lower on the low side when using R134a. Its not that difficult but the procedures of evacuation, charging and testing should be done by a licensed a/c technician that is experienced with R134a and your particular car. This chemical is tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. The cylinder head gasket is one of the most over-engineered and stressed components in an internal combustion engine. On the high side, R134a pressure runs about 10% higher pressure than R12 at equivalent temperatures. For this reason, when a car is being sold these days, R12 is often seen as a liability, a looming conversion expense, even if the system is functional and cold. R134a is classified as a dangerous greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. If you use anything other than R134a, youll likely create a situation where you must be the one servicing the system. The major environmental impact of this refrigerant escaping into the atmosphere is its contribution to global warming. As this product is highly damaging to the environment, the environmental treaty signed in Montreal in 1987 stopped the use of CFC refrigerants, which included R12. With a tight modernized system thatll accept either refrigerant, you should then consider where and how the system will be operated. At this time you can still find R12, but, because it is no longer produced, availability is limited to current inventories and the price per pound is greater than R134a. However, it must be noted that itll disintegrate into toxic compounds when exposed to flame. Hand in hand with this is the global warming potential (GWP), which measures the gass potential as a greenhouse gas. It provided much needed context as I embark on re-building the AC in my sons new (to him) 1988 Toyota pickup. Unfortunately, converting existing air conditioners that use R22 to use new refrigerants isnt easy. Any new installation of refrigeration or air conditioning wont use R134a as a refrigerant as the production and importation of this gas to the US has been banned. Also, they are mostly used in refrigeration and automotive air conditioning systems. This product does contain dangerous chemicals such as methyl chloride and vinyl chloride, both of which are carcinogenic and may cause congenital disabilities. Some recovery machines are equipped for both R134a and R1234yf. This means that when exposed to the environment, it exists as a gas. When used in refrigerator and A/C systems, R12 cooled incredibly well. But, if your car lacks enough condenser and you have many 100+ degree days then you may want to stick either increase air flow, add another condenser as we mentioned in The Mr. Ice Project or stick with R12.
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