Buy online for free next day delivery or same day pickup at a store near you. Hell, its possible that not all of the original A/C components are even there anymore. Condensers designed to release greater amounts of heat help to expel the greater amount of heat which R134a removes from the cars interior. Most countries frown on the use of these gasses due to their environmental impact. 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. R12 is CFC: Even though R12 is one of the most commonly used refrigerants, it is CFC. The problem in all of this is the sentence As long as the system is functioning correctly and not leaking. Who in their right mind would take a tight, cold, R12-based system and convert it to less-efficient R134a? After the system has been tested out it should be checked for leaks. A comparison between R12 vs. R134a temperature will show that R12 has a higher temperature than R134a. For all of these reasons, the issues of conversion and performance need to be cleanly separated. But the problem with R12 is twofold. As these refrigerants are slowly phased out, there are still many questions that people have about them. Stay home and grill your own steaks and stir your own martini. These factors make it a safe product for a technician to work with. Well worth the money if your A/C system is still in good shape. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101. This boiling point means that itll condense with moderate pressure, so applications can use a lower pressure condenser to achieve the same results. R12 was the first refrigerant created. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. To prevent refrigerant loss you should consider replacing your old hose lines with barrier type hose. Its among the greenhouse gases and will keep adding the current problem of heat not leaving the earths atmosphere. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. The two systems use different fittings. There are other EPA-approved refrigerants such as Hot Shot and Freeze 12, which you can find here. My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. 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. It is usually sold under the brand name, Freon 12. 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. It is a haloalkane and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant that has thermodynamic properties, potential global warming for one hundred years, and insignificant ozone depletion. Dont do it. This is a remarkable read about the history of R12 to R134a, and the reasons and (few) exceptions to not convert to R134a. The typical scenario here is when the car owner buys an inexpensive retro-fit kit from the local auto parts store. Then there are three new EPA-approved climate-friendly alternatives. There is R1234yf, which is already being used on new cars but is classified as mildly flammable. At $70 per pound, no one is using it in retrofit applications. The only time this product will be unsafe for humans is if its exposed to flame, when it breaks down into toxic substances or if its discharged into the air. Below are the major differences between R134a and R12: The chemical composition of R12 and R134a differ. R-134a, while non-ozone depleting, is still viewed unfavorably due to its GWP of 1,430. Low refrigerating effect per pound: In comparison to other refrigerants, the refrigerating effect of R12 per pound is low. Each has its own cult following and requires its own EPA-approved charging fittings. R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. 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. Even though their common major function is to cool the system, they have many differences. Its highest value is 1. A/C professionals derisively called these death kits because they had a reputation for causing the compressor to seize a few months later. The next piece of equipment to track down leaks is a leak sniffer. This is not to say that one of these small retro-fit kits cant be used, however to be used wisely. Its been labeled as a greenhouse gas, and its use is no longer supported. Chemistry. 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. R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well. Hence, the effect of R12 on global warming is up to 10,000 times higher than carbon dioxide. I was recently selling a beautiful 1987 BMW 325is with cold R12-based A/C. Compete replacement may be the only answer. R134a is a newer type of refrigerant that has some significant advantages. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. In addition to the low boiling point, there are two other de facto requirements for refrigerant: It shouldnt be poisonous, and it shouldnt be flammable. R12 has not be manufactured for a long time it was outlawed in the US. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. Besides, its technology has been tested and trusted. That doesnt mean to say that theyre no longer used. Ensure you contact a professional mechanic to do the work for you so you dont end up incurring more costs for yourself. Converting them is extremely expensive, and in many cases, replacement is the only option available. All in all, I'm very happy with the results and see no reason why they won't last. Problem solved, right? So, along with R134a came a new oil: Polyalkylene Glycolor PAG oil. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. R12 is a powerful ozone depleted, while R134a and R1234yf are not. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. Concentration level: The R134a vapor dilutes the oxygen concentration in the air to a low level, thereby causing harm. 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. Why racetracks are giving hybrids and EVs the cold shoulder, Rearview cameras have been around longer than you think, At $720,000, this Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is looking for its top, For roadster lovers, Mazdas Miata is (still) the answer, National Council of Corvette Clubs lifts competition ban on E-Ray, How fast is the Corvette E-Ray? Initially, an invasive recipe was proposed: the system should be flushed to remove any traces of the old R12-specific mineral oil, the compressor and expansion valve should be replaced with R134a-specific versions to perform correctly, and the old hoses should be replaced with 134a-specific barrier hoses to forestall leakage. R134A does not deplete the ozone layer of the earth as it is a CFC refrigerant. Using the specs for the current system, multiply the R12 charge by 0.9 or 90% to determine the refrigerant capacity. These are cars with poor A/C reputations, which is precisely why I continue to use R12 in them. 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. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. Swapping the components isnt a herculean task, but recharging the AC is a challenge. The best replacement for R134a is R1234yf, while R12 refrigerant replacement was R134a. Unfortunately, the widespread use of R12 appeared to be significantly degrading the Earths ozone layer, potentially causing a worldwide health crisis. They differ in the number of ports, alias manifolds, that are used for attaching accessories. Here are a few of the more common questions. But some types of PAG do not mix well with the old residual R12 mineral oil left in the system components whereas ester does mix very well. This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). 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. Theyre older generation refrigerants that have some serious environmental factors against them. This gas is then cooled via environmental means, and the gas slowly loses heat and reverts to a liquid state. No, its not possible to mix these two refrigerants. Not so fast. R134a is classified as a dangerous greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. For R12, its mineral oil. Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. In more serious, it could result in cardiac irregularities or death. 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. Its likely that these plants, which will be expensive to convert, will continue to use R12 with careful maintenance. It has already been clearly stated that R12 is a chemical that damages the earths ozone layer and shouldnt be released into the environment no matter the circumstance. You confirmed my decisions in one elegant post (as opposed to the 60-odd hours of blog post readings and YouTube videos). When this happens, the chlorine in the product contributes significantly to the ozone layers depletion, leading to a lack of protection from harmful radiation. We consider the the various types alternative refrigerants that are illegal or not approved to be in two sectors: non-flammables and flammables. While R513A is a viable option for new and existing equipment, it is not a "drop- in" replacement for R12 or R134a. Gauges are used to read the pressure of various liquids and gases in a cooling system, as well as vacuum pressure in the process of testing or charging the device. This item: R12 R22 R134a R404a Manifold Gauge Set 3" Gauge HVAC A/C Refrigeration Charging Service. 21, 1439 AH. Next, add a can of R12a from the low side fitting while running your A/C. The money you will save by will pay for the R12. It also means that rotary, centrifugal, and reciprocating compressors can be used with R12. This should give you a rough idea of how much youll need. Rob Siegel has been writing the column The Hack Mechanic for BMW CCA Roundel magazine for 30 years. Before R12 was replaced with R134a in 1995, it was mostly used in trucks and cars. R12 is found in all kinds of refrigeration, ice makers, air conditioners, water coolers, transport refrigeration, and chillers. . After the initial charge the system is then tweeked : you determine the optimum amount of refrigerant to match your system by monitoring the a/c outlet vent temperature and the high side pressure as you add or remove refrigerant. The problem with these so called drop in replacements is that to properly handle them you may need dedicated equipment to identify the gas and evacuate it for proper disposal. However, there are some drawbacks to using this type as well. When theyre in a liquid state, theyll remove heat from air passing over the pipes theyre in and slowly evaporate to form a gas. 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. EPA is authorized to assess fines of up to $37,500 per day for any violation of these regulations.. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of zero and a global warming potential of 1430. Of course, the receiver/drier needs to be replaced, as it does any time an A/C system is opened. These two refrigerants are very similar. You do not want to exceed the systems high side recommendations. dye and seal. Anyone selling R12 is required to verify that the buyer has an EPA Section 609 certification to work with mobile vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) systems. The following bullets are verbatim from EPAs website: There is an additional requirement that the cars A/C have charging fittings that are unique to the refrigerant being used, but its the venting part thats of the most interest, as its the area where you can get fined. Any old black o-rings should be replaced with R134a-compliant green o-rings. Also, R134a cylinders are light-blue in color. This week, we discuss the thing thats actually boiling and coolingthe refrigerant itself. The ozone depletion potential of a chemical is a factor that shows the level of degradation itll cause to the ozone layer that surrounds and secures the earth from harmful radiation. 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. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the amount of R134a used. The problem is that some inexpensive available refrigerantsammonia and propane, for exampleare poisonous and/or flammable. R12s boiling point is -21.6F or -29.8C. If youre going to go to all that effort on a vintage car with an A/C system that hasnt been used in years, it usually behooves you do a full-on rejuvenation of the system and replace the compressor with a new compact rotary-style unit, replace the condenser with the largest parallel-flow condenser and big fan thatll fit in the nose of the car, make all new hoses, and flush the evaporator. Its chemical symbol is CCl2F2. R134a is the most widely accepted alternative automotive refrigerant used to replace R12. Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. However, some old air conditioning units still use them. So, instead of using R12, other better options include R401b, R134a, R401a, etc. As this chemical has both chlorine and fluorine in its make-up, it belongs to the group of chemicals known as CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons. 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. With that said, Ill agree that the flammability issue may not be as black-and-white as it appears. With a tight modernized system thatll accept either refrigerant, you should then consider where and how the system will be operated. R12 contains a chemical called chlorine that destroys the ozone layer, thereby causing potential environmental risk. 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. 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. Diagnosis of the air-conditioning system can be done in the same way as with R134a. R134a is NOT less efficient than R12 Actually R134a is more efficient. Skin contact: If the R134a (liquid) comes in contact with your skin, it could cause a burn. 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. On the high side, R134a pressure runs about 10% higher pressure than R12 at equivalent temperatures. Yes, there will be less refrigerant by weight. Given two identical vehicles, each with the same weighted amount of refrigerant, the vehicle with the R134a has the capability to remove more heat (measured in btus) from the vehicle than the same type of vehicle using the same amount of R12. In many parts of the world, its now viewed as a greenhouse gas, and its use is discouraged. The safe high side pressures are determined with a PT (pressures and temperatures) chart. But, if your old compressor has lock-up or if your current expansion valve is not functional it would wise to replace the expansion valve with a valve designed for R134a. This can significantly affect energy consumption as the plant will operate for longer, or a larger plant will have to be installed. The first vehicle that used the R1234yf refrigerant was the 2013 Cadillac XTS. R12 is well known as a refrigerant used in many applications as its non-toxic, non-explosive, and non-flammable. The cylinder head gasket is one of the most over-engineered and stressed components in an internal combustion engine. Its better that this is done by professional technicians as venting any of this gas into the atmosphere is environmentally damaging and illegal. Its called Polyol Ester Oil or POE oil. Using R134a requires that Polyolester (POE) lubricant must be used in the compressor. So if you car has a large amount of rubber hose, such as a 40 feet with the 911, then you will be re-charging the system often and that is expensive no matter which refrigerant you use. 3.5" Backlit Display & Visual Refrigerant Filling Window & High Strength MaterialHVAC digital manifold gauge set adopts 3.5-inch backlight display design,the data is easy to read,and each test result is divided by lines on the screen,the data is more intuitive.HVAC digital gauges is made of high-strength engineering plastic,with anti-slip 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. R-12 isn't just unfriendly to the ozone layer, it has a GWP value of 10,900! If you still find it difficult to use R134a in a home AC system, you can check out a comparison of R12 vs R134a fittings to know the refrigerant that best fits the AC system. This product is safe to use in that its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. These properties make it very attractive for domestic, commercial, and automotive refrigeration and air conditioning. The maximum value is 1. This chemical has carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. We say generally because the vehicle manufacturer may have a formula already worked out for the R134a conversion process. So the oil must be compatible with the refrigerant. However, you will need different recovery machines and other equipment to handle R1234yf. So when someone says, You cant get R12 anymore, or Its illegal to use R12, those things simply arent true. Its been used in the refrigeration industry for a long time, so theres a large body of knowledge established around the product. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. Moreso, it had been banned. A comparison between R12 vs. R134a temperature will show that R12 has a higher temperature than R134a. Santech R12 to R134a Coupler Conversion Kit. In sum, R12 has done more bad than good. This product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive, so its extremely safe to use for domestic refrigeration. R134a can easily go between liquid and vapor states as with other refrigerants. R134a and R12 are among the most popular types of refrigerants. Then subtract 0.25 pounds. Hopefully after you have read this entire page you will have enough information to determine which type of refrigerant is best for you. 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. This is an electronic tool that sucks in air through a tube and across a sensor. SKU # 532244. . So to keep things simple and to avoid controversy and politics we have R134a. Im not a lawyer, but charging a known-leaky system with something flammable sounds like culpable negligence to me. The most significant disadvantage of this product is the damage that it can do to the environment if its vented irresponsibly. The higher the ambient temperature the higher the high side pressure. You might find that the system doesn't get as cool even after properly charging it. 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. The flammables have hydrocarbons.

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