The flammables have hydrocarbons. This means that the oil used in the system must be compatible with the refrigerant in use. R134a is the most commonly used refrigerant to convert automotive air conditioning away from the destructive R12. You can recharge your A/C system with chicken soup (lousy refrigerant, by the way) and no black helicopters will come to your house, but in a world where people usually dont hold onto their cars forever, R134a is still the best choice for retrofit applications. This means that the mineral oil in the system wont dissolve. 5 foreign cars that were copied from American style. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. 1. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of 0, implying that it has a slight effect on the ozone layer. Google use cookies for serving our ads and handling visitor statistics. 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. Another way to check is to look at the air conditioning connectors. All compressors require oils to lubricate the moving parts. Thus you see how R134a conversion was often applied to systems that were not working correctly, if they were working at all. 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. This is used in automotive air conditioning in older vehicles and domestic and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration. R134a is a newer type of refrigerant that has some significant advantages. Besides, its technology has been tested and trusted. Tiny amounts of oil will inevitably find their way into the stream of gas. Therefore, its most suitable for both commercial and domestic environments. Alternator Overcharging - Causes and Fixes. The air conditioning system in your car uses a combination of evaporation and condensation to cool the interior. The safe high side pressures are determined with a PT (pressures and temperatures) chart. There are many thousands of older air conditioning and refrigeration plants that use these refrigerants. Its found in domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning. Because R-12 is no longer manufactured and has not been used in cars for over 20 years, this article will focus on systems designed for R-134a. When you add fluorescent tracer dye to with the refrigerant oil it helps to track down leaks that push oil out of the system. Yes, theres a certain irony in the fact that weve gone full-circle from the invasive youll need to replace almost everything including the compressor and hoses in order to properly convert R12 to R134a to you dont need to replace all that much; just flush it, new oil, new drier and o-rings, and back to youll need to replace almost everything including the compressor, hoses, and the condenser. But this change has occurred both because the cars are that much older than they were when the R12 to R134a change occurred in the mid-1990s, and there is now a better understanding of the need to take advantage of updated compressors and condensers in order to get the A/C systems to blow adequately cold with R134a. However, take note that R134a refrigerants are manufactured specifically for automotive air conditioners. With new R12 no longer being manufactured, the market price soared to $100/pound. _________________. Of course, the receiver/drier needs to be replaced, as it does any time an A/C system is opened. 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. As a result, each refrigerant's system requirements are quite . Converting them is extremely expensive, and in many cases, replacement is the only option available. I think that, with hindsight, many people would agree that, even given that R12 is an ozone-destroying agent, fines of this level made many hard-working A/C technicians hostile to the government, and thus were counterproductive. We mention using ester type refrigerant oil. If you find any of these conditions you will want to liquid flush (with dedicated AC flush solution) all the lines, condensers, evaporator (remove the expansion valve) before you proceed further. This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). Also, if you want to know what happens if you put R134a in an R12 system, you should first confirm if the R12 system can be replaced or if the refrigerants can be mixed. As this chemical has carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine but no chlorine, its not dangerous to the ozone layer. Certainly no one selling cans of R12 on Craigslist is asking for your EPA 609 card. He passed. You do not need to replace every o-ring in the system, but if you happen to open a connection that has an o-ring you should replace the old o-ring with one that is compatible with R134a and lubricate the o-ring with ac oil. Kuehl is a registered trademark of Griffiths Technical Inc. Griffiths Technical Inc is not associated with Porsche Cars North America. 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. 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. The most significant disadvantage of this product is the damage that it can do to the environment if its vented irresponsibly. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of zero and a global warming potential of 1430. Its been likened to trying to convert a petrol engine to run on diesel. The global warming potential of R134a is 1430. In many parts of the world, its now viewed as a greenhouse gas, and its use is discouraged. Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 20. Being a CFC, this product depletes the earths ozone layer, contributing to global warming. The new player in the market is HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf), which is considered ozone-friendly and has a GWP of less than 1. 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. R12 and R134a are older generation refrigerants that are no longer produced nor imported into the USA. They might say for instance, add 3-4 oz of oil to the compressor, 1 oz of oil for when you replace a drier, 2 oz oil for the evaporator and so on. These properties make it very attractive for domestic, commercial, and automotive refrigeration and air conditioning. Nevertheless, repeat after me: It is illegal to vent refrigerant. Heres R12 vs. R134a pressure chart. We are an automotive mechanic blog that helps mechanics and car users to find the most recent and accurate technical and repair information for their cars. Diagnosis of the air-conditioning system can be done in the same way as with R134a. All references (pictorial or text) to the Porsche name, model names or numbers, part numbers or shapes are replacement reference only. This allows the refrigerant in the condenser to be void of oil particles. 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. Their differences come mainly in their chemical make-up and environmental impact. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. The most common influences which effect the capability of R134a to perform well are the condenser, in some cases the the superheat setting of the expansion valve or the amount of R134a. This item: R12 R22 R134a R404a Manifold Gauge Set 3" Gauge HVAC A/C Refrigeration Charging Service. Many existing installations continue to use the product. 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. To ensure the right charge, you must fill the new system with between 75 and 85% of the factory-set capacity for optimal cooling. However, its been shown that R134a is as destructive to the environment, and newer refrigerants have been created to overcome this problem. R134a was the replacement refrigerant for R12. International manufacturing of new R12 ceased in 1996, but existing R12 can still be reclaimed and purified. On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. Do a pre-inspection and then Evacuate (vacuum down) the system, the longer the evacuation the better but there is a point of diminishing return, 2-3 hours is generally very good. 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. Inhalation of vapor: Inhaling a large amount of R134a vapor can lead to drowsiness, temporary nervous system depression, and lethargy. First things first. Statisicaly your friend was lucky. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. All signatories to the Montreal Treaty stopped the production of CFC products. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. Ed. I can tell you that R12 is some seriously great refrigerant; it gets both of these cars meat-locker cold almost from the instant the A/C is turned on. Since you will be using less R134a than R12 you do not want to rely on the driers site glass to determine if the system is full. 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). However, you can convert R12 to R134a by yourself, save money and keep all the tools purchased. While R513A is a viable option for new and existing equipment, it is not a "drop- in" replacement for R12 or R134a. Reattach the hose lines using new R134a compatible o-rings, lightly lubricate with compressor oil. Because the two oils were different, R134a certainly wasnt a drop-in replacement for R12. Another difference is that yf Evaporators must meet SAE Spec J2842, which was not an issue in R-134a systems. (To be clear, both cars also have a new rotary-style compressor and a big parallel-flow condenser and fan.). In the case of R134a, its the global warming potential thats an issue. 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. These guidelines are offered tohelp understand the differences . This is because the pressure temperature relationship of R-12 and R-134a is different. Doesnt contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. R12s boiling point is -21.6F or -29.8C. Skin contact: If the R134a (liquid) comes in contact with your skin, it could cause a burn. R134a vs R12 refrigerant? Its among the greenhouse gases and will keep adding the current problem of heat not leaving the earths atmosphere. 21, 1439 AH. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. Since you cant vent any refrigerant without breaking the law, and since youll be hard-pressed to find a shop that will recover anything other than R134a, youll have painted yourself into a corner. We recently created this blog site to enable us to share our knowledge with other automotive mechanics and car owners. This product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive, so its extremely safe to use for domestic refrigeration. 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. As this chemical has both chlorine and fluorine in its make-up, it belongs to the group of chemicals known as CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. Some recovery machines are equipped for both R134a and R1234yf. With a tight modernized system thatll accept either refrigerant, you should then consider where and how the system will be operated. In air conditioning units installed in motor vehicles, the systems increased running time results in increased fuel usage. 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). R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. If youre still uncertain, go to a trained technician wholl tell you what refrigeration you have. The concern that the original R12 hoses would leak R134a like a screen door on a submarine appeared to be largely unfounded, as the insides of original hoses seemed to naturally become impregnated with a combination of refrigerant and oil that acted as a barrier. Instead, top off R12 with R134a refrigerant. Like R12, this product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive. First, it is a pernicious ozone-destroying agent, so if you are going to use it in a car, you are morally required to do everything under the sun to thoroughly leak-test the system before charging it with R12. Sold by e7tools and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Stay home and grill your own steaks and stir your own martini. SureBilt R-134a High and Low Side Service Port Repair Kit $ 5. R134a has a smaller molecule than R12 so R134a will leak out sooner than R12. Many commercial enterprises that run large chillers or transport companies running reefer trailers or containers have used R12 as its a highly efficient refrigerant that provides excellent cooling. 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. Because A/C compressors have moving parts, they require oil. Most of all the differences gravitate to longevity, functionality, and safety. R134a won't provide the same level of cooling as R12, though. We suggest dumping the old refrigerant oil in a clean container and inspect the oil for sludge or waxing (old oil that has gelled) and contamination (metal particles). They frame it as a replacement for R134a in cars and other vehicles. Best for varieties of operating conditions: Its boiling point is -21.6 Celsius. In most cases, the systems used have varied components, designs, and service ports. This is not to say that one of these small retro-fit kits cant be used, however to be used wisely. R134a is NOT less efficient than R12 - Actually R134a is more efficient. The advantage of ester oil is that it works with both R12 as well as R134a, so you can fill the system with it and then use either refrigerant. Since 2010, all home AC systems manufactured use a refrigerant like R134a that has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). 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. The weight is only 2.4 ounces. 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. R12 is a powerful ozone depleted, while R134a and R1234yf are not. In the last 10 years, new information has shown that this gas contributes to global warming. Important Features: Color-coded Easy to use Made of high-quality brass Specific for R-134a Pros: Easy to operate. We learned the theory behind refrigeration and air conditioning, which centers on this wonderfully useful bit of physics: When liquid boils and evaporates into a gas, it expands and cools. Moreso, it had been banned. 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? R12 connectors were of the screw type, while R134a has push-on connectors similar to air tools. Meanwhile, the R-134a gas has a COP of 4.62, which is lower than the other two gases. 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. 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. Generally the system will be initially charged with approximately 80% to 85% of the original amount of R12, using R134a. 135, three new EPA-approved climate-friendly alternatives., Installing a lift pump in a Duramax diesel. Most vehicles manufactured before 1993 have the R12 A/C system. The service ports in both systems are quick-connect, but they are taller in the yf systems to avoid cross-contamination. That doesnt mean to say that there are still many thousands of existing installations that are running refrigeration plants using this refrigerant to cool them. With the differences between the two refrigerants in mind, it goes without saying that charging an R12 system with R134a can have some serious negative effects. 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. R1234yf is more environmentally friendly and has a global warming potential of 4. In addition to it having a low ODP, science has proven that R22 is also a strong greenhouse gas and has a GWP of 1810, indicating that its 1810 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. Both of these products are refrigerants. 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). Its better that this is done by professional technicians as venting any of this gas into the atmosphere is environmentally damaging and illegal. There are significant differences between R12, R134a, and R513A, which must be considered when handling, processing, applying, or retrofitting with these refrigerants. Also, it can be used with all types of compressors. R134a isnt toxic, corrosive, explosive, or flammable, making it a good choice for air conditioning, but its cooling properties arent as good as R12. To take one of these and convert it to R134a was usually a recipe for disappointment. 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. Here are the basics for converting a system that does not have a charge of R12, its empty. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. Refrigerant 134a, or R134a, was developed as an alternative to the CFC refrigerants known to cause environmental damage. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. Note that I am not advocating taking the exam and getting the EPA 609 certification simply so you can legally buy R12; Im just stating what the law appears to be. Unfortunately, this product still contains chlorine. 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. 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. I have never see the other way around. Theres no problem with using R134a in a home air conditioning system because it is a hydrofluorocarbon that doesnt cause environmental harm. You should keep in mind that recharging your air conditioner improperly could result in more serious damage. Santech R12 to R134a Coupler . Carefully study the chart and compare the following: To a large extent, the choice is up to you. This means that when using R134a, the compressor should be oiled with Polyalkylene Glycol or PAG oil. The major environmental impact of this refrigerant escaping into the atmosphere is its contribution to global warming. And, unfortunately a small high side pressure gauge on a short hose. R12, on the other hand, has an ozone depletion potential of 1, implying that it can damage the ozone layer. This drop can affect energy consumption since the plant will operate for a longer period or a larger plant will have to be installed. All leaks in systems using R134a must be repaired within 30 days. However, R12 refrigerants are still used as fire retardants in aircraft and submarines. These cheap kits usually have a few cans of R134a (either 12 ounce or 16 ounce), maybe an extra can of refrigerant oil, a few generic R134a charge port adapters and maybe some o-rings. To be absolutely clear, these refrigerants are not EPA-approved and shouldnt be used. Its possible to convert from R12 to R134a without replacing the systems components, so when R134a was brought out, it seems to be a good match to many automotive air conditioning issues. However, it must be noted that itll disintegrate into toxic compounds when exposed to flame. R12 is known as a CFC or chlorofluorocarbon, with a chemical symbol of CCl2F2. R12 is used in several applications like low temperature, medium temperature, and high-temperature applications. If you use anything other than R134a, youll likely create a situation where you must be the one servicing the system. This means that the tiny droplets of oil from the compressor that end up in the refrigerant will be returned via the compressors refrigerant; they wont block pipes. Dont do it. A set of R134a-specific charging port adapters should be installed to eliminate the possibility of refrigerant cross-contamination. If your compressor requires replacement or its seals and o-rings need to be replaced due to leakage, it would be wise at this time to either obtain a compressor that has o-rings and seals that are compatible with R134a or have your unit re-manufactured with compatible components. Refrigerant for domestic & commercial use, Mainly used in the automotive industry but can be used as a refrigerant for domestic and commercial use, Has excellent cooling properties and performs at a similar level to R134A, Has excellent cooling properties and performs at a similar level to R12. Failure to abide by the EPA regulations can result in expensive fines for either you or your service technician. Because of R1234yfs mild flammability, BMW and Mercedes are now adopting R744. Even though their common major function is to cool the system, they have many differences. As these two products essentially do the same job, there are many similarities between the two refrigerants. If it splashes inside the eye, it could lead to a serious eye problem. As for R134a and R1234yf, theres no room for conversion. The system will accumulate a type of acidic sludge that will eventually destroy the system. 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. Shut off your car and once again let out all the pressure. Instead of using R12, its preferable to use R134a because it is very easy to find in the market, its sold at an affordable price, and is environmentally friendly. Theyll continue to work for many years, as replacement is costly. They behave in the same way when used in any form of refrigeration or air conditioning plant. As part of doing that, you often wind up replacing major portions of the systemnot because thats strictly required in order to convert it to R134a, but because thats what you need to do in order to get it functional again. 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. If you have a perfectly operating system using R12 you do not have to drop what you are doing and convert to R134a. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 chemical is an excellent refrigerant liquid. And then there is the very interesting refrigerant R152a, which is the ingredient in keyboard duster, minus the bittering agent added to prevent inhalant abuse. No one here will work on it, he said. R-134a entirely dominated the automotive market by 1994. Welcome to rxmechanic.com. This is an electronic tool that sucks in air through a tube and across a sensor. Hot spot auto parts .ca sells R12a for about $10/can and a $10 ALL IN ONE can with oil. Which brings us to. 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. 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. The system will be checked for gross leaks while under vacuum. Its legal to own either of these gasses, but its illegal to vent them into the air. A comparison between R12 vs. R134a temperature will show that R12 has a higher temperature than R134a. On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. Thank you! 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. This week, we discuss the thing thats actually boiling and coolingthe refrigerant itself.

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