R134a is the most widely accepted alternative automotive refrigerant used to replace R12. Because R134a is an HFC, not a CFC (stay with me for a minute), it does not have the ozone-destroying properties of 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. R134a belongs to the family of HFCs or hydrofluorocarbons. Additionally, R134a was introduced as a replacement for R22 and R12 in high and medium-temperature refrigeration systems like domestic and commercial chillers. The safe high side pressures are determined with a PT (pressures and temperatures) chart. Required fields are marked *. As this gas has such an effect on the environment, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has strict guidelines for its use. R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. 2001-2023 Griffiths Technical Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. Reattach the hose lines using new R134a compatible o-rings, lightly lubricate with compressor oil. 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. 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. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. If you use anything other than R134a, youll likely create a situation where you must be the one servicing the system. Hope this helps Reply 10-10-2020, 01:12 PM #4 Chris Stritchko Its not illegal to own this product, but with it being withdrawn from use in so many countries, its no longer manufactured. The value of carbon dioxide is 1. Theyll continue to work for many years, as replacement is costly. 29. Yes R12 systems did cool better than R134a, but there are differences and it is not wise to go back wards. 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. In addition, there was the lubricant issue. As a result, each refrigerant's system requirements are quite . 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. Temperature and pressure chart for refrigerants R22, R410A, R12, R134A, R401A, R409A, R502, R404A, R507A, R408A and R402A. R-12 isn't just unfriendly to the ozone layer, it has a GWP value of 10,900!
Awareness of Changing Refrigerant Types - I-CAR R12 is found in all kinds of refrigeration, ice makers, air conditioners, water coolers, transport refrigeration, and chillers. My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. However, R134a is better than R12. The maximum value is 1. Unfortunately, the R12 refrigerant doesnt always blow cold air. This is because the pressure temperature relationship of R-12 and R-134a is different. The non-flammables can have R22 type gas which is not compatible with most rubber hoses or they have gases that contribute to global warming. This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). 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. You should keep in mind that recharging your air conditioner improperly could result in more serious damage. _________________. Anyway on the low side R134a runs about 2 psi lower than R12 at equivalent temperatures. Like R12, this product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive. 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: ? Carefully study the chart and compare the following: To a large extent, the choice is up to you. Hopefully after you have read this entire page you will have enough information to determine which type of refrigerant is best for you. Theres no problem with using R134a in a home air conditioning system because it is a hydrofluorocarbon that doesnt cause environmental harm. When used in refrigerator and A/C systems, R12 cooled incredibly well. 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. The problem is that some inexpensive available refrigerantsammonia and propane, for exampleare poisonous and/or flammable. As for R134a and R1234yf, theres no room for conversion.
The 7 Best HVAC Manifold Gauges 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide We don't save this data. The effect that R134a has on global warming makes this gas an unattractive product to many technicians. Hell, its possible that not all of the original A/C components are even there anymore. R12, on the other hand, is called chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). If the target environment is only moderately hot, and your use of the car is light, R134a will probably be fine. Usually, mechanics charge around $200 for conversion. Besides, its technology has been tested and trusted. Sold by e7tools and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. But the problem with R12 is twofold. R134a and R12 are among the most popular types of refrigerants. Which brings us to. R134a isnt as efficient in cooling as R12. This is used in automotive air conditioning in older vehicles and domestic and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration. Country of Origin: United States Hi, this is my first post, so please take it easy on the noob. Only licensed air conditioning companies and technicians may purchase this refrigerant. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. If your cars system has a sufficient condenser design and air flow to expel the greater amount of heat extracted by R134a, then by all means you should convert over when the time comes. R134a was developed to replace R12, so it works over the same range of applications. Hopefully Ive properly conveyed that, if the A/C in your precious vintage car is long-dead, the question isnt whether you choose between buying a few NOS cans of R12 and shooting them in (seriously dont do that) or converting to R134a. Its been used in the refrigeration industry for a long time, so theres a large body of knowledge established around the product. R134a refrigerant is lighter than R12.
r134a vs r12 manifold gauges.. - Slant Six Forum 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. BTW Im sorta tempted to buy one of your BMW 2002 cars. If you have a perfectly operating system using R12 you do not have to drop what you are doing and convert to R134a. There are many thousands of older air conditioning and refrigeration plants that use these refrigerants. On this website we are addressing only R134a and not other suggested drop in replacements. For example, if your system originally had 36 ounces of R12 then you multiply that by .80 and you have 29 ounce of R134a. . Because the two oils were different, R134a certainly wasnt a drop-in replacement for R12. However, there are some drawbacks to using this type as well. If you you dont have the free time to play then you are better off to pay a technician. A significant investment. R12 is recognized as a very stable compound, and it wont break down under even the most stringent conditions, but if it comes in contact with flames or electrical heating elements, it breaks down into toxic components.
The Difference Between Refrigerants R134A and R410A Gas? 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. Concentration level: The R134a vapor dilutes the oxygen concentration in the air to a low level, thereby causing harm. What is usually sniffed are all the connections in the system: hoses and compressor, condenser, drier, expansion valve and evaporator fittings. The system will accumulate a type of acidic sludge that will eventually destroy the system. Hot spot auto parts .ca sells R12a for about $10/can and a $10 ALL IN ONE can with oil. Also, the EPA 609 certification can be easily obtained by taking an online exam. 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. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. 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. Heres R12 vs. R134a pressure chart.
Let's talk about refridgerants: R-12a or R-134a? | TDIClub Forums R12 is a powerful ozone depleted, while R134a and R1234yf are not. They frame it as a replacement for R134a in cars and other vehicles. All in all, I'm very happy with the results and see no reason why they won't last. This should give you a rough idea of how much youll need. 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. R134a was touted as the replacement for R12 until it too was deemed environmentally undesirable. 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. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the amount of R134a used. 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. Generally the system will be initially charged with approximately 80% to 85% of the original amount of R12, using R134a. R134a reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid which damages the internal A/C components. For those of you who are considering what the cost is for R12 you can think of it this way: Dont go out to dinner this weekend. Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 20. 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. In contrast, older CFC refrigerants had an ODP of 1. 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. In the years following the switch to R134a, there was confusion over what was required to maintain the A/C of older cars. R12 was the first refrigerant created. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. There are other EPA-approved refrigerants such as Hot Shot and Freeze 12, which you can find here. Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. R12 will completely dissolve in mineral oil, but R134a wont. Google use cookies for serving our ads and handling visitor statistics.
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