The RV has Dash AC, but it is super weak, as in Non working.
Please teach me the ways of converting to R134a.
The RV has Dash AC, but it is super weak, as in Non working.
Please teach me the ways of converting to R134a.
You'll get 45 different opinions and a bunch of people saying "the only right way to do it is..."
On my old Audi GT, I replaced the piston compressor when it died with a rotary one and had new hoses made (existing ones wouldn't match up). New drier and fittings and it worked at least as good as it ever did if not better. If the compressor hadn't taken a crap I probably would have just done a fitting change and vacuum and swapped in the new refridgerant. The keys really are vacuuming all the old out of the system and setting the pressure correctly with the 134a. It's much more finnicky than R12.
ddavidv wrote: You'll get 45 different opinions and a bunch of people saying "the only right way to do it is..." ...The keys really are vacuuming all the old out of the system and setting the pressure correctly with the 134a. It's much more finnicky than R12.
QFT.
I would make sure your compressor is compatible with R134a. That's the only thing I'd concern myself with that ddavidv didn't bring up. Some compressors just don't last with R134a, but there's always a way to either make the one you have work (usually just replacing seals) or another compressor that's already suited for the conversion.
I have seen systems that had chronic failing seals and gaskets after the conversion, but it seems to be more of an issue in 20+ year old systems that hadn't been taken care of.
there are many ways to doit.
the common (read: cheap and not so good) is to just swap retrofit fittings onto the R12 fittings, charge it and go. Works fine for a year in most cases.
next step up is to do the above plus replace all the o'rings in the system plus the receiver drier/ accumulator (should be replaced ANY time you open the system)
next is to replace the compressor plus all the above or to replace the hoses plus all the above.
In some vehicles replacing the condenser is needed as well.
Ive used the "Spray and Pray" method countless times with excellent success rates. If you have a friend with an A/C machine, have them suck the system down, then charge it yourself with the cans from the parts store. It does seem to work better if you can get it sucked down, but we are rocking a lot of tractors that were just topped off up R134A. Once or twice a season @$7 a can is much cheaper than a proper service.
Also, stay away from Stop Leak.
ve used the "Spray and Pray" method countless times with excellent success rates.
this QFT..
I once had a beater miata that had a low R-12 charge. I topped it up with 134a (just changed the fitting & nothing else) and it worked fine for 3+ years after that (until we turned it into a SM). And by fine, I mean ice cold on hot humid michigan summers. I would have turned it into a SM sooner if the AC failed ;)
Kendall
Is it Summer already. Seems this post comes up every year about this time!
I've also just drained the R12 and replaced with R134A on two cars. Once with a vacuum, mostly without (vacuum lasted longer!). With no vacuum, it worked well for a year or so. Cost me $12 (2 cans of R134A) and 30 minutes of work once each year. Can't beat that. I would at least try that before going to all the trouble to do it the "right" way.
Spray and Pray it is then. 
R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....
wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....
Ah, I thought they didn't sell it any more. Where does one find R12 nowadays?
ddavidv wrote: You'll get 45 different opinions and a bunch of people saying "the only right way to do it is..." On my old Audi GT, I replaced the piston compressor when it died with a rotary one and had new hoses made (existing ones wouldn't match up). New drier and fittings and it worked at least as good as it ever did if not better. If the compressor hadn't taken a crap I probably would have just done a fitting change and vacuum and swapped in the new refridgerant. The keys really are vacuuming all the old out of the system and setting the pressure correctly with the 134a. It's much more finnicky than R12.
QFT! I never vacuumed my older cars (VW 92 Golf, and two 92 Corrados) either, and on a really hot day with R134 it's no better than an old German woman blowing in your ear.
I haven't replaced the condenser or evaperator on any of my cars, but a lot of other VW guys say I should, since R134a isn't as efficent as R12. They say you need bigger ones to make the new stuff "act like the old stuff" if you don't increase the overall pressure in the system (like ddavid did).
Actually, after thinking about this all over again, I think I'll look into the compressor swap that ddavid did..in the short run, it sounds like even though compressors are expensive, it'll cost less for me to do that instead of source & fabricate stuff to update everything else in the system.
wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....
You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
friedgreencorrado wrote:wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
Seriously. R12 is the E36 M3. R134 sucks bad.
friedgreencorrado wrote:wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these days
internetautomart wrote:friedgreencorrado wrote:you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these dayswcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
Nah, no licence. And I wouldn't want you to lose yours by selling to me. Still, there's a lot of summer to go...
How much is a 30 lb can these days? $600?
friedgreencorrado wrote:wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/R-12-R12-R-12-Refrigerant-4-Cans-Oil-Charge-/280511950791?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item414fd0afc7#ht_1245wt_1165
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUPONT-R12-FREON-3-12-OZ-IMMACULATE-CANS-/200476425457?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ead537cf1#ht_833wt_1165
My local wrench doesn't seem to have any issues getting it... but others are right that without a license it's rough to get.
internetautomart wrote:friedgreencorrado wrote:you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these dayswcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
I bought 4 12oz cans for my friend at O'Reilly's Auto parts 2 weeks ago.
m4ff3w wrote:internetautomart wrote:I bought 4 12oz cans for my friend at O'Reilly's Auto parts 2 weeks ago.friedgreencorrado wrote:you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these dayswcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...
of R12? doubt it. Freeze 12 more likely. R12 is federally mandated to have a license and a book kept of whom it is sold to along with their license #.
Good morning and canoe to you.
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