Hydrocarbon refridgerants
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
Hi guys,
I have added a Clardy underdash AC unit to my '72 truck, and have just finished adding all the factory stock compressor, engine pulleys, brackets, etc. Next comes the condensor: I will buy a new reciever dryer and new hoses for the system. My question is...what does anyone know about Hydrocarbon refridgerants for an empty system? How good are they, and what can I expect from using such a system. The website sounds all rosey and all, but I don't have any experience with having used these new refridgerents. I'm really not fond of R-134, as it never seems to get as cold as the R-12 systems did. Personally I like a system that freezes you, my family's old 1972 LTD was like a meat locker inside with the AC on max.
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/
this is the site I have bookmarked and looked at for some time now.
Any opinions? Anyone?
Thank,
mike
I have added a Clardy underdash AC unit to my '72 truck, and have just finished adding all the factory stock compressor, engine pulleys, brackets, etc. Next comes the condensor: I will buy a new reciever dryer and new hoses for the system. My question is...what does anyone know about Hydrocarbon refridgerants for an empty system? How good are they, and what can I expect from using such a system. The website sounds all rosey and all, but I don't have any experience with having used these new refridgerents. I'm really not fond of R-134, as it never seems to get as cold as the R-12 systems did. Personally I like a system that freezes you, my family's old 1972 LTD was like a meat locker inside with the AC on max.
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/
this is the site I have bookmarked and looked at for some time now.
Any opinions? Anyone?
Thank,
mike
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Houston/Hope BC
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
I am no expert and have tried ONE replacement, FREEZE12 (do not know what is in it, they don't say). It did work better than R134a but still not as good as R12. As best I have been able to figure out, R134a gets less cooling in conversions for one reason: inadequate condenser area/efficiency. Aftermarket MFG's are supposed to have addressed this. I want to stay with 134a for one reason: it is everywere and, as far as I can tell, 50% or less price of replacements. GL hope this helps some.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
Hydrocarbon refrigerant means-- Propane. Propane has very similar characteristics to R-12 as far as boiling point, compatability w/ mineral oil, etc.... except for one thing-- R-12 doesn't burn; propane of course does. A leak and a spark = an un-intentional barbeque! I would go with 134-a, and maybe a bigger condenser, but R-12 is still available. I think I'd pay for r-12 before I'd use hydrocarbon.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 0
From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
For the past three + years I have been using R-406 in my 88 F-150 without any problems. It does not require a change in oil or seals and it has a few degree cooler air outlet temperature than R-12 had. There are many pros and cons on this refrigerant because it is a aztrophic mixture but if you do not have leaks in the system it performs nicely. It's operating pressures are very close to that of R-12 so you can pretty much go by the R-12 pressure temperature relationship chart with it. I purchased mine from www.autofrost.com. The price is reasonable also.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Houston/Hope BC
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
More thoughts on all this:
R-12 must have a license to buy if you can find it...
All HC refrigerants are NOT propane, some may very well work fine and be safe...HAS ANYBODY USED THEM?. (another is RedTek 12a... this LOOKS very promising... at least they publish the data)
R-406, glad it works for you, AZEOTROPIC, means any leak (and you will have one eventually) changes the composition of the remaining refrigerant.
Once again, a PROPERLY engineered R-134a system will make good cold and you can get it serviced anywhere anytime. If you do go with a HC,PLEASE write me and tell me how you like it!
R-12 must have a license to buy if you can find it...
All HC refrigerants are NOT propane, some may very well work fine and be safe...HAS ANYBODY USED THEM?. (another is RedTek 12a... this LOOKS very promising... at least they publish the data)
R-406, glad it works for you, AZEOTROPIC, means any leak (and you will have one eventually) changes the composition of the remaining refrigerant.
Once again, a PROPERLY engineered R-134a system will make good cold and you can get it serviced anywhere anytime. If you do go with a HC,PLEASE write me and tell me how you like it!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Allegany, NY
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
134A and a can of maxi cool works very well. the other subs anrt bad eather, Freeze 12, cooltop ect they all fall short of good old R12 .
But if you use them and for what ever reason decide to take to a shop in the future many wont touch it because they are required to maintain separate recovery equipment for each refrigerant they service to prevent any cross contamination
in ACC with the good ol EPA guide lines and they dont make that kind of envestment for alll the stray sub.s
But if you use them and for what ever reason decide to take to a shop in the future many wont touch it because they are required to maintain separate recovery equipment for each refrigerant they service to prevent any cross contamination
in ACC with the good ol EPA guide lines and they dont make that kind of envestment for alll the stray sub.s
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: North Florida
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
Propane will work? Really?!?
Propane is cheap, alot cheaper than R12, or R134a
Just how can you fill your system with propane, i guess you'll need to make your own adapter, and imagine you would have a built in leak sensor, your nose with that smell, and you can roast marshmellows if you had a leak!
Propane is cheap, alot cheaper than R12, or R134a
Just how can you fill your system with propane, i guess you'll need to make your own adapter, and imagine you would have a built in leak sensor, your nose with that smell, and you can roast marshmellows if you had a leak!
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
Originally posted by Dan76'F100
Propane will work? Really?!?
Propane will work? Really?!?
Last edited by Ultramagdan; Jun 17, 2003 at 09:20 PM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach
Hydrocarbon refridgerants
Well after reading these posts, and talking at some length to my neighbor who has air in his '65 camper special, I think I will avoid the whole hydrocarbon mess. So I will finish hooking up the whole system here, and have it checked for leaks and all, but not filled. Then I will drive a hour or so south to Tijuana, Mexico, where I found out just a 100 yards or so across the border from the USA are several auto AC service centers, and get it filled with R-12 there. In Mexico it seems, brand new R-12 is sold in stores for $5 a can, and it is made right here in the USA. Come to find out that Mexico and most of South America is exempt from that treaty that bans R-12 and they have actually increased freon production there due to the numbers of americans bringing over cars and RV's to have the AC systems fixed. Although USA bans bringing back freon into the USA it does not ban having cars worked on in foreign countries. At least its nice to know you can still get an empty AC system charged full for under $40.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
oldfordtrucksrule
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
10
Apr 10, 2003 08:43 PM
