Sold by e7tools and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Whenever its exposed to the environment, it changes to a gas. The global warming potential is a factor that measures the amount of heat trapped by any gas when compared to the amount of heat trapped by the same amount of carbon dioxide. This should give you a rough idea of how much youll need. Both of these compounds have similar cooling properties. If the target environment is only moderately hot, and your use of the car is light, R134a will probably be fine. R12 has a GWP of 10,910, so its effect on global warming is over 10,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. Thats not the case with R12, ensuring that the efficiency of the plant isnt compromised. These factors make it a safe product for a technician to work with. Below are the major differences between R134a and R12: The chemical composition of R12 and R134a differ. This is why it is crucially important that R134a systems be properly evacuated (pumped down to boil off any moisture) and kept sealed. These attributes make it very attractive for domestic refrigeration. 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. Compete replacement may be the only answer. 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. In the last 10 years, new information has shown that this gas contributes to global warming. Lastly, there are the flammable organic refrigerants (propane and its blends). A vacuum pump, a refrigerant recover system, quality service gauge set with both low and high side gagues, and much more besides the lessons to learn what to do and what not to do. 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. Problem solved, right? R12 vs R134a Refrigerant: What is the Difference? - 2022 Complete Guide In addition to this, federal laws prohibit the topping up of an R12 system with R134a and vice versa. This can significantly affect energy consumption as the plant will operate for longer, or a larger plant will have to be installed. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. Its found in domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning. AC R-134 Manifold Gauge Sets & Replacement Parts for Car AC Gauges Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the . Relevant Characteristics Between R12 and R134a, R12 vs R134a Refrigerant: What is the Difference? Its often said that R12 is no longer available. 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). On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. The common problem when converting from R12 to R134a is lack of knowledge or equipment. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. Inhalation of vapor: Inhaling a large amount of R134a vapor can lead to drowsiness, temporary nervous system depression, and lethargy. And it was safeneither poisonous to breathe, nor flammable. You confirmed my decisions in one elegant post (as opposed to the 60-odd hours of blog post readings and YouTube videos). By noting the ambient temperature you can look up what the preferred high side pressure should be. Being a CFC, this product depletes the earths ozone layer, contributing to global warming. We say generally because the vehicle manufacturer may have a formula already worked out for the R134a conversion process. 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. R12 systems used mineral oil, but unfortunately mineral oil doesnt dissolve in R134a. Many existing fridges and air conditioning units still use this refrigerant and work very efficiently. This is a remarkable read about the history of R12 to R134a, and the reasons and (few) exceptions to not convert to R134a. So, instead of using R12, other better options include R401b, R134a, R401a, etc. And that brings us to, I continue to use R12 in two of my carsmy 1972 BMW 2002tii and 1973 Bavaria. The higher the ambient temperature the higher the high side pressure. Swapping the components isnt a herculean task, but recharging the AC is a challenge. 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). You can get it and use it. We chose to use 5-6 ounces of oil to be on the safe side: 3-4 ounces for the compressor, 1 oz of oil for the drier and another ounce of oil for system losses. Many existing installations continue to use the product. After the optimum refrigerant charge is determined the car should be test driven to check for performance of the system. The first vehicle that used the R1234yf refrigerant was the 2013 Cadillac XTS. 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. We have the best A/C Manifold Gauge Set and Components for the right price. The issue is that you need to reach the point where the system is functional and leak-free. Yes, there will be less refrigerant by weight. This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). 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. R134a vs. R12 - Griffiths R134a and R12 are both refrigerants used in vehicle air conditioning systems. This is not to say that one of these small retro-fit kits cant be used, however to be used wisely. Thus you see how R134a conversion was often applied to systems that were not working correctly, if they were working at all. It also means that rotary, centrifugal, and reciprocating compressors can be used with R12. 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. This gas is then cooled via environmental means, and the gas slowly loses heat and reverts to a liquid state. What's the difference between these and how do. I did a beer cooler with a target temp of 36 degrees, these are largely different pressures than you'll see in automotive which has a max desired temp of 60 degrees. 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? 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. That doesnt mean to say that theyre no longer used. Statisicaly your friend was lucky. Using R134a requires that Polyolester (POE) lubricant must be used in the compressor. My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. Amazon.com: Lichamp HVAC R410A Manifold Gauge Set AC R134A, Freon R22 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). Safety: R134a is safe to use as its non-flammable and cant explode. R134a A/C retrofit and low pressure cycling switch adjustment 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. Not so fast. R1234yf is more environmentally friendly and has a global warming potential of 4. International manufacturing of new R12 ceased in 1996, but existing R12 can still be reclaimed and purified. Before we mentioned that you can add approximately 5-6 ounces of ester oil to the compressor. This means that when using R134a, the compressor should be oiled with Polyalkylene Glycol or PAG oil. Hand in hand with this is the global warming potential (GWP), which measures the gass potential as a greenhouse gas. Additionally, R134a was introduced as a replacement for R22 and R12 in high and medium-temperature refrigeration systems like domestic and commercial chillers. R22, or to give it its proper chemical name, chlorodifluoromethane (CHCIF), is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable alternative to older refrigerants. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. This is because the pressure temperature relationship of R-12 and R-134a is different. Also worth noting is that the R-600a requires a shorter time to reach -21C (60 minutes) compared to the R-134a (135 minutes) [1]. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. Lets take you through the advantages, disadvantages, and differences of these two refrigerants a detailed comparison including R12 vs R134a performance. However, take note that R134a refrigerants are manufactured specifically for automotive air conditioners. 2021 Complete Guide. Some compressor manufacturers or OEMs suggest PAG type oil for R134a. The safe high side pressures are determined with a PT (pressures and temperatures) chart. This means when lowering temperatures to -7C or below, theres a noticeable drop in the plants ability to chill the air. It provided much needed context as I embark on re-building the AC in my sons new (to him) 1988 Toyota pickup. R12 systems use screw-on connectors, while R134a systems use push-on connectors similar to those used in air tools. R134a has a GWP of 1430. This means that the oil used in the system must be compatible with the refrigerant in use. Piston Slap: Booting a Torino in a snap without snaps? Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. 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. R12 R22 R134a R404a Manifold Gauge Set 3" Gauge HVAC A/C Refrigeration However, if it is taken close to a fire flame or any electrical heating element, it disintegrates into toxic products. 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. As these two products essentially do the same job, there are many similarities between the two refrigerants. On this website we are addressing only R134a and not other suggested drop in replacements. Its chemical symbol is CH2FCF3. Its likely that these plants, which will be expensive to convert, will continue to use R12 with careful maintenance. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. However, R12 refrigerants are still used as fire retardants in aircraft and submarines. Difference Between R-134a and R-410A Refrigerants? Merely an emerging auto hacker. 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. Servicing automotive a/c systems: The difference between R-134a and R By international agreement in 1987 (the Montreal Protocol), the use and production of CFCs such as R12 began to be phased out, with automobile manufacturers required to stop using it by the end of the 1994 model year. Its called Polyol Ester Oil or POE oil. With new R12 no longer being manufactured, the market price soared to $100/pound. 134A HVACR versus 134A Automotive..Difference?? - HVAC-Talk: Heating 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. R12 is miscible with mineral oil under any operating condition. Because R134a is an HFC, not a CFC (stay with me for a minute), it does not have the ozone-destroying properties of R12. Converting these plants to run modern refrigerants will be extremely expensive, and in many cases, mean complete replacement; these plants will likely continue to run for many years. I have never see the other way around. The compressors used by refrigeration plants to compress gas require oil to help lubricate its moving parts. Existing technology: R134a has been in use in the refrigeration industry for very many years, and theres so much information about the safe use of the product. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. So when someone says, You cant get R12 anymore, or Its illegal to use R12, those things simply arent true. Technicians must capture and recycle R134a safely, and the gas must be disposed of by following the EPA guidelines. Sponsored. Its improbable that any new installation will be built that uses this refrigerant as its use is deemed highly undesirable in many countries and international environmental treaties discourage its use. 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: ? 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. 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. This means that when exposed to the environment, it exists as a gas. Its been used in the refrigeration industry for a long time, so theres a large body of knowledge established around the product. If you have a perfectly operating system using R12 you do not have to drop what you are doing and convert to R134a. There should also be a blue sticker somewhere on the system telling you the date the system was converted. 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. Unfortunately, converting existing air conditioners that use R22 to use new refrigerants isnt easy. The system will be checked for gross leaks while under vacuum. 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. R12 has not be manufactured for a long time it was outlawed in the US. Its unlikely that air conditioners or refrigeration plants will be converted from R12 or R134a to R22, but it can be done if reclaimed R22 refrigerant can be located. Typically 5 to 6 ounces of a/c oil is adequate but this may vary depending upon the car. Ive always liked them. However, you can convert R12 to R134a by yourself, save money and keep all the tools purchased. Theyve moved away from using R12 in favor of more modern, environmentally safer products. The maximum value is 1. Note that R134a is also sometimes called Freon, even labeled as such on the can, so its best to be clear and use the names R12 and R134a. Its still one of the most efficient at cooling, but the destructive effects on the ozone layer and its very high global warming potential have made this environmentally an unwise choice. Can I Use Automotive r134a in a Refrigerator | An Expert Guide This chemical is tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. R-600a vs. R-134a: Which Is The Better Refrigerant? When ever possible you should ask the technician to note the same information on your repair bill and keep a copy in your glove box for future reference. On a long-dormant system, the odds are very high that its dead because it has no refrigerant in it, which means it has leaked out which means theres a leak that must be located and fixed. Theres a lot of misinformation surrounding R12. Because of this products greenhouse gas attributes, its manufacture has been banned in the European Union since 2011, and motor manufacturers stopped using it in motor vehicle air conditioning at that time. Heres R12 vs. R134a pressure chart. This is a highly desirable property as it means that the boiling point is always below the targeted temperature. Can You Use R134a Gauges On R410a? [ Answered ] - My Vehicle Talk R134a is NOT less efficient than R12 Actually R134a is more efficient. Hell, its possible that not all of the original A/C components are even there anymore. Skin contact: If the R134a (liquid) comes in contact with your skin, it could cause a burn. R12 contains a chemical called chlorine that destroys the ozone layer, thereby causing potential environmental risk. 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. 5 foreign cars that were copied from American style. Many vehicles that contain this type of refrigerant will continue using it. But many European cars, such as the vintage BMWs I love, had A/C systems that never functioned all that well even when they were new and charged up with R12. Recharge the compressor with a/c ester oil and a tracer dye. NOTICE: All images, artwork, text & copy on this site and page are legally protected and are not to be reproduced or distributed without prior written consent of Griffiths Technical Inc.Porsche is a registered trademark of Dr. Ing. Even if youre OK with that, if the system needs work, any refrigerant in it will need to be recovered. After the system has been tested out it should be checked for leaks. R12 is considered to be superior in cooling to R134a. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101. 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. Both of these gasses are very safe for use in all forms of refrigeration as theyre not flammable, explosive, or toxic. These are the major reasons that this product is now banned in many countries and replaced by other refrigerants that dont have such a serious environmental impact. It's important to get good. Generally you follow the refrigerant flow moving from connection to connection, component to component, and you sniff the a/c vents to check for evaporator leaks as well. This means that this compound is made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. 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. 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). You can spend interesting evenings going down the rabbit hole online and reading posts from folks who vigorously defend flammable refrigerants and say, You do know that your car carries 20 gallons of flammable gasoline, dont you? Yes, but gasoline usually isnt routed through the passenger compartment, and theres a zero-tolerance policy toward gasoline leakage. However, some old air conditioning units still use them. link to Alternator Overcharging - Causes and Fixes, link to LS Head Bolt Torque Specs and Sequence. 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. Besides, its technology has been tested and trusted. R12 is used in several applications like low temperature, medium temperature, and high-temperature applications. R-134a entirely dominated the automotive market by 1994. They differ in the number of ports, alias manifolds, that are used for attaching accessories. We consider the the various types alternative refrigerants that are illegal or not approved to be in two sectors: non-flammables and flammables. Theres no doubt that R12 refrigerant is one of the first compounds manufactured for the air conditioning and refrigeration world, but it had to be banned. Its not that difficult but the procedures of evacuation, charging and testing should be done by a licensed a/c technician that is experienced with R134a and your particular car. To ensure the right charge, you must fill the new system with between 75 and 85% of the factory-set capacity for optimal cooling. The problem is that some inexpensive available refrigerantsammonia and propane, for exampleare poisonous and/or flammable. Small NOS cans of R12 are widely available on eBay and Craigslist for about $30 apiece. Reusing Refrigerant: Refrigerant must be properly recycled or reclaimed before it can be reused, even if it is being returned to the vehicle from which it was removed. You either get a system that will function well with R1234yf or get any other type. All in all, I'm very happy with the results and see no reason why they won't last. The effect that R134a has on global warming makes this gas an unattractive product to many technicians. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Environmental Impact: When R134a escapes into the atmosphere, it contributes to global warming. 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. 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. You can find many videos and web forum posts where people retrofit R152a into cars that originally had R12 and profess excellent results, but it is not approved by the EPA for retrofit applications, only new car applications. R134a is otherwise called 1,1,1,2 Tetrafluoroethane, Florasol 134a, Freon 134a, Norflurane (INN) or HFC 134a. This product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive, so its extremely safe to use for domestic refrigeration. If you you dont have the free time to play then you are better off to pay a technician. By using a black light the dye will glow in areas where oil leaks are visible. 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. Over time, a credible middle ground emerged. $34.99. Because this recipe was quite expensive, a backlash developed which gave companies an opportunity to sell conversion kits consisting of nothing but the charging port adapters and a small bottle of oil that was somehow magically supposed to make your mineral oil R134a-compatible. The reason is that the vehicles, for instance, manufactured currently configure the engine for R1234yf refrigerant, making no provision for replacement. In air conditioning units installed in motor vehicles, the systems increased running time results in increased fuel usage. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. However, it must be noted that itll disintegrate into toxic compounds when exposed to flame. It is a haloalkane and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant that has thermodynamic properties, potential global warming for one hundred years, and insignificant ozone depletion. Its often said that buying or selling R12 is illegal. R134A does not deplete the ozone layer of the earth as it is a CFC refrigerant. In many parts of the world, its now viewed as a greenhouse gas, and its use is discouraged. Thats simply not true. Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 20. Instead, top off R12 with R134a refrigerant. R134a Expansion valve different from R12? - Automotive Air Conditioning Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. Refrigerant 12 or Freon 12 is colloquially known as R12. You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. Moreso, it had been banned. R134a Expansion valve different from R12? These properties make it popular for domestic and commercial refrigeration. So to keep things simple and to avoid controversy and politics we have R134a. And, unfortunately a small high side pressure gauge on a short hose. Air-conditioning dos and don'ts: Refrigerants and the law The system will accumulate a type of acidic sludge that will eventually destroy the system. Your email address will not be published. Their differences come mainly in their chemical make-up and environmental impact. Plus, not releasing the chemical into the air is morally justifiable. R12 fitting vs. R134a - Garage Addicted We don't save this data. Doesnt contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. R134a isnt toxic, corrosive, explosive, or flammable, making it a good choice for air conditioning, but its cooling properties arent as good as R12.
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