PDF R134a R513A - Tecumseh Products You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. Theyll continue to work for many years, as replacement is costly. The air conditioning system in your car uses a combination of evaporation and condensation to cool the interior. With the knowledge of the differences, youll be able to draw a comparison between R12 vs R134a efficiency. 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. If you are replacing other system components, such as condensers, driers or hoses, you may need to add more a/c refrigerant oil to the system. 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. The most significant disadvantage of this product is the damage that it can do to the environment if its vented irresponsibly. 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. R134a Expansion valve different from R12? - Automotive Air Conditioning It is usually sold under the brand name, Freon 12. . R134a is the most widely accepted alternative automotive refrigerant used to replace R12. The name of the oil is Polyol Ester (POE). Thats simply not true. It is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. 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. Tiny amounts of oil will inevitably find their way into the stream of gas. The major environmental impact of this refrigerant escaping into the atmosphere is its contribution to global warming. R134a is a greenhouse gas, while R1234yf has a lower global warming . However, theyre still used in older plants, systems, and the automotive industry. A/C R12-to-R12a Refrigerant Recharge Results - Forums As you probably know, matter can exist in three statessolid, liquid, and gas. These properties make it popular for domestic and commercial refrigeration. Then subtract 0.25 pounds. Its chemical name is dichlorodifluoromethane, and its chemical formula is CCl2F2. R12 has not be manufactured for a long time it was outlawed in the US. Disconnect the two hose lines to the compressor, protect the ends from getting dirty. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the amount of R134a used. Many older automotive systems still use R12, and as youre still able to purchase individual small cans of this refrigerant via on-line marketplaces, its use in many classic motor vehicles will likely continue. Each has its own cult following and requires its own EPA-approved charging fittings. Why racetracks are giving hybrids and EVs the cold shoulder, Rearview cameras have been around longer than you think, At $720,000, this Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is looking for its top, For roadster lovers, Mazdas Miata is (still) the answer, National Council of Corvette Clubs lifts competition ban on E-Ray, How fast is the Corvette E-Ray? R12 and R134a are not the only game in town. 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. A/C professionals derisively called these death kits because they had a reputation for causing the compressor to seize a few months later. Many existing installations continue to use the product. Because of R1234yfs mild flammability, BMW and Mercedes are now adopting R744. 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. R12 costs about 4 times as much as R134a. As a result, each refrigerant's system requirements are quite . If you have a perfectly operating system using R12 you do not have to drop what you are doing and convert to R134a. In addition to this, federal laws prohibit the topping up of an R12 system with R134a and vice versa. _________________. However, there wereand aresome challenges to using it in an automotive A/C system designed for R12. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. The flammables have hydrocarbons. The alternator, sometimes called a generator, generates electricity to charge the battery and power all the electric auxiliaries while driving. Because of this, in the early 1930s, a new refrigerant based on a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), specifically dichlorodifluoromethane, was developed. After the optimum refrigerant charge is determined the car should be test driven to check for performance of the system. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. dye and seal. Besides, its technology has been tested and trusted. BTW Im sorta tempted to buy one of your BMW 2002 cars. Lastly, there are the flammable organic refrigerants (propane and its blends). h. c. F. Porsche AG. These guidelines are strictly enforced, and contravention of them can lead to severe penalties being imposed. No, its not possible to mix these two refrigerants. R134a is NOT less efficient than R12 Actually R134a is more efficient. The cost of recharging the air conditioner is between $150 to $500. As these two products essentially do the same job, there are many similarities between the two refrigerants. An R134a-specific expansion valve was preferred but not strictly necessary. Therefore, its most suitable for both commercial and domestic environments. Over time, a credible middle ground emerged. It also means that rotary, centrifugal, and reciprocating compressors can be used with R12. The Difference Between Refrigerants R134A and R410A Gas? 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. Converting them is extremely expensive, and in many cases, replacement is the only option available. R134a refrigerant is lighter than R12. Buy online for free next day delivery or same day pickup at a store near you. So the oil must be compatible with the refrigerant. Moreso, it had been banned. This is not to say that one of these small retro-fit kits cant be used, however to be used wisely. Unfortunately, the R12 refrigerant doesnt always blow cold air. The sticker typically has a place to note the amount of refrigerant used, the type of oil and amount of oil, the technicians sign off or name and the date of the conversion. If your vehicle is after 1994, you could use R-134a in its air conditioning system. After the system has been tested out it should be checked for leaks. R134a has a smaller molecule than R12 so R134a will leak out sooner than R12. Its better that this is done by professional technicians as venting any of this gas into the atmosphere is environmentally damaging and illegal. This means that the oil used in the system must be compatible with the refrigerant in use. R134a vs R12 refrigerant? R12 connectors were of the screw type, while R134a has push-on connectors similar to air tools. Depending on what kind of car you have, it likely either uses R-134a or R-1234yf refrigerant to keep you cool. Hand in hand with this is the global warming potential (GWP), which measures the gass potential as a greenhouse gas. For instance you can evacuate FRIGC FR-12 into a refrigerant recovery bottle that has R134a in it or visa versa. This is a highly desirable property as it means that the boiling point is always below the targeted temperature. This means that its classified as a greenhouse gas and will add to the current problems of heat not escaping the earths atmosphere. Given two identical vehicles, each with the same weighted amount of refrigerant, the vehicle with the R134a has the capability to remove more heat (measured in btus) from the vehicle than the same type of vehicle using the same amount of R12. Next, add a can of R12a from the low side fitting while running your A/C. 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. https://www.wiseautotools.com/mountain-quick-connect-r12-ac-gauge-conversion-to-134a/ A/C gauge conversion kits from R12 to R134A. 2001-2023 Griffiths Technical Inc. All Rights Reserved. Winner: R-600a. Theres one type of oil that will work with both refrigerants. R12 vs R134a Refrigerant: What is the Difference? - 2022 Complete Guide On the high side, R134a pressure runs about 10% higher pressure than R12 at equivalent temperatures. Versus Ferrari F8 & Lamborghini Huracan Evo Cammisas Ultimate Drag Race Replay, Ultra RARE: Colin Chapmans Lotus Eleven + 327 Corvette Stingray with 4-speed | Barn Find Hunter Ep. All in all, I'm very happy with the results and see no reason why they won't last. R12 is known as a CFC or chlorofluorocarbon, with a chemical symbol of CCl2F2. However, R134a is better than R12. He passed. 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. Required fields are marked *. So to keep things simple and to avoid controversy and politics we have R134a. 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. Hope this helps Reply 10-10-2020, 01:12 PM #4 Chris Stritchko With R134a you do not rely on the site glass. Theyre also tasteless, colorless, and odorless. R12 is extremely stable and wont deteriorate operating under the most extreme conditions. This can be very very expensive. Air-conditioning dos and don'ts: Refrigerants and the law How to Convert Your Car AC R12 System to R134a Both claims are demonstrably untrue. Being a CFC, this product depletes the earths ozone layer, contributing to global warming. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. Thus, R-600a is more efficient than R-134a. This is used in automotive air conditioning in older vehicles and domestic and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration. What is usually sniffed are all the connections in the system: hoses and compressor, condenser, drier, expansion valve and evaporator fittings. The problem is that some inexpensive available refrigerantsammonia and propane, for exampleare poisonous and/or flammable. 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. Let's talk about refridgerants: R-12a or R-134a? | TDIClub Forums Thats not true either. 2021 Complete Guide. The compressors used by refrigeration plants to compress gas require oil to help lubricate its moving parts. Compete replacement may be the only answer. The service ports in both systems are quick-connect, but they are taller in the yf systems to avoid cross-contamination. 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. However, if it is taken close to a fire flame or any electrical heating element, it disintegrates into toxic products. These properties make it very attractive for domestic, commercial, and automotive refrigeration and air conditioning. It provided much needed context as I embark on re-building the AC in my sons new (to him) 1988 Toyota pickup. In contrast, older CFC refrigerants had an ODP of 1. R-12 isn't just unfriendly to the ozone layer, it has a GWP value of 10,900! R134a is otherwise called 1,1,1,2 Tetrafluoroethane, Florasol 134a, Freon 134a, Norflurane (INN) or HFC 134a. If you use anything other than R134a, youll likely create a situation where you must be the one servicing the system. 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. They behave in the same way when used in any form of refrigeration or air conditioning plant. The effect that R134a has on global warming makes this gas an unattractive product to many technicians. The problem with using an approved alternative refrigerants other than R134a is that when the system is serviced it requires certain types of fittings, labels and dedicated equipment. Note that there is another kind of oil called Polyol Ester Oil (POE). You can look up the law yourself at www.epa.gov/mvac, but basically it boils down to three things. 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. If you still find it difficult to use R134a in a home AC system, you can check out a comparison of R12 vs R134a fittings to know the refrigerant that best fits the AC system. R134a won't provide the same level of cooling as R12, though. The issue is whether you should. R134a and R12 are among the most popular types of refrigerants. R134a is used in many applications such as: Although this type is better than R12, using this kind of refrigerant also has some problems associated with it. But the problem with R12 is twofold. R134a is classified as a dangerous greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. A final difference is that most (though not all) R-1234yf cars will have a Suction Line Heat Exchanger. Shut off your car and once again let out all the pressure. In addition, there is a $10,000 rat-out fee your neighbor can collect if youre venting refrigerant and he tattles on you. Hence, the effect of R12 on global warming is up to 10,000 times higher than carbon dioxide. To take one of these and convert it to R134a was usually a recipe for disappointment. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Carbon dioxide is deemed to have a value of 1, so the higher the compounds factor, the greater its effect on global warming. 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. 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. 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. For all of these reasons, the issues of conversion and performance need to be cleanly separated. How to Convert Your Car AC R12 System To R134a - Mechanic Base Oil doesnt stay in the compressor, however, it dissolves in the liquid refrigerant and gets carried through the system as a fine particulate mist when the refrigerant goes through its liquid/gaseous transition. Since these days a can of R134a is about $15, the cost differential isnt what it was in the panicked days of the mid-1990s. Lets have a closer look at these similarities and differences. R12, on the other hand, is called chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). The weight is only 2.4 ounces. A gentleman in Canada was very interested until he learned about the R12. While R513A is a viable option for new and existing equipment, it is not a "drop- in" replacement for R12 or R134a. Also, they are mostly used in refrigeration and automotive air conditioning systems. The best oil that runs well with R134a is PAG oil or Polyalkylene Glycol. Unfortunately, converting existing air conditioners that use R22 to use new refrigerants isnt easy. With new R12 no longer being manufactured, the market price soared to $100/pound. R134a A/C retrofit and low pressure cycling switch adjustment Using R134a requires that Polyolester (POE) lubricant must be used in the compressor. The two systems use different fittings. And that brings us to, I continue to use R12 in two of my carsmy 1972 BMW 2002tii and 1973 Bavaria. R12 is miscible with mineral oil under any operating condition. This product is safe to use in that its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. Important Features: Color-coded Easy to use Made of high-quality brass Specific for R-134a Pros: Easy to operate. 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. 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. Their differences come mainly in their chemical make-up and environmental impact. ODP = 0, Has a global warming potential (GWP) of 10900, No longer manufactured or imported into the USA, Has an ozone depletion factor (ODP) of 1 which is the highest possible, Has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1430. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. In the case of R134a, its the global warming potential thats an issue. If an A/C system isnt working, the root cause needs to be diagnosed, and the system needs to be fixed. You might find that the system doesn't get as cool even after properly charging it. By noting the ambient temperature you can look up what the preferred high side pressure should be. Heres R12 vs. R134a pressure chart. R134a isnt toxic, corrosive, explosive, or flammable, making it a good choice for air conditioning, but its cooling properties arent as good as R12. This product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive, so its extremely safe to use for domestic refrigeration. Some recovery machines are equipped for both R134a and R1234yf. The money you will save by will pay for the R12. 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. R12s ODP is 1 (the highest rating). R134a was developed to replace R12, so it works over the same range of applications. Heres some important advice Whenever you notice your R12 refrigerant is leaking, turn off all flames and open the doors so it can escape to the open atmosphere. The new player in the market is HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf), which is considered ozone-friendly and has a GWP of less than 1. First things first. R134a can easily go between liquid and vapor states as with other refrigerants. Second, as youll see below, if you have to perform work on an A/C system that has refrigerant in it, it is illegal to vent the refrigerant (to let it escape into the atmosphere); it must be captured and recovered. It became known as R12 or Freon. R134a was touted as the replacement for R12 until it too was deemed environmentally undesirable. Refrigerant 12 or Freon 12 is colloquially known as R12. The problem was that there was not agreement on exactly what was required for the conversion. It is also used in automotive car conditioning and the plastic industry. R134a has a boiling point of -14.9 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas R410 boils at -61.9 degrees. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. It's important to get good. R12 systems use screw-on connectors, while R134a systems use push-on connectors similar to those used in air tools. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. R134a is still used in the automotive industry as a refrigerant and in other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, as a propellant. This means when lowering temperatures to -7C or below, theres a noticeable drop in the plants ability to chill the air. Sponsored. When this happens, the chlorine in the product contributes significantly to the ozone layers depletion, leading to a lack of protection from harmful radiation. Low refrigerating effect per pound: In comparison to other refrigerants, the refrigerating effect of R12 per pound is low. To discover the capacity for refrigerant, you want to use the specs for the current system and multiply the R12 charge by 0.9 or 90%. Theres no problem with using R134a in a home air conditioning system because it is a hydrofluorocarbon that doesnt cause environmental harm. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. 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. While the use of this product is steadily increasing in many developing countries, its now banned in the USA and, since 2020, is no longer manufactured or imported to the USA. The ODP of a chemical is a factor that indicates the amount of degradation itll cause to the ozone layer that surrounds the earth and protects it from harmful radiation.