Posted by Peter Florance on August 01, 1998 at 10:34:05:
In Reply to: Re: R-134 conversion posted by The Greasy Wonder MonkeyThe Rev. Brendan X on July 31, 1998 at 21:46:45:
: From personal experience I know that it is possible
: to simply install the retrofit fittings, evacuate the
: system, and charge it with r-134a. For best succes
: only charge system to 80% of cappacity, add a couple of
: ounces of appropriate refrigerant oil, and install a new
: receiver-drier prior to evacuating the system. R-134a
: tends to run at higher pressures on the high pressure
: side of the system, so make sure that the auxilliary
: fan is working properly and that the condenser is free
: of debris. Be prepared for the possibility that your
: air conditioning might not work as well with r-134a.
: It has been my experience that the condensers in
: old cars generally are not large enough to dissipate
: the heat caused by the higher pressures. This reduces
: the efficiency of the system and causes higher vent
: tempuratures. It is also recommended to install and
: wire in a high pressure cut off switch to prevent
: any hoses from rupturing. Any questionable hoses should
: be replaced with appropriate r-134a hose.
: These conversions can be very simple but older cars
: sometimes require some modification and special
: attention.
I am somewhat familiar with comercial A/C (controls aspect), so high pressure cut off should be no big deal. My local NAPA auto parts has made me pretty good R-12 A/C hoses in the past. Do you think I should have them make new R134 rated high side hoses (compressor to condensor, condensor to acummulator)?
Or is it a better bet to go with one more R-12 charge ($35.00 / lb, I guess 3 lbs)?
Do they make UV dye to find R-12 leaks? I think mine is in evaporator. (A/C system hacked together by importer). I thought I smelled refrig oil a couple of times.
Thanks
Peter