R12 has not be manufactured for a long time it was outlawed in the US. Moreso, it had been banned. The biggest giveaway is the air conditioning connectors. This makes it expensive to purchase and adds to the attraction of replacing it with other greener products. R134a won't provide the same level of cooling as R12, though. If your car was produced after 1994, it likely has R134a used as the refrigerant. When theyre in a liquid state, theyll remove heat from air passing over the pipes theyre in and slowly evaporate to form a gas. R12 is found in all kinds of refrigeration, ice makers, air conditioners, water coolers, transport refrigeration, and chillers. Theyve moved away from using R12 in favor of more modern, environmentally safer products. You can look up the law yourself at www.epa.gov/mvac, but basically it boils down to three things. There are other EPA-approved refrigerants such as Hot Shot and Freeze 12, which you can find here. R12 is CFC: Even though R12 is one of the most commonly used refrigerants, it is CFC. 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. Since 2010, all home AC systems manufactured use a refrigerant like R134a that has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. 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. 21, 1439 AH. These factors make it a safe product for a technician to work with. First, it is a pernicious ozone-destroying agent, so if you are going to use it in a car, you are morally required to do everything under the sun to thoroughly leak-test the system before charging it with R12. However, its been shown that R134a is as destructive to the environment, and newer refrigerants have been created to overcome this problem. Hopefully after you have read this entire page you will have enough information to determine which type of refrigerant is best for you. Also, R134a cylinders are light-blue in color. Lets take you through the advantages, disadvantages, and differences of these two refrigerants a detailed comparison including R12 vs R134a performance. At this point it is time to make an appointment with the a/c shop. Buy online for free next day delivery or same day pickup at a store near you. The issue is that you need to reach the point where the system is functional and leak-free. Heres R12 vs. R134a pressure chart. Compatible with multiple applications: The major reason for the introduction of R134a was to replace R12, so it functions perfectly in the same range of applications like rotary, screw, and centrifugal compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration. When this happens, the chlorine in the product contributes significantly to the ozone layers depletion, leading to a lack of protection from harmful radiation. The advantage of ester oil is that it works with both R12 as well as R134a, so you can fill the system with it and then use either refrigerant.Sha. 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. We have the best A/C Manifold Gauge Set and Components for the right price. Hence, the effect of R12 on global warming is up to 10,000 times higher than carbon dioxide. So when someone says, You cant get R12 anymore, or Its illegal to use R12, those things simply arent true. But the problem with R12 is twofold. 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. A qualified technician should vacuum out the gas and the refrigerant changed for something more modern and environmentally sympathetic. 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. 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. Piston Slap: Booting a Torino in a snap without snaps? Its chemical name is dichlorodifluoromethane, and its chemical formula is CCl2F2. Make sure to wear safety gloves, goggles, and shoes when theres a possibility of exposure to the chemical (R134a). All compressors require oils to lubricate the moving parts. Plus, not releasing the chemical into the air is morally justifiable. 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. Its often said that R12 is no longer available. Now, in the case of big American cars, with their massively overbuilt A/C systems and huge condensers, R134a conversion often worked fine. 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. Its chemical symbol is CH2FCF3. This is why it is crucially important that R134a systems be properly evacuated (pumped down to boil off any moisture) and kept sealed. R-134a, while non-ozone depleting, is still viewed unfavorably due to its GWP of 1,430. R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. If your a/c system is empty/low on refrigerant, if your system has a leak or if you need to open the system, then now is the time to decide which refrigerant you want to use. https://www.wiseautotools.com/mountain-quick-connect-r12-ac-gauge-conversion-to-134a/ A/C gauge conversion kits from R12 to R134A. They frame it as a replacement for R134a in cars and other vehicles. These guidelines are offered tohelp understand the differences . Another difference is that yf Evaporators must meet SAE Spec J2842, which was not an issue in R-134a systems. Using the specs for the current system, multiply the R12 charge by 0.9 or 90% to determine the refrigerant capacity. In many parts of the world, its now viewed as a greenhouse gas, and its use is discouraged. As these refrigerants are slowly phased out, there are still many questions that people have about them. At this time you can still find R12, but, because it is no longer produced, availability is limited to current inventories and the price per pound is greater than R134a. On the high side, R134a pressure runs about 10% higher pressure than R12 at equivalent temperatures. I think that, with hindsight, many people would agree that, even given that R12 is an ozone-destroying agent, fines of this level made many hard-working A/C technicians hostile to the government, and thus were counterproductive. This should give you a rough idea of how much youll need. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of 0, implying that it has a slight effect on the ozone layer. But, if your old compressor has lock-up or if your current expansion valve is not functional it would wise to replace the expansion valve with a valve designed for R134a. Hot spot auto parts .ca sells R12a for about $10/can and a $10 ALL IN ONE can with oil. (To be clear, both cars also have a new rotary-style compressor and a big parallel-flow condenser and fan.). For instance at 25 F the pressure of R-12 is 24.6 PSI and the pressure of R-134a is 22.1 PSI. No one here will work on it, he said. 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. This chemical is tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. Your email address will not be published. R134a can easily go between liquid and vapor states as with other refrigerants. Chemistry. R12, on the other hand, is called chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Carefully study the chart and compare the following: To a large extent, the choice is up to you. R134a vs R12 refrigerant? Its highest value is 1. That makes it safe in terms of safety to use. If your vehicle is after 1994, you could use R-134a in its air conditioning system. The approval is very legal one, governed by the U.S. EPA. Being a CFC, this product depletes the earths ozone layer, contributing to global warming. . Theres a lot of misinformation surrounding R12. Inhalation of vapor: Inhaling a large amount of R134a vapor can lead to drowsiness, temporary nervous system depression, and lethargy. Stability: RR12 doesnt disintegrate even under extreme operating conditions. Both of these compounds have similar cooling properties. SKU # 532244. . $34.99. Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. Depending on what kind of car you have, it likely either uses R-134a or R-1234yf refrigerant to keep you cool. A significant investment. In the case of R134a, its the global warming potential thats an issue. The global warming potential of R134a is 1430. In fact, R12 was used for many years as a propellant in a variety of aerosol products and sprayed directly into the air, and it is closely related to the halon used in fire extinguishers. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. They behave in the same way when used in any form of refrigeration or air conditioning plant. Because of this, in the early 1930s, a new refrigerant based on a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), specifically dichlorodifluoromethane, was developed. 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. Technicians must capture and recycle R134a safely, and the gas must be disposed of by following the EPA guidelines. From this number, subtract 1/4, or 0.25 pounds. Stay on the right side of the law, the environment, and your conscience, and dont vent refrigerant. Boiling Point: R134a refrigerants boiling point is -26.3C (-15.34F). This chemical is an excellent refrigerant liquid. Its been labeled as a greenhouse gas, and its use is no longer supported. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. For example, if your system originally had 36 ounces of R12 then you multiply that by .80 and you have 29 ounce of R134a. R12 is well known as a refrigerant used in many applications as its non-toxic, non-explosive, and non-flammable. What is usually sniffed are all the connections in the system: hoses and compressor, condenser, drier, expansion valve and evaporator fittings. R134a has a boiling point of -14.9 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas R410 boils at -61.9 degrees. Because R134a is an HFC, not a CFC (stay with me for a minute), it does not have the ozone-destroying properties of R12. This is used in automotive air conditioning in older vehicles and domestic and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. Theres one type of oil that will work with both refrigerants. You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. 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. 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. When R12s effects on the ozone layer became known and it was superseded by R134a, EPA came down hard with large fines on both professionals and DIY-ers. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. However, theyre still used in older plants, systems, and the automotive industry. The air conditioning system in your car uses a combination of evaporation and condensation to cool the interior. R134a is still used in the automotive industry as a refrigerant and in other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, as a propellant. And it was safeneither poisonous to breathe, nor flammable. Before R12 was replaced with R134a in 1995, it was mostly used in trucks and cars. As this chemical has both chlorine and fluorine in its make-up, it belongs to the group of chemicals known as CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons. Unfortunately, the widespread use of R12 appeared to be significantly degrading the Earths ozone layer, potentially causing a worldwide health crisis. Thank you! On the other hand, R12 has a global warming potential of 10,910. Because the two oils were different, R134a certainly wasnt a drop-in replacement for R12. This product is safe to use in that its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. However, it must be noted that itll disintegrate into toxic compounds when exposed to flame. Further production of R12 was banned in some developed countries by the Montreal Protocol because of its harsh effect on the ozone layer. 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. 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]. The boiling point of R134a is -15.34F (-26.3C.) Just leave it alone for now. R12 was the first refrigerant created. No, its not possible to mix these two refrigerants. Reattach the hose lines using new R134a compatible o-rings, lightly lubricate with compressor oil. 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. So, along with R134a came a new oil: Polyalkylene Glycolor PAG oil. 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. The following is verbatim from EPAs website: EPA performs random inspections, responds to tips, and pursues potential cases against violators of the Section 608 regulations. Quote Minuit Members 5.1k The issue is whether you should. This is a remarkable read about the history of R12 to R134a, and the reasons and (few) exceptions to not convert to R134a. Refrigerant 134a, or R134a, was developed as an alternative to the CFC refrigerants known to cause environmental damage. It provided much needed context as I embark on re-building the AC in my sons new (to him) 1988 Toyota pickup. Thats not the case with R12, ensuring that the efficiency of the plant isnt compromised. However, there wereand aresome challenges to using it in an automotive A/C system designed for R12. In addition, there was the lubricant issue. Compete replacement may be the only answer. Attach the R134a charge port adaptors, there are two types.. one of which you need to remove the old R12 valve cores. Concentration level: The R134a vapor dilutes the oxygen concentration in the air to a low level, thereby causing harm. Even though their common major function is to cool the system, they have many differences. It has a lower global warming potential than R134a. Before landing on the debate of R134 vs R12 you should know that both R134a and R12 are AC refrigerants types used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The main difference between R12, R134a, and R1234yf is their effect on the environment. Google use cookies for serving our ads and handling visitor statistics. 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. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the . If you have a perfectly operating system using R12 you do not have to drop what you are doing and convert to R134a. There are kits that convert R12 to R134a. You should keep in mind that recharging your air conditioner improperly could result in more serious damage. _________________. We mention using ester type refrigerant oil. If he is not in the garage fixing challenging mechanical problems, he is writing automotive repair guides, buyers guides, and car and tools comparisons. This is measured using a factor known as ODP (ozone depletion potential). Hence, the effect of R12 on global warming is up to 10,000 times higher than carbon dioxide.
Robert Taylor Funeral, Articles D