difference between r12 and r134a gaugesfdep southwest district

The flammables have hydrocarbons. 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. Many existing fridges and air conditioning units still use this refrigerant and work very efficiently. Welcome to rxmechanic.com. R12 contains a chemical called chlorine that destroys the ozone layer, thereby causing potential environmental risk. Theres a lot of misinformation surrounding R12. The cylinder head gasket is one of the most over-engineered and stressed components in an internal combustion engine. Both of these products are refrigerants. You can order a personally inscribed copy here. If the oil didnt dissolve into the refrigerant, it would reduce the refrigerants ability to transfer heat. This product is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not explosive, so its extremely safe to use for domestic refrigeration. Technicians must capture and recycle R134a safely, and the gas must be disposed of by following the EPA guidelines. The exact amount will vary with each car. Its possible to convert from R12 to R134a without replacing the systems components, so when R134a was brought out, it seems to be a good match to many automotive air conditioning issues. Its often said that R12 is no longer available. Note that I am not advocating taking the exam and getting the EPA 609 certification simply so you can legally buy R12; Im just stating what the law appears to be. These factors make it a safe product for a technician to work with. Since 2010, all home AC systems manufactured use a refrigerant like R134a that has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). Pressure Temperature Table If it is adjustable there will be an adjustment screw between the two terminals. 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. Here are a few of the more common questions. 2021 Complete Guide. However, R134a is better than R12. Inasmuch as R134a has a global warming potential thats over 1000 times more threatening than carbon dioxide, its better than R12. They differ in the number of ports, alias manifolds, that are used for attaching accessories. Its found in domestic and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning. And with R134a costing only two bucks a can, converting to the new inexpensive refrigerant seemed the thing to do. It has already been clearly stated that R12 is a chemical that damages the earths ozone layer and shouldnt be released into the environment no matter the circumstance. 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. 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. In addition to this, federal laws prohibit the topping up of an R12 system with R134a and vice versa. These two refrigerants are the older types and are not used in newer refrigeration and air conditioning systems. One cant discount its drawbacks, but theres a great deal of knowledge and information available on safely using the product. As Ive said, R12 is a nasty ozone-destroying chemical and should never be released to the environment under any circumstances, so in addition to being illegal to vent it, you have a moral obligation not to vent it. 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. In many parts of the world, its now viewed as a greenhouse gas, and its use is discouraged. Santech R12 to R134a Coupler . R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. R12s ODP is 1 (the highest rating). 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. Nevertheless, if your application is configured only for R12, then you can use it or consider replacing the applications engine. 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. They frame it as a replacement for R134a in cars and other vehicles. Recharge the compressor with a/c ester oil and a tracer dye. Theyve moved away from using R12 in favor of more modern, environmentally safer products. However, some old air conditioning units still use them. If youre still uncertain, go to a trained technician wholl tell you what refrigeration you have. Even if youre OK with that, if the system needs work, any refrigerant in it will need to be recovered. Yes R12 systems did cool better than R134a, but there are differences and it is not wise to go back wards. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. The global warming potential of R134a is 1430. Disconnect the two hose lines to the compressor, protect the ends from getting dirty. In the last 10 years, new information has shown that this gas contributes to global warming. If the target environment is only moderately hot, and your use of the car is light, R134a will probably be fine. And that brings us to, I continue to use R12 in two of my carsmy 1972 BMW 2002tii and 1973 Bavaria. After the optimum refrigerant charge is determined the car should be test driven to check for performance of the system. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. This chemical has carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. For R12, its mineral oil. I have seen a large difference in pressures you are looking for due to temperature demand of unit. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101. The best oil that runs well with R134a is PAG oil or Polyalkylene Glycol. In Stock. R12 is extremely stable and wont deteriorate operating under the most extreme conditions. 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. Unfortunately, the widespread use of R12 appeared to be significantly degrading the Earths ozone layer, potentially causing a worldwide health crisis. Below are the major differences between R134a and R12: The chemical composition of R12 and R134a differ. SKU # 532244. . You can then add ester oil thatll work with either R12 or R134a. This implies that the discharge pressure of the compressor should be moderate so it can produce the refrigerants condensation in the condenser at the atmospheric temperature. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. R134a is the most widely accepted alternative automotive refrigerant used to replace R12. 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. Because of R1234yfs mild flammability, BMW and Mercedes are now adopting R744. There are kits that convert R12 to R134a. Most importantly, the oil used in the plant must always be compatible with the refrigerant used. eBay requires that anyone posting an auction for R12 check that the buyer has that certification, but eBay has no way to enforce it. 2021 Complete Guide, Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101, Screw, roll, rotary, reciprocating, and centrifugal compressors for refrigeration and air conditioning, Used in automotive air conditioning since 1994, and has been retrofitted to many older models as a replacement to R12, Used to remove humidity from compressed air in gas dusters. 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. This means that the mineral oil in the system wont dissolve. The money you will save by will pay for the R12. Boiling Point: R134a refrigerants boiling point is -26.3C (-15.34F). Meanwhile, the R-134a gas has a COP of 4.62, which is lower than the other two gases. The biggest difference between the two is that R1234yf is mildly flammable and does require special handling. Theyre also tasteless, colorless, and odorless. But if you live in a hot climate, want to daily-drive the car, and the car has a tiny-capacity A/C system which, even after modernization, may only perform marginally, you may want to consider sticking with R12. 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. Price is reasonable Consistent and accurate 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. Being a CFC, this product depletes the earths ozone layer, contributing to global warming. 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. Whether R134a performs as well as R12 in any given a/c system depends upon system components and the . Condensers designed to release greater amounts of heat help to expel the greater amount of heat which R134a removes from the cars interior. Its better that this is done by professional technicians as venting any of this gas into the atmosphere is environmentally damaging and illegal. In addition, there is a $10,000 rat-out fee your neighbor can collect if youre venting refrigerant and he tattles on you. 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. Alternator Overcharging - Causes and Fixes. 21, 1439 AH. You can get it and use it. In addition, there was the lubricant issue. The compressor should then be filled with R134a-specific oil (usually PAG oil) and the system evacuated and recharged. In a comparison between R12 vs R134a vs R1234yf, R1234yf will pass as the best refrigerant. The two systems use different fittings. Lets take you through the advantages, disadvantages, and differences of these two refrigerants a detailed comparison including R12 vs R134a performance. But the problem with R12 is twofold. Skin contact: If the R134a (liquid) comes in contact with your skin, it could cause a burn. R12 has an ODP of 1, meaning that it has the highest potential to destroy the ozone layer. R134a is a pure refrigerant that is sometimes used in blends, while R410a is itself a blend. So the oil must be compatible with the refrigerant. 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). Carefully study the chart and compare the following: To a large extent, the choice is up to you. As this chemical has carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine but no chlorine, its not dangerous to the ozone layer. A gentleman in Canada was very interested until he learned about the R12. R12 is considered to be superior in cooling to R134a. Unfortunately, taking the longer view of things, even if you do leak-test a car thoroughly and properly all A/C systems leak eventually, so any can of R12 you put into a car will likely wind up in the atmosphere, an eventuality that I am less and less comfortable with. 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. Doesnt contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Many commercial enterprises that run large chillers or transport companies running reefer trailers or containers have used R12 as its a highly efficient refrigerant that provides excellent cooling. Sponsored. A significant investment. Chemistry. 0,008 0,01 0,012 0,014 0,016 0,018 0,02-40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 Evaporation Temperature Mass Flow Rate R600a R134a R290 R1270 R32 . It only works with 134a refrigerant. Its chemical symbol is CCl2F2. 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. Therefore, its most suitable for both commercial and domestic environments. The biggest problem that youll have is the oil in the system. You do not have to split up the 5-6 oz of oil and add it to each component, just simply put it all in the compressor as it will move throughout the whole system once the system is operational. 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. However, R12 refrigerants are still used as fire retardants in aircraft and submarines. No, its not possible to mix these two refrigerants. With a tight modernized system thatll accept either refrigerant, you should then consider where and how the system will be operated. But, if your car lacks enough condenser and you have many 100+ degree days then you may want to stick either increase air flow, add another condenser as we mentioned in The Mr. Ice Project or stick with R12. R134a is an HFC or tetrafluoroethane, and its chemical formula is CH2FCF3. So, instead of using R12, other better options include R401b, R134a, R401a, etc. Refrigerant 12 or Freon 12 is colloquially known as R12. This gas is then cooled via environmental means, and the gas slowly loses heat and reverts to a liquid state. Moreso, it had been banned. First things first. Small NOS cans of R12 are widely available on eBay and Craigslist for about $30 apiece. When this happens, the chlorine in the product contributes significantly to the ozone layers depletion, leading to a lack of protection from harmful radiation. Its highest value is 1. At this point it is time to make an appointment with the a/c shop. 29. R12 will completely dissolve in mineral oil, but R134a wont. Once you take these precautions, it would be possible to use R134A gauges R410A systems seamlessly. R134a was the replacement refrigerant for R12. Of course, the receiver/drier needs to be replaced, as it does any time an A/C system is opened. R134a isnt toxic, corrosive, explosive, or flammable, making it a good choice for air conditioning, but its cooling properties arent as good as R12. R134a has an ozone depletion potential of 0, implying that it has a slight effect on the ozone layer. Refrigerant: Must be EPA-approved and cannot be intentionally released (vented) into the environment. 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. The cost of recharging the air conditioner is between $150 to $500. The problem is that some inexpensive available refrigerantsammonia and propane, for exampleare poisonous and/or flammable. R12 is highly destructive to the earths ozone layer. 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. Then subtract 0.25 pounds. R12 and R134a are older types of refrigerants that are considered to be dangerous to the environment today. This boiling point means that itll condense with moderate pressure, so applications can use a lower pressure condenser to achieve the same results. Hand in hand with this is the global warming potential (GWP), which measures the gass potential as a greenhouse gas. Thats not the case with R12, ensuring that the efficiency of the plant isnt compromised. So when someone says, You cant get R12 anymore, or Its illegal to use R12, those things simply arent true. Each has its own cult following and requires its own EPA-approved charging fittings. All compressors require oils to lubricate the moving parts. Both of these gasses are very safe for use in all forms of refrigeration as theyre not flammable, explosive, or toxic. This is because the pressure temperature relationship of R-12 and R-134a is different. 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. But in order for refrigeration to work, you need something that has a low boiling point, something that exists as a gas at room temperature and can be easily pressurized into a liquid so that, when it is allowed to expand, it immediately boils at room temperature and cools. Its called Polyol Ester Oil or POE oil. These applications will - due to browser restrictions - send data between your browser and our server. R12 was used mainly in domestic and commercial refrigeration, while R134a was used mainly by the automotive industry. $34.99. At room temperature R410a has a pressure of nearly 200 psi, while R134a is around 70 psi. Therefore, the higher the factor of the chemical (compound), the greater its effect on global warming. Note also that, unlike mineral oil, both PAG oil and ester oil are hygroscopicthat is, they absorb water. Energy usage: R134a is less efficient in cooling compared to R12. And, unfortunately a small high side pressure gauge on a short hose. Besides R134a there are some other refrigerants that are approved to replace R12 and there is a long list of refrigerants that are not approved. There are significant differences between R12, R134a, and R513A, which must be considered when handling, processing, applying, or retrofitting with these refrigerants. R12 is miscible with mineral oil under any operating condition. You might find that the system doesn't get as cool even after properly charging it. R134a was developed to replace R12, so it works over the same range of applications. A comparison between R12 vs. R134a temperature will show that R12 has a higher temperature than R134a. R134a won't provide the same level of cooling as R12, though. Its often said that buying or selling R12 is illegal. For example, while R12 itself is similar to the halon used in fire extinguishers, when R12 is mixed with mineral oilthe most commonly-used lubricant oil in R12 systemsand aerosolized and burned, it creates phosgene gas, which was used as a chemical agent in WWI. Compete replacement may be the only answer. Sold by e7tools and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Generally the system will be initially charged with approximately 80% to 85% of the original amount of R12, using R134a. Id already decided to, effectively, replace every major component, only re-using the hard aluminum lines and custom fittings on the soft compressor lines. 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. Tiny amounts of oil will inevitably find their way into the stream of gas. This should give you a rough idea of how much youll need. The major difference between these two refrigerants is their chemical composition. His new book, Just Needs a Recharge: The Hack Mechanic Guide to Vintage Air Conditioning, is now available on Amazon. With the knowledge of the differences, youll be able to draw a comparison between R12 vs R134a efficiency. I am currently retired and no longer do much with HVAC, however, I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in the subject and I wanted to create a website where I could talk about what I've learned and help upcoming HVAC techs. In contrast, the most likely reason youd consider recharging with an alternative refrigerant is because the refrigerant leaked out of your car and youre trying to avoid doing a full-on A/C rejuvenation which includes finding the leak and properly changing refrigerants. This product was developed to overcome the old CFC refrigerants problems as it has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0.055. Statisicaly your friend was lucky. Yes, there will be less refrigerant by weight. R134A does not deplete the ozone layer of the earth as it is a CFC refrigerant. Because the two oils were different, R134a certainly wasnt a drop-in replacement for R12. 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: ? Replace the drier with a drier that has a desiccant that is R134a compatible, use new R134a o-rings. The symbol implies that R12 is a composite of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. There are many thousands of older air conditioning and refrigeration plants that use these refrigerants. However, theyre still used in older plants, systems, and the automotive industry. The maximum value is 1. link to Alternator Overcharging - Causes and Fixes, link to LS Head Bolt Torque Specs and Sequence. Over time, a credible middle ground emerged. 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%. Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. The boiling point of R134a is -15.34F (-26.3C.) We don't save this data. This would become an expensive investment for a repair or service station to have unique dedicated equipment for every type of alternative refrigerant. R1234yf is more environmentally friendly and has a global warming potential of 4. Interestingly, theres one oil type that works perfectly with both types of refrigerants. 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. However, there wereand aresome challenges to using it in an automotive A/C system designed for R12. You should keep in mind that recharging your air conditioner improperly could result in more serious damage. Piston Slap: Booting a Torino in a snap without snaps? 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. The next piece of equipment to track down leaks is a leak sniffer. Its likely that these plants, which will be expensive to convert, will continue to use R12 with careful maintenance. R134a is otherwise called 1,1,1,2 Tetrafluoroethane, Florasol 134a, Freon 134a, Norflurane (INN) or HFC 134a. R134a is safe to use as its not toxic, flammable, or explosive. You may have heard of a friend that did the job himself with borrowed equipment and 12 or 16 ounce cans of refrigerant. Both of these compounds have similar cooling properties. In large application systems, the vapor density of this refrigerant is usually high. However, take note that R134a refrigerants are manufactured specifically for automotive air conditioners. R134a is the most commonly used refrigerant to convert automotive air conditioning away from the destructive R12. This makes it expensive to purchase and adds to the attraction of replacing it with other greener products. Well worth the money if your A/C system is still in good shape. They behave in the same way when used in any form of refrigeration or air conditioning plant.

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