Does anybody have comments on the doing a R12 to 134a convertion?

 

DON'T

 

Thanks, but can comment a little more...

 

The 134a eats at certain components in the A/C system. I am just finding a cheap shop to put r12 alternate into my system.

 

sorry for the short response but the laptop was dieing,

I switched over to 134A and have regretted it ever since, even with changing the comp.,accumulator,orifice tube, etc,etc.

it has never worked right, I understand that our systems are not desigined for 134A.

 

Mines been done for 2 years now and haven't had one problem with it yet. Only thing is that 134A doesn't seem to be as cold as R12.

Ryan

 

i just converted mine and it is actually colder than it was before. it was pretty simple and easy. when i was getting evacuated i also had them install the fittings, cuz i didn't have a shrader valve tool. it cost $65 and only took 30 minutes.

 

R134A is not as thermally efficient as R-12.
With everything being the same, a R-12 system will blow colder.
Our condensors are really not large enough for 134A, but will work. I had a local shop convert mine (kept stock condensor) after my compressor died. Costs me $500. Not too bad really.
That was 4 years ago, and it's still working.
It doesn't work quite as well as before, but sure beats no A/C at all!! After a good run down the highway, fan on high, in max mode(recirculating), duct temps hit the mid 40's.
In stop and go traffic, duct temps rise to near 60.
R-12 is getting to be over $30 a can in some parts when it's avaliable at all. It's only gonna get worse.
134A can be bought at Wallmart for $4-$5 a can.

If you do the conversion yourself, do it right. Don't use one of those Wallmart or similiar conversion kits.

Check out this site for any A/C conversion questions:
http://www.aircondition.com/wwwboard/

There's some good A/C guys that hang out over there. "Chick" is one of them.

 

I'm looking to use the $40 kit from ID. Is that a good choice?

 

Interdynamics kits are nice in the sense that they supply you with a few cans of r-134a, a retrofit label and a can tap. But the high & low adapters are junk and do not have their own schrader valves.

also, be aware that you'll need to pull a good vacuum on the a/c system for the retrofit. older vacuum pumps can be acquired for around $100 on ebay (price varies seasonally), new ones are usually in the $200-$300 range.

 

also, check out this a/c related thread:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=107670

 

Stay away from ID. They are the main offenders.
The system must be flushed with solvent before changing over, period.
Check out the site I mentioned earlier. Do a search. This subject comes up all the time. Spend some time researching this.
Otherwise you'll be fighting this all summer, and spend a lot more money in the long run.

 

Thank's for All the reply's. My chioce is to fix the R12 system.
Or use the old 2 - 60 A/C