Learning me running an R12 AC system these days

Why don't I just fill the sucker with propane?

One of these days I may try the propane conversion on something. Especially as refrigerant prices go amazingly high.

Yes, I know the hysteria over having an explosive gas in the refrigeration system. Please, the car is full of gasoline. Gasoline is a whole lot more explosive.

In reply to foxtrapper:

This is exactly what I tell everyone when I talk about it. It's not even that one is more explosive, it's that propane has to be at a very narrow a/f ratio to burn well. I'm willing to bet that there is more fuel in the plastic and rubber in an engine bay than in a propane based AC system.

Any one tried this?

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=964688

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,1-Difluoroethane

Read the top 3 post. The entire thread is worth reading.

I haven't had a car to test this on yet. I plan on trying it on my AW11 MR2 when I need a/c. Hey if it doesn't work I'm going to reengineer the entire system any ways because I live in Mississippi and it gets HAWT down here. R134a in an R12 system WON'T CUT IT.

In reply to pk386:

Thanks for the link. I find that quite useful, as my Jeep's AC died today. I have no problems with flammability, but if I can get a more efficient system with a different refrigerant, then I'm happy.

propane works well but is a completely different amount needed than r12. freeze12 is mostly actually 134a with a lil 142b mixed in so that it carries the r12 oil whereas r134a will not carry the oil from an r12 system.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1387442-using-propane-instead-r-12-c.html

Curious...

I like that propane is cheap, easy, non-toxic, and has the rotten egg smell added.

I don't like that it's quite flammable.

I just filled the Mazda with Propane/Iso-butane. I'm getting 43* at the vents on the highway (condensor fan is broke)

The Iso-butane came from an 8oz MSR backpacking stove canister.

I spent $9 on the gas - and have a bunch of propane left over.

I just fixed the volvo's a/c... it was converted to r134 when I got it but a minimal conversion (variable orfice tube or whatever)... I had to swap the a/c compressor because the old one leaked out the front seal...

went to autozone and "rented" the vac pump... I already had the gauges from autozone (got em when I thought I had a pump that worked)

blows 50-60 at idle even in the middle of the HOT TX day... get it going down the road and it'll blow just over 40*... need to modify the pusher fan up front to come on when I crank on the a/c (low buck volvo trick)

I considered propane... there is a great thread on turbobricks about it http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=238863 it's supposed to be super compatable with a stock r12 system...

I've fully charged older R12 systems with R134a on 3 or 4 cars. Didnt change o rings, compressor, lines nothing. I did use a can of retrofit oil charge inbetween cans of freon. They have all worked great.

I moved up to a vacumn pump, and a set of gauges. Then, I had working AC on every vechile I had running (8-9) It really is quite simple and is a great skill to know. you can rescue all your buddys (and wives), and make a little $$ on the side if you want.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-98076.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/a-c-manifold-gauge-set-92649.html

I like the propane idea. I have read that R-134 is pretty nasty stuff. I think that someone posted here about an air conditioner leak near the air intake on an idling ambulance. The R-134 was sucked into the intake. The gas coming out the tailpipe was similar to phosgene.

I printed some heat shrink labels that state "Hydrocarbon refrigerant - flammable" and shrinked onto the high side and low side ports. I don't keep cars long and figured it would be a good idea.

I used Enviro-Safe 12a which is a hydrocarbon based refrigerant in my Datsun 280Z. With an outside temp of 80 degrees I can get 33 degrees out of the vents while driving.

http://www.es-refrigerants.com/products/default.asp?id=14&t=refrigerant&Trying=ON

PseudoSport wrote: I used Enviro-Safe 12a which is a hydrocarbon based refrigerant in my Datsun 280Z. With an outside temp of 80 degrees I can get 33 degrees out of the vents while driving. http://www.es-refrigerants.com/products/default.asp?id=14&t=refrigerant&Trying=ON

ever run into the system freezing up?... from reading thats what happens if you use to much propane... system internally freezes and just stops blowing cold untill you let it sit for a while and defrost...

The evaporator core has a temp switch that turns off the compressor at 33 degrees then kicks it back on around 40. So far no issues.