Brand of R12?

[LC4me]

I may need to recharge my AC. Have read ALOT regarding R134 conversions and have decided to stay with R12 until the need to replace major components arise.

I have seen several brands on ebay - dupont, artic air, chargette, etc. - and I have heard some may not be 100% pure (contain contaminants).

What brand of R12 is recommended? Thanks in advance...

 

[NLXTACY]

DuPont for sure.

 

[LC4me]

Thanks NLXTCY - I had a feeling that Dupont, being a brand name, would be a dependable choice.

Anyone with good experience with Artic Air?

 

[SeanAndHis80]

None of it is new in this country anymore - so all you will find, unless it is old stock, is recycled. Some find it odd that Dupont was leading the way to have R12 banned for environmental reasons - could it have been because their patent was running out?

Try to find some old stock.

 

[NLXTACY]

Its 100% because of the patent

But theirs is still the cleanest IIRC.

 

[NLXTACY]

Thanks NLXTCY - I had a feeling that Dupont, being a brand name, would be a dependable choice.

Anyone with good experience with Artic Air?

Where I used to work we would use Arctic Air as the second choice.

 

[Flank]

it is illegal to buy R-12 if you don't have a certification for it, and illegal to sell if your buyer does not have it, FYI. It is basically a commercially controlled substance and is no longer produced, thus it's stupidly expensive price and restrictions.

 

[CJF]

it is illegal to buy R-12 if you don't have a certification for it, and illegal to sell if your buyer does not have it, FYI. It is basically a commercially controlled substance and is no longer produced, thus it's stupidly expensive price and restrictions.

Awful lot of exaggerations and generalizations in your post.

For example, r12 is currently available "buy it now" on ebay for just under $30 a can.

Also, it's legal to buy (either by you or someone you want to sell it to) if buyer states in writing that they're buying it to re-sell rather than to use.

Finally, while yes you need certification to legally use it, that certification can be done quickly and cheaply online, and doing so is in fact fun and informative.

Curtis

 

[SOCALFJ]

Interesting, didn't think you could find R-12 anymore. Thought you had to go to Mexico to get it.

 

[Flank]

Awful lot of exaggerations and generalizations in your post.

For example, r12 is currently available "buy it now" on ebay for just under $30 a can.

Also, it's legal to buy (either by you or someone you want to sell it to) if buyer states in writing that they're buying it to re-sell rather than to use.

Finally, while yes you need certification to legally use it, that certification can be done quickly and cheaply online, and doing so is in fact fun and informative.

Curtis

Funny, I don't see anything I said that was false, in fact you backed it up and elaborated, thanks for that.

I never disputed it was on Ebay.
You do need a certification.
It IS a controlled substance- thus the certification.
It IS expensive - $30 a can vs $3 for R134A.

I never covered the process of the certification. However, someone who has no knowledge of R12 SHOULD NOT be dealing with it for environmental reasons. DIY can get educated then get rent / borrow evacuation gear from a parts store.

So, thanks for your case of Got To Be Rightus.

 

[CJF]

Funny, I don't see anything I said that was false.

it is illegal to buy R-12 if you don't have a certification for it, and illegal to sell if your buyer does not have it, FYI.

it's legal to buy (either by you or someone you want to sell it to) if buyer states in writing that they're buying it to re-sell rather than to use.

;p...

 

[CJF]

Seriously though:

Maybe incorrectly, I took the tone of your brief post to basically be, "It's unsafe/illegal/unwise for a DIY'er to try to maintain/repair an r12 system."

I agree with your second post: "DIY can get educated then get rent / borrow evacuation gear from a parts store."

Cheers,

Curtis

 

[Michael Hanson]

Agree with CJF anyone can get educated and do most car repairs.These courses are offered at vo-tech schools.Mike

 

[TX Cruiser]

You can learn all you need by reading online, but there is no substitute for hands on experience. I thought the EPA 609 cert test was a joke it was so easy.

Anyway, you can buy R12 at Pep boys. I bought 30lbs for $650? may have been $675 not long ago.

If I didn't have gauges for reading the pressures, I'd never know that I didn't have R12 in my system. Well that's bull****, I know I put 134 in, but you get the point. The vent temps are about the same before and after the retro.

 

[LC4me]

R12 Brand?????

Sure didn't mean to start a debate here with my original question

Which, BTW, is...


What brand of R12 do you all recommend (or better, any brand to run from)? I have a vote of recommendation for Dupont. How about Arctic Air?