Test light on the switch?
Duracool-12A (TM), Envirosafe (TM), RedTek (TM), FrostyCool (TM) AKA Hydrocarbon AC Refrigerants (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter mrlocksmith
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I brought the low side up to about 33 PSI, then let the pressure equalize in the system, brought it up again to 33 PSI, and repeat again until it stayed at about 33. Then once I fired up the truck and the A/C I slowly brought it up to 35 PSI on the low side with the A/C compressor running.
I can't remember what exact numbers I was watching for on the high side, but I went off what was recommended in the FSM and kept an eye out for sudden increases as I went.
Sounds good, thanks!
I spoke with both Duracool and Enviro-Safe today. They both said that their 12A must be installed as a liquid, BUT this is only important when dealing with partial cans, here's why:
(Both Duracool and ES gave identical rationale for this.)
Both products are blends (and they're probably almost identical to each other). When charged in liquid form, the blend is mixed, so the intended proportions of the blend is getting installed. When installed in gaseous form however, the blend fractionates coming out of the can. That is because the different components of the blend will come off before others due to different vaporization points. This is not an issue if you charge a full can as a gas, but partial can gaseous charges will not contain the correct proportion of the blend. (Enviro-Safe says that their cylinders have "dipsticks" that pull liquid from the bottom of the cylinder. They are adamant about maintaining the correct blended mixture for proper cooling, head pressures, etc).
In regard to charging the low-side with liquid, they both say it's never been a problem. Why not? Because (they say) 12A is 2/3 lighter than 134A (you can feel that their cans are very light) and will not harm, lock up, or corrode the compressor. They both said that you can't charge 134A as a liquid because it's so heavy in comparison to 12A that it's like a "sludge", in their words, and will harm the compressor.
That's the first I've heard of the freon being any kind of blend, unless they're referring to the cans containing oil mixed with the freon (I have a few cans of DC 12A that are, plus a 30# cylinder that's strictly freon with no oil). If the oil mix is what they mean, then yes I would definitely follow their advice in charging from the cans in liquid form so that the oil enters the system too. I still would be leery of charging any liquid through the low pressure side, especially when we KNOW that other charging methods are safe. Why take the risk (even if low) when there's a guaranteed safe method?
When I charged mine using the cylinder, I manually added oil into the compressor suction side. Then when I pulled a vacuum on the system, I did so very slowly so as to avoid pulling oil back out.
Both products are blends of gases, according to them, and this does not refer to oil additives, stop leak, etc. Their SDS statements do not specify and only indicate that the product contains "petroleum gases". Proprietary stuff.
There is a product called hychill in australia that is a blend of propane and isobutane. [r290 and r600a] 70%/30% from memory.
Your memory is still good.
HyChill - Minus 30
Minus 30 is our high purity blend of R290 and R600a hydrocarbons, ideal for use in automotive and fixed air conditioning and refrigeration.
hychill.com.au
Interesting. Well given that, if you're servicing from cans I would follow their recommendation. I would say though that if you're going to deviate, be sure to err on the side of caution.
I would use up a full can as a liquid for a minimal charge PLUS the remainder of the can as gas once the compressor is running. Then the question for me is whether to take a chance and charge as a liquid with a running compressor just to add a "blended" partial can. Duracool & ES say no problem, However, imo it depends on whether or not the liquid has flashed to vapor by the time it gets to the compressor. It needs to have flashed by then, and this will depend upon how close the low port is to the compressor, the length of the manifold hoses, ambient temp, and how the manifold valve is operated. Risky, and is it worth it to get a perfect "blend" if you're only adding a small additional amount out of a second can.
Dr. John
SILVER Star
Seems to be a little confusion here and there. Remember...Duracool and Envirosafe are hydrocarbon blends and not freons (fluorinated hydrocarbons). Please forgive my redundancy.
Here's a metering device (like an expansion valve) that helps take some worry out of charging liquid refrigerant:
https://images.carid.com/imperial-eastman/products/pdf/535c-instruction-sheet.pdf
Amazon product ASIN B004RIDG02
Yes you're right. Still just a force of habit to say "freon".
@osseous never seen one of those before. Got my curiosity piqued.
- Thread starter
- #74
That gizmo is for R-410 which is for fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant systems. I would not use it with hydrocarbon refrigerants.
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- #75
Wow, I just check the other day.. this thread has 30,000 + Views !
