RETROFIT: Change
from R12 to R134a or FREEZE12 refrigerant.
All vehicles are not good candidates to be
retrofit. Although your vehicle may be able to be retrofit, the
composition of the components in the system and capacities of the
system design may cause less than satisfactory results. That being
a shorter life expectancy of some parts or a decline in cooling
performance. Usually at temperatures below 100 degrees many systems
will perform satisfactorily with a minimum retrofit. However
above 105 degrees or so, it is our belief that the system must have
more condenser-cooling capacity to give the same level of performance
it does with R12. We are sensitive to the cost factors involved
but we feel that a system designed for R12 will work best and perform
the longest with R12. Having said that there's a brief outline of
the other choices.
R134a requires the most system capacity and although endorsed
by vehicle manufacturers, we don't generally feel that it is the
right choice for a climate where we may have 60-90 days above 100
degrees. If your vehicle has enough capacity or if you are willing
to upgrade the system to give it the condenser capacity needed each
may perform very well with R134a.
FREEZE12: This product seems to have cooling capacity and
pressures closer to the level of performance you saw with R12. It
is a legal product approved by the EPA and manufactured by a major
U.S. company, TECHNICAL CHEMICAL of Dallas, TX. It is not endorsed
by any vehicle manufacturers yet, as of February 97. It is compatible
with the lubricants in existing car air conditioners and is made
of 80% R134a and 20% 142b. Like R134a it is not compatible
with the rubber products in all systems, so we do not recommend
its use in all vehicles. It is a better performing product for the
high temperatures or if your system is of marginal design to begin
with. If your hoses are more than eight years old or of a non-barrier
design it may be recommended that they be replaced along with the
drier to use this product. Some system modifications or adjustments
may also be required. We caution you that this product may be hard
to find in some areas of the country if you travel, and not all
shops will be equipped to service these systems, at least for now.
NO REFRIGERANT is a DROP-IN replacement for R12 period!!!
The EPA requires that with any alternative to R12, the system be
completely evacuated of R12 and unique non-removable fittings be
installed along with proper labeling of the system to prevent cross
contamination of refrigerants.
We are required by law to recover and recycle refrigerant. Contaminated
or mixed refrigerant however cannot be recycled and must be recovered
and shipped off to a disposal facility at considerable cost. Since
there are several alternative refrigerants around that are illegal
or flammable like HC12a or propane it is imperative that you tell
us if your system has been serviced with something other than R12
to prevent personal injury or possible contamination of our refrigerant
equipment or supply. (We may hold you liable if you don't). We do
reserve the right to refuse to service some systems if contaminated,
since contamination may cost system problems at a later date that
may not be obvious at the time of service. We are not equipped to
service every alternative, only the ones we feel are safe and reliable.
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