Combines r 12 freon to whats the best

[Ed_Boysun]

I've only got one tractor left that still uses R-12. The air-conditioning in that one is marginal at best, so the less effecient refrigerants are out of the question. I still have quite a stash of R-12 around, but when and if it runs out, it will be replaced with propane. I understand that propane is a much better refrigerant than even R-12. As far as fire danger: if you stop and think about it, the chances of a fire are not very likely and the amount of damage done by a couple pounds of lP is insignificant compared to all the other things on a combine that can make a BIG! fire. Ed in Montana

 

[camshaft]

Im using Duracool in all my farm equipment with no problems at all. Duracool 12a is blend of propane and iso butane that mirrors R12. Straight propane has the properties of R22. As for the bang factor, I dont worry about it, the quantity required is so small, only slightly over one pound for most systems. Here in Canada we are able to convert from R12 to Duracool, whereas in the USA you have to first convert to R134 before you can install a hydrocarbon alternative (my understanding). Im interested in hearing from our Australian friends as I believe they have been using hydrocarbon alternatives for quite some time.

 

[ACJON]

The fire danger comments for hydrocarbon ac replacements, I have heard are. Are you scared of bringing home hair spray or wd-40 in your car. They say the amount of hydrocarbon in your ac system is similar to the amount in a few aerosol cans.

 

[sidewinder]

I do custom A_c jobs for lots of farm equipment around here and all I use is duracool. With duracool you dont have to flush the system to get rid of the mineral oil from the r12 (b_c R134a is not compatible) The second thing is r134a will not work at all with the nitrile rubber hoses and o-rings from r12 so it will leak out in no time. Third you have to replace the reciever drier with r134a b_c the dessicant inside is not compatible either. R134 runs at higher pressures than r12 and is alot harder on compressors and b_c of the higher pressures does not cool as well. duracool opperates at lower pressures than r12, is compatible with both mineral and synthetic oils and comes with a oil additive so the a_c compressor runs cooler. abother couple things that people dont realize is duracool has a higher autoignition tempurater than r134a (which means r134a will burn before duracool does). R134a is also very combustable when compressed with oxygen, like if you were pressure testing for a leak with air from a compressor your asking for trouble... and last but not least even r12 is flammable when theres a major system leak.... its not the r12 itself but the mineral oil that is carried out with it. From my own experince using duracool ive had a vavle on the compressor stick open while taking the hoses off and was spraying the propane_ butane inside the engine compartment of a 7720 JD combine... and im still here to talk about it. The guys who put hydrocarbons down are the same guys that wanna fix your A_c year after year, hope this helps in some way, Ed p.s watch out for some "direct" r12 replacments. most of the ones Ive seen contain r134a blended with r22 and some other refrigerants... r22 is worse than r134a in a r12 system

 

[ksfarmer1]

We had a heck of a time when we switched our R-52 from R12 to 134a. I said that I would never switch it, but in the end we did. We found out that if you have even the slightest amount, too much or too little, in the system, it wouldn't cool at all. You have very little chance of getting just the right amount in the system without gauges. We love it now that it is pressurized correctly. But, we still have tractors with R12 and will keep them that way until we can't anymore. They still out cool the others. As for the coolants with anything flammable in them, we won't use them. We have had too many systems blow out in a huge white cloud to even risk it being a flammable white cloud. One of our tractors has the AC lines fairly close to the hot block and manifold. It sprayed directly on them when it went one time. It went with one heck of a "bang", but the R12 wasn't flammable thank goodness. Our car and tractor mechanics both specifically said that the Duracool was too big of risk and they won't use it or recommend it. It sounds like many on here like the flammable kinds though, so I guess it's a personal preference whether you go that route or not. Just my two cents.

 

[sidewinder]

the other thing I dont like about r134a is its very carcenogenic if inhaled.. another thing to think about if you get a leak in the cab. from what I also understand is Europe is already trying to phase out r134a and is focusing more and more on hydrocarbons

 

[NDDan]

We've switched everything that comes to our shop to R134a with no problems. No complaints at all with poor cooling but not that many days at 90F plus. We switch the reciever drier (good idea anyway) and switch oil in compressor to ester. Otherwise it is a good idea to switch hose between compressor and condensor for it is likely time anyway if it isn't barrier hose. Also about half the time the expansion will stick when subjected to the high vacuum. If system leaked with the R12 it will surely leak with the R134a so you need to address that. I don't know what the alternate coolants sell for but we thought the extremly popular R134a will be the cheapest and be around the longestIJIJIJIJIJ Good luck whatever you go to.

 

[Pengs5]

After many thousands of dollars, many body destroying hours and near death experiences ,the inability to con any family member into doing a stint (cause any hired help just quit ),many hours lost waiting for mr fix it (IJ). And you did'nt hear it from me but lets just say that what BBQ'S my steak also now keeps me cool . Has better heat exchange than R12 works at lower pressure so it stays in there . Some chaps i know have been running it for ten years . As with anything keep it clean and in order to minimise mishaps . Cant stand no Aircon on cool days let alone in our Aussie summers. I should note that i dont employ help to operate machines so it is my our risk but should be considered before exposing anyone else if something went wrong or selling off machine it should be degassed . In a lot of places it is illegal . Apparently lots of poorer countrys use it .

 

[silver_tin_tank]

l P G OUT OF YOUR BBQ CAN OR DURACOOl BRAND THANKING YOU All

 

[Pengs5]

Bbq R12 right measure (before its demise ) was through sight glass usually in receicer_drier ,till no more bubbles.