R12 A/C regassing

**davedave** · 09-01-2007, 01:33 PM

I remember in the old forum, I had a couple of people mention to me places that still had R12. Well after 1/2 an hour of google searching the old forums, I've got nothing.

Anyone know of such a place? (pm if it's a secret

)

**ajh** · 09-01-2007, 01:45 PM

I've found places that still use R12 will not advertise it, hence the reason your Google search didn't bring up anything.

There are still a few A/C places that do it ( I know of a couple in Brisbane), not that they'll be much use to you.

Best thing to do is ring around and ask the question.

**Squid** · 09-01-2007, 01:45 PM

tsk tsk tsk there is a reason it is illegal!

Your best bet is some of the smaller home AC operators... they often will have an old unregistered bottle.

But seriously conversion isn't exactly exy!

**davedave** · 09-01-2007, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Squid

tsk tsk tsk there is a reason it is illegal!

Your best bet is some of the smaller home AC operators... they often will have an old unregistered bottle.

But seriously conversion isn't exactly exy!

I thought it was just illegal to degas in to the atmosphere due to it's ozone depleting nature (I really have no idea). reminds me of halon, hmmm, excellent fire extinguisher.

Thanks for the idea ajh, will definitely do that.

**ajh** · 09-01-2007, 02:13 PM

Yep, forgot that bit about the legalities...............

As Squid mentioned with the "smaller" A/C co's, the two I know of in Brisbane are small operators, your typical "grotty" little workshop.

FYI, when I lived in Melbourne I had my HX Premier converted to R134. At the same time I got rid of the oversized Delco piston compressor ( had the same effect as slamming the brakes on when the A/C was switched on, and it had a 308 driving it!!!

)

Anyway, back to the point, I bought a rotary compressor from a VL commodore ($30) and it cost me $220 to have that fitted, with a new receiver/dryer and R134 gas.
That was 12 years ago, so it would be a bit more now, but probably not much.

If you have no luck, as Squid said, the conversion would be worth looking at.

Cheers.

**davedave** · 09-01-2007, 02:24 PM

I might look in to tearing the gear off of a converted cressie at a wreckers. The main thing here is cost.

**The Witzl** · 09-01-2007, 04:19 PM

you wont have any issues getting the converted gear Dave.... talk to an aircon bloke about what parts you will need to pinch to convert - im pretty sure its just drier/receiver and something else?

**davedave** · 09-01-2007, 07:08 PM

Thanks Karl, there seems to be a heap of howto's on the net, so I might even give it a go. Would be great if the "r134 in a can" that the US guys talk about was available in aus, it would make it a complete backyard job (except for degassing of course)

**bansheebuzz** · 09-01-2007, 08:44 PM

i charge 280 to do a r12 to 134a conversion. 300 is approx average rate. It will require draining of the compressor oil and new oil, replacement of orings, fitting new reciever/accumulator, new fitting and a regas off course.

Thing is thou if your system has stoped then there is probably something wrong with it.

**BradW** · 09-01-2007, 11:17 PM

Would you get an oil filter for your car from the wreckers?
The receiver/drier is the a/c systems filter

.

The only other thing you need is adaptors for the service ports and new oil for the system.
Also if there is no gas in the system now, then if it wasn't degassed, it has leaked out somewhere. Under the new legislation, it is now illegal to regas a car with R134a, that is suspected of having a leak, without repairing the leaks.

For more info, have a look at this site.
http://www.vasa.org.au/

**Cruiser97_80** · 10-01-2007, 09:02 AM

There are other choices of a/c gas now.
We use 1 from Hychill at work HR12 i think it is http://www.hychill.com.au/
It is supposed to be compatible with R12 and R134a systems. With out the need of a retro fit.
It is also supposed to be cheaper because you only use 1/3rd the amount of gas compared to R134a.

**cambelt** · 10-01-2007, 03:03 PM

Hr 12 is only good in modern cars , the head pressures and temps are far to high when using this on old cars, its because the condensor size is smaller on older cars , (as a general rule). that said i have hr 12 here and if anyone needs a moden car gassed i,ll do it cheap
Dave

**BradW** · 10-01-2007, 09:02 PM

HR12 is an LPG based refrigerant. It is a flammable gas.
Have a look at this video.
http://www.vasa.org.au/images/movies/hc_demo.mov (it's 7.66mb so 56k beware)
It is a movie of a test conducted at UNSW to prove that these refrigerants are "safe".
They simulated a leak in the evaporator and struck a match to prove that it was safe. They were wrong

. Apparently the test was actually conducted for Hychill by Dr Ian Maclaine Cross.

I would not use this in my car, no matter how cheap it is.

**ajh** · 10-01-2007, 09:13 PM

nasty stuff!!

**Cuzzo** · 10-01-2007, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by BradW

HR12 is an LPG based refrigerant. It is a flammable gas.
Have a look at this video.
http://www.vasa.org.au/images/movies/hc_demo.mov (it's 7.66mb so 56k beware)
It is a movie of a test conducted at UNSW to prove that these refrigerants are "safe".
They simulated a leak in the evaporator and struck a match to prove that it was safe. They were wrong

. Apparently the test was actually conducted for Hychill by Dr Ian Maclaine Cross.

I would not use this in my car, no matter how cheap it is.

All i can say is holy ****. That is one big fireball!!!