R12 Freon
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Better hang on to that R-12. When I got 901 certified I noticed that the "Freeze 12" etc type R-12 equivalents were NOT allowed anymore. AFAIK the only replacement that can be bought is the Enviro-Safe that they market as an R134a replacement. But it works with R-12 systems too. It even can use the mineral oil.
Definitely need new machine, I think it’s like 6-8 grand from robinair. As far as 1 pound cans from my understanding they’re not allowed to sell the new refrigerant to the general public, but even if they did have the one pound cans it would probably be like 100 or more.
Not only is 1234yf more expensive, it's less efficient. As already explained, it uses a dedicated machine that is much more time consuming. Dealerships are required to purchase them as part of their special service tool package and in the 40 or so dealerships I've been in over the last couple years, most hadn't even been used yet. I'd suspect a 1234yf machine in a body shop or independent shop is pretty rare at this point.
I remember buying R12 in the "1 pound" cans for 99 cents at Kmart!
When we first encountered R1234yf about 3/4 years ago, a 10# cylinder was $1000.
Every refrigerant uses a unique fitting to avoid cross-contamination (in theory, anyway) so even if the machine was the same, you couldn't use it for the other.
Last I heard, R1234yf was not going to be the "final answer" for mobile refrigeration, but nobody knows what is going to be next
My understanding is that hydrocarbon refrigerants are in use in other countries for mobile refrigeration, but not approved in the USA. I know for a fact that Oklahoma expressly forbids it by law
There is only 1 independent shop that I am aware of in my market that has made the investment in a R1234yf machine....we have been sending ours out to OE dealerships, but there's going to come a time I think my employer will have no choice but to make the investment. So far, we have only had one vehicle that needed to be evacuated, most come in with condensor carnage and no charge.
And yes, our first adventure with R1234yf was a real eye-opener regarding cost of service...as well as several insurers
When we first encountered R1234yf about 3/4 years ago, a 10# cylinder was $1000.
Every refrigerant uses a unique fitting to avoid cross-contamination (in theory, anyway) so even if the machine was the same, you couldn't use it for the other.
Last I heard, R1234yf was not going to be the "final answer" for mobile refrigeration, but nobody knows what is going to be next
My understanding is that hydrocarbon refrigerants are in use in other countries for mobile refrigeration, but not approved in the USA. I know for a fact that Oklahoma expressly forbids it by law
There is only 1 independent shop that I am aware of in my market that has made the investment in a R1234yf machine....we have been sending ours out to OE dealerships, but there's going to come a time I think my employer will have no choice but to make the investment. So far, we have only had one vehicle that needed to be evacuated, most come in with condensor carnage and no charge.
And yes, our first adventure with R1234yf was a real eye-opener regarding cost of service...as well as several insurers
I remember hearing in an AC class 3 or 4 years ago that CO2 was being investigated. It runs crazy high pressures but is relatively environmentally friendly.
I also recall hearing the same about co2 being considered, but as I recall you’re running pressures in excess of 1000 psi, so it becomes a safety concern, a weight concern to be able to hold those pressures, and a fuel economy concern trying to turn s compressor to make that much pressure.
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