propane in place of freon - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #1 07-13-2011, 08:37 AM

You just don't understand the word ' unnecessary'.
There are plenty of risks in the world which we have to face...but try to minimize..
There are some that can be avoided entirely.
Using propane in a moving vehicle is one of them.
If it is your family that gets burned by that freakishly small UNNECESSARY risk....you would figure it out ....too late..
Normal people understand these concepts. The same people who would be sitting on a jury if your lack of concern for the law or potential injury hurts someone. I have already been over these points with JimmyL over the years... this is my final post on this.
It is Extremely interesting that you would promote propane in a fashion which might cause someone to think it was OK to use... but do not have it in a moving vehicle yourself....

AND you misrepresent my concern... it is for having a flammable gas with a low flash point in a vulnerable area which might make the difference between a fire starting and not... not that a huge explosion will blow the car to pieces.

compu_85 · #2 07-13-2011, 10:33 AM

There was a leak so the charge lasted about 3 days. Straight propane made pressures on the high side that were too high, it was running about 32/280 as I recall. It was enough to kick the fans onto high speed almost right away. I'm sure if I had run the system for a long time at those pressures the compressor would have given out.

I was mostly doing it as a test.

-J

funola · #3 07-13-2011, 10:37 AM

Were you able to smell the leak?

compu_85 · #4 07-13-2011, 11:47 AM

No. I don't know where it was. I did initially have a large leak on the condenser and that one I could smell.

-J

okto · #5 07-13-2011, 06:08 PM

But what is the ADVANTAGE of propane? If the choice is between a purpose-engineered product and one that just works okay, what reason is there to choose the latter? I haven't heard one person make a pro-propane argument, just non-anti-propane. Not the same thing.

Walrus · #6 07-13-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okto

But what is the ADVANTAGE of propane? If the choice is between a purpose-engineered product and one that just works okay, what reason is there to choose the latter? I haven't heard one person make a pro-propane argument, just non-anti-propane. Not the same thing.

Personally, I'd like to see any ODS removed from use, if it is, in fact, an ODS. From what I have read, 134, propane, and several others are not ODS's... Maybe I need more research.

I don't understand why continue to promote the use of a substance that is classified as harmful to the atmosphere, and WILL be released. Of course, this argument pales when compared to the sheer amount of C dumped from all IC engines...

kerry · #7 07-13-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okto

But what is the ADVANTAGE of propane? If the choice is between a purpose-engineered product and one that just works okay, what reason is there to choose the latter? I haven't heard one person make a pro-propane argument, just non-anti-propane. Not the same thing.

Cheap and readily available. I remember reading years ago that small fishing boats in the Arabian gulf use propane as the refrigerant in their systems for keeping fish cold.

piccolovic · #8 07-13-2011, 08:26 PM

Guess I'm gonna have to look it up in the hazmat book to see which one is more explosive, as in the case of a pressurized tank of R134A, R12, or Propane. I do know that Propane being transported requires placards and is a HazMat load. I also know that over so many cans of refrigerant, and it has to be treated as hasmat, therefore, most shippers now break up the volume, ship them separately, so it doesn't have to be treated as hazmat. I suspect, without having the book in front of me, that propane is the least of DOT's worries.

Oooops, can't find the book, is obviously in my glove box in the Peterbilt parked 10 miles away.

However, a hazmat placard, to my knowledge is not required for the 5-gal tanks on RVs, so I would imagine that DOT doesn't consider that little propane to be a hazard. I also agree with an earlier statement that any piercing of condensor would result in an immediate escape before it would have a chance to catch fire. Also, gas requires a flame or spark to flame up, no just a cigarette head glowing . . . LOL. Also, even if the entire load of 2.5 lbs escaped into the passenger compartment, there are enough escapes for the gas to find, especially if a window is open, thereby, not causing any measurable risk.

But, this has been a fun read, if nothing else!!!!

1980sd · #9 07-13-2011, 08:37 PM

How do you get it in the system? Are there adapters for gauge sets?

compu_85 · #10 07-13-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okto

But what is the ADVANTAGE of propane?

Cost (less), Cooling (better), Pressures (less then R12 if you go 60/40 with propane / isobutane AKA R600), compatibility with mineral oil, less affect on the environment (no ozone or greenhouse affects).

-J

RichC · #11 07-13-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Cost (less), Cooling (better), Pressures (less then R12 if you go 60/40 with propane / isobutane AKA R600), compatibility with mineral oil, less affect on the environment (no ozone or greenhouse affects).

-J

I agree.

leathermang · #12 07-13-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

I agree.

Do you understand they use it for Bar B Que grills ?

RichC · #13 07-13-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Do you understand they use it for Bar B Que grills ?

Yep, sure do.

Do you know what else you can use ?

It is used in bbq grills because it is relatively less dangerous than some other hydrocarbons.

And because its cheaper.

RichC · #14 07-13-2011, 08:23 PM

A mixture of butane and propane is the best in my opinion.

It is no more or less dangerous than most other refrigerant.

It has produced cooler temperatures for me.

It is far less expensive.

Far less hazardous to the environment than some refrigerant.

And this information could save people hundreds if not a grand or more
in there efforts to have a better performing ac.

Instead of changing condensors, adding fans, changing, or buying new pumps.
They can simply switch refrigerant.

leathermang · #15 07-13-2011, 06:48 PM

I only shoot propane tanks with low caliber guns... so I do not know...