DIY A/C Recharging
 

Has anyone tried the "Duracool 12a" airconditioning recharging kit? It says the refrigerant doesn't harm the environment and will work with all A/C units.

Any comments?

My AC runs cold, but I'd like to learn more about this product and see if anyone has tried to use it.

drbrad, I have used and sold it for 3 years now. I have a Porsche shop and a Mercedes shop using it with great results. You can go to the duracool web site and get more info on it. It is produced in Canada. go to www.duracool.com

do you have to evacuate the 134 or will duracool mix with it...YIKES.

i find that i have to add about a half can of 134a a year to our systems...

no big deal... just like to look at alternatives.

You can't mix any refrigerants (in the US), so you would have to evacuate the system.

Cool but not COLD
 

My AC is running just fine. I hear the compressor kick in and she blows cool air. I'd like to see if I top it off with more refrigerant whether she will be colder.

It looks pretty simple with this product.

My questions are:

• how do I know when I've added enough?
• How do I tell how much pressure is in the system?
• Will mixing refrigerants be dangerous? (i.e. explosive?)
• I don't think I have a leak, but I'd like to run her cooler.
  
  Thanks.

You probably notice a reluctance to respond to your question....

Your questions are SO elementary.

The fact that you are asking such basic questions...are you sure you're qualified to be fooling with this?

Please don't be one of those people who hooks the can up to the high side and blows his hand off. Or worse.

How else is he supposed to learn other than to ask?

unfortunately refrigerants are not one of those things that abide by the"if some is good more is better" law.

A proper textbook on HVAC diagnosis and repair.

There is a lot of great information on the Internet - and there is also a lot of nonsense. Some of the bad information can get you killed, nobody should undertake working on mobile HVAC systems unless they have a firm understanding of the principles, safety measures and equipment to do the job from an authoritative source of information. (like a factory shop manual)

Very true - It's better to have a system @ 50-60% of capacity than 10% overcharged.

More is not always better.

If you have a system that has been converted to 134a then you probably won't see any improvement by adding MORE refrigerant. R134 systems have to be larger in capacity because 134 isn't as effecient as R12.
I was talking today to the Independent Porsche shop that buys Duracool from me and He said that systems that he installs Duracool in run COLDER when he is just a tad undercharged.
The advantage to Duracool is that it is a more effecient refrigerant that 134a. It runs at much lower High and Low side pressures. Lower pressures take less power to drive the compressor. Duracool also has a larger molecule structure and doesn't seep through the rubber lines like freon does. My Porsche Indy says that he couldn't keep Freeze 12 in the Porsches. They have LONG hoses and the cars would lose the charge AND not cool as good. He has been using it now for 3 years.
To LEGALLY install Duracool in a R12 system, you need to change the fittings on the High and Low side lines. They sell adapter fittings that screw on and seal onto the existing R12 fittings.

There alot of nay sayers on the site about using a hydrocarbon based refrigerant like Duracool. I have worked on cars for 40 years. I tried it... it works.... If they don't want to use it..... NO PROBLEM. JUST don't knock something if you haven't used it. My $0.02

Along those lines, I understand propane is a good refrigerant.

FYI, It is illegal to use "Duracool" in any MVAC application that is currently using R12.

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/hc-12a.html

Not if you convert the fittings.

Yes it is flammable...so is gasoline....diesel fuel.
The LIQUID amount needed to charge a typical MBZ system is only about 16 OUNCES. A typical automobile carries about 10 GALLONS of fuel.
Duracool has a flash point of around 1600 degrees F.

Again as I said above.... The Choice is YOURS.

So the normal "enough is OK, more is better, and too much is just right" doesn't apply?:D

Based upon recent unpleasant experiences, both technical and expense related, I will be purchasing tools and supplies for whatever system goes down next. Latest fix was the low speed aux. fan resistor in the 87. Absolutely amazing how cold the system (converted to R134A) is when it has air flow while sitting in traffic.