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.

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Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

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

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

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.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

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

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.

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Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

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.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

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.

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David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
http://www.w108.org/gallery/albums/A...1159.thumb.jpg

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

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

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

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

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

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)

Agreed, I did not think it was legal to use Duracool in MVAC systems.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Check that EPA link. HC refrigerants are legal, but not as replacements for ozone-depleting refrigerants (i.e., R12), and not where prohibited by state law. A handful of states don't allow it.

It is legal to use HC refrigerants in a factory 134a system, after evacuation. Mixing is now allowed.

It is legal to use HC refrigerants in a converted 134a system, as long as the system wasn't converted for the purpose of moving from R12 to HC. Then it isn't legal.