Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryBible
I've probably written this several dozen times on this forum, but what's one more?
All junk refrigerants such as HC12 and the others fall into one of two categories; a blend or a flammable. I have no idea which category HC12 falls into, but I would be willing to bet big bucks that it falls into one of them.
The problem with flammables is so obvious that I need not elaborate.
The problem with blends is that the multiple components leak at different rates, so if you have a partial loss, the only way to get it right again is to recover the entire charge, and I hope the leak is fixed at that point, and THEN recharge again from scratch. With most blends, one of the components is there to circulate the oil, so you'd best do it right.
With EITHER one of these two categories you have charged the system with a refrigerant that very, VERY few shops if ANY have a recycle machine set up to handle. If they recover it because someone did not put on the correct fittings and labels as required by Federal Law (I trust that you DID use the correct fittings and a label didn't you?) then some unsuspecting shop might accidentally recover a junk refrigerant into a tank of R12 which then contaminants the ENTIRE tank. Not only did they lose the legitimate R12 that was in the tank but they also MUST PAY A DISPOSAL FEE!!!!!!!
This might not happen while YOU own the car, but somewhere down the line you might be responsible for such an episode. Whoever that happens to is just trying to feed their family and put shoes on the baby like everyone else.
If you insist on using junk refrigerant PLEASE use the appropriate fittings and CORRECTLY label the system as to the refrigerant contained inside. Not only would you be complying with the law, but you might very well be doing an honest, proper dealing shop somewhere down the line a favor.
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Hydrocarbon refrigerants are not JUNK refrigerants. They have ASTM ratings and are used extensivley in green industrial applications.
It is true that HC12 is both a blend and is flamable. But it is far less of a danger than the gasoline in a gas car. Even a can of hair spray or spray paint is a bigger risk.
The fact that it is a blend allows for more efficient use of the condenser because condensation occurs over a greater length of each tube. Hydrocarbon refrigerants are not only more efficient than other refrigerants usually used in the US, but they leak slower and what does leak is far less harmfull to the environment. Non-hydrocarbon blends usually require one of the components to circulate the oil but they still are rather poor at circulating oil. Most of the hydrocarbon referigerants are inherently superior in oil circulation than even R12. They are also less acitic than R12 or R134a in the presence of moisture.
BTW,
Any system with a leak should be evacuated and recharged whether it is a blend or not in order to get the proper oil change.
In many technologically advanced countries around the world, hydrocarbon refrigerants are now the factory charge. They are better for the environment, less strain on the equipment (longer life) and more efficient.
You are correct, you MUST change connectors and properly label the system to prevent cross contamination.