Finally ready to fix a/c

[alvaro.noriega]

I have been living through this heat so far without a/c and I can't take it anymore. I just had it vacuum checked for leaks. it's all good. But I don't have the money to retro fit it for the 134a. does anybody know where I can get some r-12? or if I can just pump 134a in there without retro fitting it?

 

[Ishodu]

There are replacements out there at the parts stores that replace r12. You can't put in 134a with out changing parts.

 

[projectSHO89]

R12 is a generally available (behind the counter) to anyone who possesses a MACS 609 license.

 

[itwonder]

I found the best place to get R12 in cans is from a private party seller on Craigslist. You may have to use one of the search engines that searches multiple Craigslist locations to find it. Some sellers didn't want to ship, but I had no trouble finding others that were happy to ship it and accept Paypal payment. Old stock cans are fine as long as they are not rusted so badly that they have leaked. I've also bought it on ebay, but it was more expensive there.

It's not that tough to take an online course and get a CFC certification so you can buy R12 from a refrigeration supplier, but it's sold only in 30 lb. cylinders which cost around $450 and are way way more than you need to refill your system.

 

[PILOTOMD]

You can buy it on ebay for about $30 for 12 oz.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

There are replacements out there at the parts stores that replace r12. You can't put in 134a with out changing parts.

What all parts are involved? Isnt it just the port fittings, and the o-rings in the system?

 

[Ishodu]

IIRC the oils do not like each other, the orface needs to be changed as well.

 

[projectSHO89]

A high quality, complete R12 to R134a conversion includes:

Accumulator
Liquid line with re-sized orifice
High-pressure cut-off switch added
Complete system flush including manually draining old oil from compressor
New O-rings
Correct amount of PAG oil in each component
Connector adapters
Hard vacuum and leak check
Charge to proper level with R134a

 

[oneqwicksho]

If you talk with guys that work on home a/c units and things of that nature they can get you a big can of it for cheap but, make sure its a friend of yours because most people won't sell it to you direct or if they do be prepared for a 200% write up

 

[projectSHO89]

If you talk with guys that work on home a/c units and things of that nature they can get you a big can of it for cheap but, make sure its a friend of yours because most people won't sell it to you direct or if they do be prepared for a 200% write up

Home AC units do not use R12, they use R22.