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A/C was R12 then R134a - now what Hychill 30.

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Vettech:
Many moons ago, like about 25 years worth, whilst looking to rebuild a faulty Car A/C, I was impressed by what was then called ER12, a much better drop in for the old R12 refrigerent gas which most cars used. Refrigerent 12 or R12 or Freon were  Du Pont companies product and patented worldwide.
At the time R134a had been introduced to remove R12 for enviromental reasons, in Europe the virtues of ER12 were exaulted, but was not a DuPont product so was given bad press and I believe banned in the US since it is made from Butane and Pentane. (NSW followed suit like a lap dog).

Now R134a is going the same way - it too is no good for the world. My 90 is giving troubles with it's A/C, now because 90's used the newer barrier hoses, its easy to change the ports, and thus change to R134a.

But some research shows:
1. The NSW ban on ER12 was been rescinded.
2. The cost of R134a is ridiculous.
3. You need a license  for R134a - (ummm - but I still have a contact.)
But:
1. A new type of ER12 called Hychill 30 made in Oz is now available.
2. No license required, since its virtually BBQ gas.
3. They have a suitable Oil and Solvent flush to suit
4. Much cheaper.
5. I can get it from Bursons.
6. You use less (30% less).
7. Operates at lower pressures,  temperatures, reduced load on compressor, engine, hoses, condensor etc

So why upgrade to R134a which you know is being phased out, and Hychill 30 is better all round. Good question.

Well very soon I'll find out, I'll try to get some Monday. Then the fun will begin.
(I knew that set of compound A/C gauges and manifold would come in handy)
Now  all I have to do is find the Vacuum pump.

Scott:
I did a bit of reading on Hychill.  A lot of air con guys say it's crap and will burn out the compressor, but the guys using it in old R12 cars for decades seem to have zero issues...  Sounds like a lot of scare campaigning going around.  It was banned due to being a flammable hydrocarbon that may leak and catch fire in a crash.  There's zero evidence of this actually happening it seems, plus the R134 + oil is flammable anyway...

Vettech:
Correct Scott. and people sitting in the back seat of a Sydney Cab seem to forget about the 50, 60 or so litres of LPG right behind there back.

The amount of refrigerant actually in side the fire wall would be a small portion of the total 300˜400gms  in the system.
R12 and R134a systems can run several pounds, it was nothing back in the day to pop into Kmart and pick up a 1pound tin of R12 for a couple of bucks.

These were aerasol type tins that were either top or side punctured, what gas did not go into the system ALWAYS ended up leaking away.
 
People also forget that R12 when sprayed thru a naked flame produces one of the WW1 trench gases - Phosgene - very deadly.

On Compressor failure - I'd hazard a guess that the reason for conversion to Hychill or even to R134a was because of internal issues that were never cleaned and flushed out at the time of conversion - or Rec'dryers not replaced etc etc.

I'm stymied at the moment - Bursons the major outlet in Syd had a rush prior to Xmas and are out of stock. In the meantime I'll vac the system  and or check for leaks.

 

Scott:
Hychill also had a factory fire late last year that may have slowed supply.  All back and running now apparently.

Vettech:
Correct Scott, the fire destroyed the aerosol size can production line. Back running now I tink.

Was looking for a 4.5kg gas bottle with UV dyetell, none avail, but Bursons now had some of the 425gm aerosol cans (no dyetell).

Bit the bullit, bought a can - @425gms it represents approx a third of the R12 charge, umm exactly enough for now.

Now where is that Edwards HiVac vacuum pump, 1000 tiles and 20 chooks later I found it.

But allas it is very low on Pump Oil. Bugger. Im not prepared to destroy the pump, so we will wait a little longer.

Hopefully I'll have oil tomorrow, the 90's system sucked down, maybe hold over nite, then re-gas on Wednesday.

Now only time will tell. And yes I have not drained, flushed, or replaced anything, not even the Accumulater.
It will be interesting.......

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