Re: [AMC-list] A/C refrigerant conversions

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Not really necessary in most cases, but won't hurt. I use a bigger cross flow condensor from a Chrysler LS on my car, but it's a "hybrid" system with the original 63 evaporator and housing and an 88 Jeep 4.0L compressor, along with the mentioned condensor,a generic drier and custom hoses to mate everything together.

You might want to look into "Enviro-Safe" refrigerant though. It's basically a blend of propane and butane. Propane cools more efficiently (ever saw a gas grill regulator ice up?) than butane, but won't carry oil through the system very efficiently -- butane does. It's roughly a 70/30 blend, but the E-S guys aren't saying! The good thing is it cools a little better than R-134a in an old system and is fully compatible with the old hoses and such. R-134a molecules are smaller than R-12 and will slowly leech through the hoses, though they should hold enough charge for a couple years. As far as I recall E-S works with any oil, but anything made or rebuilt since around 88-89 has either PAG or Ester oil in it, not mineral oil. I've used E-S in old R-12 systems and systems made for R-134a -- running it in the Rambler AND just put it in my 2002 Ranger a couple weeks ago (a fitting vibrated loose and blew an o-ring, there goes the R-134a! No, it wasn't intentional). Never had a proble
m with it. In mid temps (mid 80s through about 100 degrees) it charges at the same pressure as R-134a and uses the same fittings. At higher temps it will build a little more pressure, lower temps a little less. 12 ounces of E-S = 16 ounces of R-134a, and the E-S is cheaper.

Some states have outlawed it because it's a flammable gas. DuPont lawyers at work! Similar products are used extensively in Australia and there have been no more fires traced to the refrigerant using a hydrocarbon base (flammable gas) than with R-134a/R-12. The oil in the system can cause fire too. In all case there pretty much has to be an open flame to cause ignition -- the flash point of propane is a good bit higher than gasoline. Why worry about 30-40 OUNCES of propane when you have a5-20 GALLONS of highly flammable liquid gasoline in the car?? The propane IS compressed, but it's not explosive. If there is an engine fire and a hose ruptures the propane burns like a torch, but only for a few seconds, and there has to be a fire already for that to happen, so there's really no additional worry. It's safe, and it can't hurt the environment.

Since it's a refrigerant it's still technically illegal to mix it with other refrigerants or to vent it to the atmosphere. Doesn't matter that it does no harm. Just so you know...

---------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:53:16 -0500
From: "Armand Eshleman"<aje1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Rumor has it that when converting from freon to R134a that a larger
condensor coli is needed in oreder for the
new refrigerant to work efficiently.

It was suggested to me to get a larger condesor for the Javelin rather than
re-use the stock one.

What say you guys?

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)


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