Is it better to recharge the AC with R12 or convert to R134?

[charlief1]

Tell me more about the RB276 please Scott. Is it restricted like R-12 so I'd have to get it with my lisence?

 

[scot w.]

Tell me more about the RB276 please Scott. Is it restricted like R-12 so I'd have to get it with my lisence?

Hi Charlie, i'm sure you would need a license to buy it because it would have to be bought from a Heating / Air supply store and it comes in a 30lb jug. When I done research years ago on it and compared the cooling properties to r12 I was amazed to see the RB 276 having better numbers. After installing in in my GN as a test it worked Great!

Keep us posted if you give it a try.

SW.

 

[TurboDave]

I'll add a few comments to what Scot has said. A last month when it was quite hot here(temps in the low 90's), I wanted to make sure both my GN's A/C systems were still working up to snuff. I've got a nice calibrated thermometer and took them out for a drive around. To my surprise they both felt great, and while driving around, vent temps were in the 42-44 degree range.

Now, here's what I was REALLY surprised to see..... Ya know how, when you stop at a long traffic light at idle your A/C temps seem to suffer some? Well, much to my amazement I was watching the thermometer and watching the vent temps drop into the 37 degree range while sitting at the light. Exactly the opposite of what I would have normally expected. I don't know if this is because of the RB278, or just something else.

BTW, my Freeze12 comments earlier were based on advice from a local mechanic who is thought of locally by many other mech's as something of an A/C guru. So I have no personal experience with it. He also told me (when repairing my R134 converted Z28), that to do an R134 conversion "properly" would also include a condensor designed for 134 use.

 

[49-blues]

Scot- 414B also is 20 degrees colder than R12,a direct drop in for 12 & 134a-with no oil change about $200 for a 30 lb can-how much is the RB276? havent heard of this one but have been using HotShot 414B for about 5 years with 0 problems-35 degrees inside air temp on a 95 degree day in august-you can see my breath in the car.

 

[joe_schindler]

I think R134 and Freeze12 have gotten bad names from being installed into systems that were marginal in the first place. There were plenty of R12 systems that failed with R12 in them because they were also full of trash or lacked oil. But; the excuse of; “well it’s that damned R12 stuff that’s no good” wouldn’t work.

As long as consumers can be told that paying an extra $100 on a new car to have the tires filled with Nitrogen is a good thing; people will continue to fight about what goes into their A/C systems.

 

[Roger]

After much research:
1. r12 cools best (I have to research 414 yet) & the TR is designed for it & also has least permeability problems.
2. 134 is not as cold as r12 & has permerabilty issues & the TR was not designed for it. When 134 first came out, NONE of the then new cars would stay cold at a long red light. The compressors had to be completely redesigned to keep cold at a long red light. Don't ask how I know.
3. 123 (the latest gov't junk) isn't as cold as 134 & has double the permeability issues as 134. 123 needs more compressor development than 134.

It's your car, however, I'm going with r12 until something better is ever developed!

 

[scot w.]

Scot- 414B also is 20 degrees colder than R12,a direct drop in for 12 & 134a-with no oil change about $200 for a 30 lb can-how much is the RB276? havent heard of this one but have been using HotShot 414B for about 5 years with 0 problems-35 degrees inside air temp on a 95 degree day in august-you can see my breath in the car.

I think if you cross referance the number 414B with RB 276 they just might be the same! Most refridgerants have two numbers, I don't know why but most of them do. I will go check my books again now if I can find them. I also have RB 276 in my little Isuzu p/u and have seen 34* air coming out of the vents to the point that the back window starts to frost in 90* weather!!


SW.

 

[scot w.]

After much research:
1. r12 cools best (I have to research 414 yet) & the TR is designed for it & also has least permeability problems.
2. 134 is not as cold as r12 & has permerabilty issues & the TR was not designed for it. When 134 first came out, NONE of the then new cars would stay cold at a long red light. The compressors had to be completely redesigned to keep cold at a long red light. Don't ask how I know.
3. 123 (the latest gov't junk) isn't as cold as 134 & has double the permeability issues as 134. 123 needs more compressor development than 134.

It's your car, however, I'm going with r12 until something better is ever developed!

There has been something better developed and that would be RB 276 / 414B!!


SW.

 

[charlief1]

Hi Charlie, i'm sure you would need a license to buy it because it would have to be bought from a Heating / Air supply store and it comes in a 30lb jug. When I done research years ago on it and compared the cooling properties to r12 I was amazed to see the RB 276 having better numbers. After installing in in my GN as a test it worked Great!

Keep us posted if you give it a try.

SW.

Thanks Scott. I read about Hotshot years ago but haven't really heard much about it lately. I now have a better solution for R-12 vehicles so that's a good thing. Wish I knew you guys while I was living in smurfyboro.

Scot- 414B also is 20 degrees colder than R12,a direct drop in for 12 & 134a-with no oil change about $200 for a 30 lb can-how much is the RB276? havent heard of this one but have been using HotShot 414B for about 5 years with 0 problems-35 degrees inside air temp on a 95 degree day in august-you can see my breath in the car.

Thanks for the info as well Blues. I just hadn't seen anything on it in the last few years my self so what you've provided helps for sure.