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AC Charge [message #287545]

Fri, 18 September 2015 22:46

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

First a little background: I have not ever converted the AC system in my coach to Duracool (yet). It has been converted to 134-A by the PO. At present, it is a little low and not blowing as cold as it could be. I have one can of Duracool, but can easily go buy some 134-A.

The question is, should I stick with pure 134-A for now? Or should I top off the system with Duracool? I know the Duracool is compatible with the 134-A, but I'm thinking it might be better to not mix refrigerants.

We are heading out on a 12 day trip to mostly Utah on Monday after work, so I have time to add some refrigerant to the system this weekend yet.

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

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Re: AC Charge [message #287546 is a reply to message #287545]

Fri, 18 September 2015 23:01

Bullitthead

Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013

Karma: 5

Senior Member

"but I'm thinking it might be better to not mix refrigerants"

I am knowing it will not be better to mix refrigerants.
If you wanna experiment, that's one type of adventure, but if you want to just fix it for another season or until a superior alternative comes along, just refill it with the same type and hopefully achieve a return to the previous operating condition.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.

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Re: AC Charge [message #287549 is a reply to message #287546]

Sat, 19 September 2015 00:22

John Sharpe

Messages: 71
Registered: February 2006
Location: Porter, TX

Karma: 0

Member

I would not mix refrigerants as they condense at different pressures and temperatures.

John Sharpe
Porter, TX
78 Eleganza II, TBI
40 Ford Panel, TPI

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Re: [GMCnet] AC Charge [message #287552 is a reply to message #287549]

Sat, 19 September 2015 06:56

Mr ERFisher

Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

Yes change to duracool

But
Not on the way out
Make no changes when you are leaving
Just when you get back !!!

On Friday, September 18, 2015, John Sharpe wrote:

> I would not mix refrigerants as they condense at different pressures and
> temperatures.
> --
> John Sharpe
> Humble, TX
> 78 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: AC Charge [message #287556 is a reply to message #287549]

Sat, 19 September 2015 09:56

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

Okay, that's what I was thinking. The only reason I ask is because I have heard (on here) that it is OK to "top off" the system with Duracool even if it had 134-A.

Thanks

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Re: AC Charge [message #287557 is a reply to message #287556]

Sat, 19 September 2015 10:57

C Boyd

Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006

Karma: 18

Senior Member

I try not to mix refrigerants if I know what I got in the system. I haven't seen anystuff scientific about mixing the chemicals. I know that if they were not the same ph that there will be a chemical reaction.

Carl S. wrote on Sat, 19 September 2015 10:56

Okay, that's what I was thinking. The only reason I ask is because I have heard (on here) that it is OK to "top off" the system with Duracool even if it had 134-A.

Thanks

C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee

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Re: AC Charge [message #287559 is a reply to message #287545]

Sat, 19 September 2015 11:42

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

Carl S. wrote on Fri, 18 September 2015 22:46

First a little background: I have not ever converted the AC system in my coach to Duracool (yet). It has been converted to 134-A by the PO. At present, it is a little low and not blowing as cold as it could be. I have one can of Duracool, but can easily go buy some 134-A.

The question is, should I stick with pure 134-A for now? Or should I top off the system with Duracool? I know the Duracool is compatible with the 134-A, but I'm thinking it might be better to not mix refrigerants.

We are heading out on a 12 day trip to mostly Utah on Monday after work, so I have time to add some refrigerant to the system this weekend yet.

Maybe I am too much of a tree-hugger, but I believe that R-134a needs to be recovered instead of vented. If you add Duracool to the R-134a that is in there, then it is "contaminated" and your typical automotive shop doesn't want it in their recovery equipment, and you don't want to lie and tell them it is not contaminated because it can render a large amount of R-134a un-re-useabele. So then you have to vent it because they won't take it.

For now, just top it up with R-134a, and when the weather doesn't require AC, take it somewhere and have them recover the refrigerant. Then take it home and charge it with Duracool.

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Re: AC Charge [message #287590 is a reply to message #287545]

Sat, 19 September 2015 22:10

Bob de Kruyff

Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Carl S. wrote on Fri, 18 September 2015 21:46

First a little background: I have not ever converted the AC system in my coach to Duracool (yet). It has been converted to 134-A by the PO. At present, it is a little low and not blowing as cold as it could be. I have one can of Duracool, but can easily go buy some 134-A.

The question is, should I stick with pure 134-A for now? Or should I top off the system with Duracool? I know the Duracool is compatible with the 134-A, but I'm thinking it might be better to not mix refrigerants.

We are heading out on a 12 day trip to mostly Utah on Monday after work, so I have time to add some refrigerant to the system this weekend yet.

Carl, they are all compatible but the performance characteristics will mimic the proportions of each refrigerant. Use what you have handy. The best charge can be monitored by the temp of the outlets or measure the temperature of the low pressure side tube. This is no more risky than mixing different grades of fuel or oil--of course that will probably cause terrible anxiety attacks here on line Smile

Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

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Re: AC Charge [message #287592 is a reply to message #287590]

Sat, 19 September 2015 22:50

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

I ended up just running up to my corner Ace Hardware and buying a can of 134-A and put that in. It cleared up the sight glass and made a difference in the air coming out of the registers. The airflow is not very good in my unmodified '75, but every little bit helps. I'll convert it to Duracool sooner or later, probably before next summer.

Thanks for all the advice.

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Re: [GMCnet] AC Charge [message #287605 is a reply to message #287556]

Sun, 20 September 2015 02:47

Mr ERFisher

Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

Yes it is

On Saturday, September 19, 2015, Carl Stouffer wrote:

> Okay, that's what I was thinking. The only reason I ask is because I have
> heard (on here) that it is OK to "top off" the system with Duracool even if
> it had 134-A.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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Re: AC Charge [message #287620 is a reply to message #287590]

Sun, 20 September 2015 10:55

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

Bob de Kruyff wrote on Sat, 19 September 2015 20:10

Carl S. wrote on Fri, 18 September 2015 21:46
First a little background: I have not ever converted the AC system in my coach to Duracool (yet). It has been converted to 134-A by the PO. At present, it is a little low and not blowing as cold as it could be. I have one can of Duracool, but can easily go buy some 134-A.

The question is, should I stick with pure 134-A for now? Or should I top off the system with Duracool? I know the Duracool is compatible with the 134-A, but I'm thinking it might be better to not mix refrigerants.

We are heading out on a 12 day trip to mostly Utah on Monday after work, so I have time to add some refrigerant to the system this weekend yet.

Carl, they are all compatible but the performance characteristics will mimic the proportions of each refrigerant. Use what you have handy. The best charge can be monitored by the temp of the outlets or measure the temperature of the low pressure side tube. This is no more risky than mixing different grades of fuel or oil--of course that will probably cause terrible anxiety attacks here on line

Sensible answer, Bob. I got a similar one from Duracool expert and Chemical Engineer, Emery, off net. Thanks

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