CHEAP R-12 auto A/C substitute!

I'm not the first folks, people have been using this for years with great success. R-12 refrigerant is difficult to come across for a fair price, and then you'll have to find it on craigslist or from some old timers stash. You can convert it over to R-134a, however it's not going to.cool nearly as well and will downright suck at traffic lights. This is safe and it works! It's actually R-152a or HFC-152a. This is what's inside the duster cans.

[@stevecarlson6462]

I used it on my 1998 Chevy pickup and it works great. I did discover a leaking schrader valve though. So I replaced the leaky valve and bought two more cans of air duster from Office Depot and refilled it.

[@StrongEnough78]

I just bought a side can tap from Napa last week. They're still out there.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Undercharged, most likely. The problem with being undercharged, besides growing ice on the evaporator and stopping air flow is, the compressor oil can become trapped in the evaporator and starve the compressor of lubricant. A I'd adjust low side pressure to above 25psi with fan on low speed.

[@NateInTX]

The proper procedure is 75% airflow, recirculation OFF below 86 degrees F, OR recirculation ON above 86 degrees F, with the engine at operating temperature and the cabin cooling down for ~15 minutes, then check for proper pressures. R-152a (HFC-152a) will be approx. 10% lower on pressures compared to R-134a (use a temperature and pressure chart), with a -1% volumetric cooling capacity and ~10k higher discharge outlet temperature. HFC-152a also has a lower molecular weight, so for a 2.3 lb system (36.8 oz) you should be charging with ~23.81 oz of R-152a (36.8 x 0.647); always charge by weight, never by pressures. You should also purchase HFC-152a in electronics duster form that does not contain bitterant, as anything that is not refrigerant or oil is technically a contaminant and will affect both the performance and longevity of your ac system. (www dot) intarcon (dot com) /en/refrigerante-r152a/

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

@@NateInTX I made all my notes here, a couple years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYSWf2mfgcilkKssi=K_8wLz057P861Lnj It still works great but next time I'll be using 134a from a cylinder so it's possible to weigh the refrigerant. That, and the duster spray price has increased so much it's no longer an advantage.

[@09johnmac]

This is the type stuff I find fascinating lol so almost 2 years after the charge… have you had any issues or is it still blowing cold??

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Nice video, I gotta do this for my ride. I appreciate the info.

[@slowjamcdub]

Ohh wow now that’s cool! 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@Milkman3572000]

Ac did work better back in the 90s with R12.

[@timjacobs9860]

works colder on 1994 ford e350 the r1234a doesnt get as cold and r1234 operates at a higher presure settings

[@henrent]

Do you use mineral oil with this refrigerant like the R12? If not, which oil do you use?

[@ryanjackson587]

Im replacing the compressor on an old semi truck this weekend. Im gonna try this out because converting the systems gonna be a pain in the rear. After i pull the vacuum on it and get ready to charge it, what do you do about oil with this stuff, should i still use the recommended amount of mineral oil or use something else?

[@StrongEnough78]

How hot was it outside when you filmed this?

[@Milkman3572000]

My R12 system, at 90 degree outside temp, will push out 45-48 degree AC. I have R12 in my stash but I'm checking for leaks .with Air Duster Might keep it as is.

[@bill2342]

Do you vent and vacuum the old R12 before you add that stuff, or can you mix the two?

[@vegasfordguy]

I would vacuum it out if you have a vacuum pump available.

[@OldSkoolF]

Take it and have it recovered by a pro.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

You'll have to do something about the mineral oil in your R12 system because it won't circulate with r152a or r134a. One quick way to enable the mineral oil to circulate with these refrigerants is by adding a couple ounces of ester refrigerant oil. The other (better, imo) way is by flushing the system but this takes more time and expense because you need to replace the desicant dryer because the desicant beads are saturated with mineral oil and by now (decades), can't absorb moisture. After flushing, reassemble, deep vacuum for at least an hour, nitrogen pressure test, add pag oil, deep vacuum for a more couple hours then charge liquid refrigerant from a cylinder going into the high pressure side into the vacuum, quantity based on refrigerant weight (use a scale). If your system is in good condition with no leaks, the job is complete.

[@Tim.McElheny]

Did you change the oil in your system? Or did you leave it how it was. I’ve read some people recommend emptying the PAG oil and replacing it with Esther oil

[@vegasfordguy]

Left the oil that was already in the system. Years ago I was super cautious about using only what was recommended. I've come to realize that some you should follow, but others are nonsense. My opinion anyways.

[@Tim.McElheny]

Desert Explorer 302 thanks for the info. Have you had any system failures in any of the R-12 vehicles you’ve switched to the dust cleaner?

[@jimdavidson5208]

How about some Sleepy Joe Biden pricing now people? Do you like your 5 bucks a gallon gas now? Brandon is really helping us out with his record inflation.

[@vegasfordguy]

He's an embarrassment to our country and the world.

[@jimdavidson5208]

@@vegasfordguy Come on guys.... Don't YOU like paying high gas prices for a fake war some other country is partaking in? We have NO troops or equipment in the skirmish. Why the heck are WE paying 5 bucks plus a gallon? We're not even involved here people?

[@jimdavidson5208]

@@vegasfordguy Check your 401K about now....... THANKS BRANDON!!!

[@coler154]

ah yes the president has a secret knob that directly controls the price of gasoline..... makes perfect sense.

[@sbc383zz]

@@vegasfordguy Like you Ivan.

[@graysonfischer]

Do you have to evacuate and pull a vacuum before recharge? I don’t have a manifold gauge so I was just looking into getting a single yellow hose to go from clamp tap to fitting...

[@vegasfordguy]

I pulled a vacuum on mine as I have a vacuum pump. While it's recommend and good practice, I've recharged systems without pulling a vacuum and never had a problem myself. I mean, it's not correct by the book, however you can't always go by the book. An old trick is to charge it up with enough to cycle to compressor and then purge it out, then proceed charging as usual. (It's illegal to purge refrigerant into the atmosphere) So legally I can't recommend it.