Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 11:51:55 -0700
Reply-To: Rolf Hastrup <rhastrup@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rolf Hastrup <rhastrup@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: ES-12 Replacement for R-12 Refrigerant
In-Reply-To: <000001c21ae6$66f70460$5fbd3442@phil>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Philip,
ES-12 is compatible with both R-12 and R-134a; however, EPA does not want
mixing of refrigerants. Therefor, the prefered procedure is to evacuate the
system before charging with ES-12. Using a vacuum pump also can be useful to
determine if there are leaks in the system. A leak can sometimes be located
because oil will escape as well and will wet the area around the leak and
collect dust and dirt. If your system is OK but is empty, which you can be
checked by depressing the stem on a Schrader service valve, you could simply
add the ES-12. If you know the capacity of the system, you could add the
required weight of refrigerant. 6 oz of ES-12 is equivalent to 18 oz of R-12.
The supplier I used, Better Technology Trust, sells a small kit containing 4
6-oz cans and a can tapper with a choice of attached hose. You can choose a
hose with R-12 fitting end (standard 1/4" threaded hose coupling) or with R-134
quick connect coupling. For you system, unless you install R-134 adapters, you
would use the R-12 fitting.
--- Philip Chidlaw <pchidlaw@mcn.org> wrote:
> Rolf, I read your recent post regarding your ES-12 use with great
> interest. I have no experience with AC repair, but am newly motivated.
> We just returned from a high desert trip across Nevada and into Utah,
> and could have used a little AC. I can't justify paying what I assume
> would be a large bill to a pro AC shop to make the conversion, as our
> Westy is not a daily driver for us. Any advice on equipment for the home
> do-it-youselfer?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
> Philip Chidlaw
> 87 Westy
> Gualala, CA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> Of Rolf Hastrup
> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 3:56 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: ES-12 Replacement for R-12 Refrigerant
>
>
> Recently, when searching the internet for information on conversion from
> R-12 refrigerant for my '85 Westy and '88 Ford Taurus, I found what
> appears to be the ideal refrigerant. It is called Enviro-Safe 12, or
> ES-12. It actually performs up to 32% better than R-12 and a lot better
> than R-134a, which performs about 8% worse than R-12. It is compatible
> with either, so nothing needs to be changed to convert. In fact, ES-12
> can be used as a direct drop-in replacement for systems using R-134a.
> To comply with EPA regulations, on R-12 systems the freon needs to be
> safely removed and the fittings need to be changed to the R-134 type.
>
> I've asked in stores where they sell R-134a and retrofit kits, but they
> have never heard of ES-12. I ordered a couple of 12-can cases
> ($75/case)and 30-lb cylinders ($169/cyl) for myself and a friend through
> an internet contact:
>
> Better Technology Trust,
> 4535 W Sahara Ave, Suite 106
> Las Vegas, Nevada 89102-3733,
> Ph:800 266-7777
> Web address: www.btt.org.
>
> These people are also looking for wholesale dealers. No charges for
> shipping even small amounts. Note that the "30-lb cylinder" actually
> contains 12 lb of ES-12, which is equivalent to 36 lb of R-12 when used
> in the system. ES-12 is a propane based refrigerant, but highly
> purified. Its auto-ignition temperature is 1585 deg, which is better
> than R-134a. I learned that ES-12 was developed in South Africa - so
> another interesting tie with South Africa.
>
> Actually my first use of ES-12 was in my R-134a equipped 95 Taurus,
> which burst an A/C suction hose shortly after I received my shipment. I
> replaced the line, evacuated the system and put in two 6-oz cans, which
> I determined is close to the equivalent amount of R-134 used by the
> system. The system has been working beautifully for about a week of hot
> weather. It is amazing how little of the ES-12 is required to do the
> job. It is also supposed to operate at somewhat lower pressure on the
> pressure side, and use less horsepower.
>
> Next, I will put it in my older R-12 Taurus. I have to wait with the
> Westy until I complete a Tiico conversion I'm in the midst of. But I
> really think it will be a far better solution for our old Vanagons than
> the DuPont R-134a product. I also heard that the reason RS-12 is not
> seen in the stores is DuPont's patent on R-134a and their power over
> distribution. DuPont also held patents on R-12 and lobbied to outlaw
> R-12 when their patents ran out and they had their new product R-134a
> ready for market.
>
> I hope others on the Vanagon list will find this as exciting as I have.
>
> Rolf
> '85 Westy Auto (doing Tiico conversion)
> '88, 95 Taurus Wagons
> '87 Jetta GLI
>
>
>
>
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