Date:         Mon, 16 Jun 2003 21:46:53 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Explosives, Refrigerants, Air Conditioners
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

I have been thinking about the demise of Freon R-12, and the rise of
134a. Freeze12, Red Tek, and others.

It seems that all the new refrigerants have a significant fire/explosion
factor just as a matter of consequence in using them.

I have to ask the question ..."Is it such a bad thing?"

I am reminded of a situation where a banker was selling off a piece of
equipment that was forclosed upon. A supposedly well informed party came
buy and dinigrated the equipment for having in it a fiber that is
supposedly carcinogenic. I think it was a blatant effort to get the
banker to drop the price they were asking, for after all, the bank could
go after the difference between the sale amount and any debt amount.

Anyway, I happend to chat with the banker, as inquired aobut this. He
was all excited about how dangerous that fiber was, didn't think he
could sell it, blah, blah.

I reminded him that he thought nothing about riding to work in a car
sitting on several gallons of explosive materials. That he thought
nothing of having a very explosive gas pumped into his home, by having
natural gas to heat with.His response was "oh!"

As long as these things are kept in and put to their proper use there is
no problem. But let anything go awry, and there could be trounble.

So, the flammable refrigerants aren't that much hassle, as long as thy
are used properly, and kept in sealed systems, that are serviced  properly.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 Gl driver