Date:         Wed, 18 Jun 2003 21:20:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
Subject:      Refrigerant controversey
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

In the debate over safety of hydrocarbon type refrigerants some of us
have publicly stated that  we wouldn't risk the danger of fire/explosion
in a collision while using one of these products.

We seem to have gotten used to having a few pounds of propane in the
tank under our Westy, and I've never heard of a problem with that.  Yes,
of course there should be a surge valve to shut off the flow if the
regulator gets knocked clean off the tank, but there's not.  Something
more to worry about.  I've carried a few bottles of LP for the Coleman
stove and lantern, really more than would charge the AC, without a
disaster.

The HC type refrigerants are being sold to farmers to charge old R-12
systems in combines, tractors, etc.  These aren't highway type vehicles,
and the risk of fire from these products is very low, lots lower than
most of the risks that farmers routinely are forced to take.  I am a
farmer, by the way.

Frankly, it seems to me that phasing out R-12 had to be done, for
environmental reasons.  I'm not so sure that R-134 should have been
chosen as the replacement.  Peltier devices anyone?

Chuck Hill