Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:01:48 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Freeze-12 and other A/C supplies
In-Reply-To: <096501cb10b8$ce33a8b0$6a9afa10$@net>
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The propane in your passenger cabin is on the downside of a 1 psi regulator (iirc), no? And the gas is outside in a tank made to hold it. There are other considerations as well; I read some time back that a Nat'l professional organization representing automotive A/C service techs was suing the manufacturers of hydrocarbon "refrigerants" because of all of their members (apparently a considerable number) that had been injured trying to service systems that had been filled with explosive gases unbeknownst to them.
I think it's like the point made in the seat belt discussion; the decisions we make don't just affect us but can have wide-ranging unintended consequences for lots of other ppl.
In regards to A/C in a Vanagon, probably the best solution would be to get an R134a compatible compressor and barrier hoses and proceed normally. The trade-off there is limited to money, basically.
Cya,
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Hargrave [mailto:thargrav@hiwaay.net]
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 1:40 PM
To: 'Robert Fisher'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Freeze-12 and other A/C supplies
I look at it this way.
All of these products are far less explosive than the propane plumbed in to power your stove & heater. They are also far less explosive than the gasoline sloshing around in your gas tank!
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Robert Fisher
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 3:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Freeze-12 and other A/C supplies
--snip--
turns out that Freeze 12 seems not to have propane or other flammable component, but there are good reasons that regulatory agents rule against a product and that manufacturers recommend that things be done in a certain way.
--snip--
Freeze-12 doesn't have propane but according to the MSDS the R142b component is "extremely flammable" and breaks down into some pretty nasty gases due to "thermal decomposition".
Freeze-12 is on the EPA's "acceptable subject to use" list, as well as some others that have less than 5% isobutane. Perhaps they feel that at level the explosive potential is low enough to be acceptable? I haven't seen where it was illegal in some individual states; does anybody have a link to that?
I guess you picks yer poisons...
Cya,
Robert