Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:35:43 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: RedTek and the Sight Glass
In-Reply-To: <COL125-W5042D35CE06974EA410F9CF340@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
You really need to see what is happening on the high side. The radiator fan
must run at low speed when the compressor is on and when the high side
pressure reaches a certain limit the fan should go into a faster speed.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mike Finkbiner
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 12:14 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: RedTek and the Sight Glass
Dennis -
I'm using the gauge that comes with the RedTek kit, and it's only for the
low side. Does the radiator fan have anything to do with AC pressure, or
does it just run on temperature. Seems it is on all of the time while I
have been running the air conditioner.
Interesting comment about the warm air from the engine compartment. Makes
sense.
I'm still curious about whether the sight glass should show bubbles.
Perhaps someone who runs RedTek already will be able to answer that.
Thanks!
- Mike
Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, Idaho
mike_l_f@hotmail.com
You can't see a thought, you can't measure, weigh, nor
taste it - but thoughts are the most real things in the Galaxy.
- Richard Baslim
> From: d23haynes57@hotmail.com
> To: mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: RE: RedTek and the Sight Glass
> Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 22:05:03 -0400
>
> What is the high side pressure? 40-50 psi is way too high for any R12
> type replacement. Keep in mind that the AC systems relies in
> recirculating sir to cool things down. With the engine compartment
> open and the AC sucking all that engine heat you will need see a 40
> degree discharge especially with the fan on high speed. You need to
> measure both the high and low side pressures to make sure the
> compressor and expansion valve is working. The gauge set will indicate
> pressure and ~ coil temperatures. Automotive systems should be filled
> by volume, and then tested for proper pressures. Too many variables to
> just fill by pressure unless you really know what you are doing. An
> overfilled system will damage the compressor in short order. Not being
> able to pull down the low pressure side is usually a sign of a bad
compressor. Busted valve parts!
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Mike Finkbiner
> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 9:29 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: RedTek and the Sight Glass
>
> I'm running into conflicting advice about what the sight glass should
> look like after switching from R12 to RedTek.
>
> I had the R-12 in my '87 Westy system removed and a vacuum pulled,
> then put the adaptor on the low side plug and started installing the
> RedTek. After a couple of cans and the can of leak stop, with the AC
> running full bore I was getting low-side pressure above 40, but
> according to my calibrated hand, no significant cooling from the
> vents. The AC fan was running and the low-pressure tube out of the
compressor was chilly, but not really cold.
>
> Looking at the sight glass I saw lots of bubbles, so I assumed I
> needed to add more coolant, and did a bit more, but no more cooling.
>
> Shut down after about half an hour and noticed the low pressure valve
> adapter was hissing. When I unscrewed it, that stopped, but I
> wondered how much coolant had leaked out.
>
> I called the RedTek help number and a man in tech support said he
> wasn't too familiar with the automotive side, but on some Vanagons I
> might need low side pressures over 50 psi. They also recommended
> running it again after it sat overnight in case there was some crud
> floating in the system that needed to settle. They are shipping me a
> replacement adapter and some more refrigerant.
>
> I borrowed a digital thermometer the next day, started the engine and
> ran the air conditioning to see if there was any difference. With an
> air temperature in the garage of 74, the AC was blowing 54, so it is
> cooling some. I thought it should drop 40 degrees below ambient if it's
running OK.
> Again, lots of bubbles in the sight glass.
>
> Then I ran into a note which indicated that the sight glass is not
> reliable for RedTek, because it's much lighter. They said I should
> expect bubbles, and might actually have too much refrigerant in the
> system. They recommended letting enough out to get the low side
> pressure down to below 40 and see what happened.
>
> So - if you are running RedTek, what does your sight glass look like?
>
> - Mike
>
> Mike Finkbiner
> '87 Westy
> Moscow, Idaho
> mike_l_f@hotmail.com
>
>
>
> You can't see a thought, you can't measure, weigh,
> nor taste it - but thoughts are the most real things in the Galaxy.
> - Richard Baslim
>
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