Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 14:40:49 +0000
Reply-To: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: RedTek and the Sight Glass
In-Reply-To: <CA+r=JhqPg5boRh9_MobFkR5amwvySGdxWzyVgH7N+gJKS-O8zg@mail.gmail.com>
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Larry -
That's helpful information.
Have you ever checked your sight glass? I keep coming back to that because I have heard conflicting stories. With an R-12 system, you will likely see bubbles when you start the AC, but then it should look generally clear while it's running. One RedTek rep said their product behaves the same, but admitted he was more familiar with household systems. Another said that it's considerably lighter than R-12, which is why you only use 1/3 as much (17oz instead of 51), so you will always see bubbles.
I'm trying to get some field verification from other people using hydrocarbon blend refrigerants.
The sight glass is on top of the receiver/dryer, visible through the front of the rear, driver's side wheel well. I generally use a Q-tip or similar with a solvent to reach in and clean the glass, then shine a flashlight to see what's happening.
Mike Finkbiner
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
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 09:08:32 -0400
Subject: Re: RedTek and the Sight Glass
From: lalofs@gmail.com
To: mike_l_f@hotmail.com
CC: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Mike, I use ES-12a from autorefrigerants.com. I'm not sure, but I am assuming that RedTek is a similar butane/propane refrigerant.Your pressure and temperature numbers sound nearly normal to me. My system leaks enough that I typically add one 6 oz. can per season. When it is well charged, I usually see a temperature drop of 25 to 30 degrees, measured with an IR gun at the intake and output at the rear unit (duct to the front has been removed).
Of course when the sun has been shining on the back of the van and the intake air is 90 or 100F, the air coming out doesn't feel very cold at first. After going down the road for a while, it gets caught up and we start backing off on the fan and the temp control.
Larry A.
On Thu, Aug 29, 2013 at 9:47 PM, Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@hotmail.com> wrote:
Dennis -
Sadly I have no way to measure the high side pressure. I was hoping to not have to get set up as an AC tech, and we'll see how it goes. The radiator fan isn't running at high speed. It would still be interesting to hear from anyone else who is using RedTek what they are seeing in their sight glass.
Today I got a replacement low-pressure valve adapter which doesn't leak when it's screwed on, so I was able to re-test the pressure. Before starting the engine, ~ 70 lbs. After starting it dropped to ~ 34 lbs, right in where the RedTek folks recommend. Not sure why it dropped from when I was loading the refrigerant, but there it is.
After running for 10 minutes or so I was getting ~ 52 degrees out of the vent on fan speed 2. Ambient temperature in the garage ~ 75. I shut up the engine compartment and went for a drive. After about 15 minutes, the vent temp was just under 50.
The condenser up front is pretty clean and seems warm, but not hot. At this point I think I'm going to run with it for a bit. If it can't drop more than 25 degrees below interior temperature I gather something isn't right, but I need to know more about how to dig into the system to find out.
- Mike
Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, Idaho
mike_l_f@hotmail.com
<SNIP>
