Date:         Thu, 29 Aug 2013 04:14:12 +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:  <BAY179-DS40ADEB0C266F2942391D1A0340@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

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                                       
>