Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2017 04:56:40 +0000
Reply-To: Keith Hughes <keithahughes@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Keith Hughes <keithahughes@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: <No subject given>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
The R-134 is definitely less effective, especially with the '85 (some '86) and older A/C's. Smaller evap, single evap fan, smaller condenser. If you were to upgrade to a larger parallel flow condenser (e.g. 16" x 22") you'd end up with about the same performance as with R-12. Going to R-134A you'll also need to flush the system to remove the mineral oil, and then use PAG or POE oil. The R-12 compressors (like Sanden SD510 or SD710) are not likely to last as long with the newer oils they're not designed for, and the poorer oil carrying capacity of R-134A vs R-12.
At this point, as long as you can get recycled R-12, there really is no downside to keeping it R-12 (other than fewer A/C techs, and tougher supply chain for R-12). I'm in Phoenix, and did the R-134A conversion with a stock '85 style system (mine is a Jan 1986 model Westy and had the pre '86 system). Performance really sucked. I went through several upgrade iterations (condenser, compressor, TXV, etc.) until finally building a custom A/C cabinet, and installing an '87 up style system with the larger evap and dual evap fans (I added one as well, but that's another story).
Keith Hughes
'86 Westy GenV (Marvin)
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On Thu, 4/6/17, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
Subject: vanagon Digest - 6 Apr 2017 (#2017-128)
To: "Recipients of vanagon digests" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2017, 9:00 PM
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Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017
19:00:56 -0700
From: Remy <remster2@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: <No subject given>
I have an '85 Westfalia with Air
Conditioning. Which is best - stay with R=
12 freon or switch to R134. My
mechanic thinks I should switch but have hea=
rd R 134 is not as effective AND I live
n Arizona. Thanks I value your opin=
ions .
Remy
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End of vanagon Digest - 6 Apr 2017
(#2017-128)
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