Question regarding R-12 Purchase
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,120
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Question regarding R-12 Purchase
Good Day Forum,
A general question if I may...... For the AC experts, When I'm shopping for old stock and existing R-12 which brand or brand names are closest to real R-12? I see so many different brandings on Ebay. I just don't want to buy knock off junk. I see prices run from $38-44.00 per pound. I'm planning on obtaining my 609 certification to be in good graces as well.
Thank you in advance.
Marshal
A general question if I may...... For the AC experts, When I'm shopping for old stock and existing R-12 which brand or brand names are closest to real R-12? I see so many different brandings on Ebay. I just don't want to buy knock off junk. I see prices run from $38-44.00 per pound. I'm planning on obtaining my 609 certification to be in good graces as well.
Thank you in advance.
Marshal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
no expert but some experience..
my luck has been craigs list..
found one guy cleaning out garage and several cans of various manufacturers..ID, Dupont etc..
then found a large can with 8 pounds still in it )Sercon? for 80 bucks..from old garage..i initially bought 2 cans on ebay and paid 60 bucks..so 3 purchases all good so far..
you really NEVER know for sure whats inside.. but you get what you get and the best you can figure it out..
i would never pay more than 20-30 bucks a can..
if cans look brand new and clean i may shy away.. look for good printing.. i would also buy a robinaire can piercing handle that punctures from side.. that eliminates any top feed BS..
my luck has been craigs list..
found one guy cleaning out garage and several cans of various manufacturers..ID, Dupont etc..
then found a large can with 8 pounds still in it )Sercon? for 80 bucks..from old garage..i initially bought 2 cans on ebay and paid 60 bucks..so 3 purchases all good so far..
you really NEVER know for sure whats inside.. but you get what you get and the best you can figure it out..
i would never pay more than 20-30 bucks a can..
if cans look brand new and clean i may shy away.. look for good printing.. i would also buy a robinaire can piercing handle that punctures from side.. that eliminates any top feed BS..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
???
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts...188358785.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/pts...185085601.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts...188358785.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/pts...185085601.html
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Oct 5, 2020 at 11:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
and if not a dick 30 and close by or meet half way somewhere public
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
Good Day Forum,
A general question if I may...... For the AC experts, When I'm shopping for old stock and existing R-12 which brand or brand names are closest to real R-12? I see so many different brandings on Ebay. I just don't want to buy knock off junk. I see prices run from $38-44.00 per pound. I'm planning on obtaining my 609 certification to be in good graces as well.
Thank you in advance.
Marshal
A general question if I may...... For the AC experts, When I'm shopping for old stock and existing R-12 which brand or brand names are closest to real R-12? I see so many different brandings on Ebay. I just don't want to buy knock off junk. I see prices run from $38-44.00 per pound. I'm planning on obtaining my 609 certification to be in good graces as well.
Thank you in advance.
Marshal
Be aware that anything labeled as "12a" is not R-12. It is usually propane (R-290) or butane. Both fine refrigerants, they are just not R-12. 12a is a made up marketing name and is not a genuine ASHRAE refrigerant designation. I use a mix of mostly 134a and a small charge of 1-2oz of propane in my other R12 car, the propane, being a hydrocarbon, carries the original oil just fine. (my vette has no AC)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 2,024
From: MA/NH Seacoast
I just buy old R12 cans that aren't overpriced, without really paying attention to the brand name. As long as it's actual R12, you should be fine.
I wouldn't worry about getting any certificates unless you were gonna do commercial work.
I wouldn't worry about getting any certificates unless you were gonna do commercial work.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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71 green 454,
Thank you for the links. I sent a message to the first one.
I will let you all know how I make out.
Marshal
Thank you for the links. I sent a message to the first one.
I will let you all know how I make out.
Marshal
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
No reason to buy the blended replacement garbage. I pick up real cans of R12 whenever I see them on CL or Marketplace for $20 or less. Brand doesn't matter.
You do need to be careful of the 30lb kegs. The old ones with black valves could be refilled with absolutely anything from burnt reclaimed refrigerant to tap water. Stores used to sell adapters to turn them into portable air tanks.
Look for kegs with a green valve as they are one way and don't allow the tank to be refilled.
You do need to be careful of the 30lb kegs. The old ones with black valves could be refilled with absolutely anything from burnt reclaimed refrigerant to tap water. Stores used to sell adapters to turn them into portable air tanks.
Look for kegs with a green valve as they are one way and don't allow the tank to be refilled.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,670
Likes: 2,474
From: Indiana
No reason to buy the blended replacement garbage. I pick up real cans of R12 whenever I see them on CL or Marketplace for $20 or less. Brand doesn't matter.
You do need to be careful of the 30lb kegs. The old ones with black valves could be refilled with absolutely anything from burnt reclaimed refrigerant to tap water. Stores used to sell adapters to turn them into portable air tanks.
Look for kegs with a green valve as they are one way and don't allow the tank to be refilled.
You do need to be careful of the 30lb kegs. The old ones with black valves could be refilled with absolutely anything from burnt reclaimed refrigerant to tap water. Stores used to sell adapters to turn them into portable air tanks.
Look for kegs with a green valve as they are one way and don't allow the tank to be refilled.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Freeze12
Further....There WAS a 'replacement' on the market in Cans called FREEZE 12, it is R-12. I believe you can still find it. When I could, I bought 6 cans. The only problem with this is ; To fill your system you need the old style SIDE CAN TAPPER...which looks like a big 'pliers' that punches a hole in the side of the can and has the nozzle THERE...Freeze 12 cans are not compatible with CFC-134A Nor R-12....I think this is Their way of getting around some sort of statute.
BTW....CFC-134A works TERRIFICALLY. The big problem is getting the system completely clean before you do the conversion...not the efficacy of the refrigerant.
Unkahal in A/C USA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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So I'm confused........ Freeze12 is not R12?
So if I'm using virgin R12 in my initial charge then I do not want to add Freeze12 when topping off?
Thanks
PS
Brian,
your charge should be on the compressor.
Mine calls for 3.25 lbs of R12.
So divide charge into ounces and that will tell you how many cans .
Marshal
So if I'm using virgin R12 in my initial charge then I do not want to add Freeze12 when topping off?
Thanks
PS
Brian,
your charge should be on the compressor.
Mine calls for 3.25 lbs of R12.
So divide charge into ounces and that will tell you how many cans .
Marshal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,120
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Craigslist R12 Follow-up
So the first listing was fishing. He wanted like $1400 for a 30 pounder.
The cans he's guessing 25 each?
Or the handguns in trade listed.
2nd listing I offered 20 each and take all.
No response yet.
Still looking.
Thank you everyone.
Marshal
The cans he's guessing 25 each?
Or the handguns in trade listed.
2nd listing I offered 20 each and take all.
No response yet.
Still looking.
Thank you everyone.
Marshal