Where would I buy R 12 refrigerant?
07-08-2017, 06:07 PM
#2
I buy mine on FleaBay.
07-08-2017, 06:21 PM
#3
Keep in mind the stuff marketed as 12a is not R12.
R12 was outlawed a long time ago for end consumer sales and install (need an EPA license to buy new). The "12a" stuff is not a real ASHREA refrigerant name and is also technically illegal to install in a mobile system. It is actually about 2 oz of propane (R290) sold for something like $25 just for the convenience of the fitted can.
Propane is a great refrigerant and in only 2-4oz is not going to cause a big bang. As a hydrocarbon it will also carry to old oil properly as well (the biggest issue with converting to 134a).
That being said I have used it on a couple of daily driver R12 cars in the last few years. I typically use a 2 oz can of the '12a' propane stuff and augment with 134a (no oil) to the minimum pressure and havent had any issues in the 4-5 years been doing (have to do annually as the molecular weight of R290 and 134a is much less than R12 so WILL leak)
R12 was outlawed a long time ago for end consumer sales and install (need an EPA license to buy new). The "12a" stuff is not a real ASHREA refrigerant name and is also technically illegal to install in a mobile system. It is actually about 2 oz of propane (R290) sold for something like $25 just for the convenience of the fitted can.
Propane is a great refrigerant and in only 2-4oz is not going to cause a big bang. As a hydrocarbon it will also carry to old oil properly as well (the biggest issue with converting to 134a).
That being said I have used it on a couple of daily driver R12 cars in the last few years. I typically use a 2 oz can of the '12a' propane stuff and augment with 134a (no oil) to the minimum pressure and havent had any issues in the 4-5 years been doing (have to do annually as the molecular weight of R290 and 134a is much less than R12 so WILL leak)
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; 07-10-2017 at 07:57 PM.
07-08-2017, 07:15 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
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Try Craigslist-
in Atlanta a guy has all seven cans for $140
in Atlanta a guy has all seven cans for $140
07-08-2017, 07:46 PM
#6
Have you considered converting over to 134a? It's not all that crazy complicated. The R12 is difficult to find and very costly. If your keeping the vette ( I like the 76), it's something to think about.
07-08-2017, 08:23 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
You can get it on ebay and no you are not required to have an EPA license to buy it. Once you have it, if you have an R-12 system, just put it in.....unless you want to convert to R134A. Same nonsense applies to R-22 for central AC systems now that it is being phased out....You can buy R-22 without an EPA license as well.
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SpeedRacerMach (07-10-2017)
07-09-2017, 10:37 AM
#8
Drifting
Envirosafe is where I buy mine. R12 Compatible
07-09-2017, 11:18 AM
#9
07-10-2017, 10:29 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
I would urge caution when buying cans of R12 such as the above. The amount of corrosion on these old cans can be deceiving. I purchased 4 or 5 cans a while back on ebay that showed a similar level of corrosion, at what seemed like a reasonable price. It turned out one can, that appeared sealed (no visible puncture) was completely empty. A second can began to immediately leak as I attached the clamp to the top of the can, before I could even attach the hose and puncture the can normally. Corrosion like that visible on the above cans is the enemy.
I'm not saying don't buy R12 this way, but do be aware that in many cases these cans are decades old, and were not stored for long term use. They were consumables that would normally have been used within a few years. Now people that find them are selling them, in many cases without realizing how fragile and possibly useless they may be.
Good luck... GUSTO
I'm not saying don't buy R12 this way, but do be aware that in many cases these cans are decades old, and were not stored for long term use. They were consumables that would normally have been used within a few years. Now people that find them are selling them, in many cases without realizing how fragile and possibly useless they may be.
Good luck... GUSTO
07-10-2017, 10:58 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
Not to cause any problems, but has anyone tried using R152A in an R12 system? I ask because some guys have in other car forums I belong to because they were unhappy with R134a conversions.
It's sold as an electronics duster.
I wouldn't do it, but it's an interesting idea.
http://www.autoacsystems.com/fasttrack/r152tests.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...frigerant.html
It's sold as an electronics duster.
I wouldn't do it, but it's an interesting idea.
http://www.autoacsystems.com/fasttrack/r152tests.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...frigerant.html
07-10-2017, 12:32 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
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I would urge caution when buying cans of R12 such as the above. The amount of corrosion on these old cans can be deceiving. I purchased 4 or 5 cans a while back on ebay that showed a similar level of corrosion, at what seemed like a reasonable price. It turned out one can, that appeared sealed (no visible puncture) was completely empty. A second can began to immediately leak as I attached the clamp to the top of the can, before I could even attach the hose and puncture the can normally. Corrosion like that visible on the above cans is the enemy.
I'm not saying don't buy R12 this way, but do be aware that in many cases these cans are decades old, and were not stored for long term use. They were consumables that would normally have been used within a few years. Now people that find them are selling them, in many cases without realizing how fragile and possibly useless they may be.
Good luck... GUSTO
I'm not saying don't buy R12 this way, but do be aware that in many cases these cans are decades old, and were not stored for long term use. They were consumables that would normally have been used within a few years. Now people that find them are selling them, in many cases without realizing how fragile and possibly useless they may be.
Good luck... GUSTO
07-10-2017, 12:47 PM
#13
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GUSTO14 (07-10-2017)
07-10-2017, 01:12 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
I need to pick one up, it may save a can or two over time.
GUSTO
07-10-2017, 03:06 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I have several old R-12 cans that I need occasionally that are at least 20 years old. They all have surface rust and never been a problem to use......as is.
07-10-2017, 06:20 PM
#16
Drifting
07-10-2017, 06:22 PM
#17
Mexico.
07-10-2017, 06:38 PM
#18
Melting Slicks
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Same here. I get the Envirosafe Industrial from them off of ebay. Much better than R12 in every system I've put it in. No need to change oils, no flushing the system before install, will NOT damage your system and poses ZERO threat of corrosion if exposed to the atmosphere as R12 will. You do not have to pull vacuum on your system before charging...you charge your system at atmospheric pressure. One 6oz can of the Envirosafe Industrial = 18oz of R12.
Where in the world did you ever get THAT misinformation from??? Sounds exactly like another case of "internet-parroting" to me. Unless you can PROVE that statement in writing, you should not attempt to spread unfounded mis-information that is untrue and a complete load of bunk. Period.
Where in the world did you ever get THAT misinformation from??? Sounds exactly like another case of "internet-parroting" to me. Unless you can PROVE that statement in writing, you should not attempt to spread unfounded mis-information that is untrue and a complete load of bunk. Period.
07-10-2017, 06:47 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Same here. I get the Envirosafe Industrial from them off of ebay. Much better than R12 in every system I've put it in. No need to change oils, no flushing the system before install, will NOT damage your system and poses ZERO threat of corrosion if exposed to the atmosphere as R12 will. You do not have to pull vacuum on your system before charging...you charge your system at atmospheric pressure. One 6oz can of the Envirosafe Industrial = 18oz of R12.
Where in the world did you ever get THAT misinformation from??? Sounds exactly like another case of "internet-parroting" to me. Unless you can PROVE that statement in writing, you should not attempt to spread unfounded mis-information that is untrue and a complete load of bunk. Period. :crazy2:
Where in the world did you ever get THAT misinformation from??? Sounds exactly like another case of "internet-parroting" to me. Unless you can PROVE that statement in writing, you should not attempt to spread unfounded mis-information that is untrue and a complete load of bunk. Period. :crazy2:
I agree...really irritates me when folks spread misinformation about our cars and stuff like R-12...More irritating when they continue to debate but offer no sources or documentation to support their false narratives................
07-10-2017, 07:26 PM
#20
PROVE that statement in writing
A quick Google...
http://www.es-refrigerants.com/docs/14249_310.pdf
Says it is "Petroleum gases, liquefied"
It then says the chemical is "68476-85-7" which is Propane ... https://chem.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/68476-85-7
Really irritates me when .... nevermind
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; 07-10-2017 at 07:36 PM.
