How to get R12 Certified ?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Contact one of your local A/C repair shops. They usually do or know who does the mobile A/C cert training. It's really a bonehead requirement. The class is so basic (Is it: a) okay to release the gas, or; b) not okay to release the gas into the environment) that it can't possibly be of any benefit to the environment. Takes about two hours and they send your test off to the EPA, who sends you your license. I did mine about ten years ago and I doubt things are any different.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by gerry72
Contact one of your local A/C repair shops. They usually do or know who does the mobile A/C cert training. It's really a bonehead requirement. The class is so basic (Is it: a) okay to release the gas, or; b) not okay to release the gas into the environment) that it can't possibly be of any benefit to the environment. Takes about two hours and they send your test off to the EPA, who sends you your license. I did mine about ten years ago and I doubt things are any different.
Yep, do a search for "macs". Thay have a similar deal. Open book test with a manual that if you have read, you should be able to ace the test.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
I just finished taking the test and I passed it.. 
Very interesting reading in the manual I downloaded.
--> There is no "drop-in" replacement for R12
--> Residual chlorine from any CFC (r12) left in the a/c system will cause serious chemical stability problems in R134a systems.
--> POE and PAG oils which are both used with r134a are not compatible with each other.
--> Recharging a "blend" (freeze12 and hot-shot are 2 examples) is also quite different, you must always recharge as a liquid.
--> Mixing lubricants can cause serious a/c system problems.
--> The proper amount of lubricant is also a very important consideration. If overcharged with lubricant, the system will become oil logged and less efficent, delivering warmer air, or may result in premature compressor failure..
The over the counter r134a conversion kits do not deal with the old oil that is left in your a/c system. So if you put in a new oil and refrigerant load you could easily end up with to much oil. No wonder r134a has a bad reputation
Anyway I learned a few things by taking the time to read the book and take the exam. Well worth the $20 bucks. And the chart on page 29 that shows what the blends are made of is great.
goto page 29 (page 41 in Adobe) and check this out...
http://www.epatest.com/609MAN.pdf
Very interesting reading in the manual I downloaded.
--> There is no "drop-in" replacement for R12
--> Residual chlorine from any CFC (r12) left in the a/c system will cause serious chemical stability problems in R134a systems.
--> POE and PAG oils which are both used with r134a are not compatible with each other.
--> Recharging a "blend" (freeze12 and hot-shot are 2 examples) is also quite different, you must always recharge as a liquid.
--> Mixing lubricants can cause serious a/c system problems.
--> The proper amount of lubricant is also a very important consideration. If overcharged with lubricant, the system will become oil logged and less efficent, delivering warmer air, or may result in premature compressor failure..
The over the counter r134a conversion kits do not deal with the old oil that is left in your a/c system. So if you put in a new oil and refrigerant load you could easily end up with to much oil. No wonder r134a has a bad reputation
Anyway I learned a few things by taking the time to read the book and take the exam. Well worth the $20 bucks. And the chart on page 29 that shows what the blends are made of is great.
goto page 29 (page 41 in Adobe) and check this out...
http://www.epatest.com/609MAN.pdf
Last edited by Pete76Shark; Sep 30, 2004 at 05:01 PM.
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