A/C upgrades (R134) - Operation Chill
- Thread starter Satan
- Start date
Poodles;1306678 said:
R-134a has a critical temp of 214F vs 234F of R-12. With less efficient condensers, portions of the condenser may hit 214F in low flow stop-n-go conditions, at which point the R-134a will not liquefy at all or very little ... leading to poor performance in stopped traffic/low air flow periods.
R-134a needs a much larger/efficient condenser due to this, and is best located away from the radiator (not always possible), and beefed up radiator fans to suck in more cool air than for R-12.
Bottom line, the improved condenser should be fine for R12.
^^It is. Once I install it I can tell you about fitment and temp differences.
I will try to install it very soon and let ya know if it's worth buying sooner at the retail price, instead of waiting for a group buy.
Not having much luck setting anything up with the company. Product looks good, but they've not seemed eager for a large order.
I will try to install it very soon and let ya know if it's worth buying sooner at the retail price, instead of waiting for a group buy.
Not having much luck setting anything up with the company. Product looks good, but they've not seemed eager for a large order.
Wow that's great! How much did you pay for it? (sorry im too lazy to read back over all the posts again, if you dont like it when people are lazy you dont have to tell me)
Basically, $155, plus shipping. Took about a week to make, but I'm guessing that they can do more of them easier/faster, now that they've done this one.
I will try 1 more call to the salesperson today and see if we can get some volume pricing.
I ordered 2 dryer/receivers from http://www.ackits.com/ for about $35 shipped. Otherwise, you can get 'em for about $35 each at a local parts store. This place also has a good A/C forum and other components/kits for cheap (expansion valves, evaporators, flush kits, inline filters, etc).
So, if no volume discount is available and this works as I hope it should, it should not exceed about $180 for the condensor and dryer/rcvr.
Calling the sale rep again... will let ya know.
I will try 1 more call to the salesperson today and see if we can get some volume pricing.
I ordered 2 dryer/receivers from http://www.ackits.com/ for about $35 shipped. Otherwise, you can get 'em for about $35 each at a local parts store. This place also has a good A/C forum and other components/kits for cheap (expansion valves, evaporators, flush kits, inline filters, etc).
So, if no volume discount is available and this works as I hope it should, it should not exceed about $180 for the condensor and dryer/rcvr.
Calling the sale rep again... will let ya know.
hey
$180 for a r134 specific condensor and dryer???
Sounds like a winner to me! Of course the river cryers would say otherwise that is not expensive at all! Especially if it makes the r134 system work more efficiently!
$180 for a r134 specific condensor and dryer???
Sounds like a winner to me! Of course the river cryers would say otherwise that is not expensive at all! Especially if it makes the r134 system work more efficiently!
According to the A/C forums and technical folks there, the condensor is the #1 thing that will improve the "coldness" of R134 in a retrofitted system.
So, I am going to take temp readings before/after and see how the condensor does, as the only major change made.
I would not recommend that anyone make the purchase yet, until it's kinda proven first. I agree that if it works as I'm expecting, it will be as cold (or better) than w/R12. That being the case, the price would be well worth it.
So, I am going to take temp readings before/after and see how the condensor does, as the only major change made.
I would not recommend that anyone make the purchase yet, until it's kinda proven first. I agree that if it works as I'm expecting, it will be as cold (or better) than w/R12. That being the case, the price would be well worth it.
I would love to have an r134a system that works just as well, mostly because of the availability and price of the refrigerant itself. I hope you get good results out of this! I dont doubt that you will.
EDIT: BTW, those guys over at AC Kits are great. They are actually local to me and i have done some small buisness with them and they are very nice and helpful people both at the store and on the boards.
EDIT: BTW, those guys over at AC Kits are great. They are actually local to me and i have done some small buisness with them and they are very nice and helpful people both at the store and on the boards.
Satan;1307357 said:
Satan
you will not see any temp difference at the vents.
Reason being, the expansion valve. Expansion valve keeps my R134 hovering at 40 degreee outlet temprature.. I am trying to find the TTB on the testing......
BTW
for the retrofit folks
650g of R134a per
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/TechTips/R134a.aspx
40 Degree vent temps are pretty good. The problem most of us have with R134a is the temps climb above that when in a low speed or idle state.
CyFi6;1307370 said:
Umm
this was in florida during a 90 degree day. At zero MPH
I still remember as it was hotter than dog shit that day. Mechanical fan and retro fitted dual pullers (instead of the single puller). no pusher upfront like the 89-92 supra (i am 87).Hey Figgie,
Yours is the exception. I am not getting 40 degrees right now and I don't necessarily think others w/R134 are either (from what I've seen here). I think youmentioned that you replaced the condensor w/a stock one when you retrofitted. The condensors do get gunk in 'em and I think that the efficiency is very improved when you replace them after 14+ years, but with a PFC it should be even better (w/R134).
If my car (black MKIII) bakes in the Sun for a couple of hours, it is VERY hard to get cool enough to not sweat (too much). Even in the MKIV and our Mazda, bioth black, the temp from the vents is sufficient to make you comfortable very quickly.
When I had R12 and in Florida, I'd have ice crystals forming on my vents. If I can get 40 degrees again, I'll be extremely pleased with this change!
Still not return call from the sales manager for a volume order. Still waiting.
Yours is the exception. I am not getting 40 degrees right now and I don't necessarily think others w/R134 are either (from what I've seen here). I think youmentioned that you replaced the condensor w/a stock one when you retrofitted. The condensors do get gunk in 'em and I think that the efficiency is very improved when you replace them after 14+ years, but with a PFC it should be even better (w/R134).
If my car (black MKIII) bakes in the Sun for a couple of hours, it is VERY hard to get cool enough to not sweat (too much). Even in the MKIV and our Mazda, bioth black, the temp from the vents is sufficient to make you comfortable very quickly.
When I had R12 and in Florida, I'd have ice crystals forming on my vents. If I can get 40 degrees again, I'll be extremely pleased with this change!
Still not return call from the sales manager for a volume order. Still waiting.
