An update for this thread. Seeing that this thread is in the Tech section, and I have just gone through a R12 to R134a conversion on my J spec TT zed, I thought it worthwhile to do an update. Ashdown's new prices are: Nissan Patrol dryer - $33 Pressure Switch - $11 Steel retro adaptor -$18 Fitting adaptor - $6.20 All prices include GST Ashdown's web site is http://www.ashdown.com.au/company.htm#branches to find where your local branch is. Unless you are a licensed air conditioning technician, zcar91's suggestion to do the work yourself is now a criminal offence. New legislation, The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Management Act of July 2005 says that there is a onus on the part of the car owner and the licensed refridgeration technician to make sure that no refridgerant leaks into the atmosphere. In my case because I had no R12 in the air con system, the tech was obliged to do an investigation to find out why. The cause was a split pipe that needed to be welded up. The first two air con business I rang up from the yellow pages did not have R12 evacuation and storage facilities, so I was forced to use one of the larger air con businesses. All the places I phoned up made it clear that R12 disposal was to be included in the cost, so you are now looking at between $80 and $100 for new gas and getting rid of the old gas. If you include the two hours (at least) for fitting, I seriously doubt that you can get away with this conversion for under $300 with these new laws. Remember, if you touch your air con system and are not licensed there are now severe financial penalties. Cheers James
some questions.. for anyone who has followed zcar's awesome post, can you please tell me what the fitting adapters are for?? is it for the receiver drier or something else? I contacted ashdown, and they will only sell me the fitting adapters in a pack of ten, at $60 each...... so thats essentially $120 just for the fitting adapters.... doesnt seem quite worth it anymore.. Cheers
Not sure if this is the thread to ask, but is there a reason that most people convert to R134a rather than going for a hydrocarbon R12 (eg Hychill minus 30)? It's safe for use in all R12 systems without modification, it's better at cooling than R134a, it's a hydrocarbon so EPA safe. Also places less load on your AC compressor so less of a performance loss. If you're interested there is a good thread on this on SAU, one of the member's works for Hychill so there's some good info: http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Aircon-Regassers-Melbour-t199591.html They're planning on doing a group regas (10 cars on the same day) on the Hychill minus 30 (HR12), I'll probably get mine done unless there's some reason that r134a conversion is better
well... mine isnt for a conversion as such, rather my aircon system has shat itself (spilled refrigerant everywhere) so I now need to get my aircon repaired. As such, the receiver dryer needs to be changed as they do eventually get clogged so now is the best time to do it. Frankly, I dont care what gas they put in my car, as long as the aircon works.. As far as I know, the R12 gas is quite bad for the environment and most aircon places will not regass with r12 anymore... I dont know enough about it to make any more comment, other than I think most cars these days dont use r12 gas anymore.... oh, and for those who read my other post. Ashdown do in fact sell the individual fitting adapters at $10 each. You just have to specify it. Cheers
im getting a guy in lilydale to do mine with hychill,i contacted them as per the skyline thread Most people dont get hychill sandeep as they dont know about it
10 less skylines Hychill is not suitable as a drop in gas for auto airconditioners, I know personally of one young radiator repair apprentice in Qld that released the gas while working over a running motor, On FLAME he dived into the nice acidy /water radiator test tank, He suvived ok. Hydro carbon refrigerant is a mix of propane and butaine gases. Read the specs 7.2 for fitting it. NO Sparking components to be near it. FR12 and 134a gases are suitable for auto use But require comp.oil change. Don`t confuse the gases HR 12 (Hychill) and FR12 (Chrysler designed gas). I Didn`t use the retro fit valves When I Changed gases I left the old R12 valves in place.:bash: :banned:
maybe you had better jump on that thread and put this down and see what the guys who have already done this and are happy with it say then id certainly like to see the companies comments on that
Hi Chris, I spoke with a guy today named Ross, he is the Technical Rep at Hychill in Melbourne. He would be very happy to hear details of this accident, as the company have only heard of two recorded incidents to date(and this was not one of them). He told me that ALL refrigerants are flammable, and that some are also extremely toxic. Apparently Hychill has been getting used for several years to replace refrigerant in commercial Ice Cream Coolers, and is in wide use all around Australia. He also said that he would be happy to discuss any issues of concern with anyone who cares to call him.:zlove::zlove: Here is some info from the Company Technical Advisor:
i have also spoken to ross,and invited him onto the forum to explain this with all respect, i think when coming on here saying dont use this,facts should be put forward ,not just "i am a gas fitter" http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?p=661207#post661207
The article was published In the Qld gas papers as a warning to others,For further info contact the chief gas examiner Qld. Second read the installation guide lines from hychill for use of its products as a replacement gas for R12. Section 7 of its directions. There is also a correction needed on the amount of gas used in auto A/c`s on the skyline site It`s well above 300grams. I am also waiting on a reply back on latest Qld Gov Legislation for its use.
Look at Hychill.com.au/products View product HR600a on the side of the page Click on Ecofrig manual Read from page 65. Not suitable for use around switches ,electrical controls that spark.is in there someware.
Chris, HR600a is not the refrigerant in question. The correct refrigerant is HR12(now named Hychill Minus 30).:zlove:
Hychill HR12 usage instructions And use manual for R12 replacement are found as per My instructions above to get to the Ecofrig manual on their site.
if you have to be legally an air con guy to assemble said unit.. and i have removed said unit from my car during painting (oh.. degassed professionally ofcourse) can i reassemble it all and install these parts and have them just gas it up? list of branches http://www.ashdown.com.au/company.htm#branches ashdown is owned by repco so im guessing you can get the parts from repco aswell
