AC Refrigerant is changing, Again

[Legdoc]

New HVAC equipment with the replacement refrigerant for R410 is going up 33-50% according to the distributor that I buy equipment from. The equipment will have refrigerant detectors as the new refrigerant will be flammable. Won't be long and we will not be able to buy a unit with a PSC motor. It will all be ECM$$$$. 410 can't be produced after 12/31/24 and is going to go way up. I am stocking up on 410 and going to set several HVAC systems in storage. I don't want any of the "new" crap on my buildings. Just as a blast from the past I still have several 12oz cans of R12. If memory serves correctly I think I paid .79 per can at HiLo auto parts. They would have pallets of it on the floor.

 

[Truck Shop]

Funny thread---Our 1965 Seaburg AirEase. Had to replace one fan motor & a capacitor
since we moved in-in 1997. In 100* plus it still keeps the house cool at 72*. Plus it's
a side discharge---you know the industry is going back to those because it collects
less debris. I think it's cost us maybe $500 to keep going. But it helps if you talk to
your air conditioner when you pass by and give it a attaboy.
*

 

[LN Pipeline]

Crazy. 10yrs ago I came across a bloke who ran straight propane in AC systems on his earthmoving gear. Cheap as chips and easily available without any problems.

I don’t know why everyone is so scared of flammable refrigerants. Plenty of natural gas powered vehicles running up and down the road. Put 2 to 3 pounds in an A/C and everyone loses their minds.

I’m more scared of lighting my propane barbecue grill than the natural gas in my A/C systems.

Does anyone know what happens to R-12 when exposed to a flame?

 

[DMiller]

Phosgene gas

 

[Truck Shop]

Phosgene gas

Was cheap and a favorite in WWI trench warfare, choking gas.

 

[Old Doug]

I don’t know why everyone is so scared of flammable refrigerants. Plenty of natural gas powered vehicles running up and down the road. Put 2 to 3 pounds in an A/C and everyone loses their minds.

I’m more scared of lighting my propane barbecue grill than the natural gas in my A/C systems.

Does anyone know what happens to R-12 when exposed to a flame?

I was warned about this but guys used to use the vacuum from there engine to vac down there ac . So it was burnt in the engine . I was told the exhaust could kill you.

 

[DMiller]

That was taught to us in Trade School as to tracing leaks back in 1975. Phosgene, IE Mustard Gas, WWI trench warfare nasty.

 

[DMiller]

Not buying CNG Safety:

Violent Vehicle Fire Explosion Causes Severe Injuries to LAFD Firefighters | Los Angeles Fire Department

Firefighters responded to a semi truck on fire in Wilmington, which sent nine firefighters to the hospital after a compressed natural gas (CNG) tank exploded.

lafd.org

FIREFIGHTER NEAR MISS Auto Fire with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fuel Tank Explosion - SlideServe

FIREFIGHTER NEAR MISS Auto Fire with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fuel Tank Explosion . Prepared By Operations Division April 2, 2007. Arson: Incident #26564 . Dispatch 0230 hours for car fire (E10)

www.slideserve.com

Or using Propane in a Automotive System under serious compression and heating.

 

[Birken Vogt]

I was warned about this but guys used to use the vacuum from there engine to vac down there ac . So it was burnt in the engine . I was told the exhaust could kill you.

I'm sure the tiny amount of vapor left in the AC system at atmospheric pressure before vacuuming led to an insignificant amount of phosgene, most times anyway.

Also if you are vacuuming the system it means you probably had it open which means you are more likely vacuuming air anyway.

But I never heard this trick before anyway, I'll keep it in mind for when the next great depression hits, well I suppose we won't care about auto AC then anyway.

 

[JaredV]

I fished on a 73' boat with the wheelhouse and engine room aft. A refrigerant line in the engine room failed at sea so we turned the boat into the wind, set the autopilot and stood around on the bow for a while until the the 8-71 stopped blowing white smoke. Then hightailed it for home before the fish thawed out. We made it.

 

[Truck Shop]

But I never heard this trick before anyway, I'll keep it in mind for when the next great depression hits, well I suppose we won't care about auto AC then anyway.

I suppose that's true---there is probably more methane lurking in most peoples lower colon
that could cause personal injury by standing too close to the BBQ and passing a jalapeno
laced beer fart during the Saturday afternoon bratwurst & sauerkraut extravaganza. Won't
be no more BBQ's with a depression except for the occasional cooking of a rat.