......Anyone know/use this already?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Envir...item19bbdbe8c8

 

PROPANE....Which is an EXCELLENT refridgerant....Will freeze you out of the car. It just gets a bad rap because of flammability. Honestly you have 20 gallons of gas in the car, alot more than the few ounces of propane/hydrocarbon. A 2 lbs system will only have 12oz of hydrocarbon refridgerant in it and keep in mind R134a+ PAG oil is explosive/flammable when under pressure anyway.

My Rams ac was not acceptable on R134a, but became GREAT on HC290....ICE COLD

 

That's a fine looking 84Z there.

I've read in Europe they use propane all over to replace R12. Wondered about this myself since R134 in a third gen leaves a lot to be desired on a hot summer day.

 

Thought i read something about enviro safe being use in europe too.
Isnt propane corrosive?

 

r134 is only flamable when under pressure mixed with air...and even then its not that volatile.

 

I beg to differ.....R134a mixed with refrigerant/pag oil in a fine mist is extremly flammable, explosive even. You can light the fog right up, don't believe me.....TRY IT!!!

 

I put this in my s/10 and it works better than the stock stuff
http://www.id-usa.com/product.asp?CID=7&PID=215

 

I used Enviro-Safe on my Jeep. Worked great. I would replace your rubber hoses while the system is empty though. That's usually what leaks.

 

Hope enviro safe works, i went ahead & ordered it.My hose are new-ish.
Did you use their pro-dry stuff?It reacts with any moisture & changes to a lubricant.

 

This looks like a really good alternative, just, how legal is it to put it in your car?

http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/snap/refrigerants/hc-12a.html

It looks like ES-12a and HC-12a are basically the same thing, a hydrocarbon mixture of propane and butane.

IMHO, you would need to have a hermetically sealed system to use these hydrocarbon refrigerants. Both propane and butane are heavier than air. This just doesnt seem safe.

Maybe we can get Mythbusters to try to do some tests on an older car like ours and see how dangerous this stuff is.

 

I have used the envirosafe in mine after I tried 134a. The envirosafe seems to work better. I put it in about 5 years ago and have not had any issues.

 

I also have a 93 truck with a slow leak that I do not drive often. I use the 20lb BBQ tank to top off the AC when I need to use the AC in the truck. I have not had any issues with using normal propane...yet.

 

How did you connect the BBQ tank to the fitting on the car?
I used HFC12A once and it worked great. I did not know it was possible to get the propane right out of the BBQ tank.

 

I have been using enviro safe es-12 for quite a few years in r-12 and 134a vehicles.It works great,better than 134a but not as good as r-12 in traffic when idling.The issue of being flammable is way over stated.I was removing a compressor hose from a system that still had some es-12 and due to my wrench hitting the starter lug,a spark caused the es-12 to burn.No explosion,only a small weak flame easily put out with no damage to the vehicle.

It runs with less head pressure and the molecules are said to larger than 134a,so not as prone to leak.Works with all oils also.

Only problem is it is not sold at any of the auto parts chains.Only available on line.I buy several cases at a time and that carries me through the summer season.A good,inexpensive product.

 

I brazed a fitting that fit the A/C manifold hose onto a old fitting for the 20lb propane cylinder.

 

The AC compressor started just cycling and not cooling on my '92 so I figured I'd top off instead of convert. Enviro-safe recommended 40 PSI but I accidently went to 45 PSI. It's cooling ok enough for me but should I drop the pressure down to 40 as suggested? Do I do that with the AC on and just leave the can off the hose/gauge?