Tuesday, September 08, 2009 - 11:48 am, by: Andrew Duaso(Andrewd)
i asked the aircon gasser on the corner about colder gas or whatever...
he reckons it will make no dofference as the temp blah etc... is regulated or set by a thermostat or something and all the colder gas will do is nothing or wear the system earlier...
but im not convinced still....
i had a 1990 hilux and the a/c was so ••••••• cold it would chill drinks when you put them in the cup holder infront of the ctr vents... it was awesome...
only car i've ever had that i've never had to run the ac full blast on the hottest day
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 - 02:23 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
Tom Richards wrote on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 - 12:36 pm:
what gas was the hilux on?
If it was a 1990 model, Tom, I'd suggest it was R12 or at least one of the old (and banned) R-series gasses with low numbers like 11, 22 etc.
As for changing the refrigerant gas from standard, I would be very careful as the O-rings, seals and most importantly the compressor lubricant (which circulates with the gas) have to be compatible with the gas. I know this because I once converted a VK Crapodore to R134a from R-whatever after its compressor seized (so I bought an R134a compressor and didn't have to worry about the lube oil) but had to change all the O-rings, which were green rather than black.
There are gasses and gasses, but you should stick to what the system is designed for, or compatible (to that system) gas. Hell, you can use LPG satisfactorily (many farmers used to do so in their tractor cabs because they had it lying around) but it turns system into a potential bomb.
As for aircon on the hottest days, my experience is that a/c in modern cars has to work much harder because of a) sloped windows allowing more sun in and b) stupid black interiors to absorb that extra sun. Crossing the Nullabor late Jan this year (in the early hot air which affected Victoria later as Black Saturday) we had 45-47C for all of the western half in SA, the Rexton's black dash could have boiled a kettle, and I could feel the waves of heat coming off it. Despite dual aircon, we really felt the heat!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 - 04:45 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
From the GECA website:
HyChill Minus 10 (R600a) Minus 10 was formally known as HR600a. The product is a highly efficient natural hydrocarbon refrigerant used in state-of-the-art light commercial and domestic refrigeration.
HyChill Minus 30 (HR12) Minus 30 is a blend of R600a and R290, two naturally occurring hydrocarbon refrigerant gases for use in automotive air-conditioning systems and in refrigeration applications. It replaces the old R12 and R134a.
HyChill Minus 40 (R290) Pure hydrocarbon refrigerant with a singular molecule and no temperature glide used in medium to low temperature refrigeration systems. It is also suitable for transport refrigeration and static cool room applications. Can be used as a R22 replacement.
HyChill Minus 50 (HR22/502) An air conditioner or refrigeration system solution.
}}
I note that the R290 is a "singular molecule" which sounds like gobledegook for methane (natural gas!).
Seems like the farmers that my local mechanic in Cobar rubbished for using LPG were right!
Peter Taplin TryHard Vic UZZ32 V8 Supercharged & UZZ32 V8 NA
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 - 05:52 pm, by: Peter Taplin(Mrfourwd)
Hi Tom I have been using Hychill now for over 20 years and have never had an issue with it, HYchill have also been a supporter of the Soarer community for years providing free gas on many occasions for workshop days etc. One of the owners has a Soarer so you can be assured it is safe in your car.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 08:16 am, by: Peter Taplin(Mrfourwd)
It is true that their base materials are a flammable gas but they have retardents added so they are almost impossible to ignite.. at least thats the way I understand it.
Mike Triggs Goo Roo Western Australia 3.0GT G-Pack
Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 11:02 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
R600a is commonly used in household refidgerators and there have been cases of leakage and subsequent explosion. Isobutane (methylpropane, more properly) is used in camping stove gas with butane. I guess unless a serious leak developed (always a possibility in highly-stressed automotive systems) it would be safe enough. Refrigerants do leak- I once worked in a factory where ammonia was the refrigerant, and boy, did the "cooling room" stink (the cool air was piped through the factory to where it was needed).
Previous
