R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
After a long thread and helpful deciding on R12 vs R134, I was all set to make the decision to have my all-new-parts-but-stock AC system filled with R12, but it's $160 a pound, and we need about 4 pounds. With no guarantee that it won't leak, that's a pricey gamble.
I see "RED TEK 12A" for sale cheap on eBay (more like $14 a pound): Amazon.com: RED TEK 12a Refrigerant 20 Lb... But what the heck is 12A? Sounds like a name they made up, because it doesn't anywhere say that it's real 12. That's a 10X price difference, so can someone educated me on the differences? My system also already had the 134A connectors on it, so I think it may have had a conversion done in a previous life. LMC said the reman compressor (stock style) is compatible with 134A. They didn't know anything about the oil inside or whether its compatible, but you'd assume it has to be if the compressor is listed as compatible... |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
Dave, look into Freeze 12 if you can find anything about it. It is a R-12 replacement and I used it A LOT in the late 80's early 90's. I used to buy the freon at 99 cents a can and now it is that high WOW. But after the shake up and the freeze 12 came out I used it in over 100 trucks i built and never had a related A/C problems. Jim
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
$160 a pound is beyond robbery, that's just plain insane. You can find it on Ebay, Craig's list, and at Swap meets for $20 to $30 a can. Last year I bought a sealed case of genuine Servcon R12 ( 12 cans) for $30 total.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-12-OUNCE-C...NWViVc&vxp=mtr |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
$160 a pound!? Where are you buying from? Here's some on eBay for wayyyyy less: http://m.ebay.com/itm/12-OZ-CANS-R12...478?nav=SEARCH
I bought 5 cans for $10 a can at a swap meet last summer. Look around, you can find it reasonably priced. Since most people have gone the 134 route demand for R 12 is in the toilet and you can get it priced a lot less than several years ago. |
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
134a was $90 for 30 lbs.
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
Keep watching Craigslist. I got a 30# sealed cylinder off Phoenix Craigslist a couple years ago for $250. You may not match that but keep looking.
Jim EDIT: Here's one pretty close to you. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mat/5337872855.html A partial http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/5337828355.html Search the Craigslist of your choice for R12. |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=586474
Simply stated, no way you should use any blend. Either use R12 or R134. R12 is still out there and it is nowhere near the prices predicted when it was discontinued. |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
+1 on R12. Stay away from the drop-in blends. Also, you should consider the fact that a marginal front seal on an old or even rebuilt A6 compressor will/might hold a vacuum, but fail in short order when under pressure. This will cause you to loose your expensive R12 charge.
My advice: Purchase a NEW A6 form factor replacement compressor. Lighter and more efficient is an added bonus. |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
I converted my stock ac to 134 a year ago and it works great. Stock compressor too. Even drove it to Vegas in August comfortably. I would convert it and go.
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
Personally I'd stay away from the 12a drop in replacements. Most of them are butane / propane.
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
Don't know how much they have. http://columbus.craigslist.org/pts/5302390792.html
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
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It-s The Only Ride I Have With R12 Was Still In It But No More R12 Now Its R12A And Its Super Cold BRRRRRRRRRRR I Live In South Florida So I Need That COLDDDDDDD Thanks For Your Input Harley03joe :smoke: :smoke: :smoke: |
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<scratches head> |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
It's a lot harder to vaporize gasoline than butane or propane. :mm:
Funny how the new 1234yf refrigerant is flammable and is being embraced by some. |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
Just FWIW I started this thread and it was a couple of years ago - I've had R134A in the system since then.
It leaked out once through a bad compressor seal in a new/reman compressor. That would have been all my R12 if I'd done that! New compressor (painted black to match) and it's been fine since and cools well too! |
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Another thing is seals. The blends and/or hydrocarbon refrigerants can be hard on seals. Do what you want, I don't care. But in a full blown A/C job the refrigerant is really a minor part of the cost. What do you save by using off-the-wall refrigerants? Maybe $50? And when you do, no shop will touch it because they don't want to contaminate their machines. |
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
About 15 years ago I bought a Snap-On A/C recovery machine for around $4500. I went around to all the junk years and repo lots to suck all the R-12 I could get my hands on. Sold a bunch of it in 30# canisters and made a mint! Would I use the recycled stuff over new? No way, so watch what you buy off Craigslist and E-Bay.
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For what it's worth, I have R134a in a Vintage Air system on my supercharged EFI 5.3 - it retains pressure once the engine is off ;). I don't disagree with what you are saying about costs, only that I find it amusing that folks get all worked up over the flammability when in reality there is more danger in one's fuel tank that what would be in their HVAC system. |
Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
I believe a lot of the concerns over fire/explosion came from back in the day when techs used flame type leak detectors. Beyond the fire issue, most blends can create a poisionous gas when ignited. No longer an issue, everyone uses dye now. I still would not use blends, you can get all the performance you need out of 134a. The new 1234YF is flammable and expensive! Current prices: 30# keg of 134a $99.00, 1234YF $799.00. From the tech papers I've read,The main issue with 1234YF is it creates carbonyl flouride when ignited. Supposed to be worse than phosgene gas. But the upside, it's much better for the environment than 134a.
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
Keep your eyes open. I bought 3lbs of R12 in a full sized tank for about $150. I also bought a sealed, full 30lb tank for $400. I bought it mostly for personal use in my truck...completely restored the factory system.
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Re: R12 Pricing, and what is "12A"
2 months ago, I purchased 4 cans on eBay for $75, to use in my 79 Trans Am. There is lot's of it on eBay. Demand is going down, because it's been so long since is was last used in new cars.
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