Alternative refrigerants to 134a (propane)

[frank_ster]

let me know if there is a better sub forum for this thread.

 

over a year ago i discovered propane as a suitable replacement to 134a and r12.

 

there is some controversy to using propane,

 

products such as envirosafe and a few others. ones marked as 30% or what ever cooler than others are essentially propane.

 

i have been running in my two legacys for a year on propane and 4 other cars

2 regals gs 1999

1 2004 wrx

2001 volvo

 

please feel free to state your points of view in this thread !

 

http://hackaday.com/2010/06/15/recharging-ac-with-propane/

[frank_ster]

this is envirosafe that i purchased from them directly. i have bought a few cans from walmart in upstate newyork and in canada.

 

have a look at the last picture in the middle it even says "petroleum gasses liquefied" aka liquid petroleum gas or lpg or propane.

 

[rob-2]

Fair large safety problems with this.

 

I assume you've put a warning on the rear of your car as is required by propane operated vehciles?

[frank_ster]

because of 3 oz of propane ? in the a/c system?

and what i'm saying is that if you have charged the a/c system on your car your self you may of used this or similar gas that is propane.

 

also the 134A apprently also burns and can explode.

 

so i dont think its actually a saferty issue.

 

or because of the 60 L propane tank in the trunk of my car ?

[rob-2]

because of 3 oz of propane ? in the a/c system?

and what i'm saying is that if you have charged the a/c system on your car your self you may of used this or similar gas that is propane.

 

also the 134A apprently also burns and can explode.

 

so i dont think its actually a saferty issue.

 

or because of the 60 L propane tank in the trunk of my car ?

 

The problem is more that people aren't expecting a propane charged A/C system. Be it a leak in a shop, front end crash.

 

People make a big deal about the fuel in your gas tank. But only the fumes burn. It's been design overtime not to burn unless in your motor. So even if it leaked on the ground it almost never burns.

 

Propane is very different.

[frank_ster]

well i have many arguments of propane being safer than gasoline.

 

and the new refrigerants that gm is using is more combustible than propane.

 

my arguments are there are no connections inside of the car. the evaporator is low pressure side that is inside of the car. and the amount is very little.

 

I am much more fear full of atf fluid from a cooler hose blowing off and spraying up to 8 quarts of atf on a headder i have seen many cars burn down that way.

 

as for specialty refrigerant technicians would let the gas blow in their face either way and wouldn't smoke around it or hold a torch to it because both can ignite.

 

having a sticker or label saying the a/c system is charged with propane or propane type gas would probably be a good idea tho.

[starionesir]

Gasoline is 100% more volatile then propane. Gasoline with out a doubt will burn outside a engine. People are just so used to gas they have become numb to it. I work in the lawn and garden world and alot of people are converting to propane for alot of different reasons and safety is one of them. Don't agree on the cost effectiveness but thats a different story. I have seen many people run alot of different things over the years in the ac system when I worked for the car dealer and none ever caused any issues. Including propane.