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R12, dying, dead, or gone-help!

Jag987 on Fri May 02, 2014 11:49 PM User is offline

Refrigerant Type: R12

So last year was the first time in quite a few years I use any R12. My customer had two cans and I was able to find the rest that was needed for $35/14 ounce can. I do not have R12 recovery equipment at this time. I recently found a recovery only machine for under $200, used. The big thing right now, and I have till Monday to decide, but I came across a sealed 30# bottle of R12 for $400. It seems like a steal at that price, but would it ever be used? How often is it needed anymore? Besides personal, I left the automotive world for about six year and have now gotten back into it. A lot changed during that time and I am unsure of what is going on anymore.

Any thought or ideas on the situation? I am in central utah if location matters at all.

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I bought a can of 134a at w**-mart that had a stop leak, oil, and dye in it. It also had a hose and a gauge, so now I'm an AC pro!

Cussboy on Sat May 03, 2014 10:31 AM User is offline

There are several shops in the Phoenix area that still service R-12 vehicles. There is plentiful supply of R-12 in USA, and not all that much demand as those cars are old now. R-12 is still legal to buy and use here in vehicles that originally used it, and actually easier to fix and keep R-12 than to convert to R134a, and performance is typically still better with R-12.

In your location, I really wonder if you would ever really use up that 30 pounds of R-12; then again, you may only need to do a handful of jobs to pay off the entire cylinder.

Myself: I still have R-12 in my 1988 Mazda truck, works great here in Arizona, but I bought cans years ago and likely won't have any other R-12 vehicles in the future (just because of their age/availability).

Jag987 on Sun May 04, 2014 12:47 AM User is offline

I figure about 15 pounds would be the break even point on the r12 and machine. Obviously, if the additional labor time was considered, it would pay for its self sooner. Using all of it would take a long time here, if ever. I know there are lots of older pieces of farm equipment around here still running r12, but most farms seem to have a supply hiding in their shops. I did not state what I was asking very well, because I am not sure what I am asking.

Another question, and it may be too late to ask if some people do not look at this thread again, but has anyone ever taken refrigerant (r12, 134a, or any others) to a re-claimer? No, not just through a shop RRR machine, but somewhere that actually removes all contaminants and can then resell it as virgin refrigerant? What I would like to know is if you pay them or they pay you for it? or do you "give" it to them and feel good about yourself for helping protect the environment? Just curious.

Thanks all!

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I bought a can of 134a at w**-mart that had a stop leak, oil, and dye in it. It also had a hose and a gauge, so now I'm an AC pro!

wptski on Sun May 04, 2014 10:20 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: Jag987
I figure about 15 pounds would be the break even point on the r12 and machine. Obviously, if the additional labor time was considered, it would pay for its self sooner. Using all of it would take a long time here, if ever. I know there are lots of older pieces of farm equipment around here still running r12, but most farms seem to have a supply hiding in their shops. I did not state what I was asking very well, because I am not sure what I am asking.

Another question, and it may be too late to ask if some people do not look at this thread again, but has anyone ever taken refrigerant (r12, 134a, or any others) to a re-claimer? No, not just through a shop RRR machine, but somewhere that actually removes all contaminants and can then resell it as virgin refrigerant? What I would like to know is if you pay them or they pay you for it? or do you "give" it to them and feel good about yourself for helping protect the environment? Just curious.

Thanks all!
I've read in HVAC forums that a re-claimer, they pay you so much per pound and they resell as virgin refrigerant but they must an EPA approved to do so. There is an EPA page to look for a place in your area. I know in my area there aren't that many.

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