Karl et al,

The information on this list finally convinced me to make the change.  I
live in Phoenix as you do, and my A/C has always been very marginal ... OK
for trips, but hardly even worth turning on for drives under 5 miles.  Like
many cars, my Vanagon leaked about a can or two of freon a year.  (Auto A/C
are designed to leak in my opinion.)  So, even though I am licensed to buy
R12, instead of spending $20-$40 a year for R12, last year I elected to
convert using the $40 K-Mart kit that's often on sale for $5-$10 less.
 This kit comes with R134a, oil, and fittings.

The result is that my A/C seems no better or worse and still leaks the same
amount.

This year I bought kits for my other two cars.

Mike  '84GL  Phoenix