If you think about it from an engineering point of view, propane is not bad.
Many Westies use it already to power their fridges and to the amazement of
many area 51 inhabitants they do not self-destruct.  Most leaks in the A/C
system are too slow for the propane to concentrate in sufficient amounts to
create a hazard.  If you think about it, you already have a very combustible
substance in your Vanagon.  And you have 16 gallons of it.  Gasoline pools
into low areas and dries slowly, where propane dissipates readily.  Plus,
the propane would be contained in a very tightly sealed system.  After
inspecting the fuel system on many vintage Beetles and fuel-injected Type
IIIs, I am amazed one doesn't blow up every day.

The refrigerants, like R 134 and R 12, have many hazards we never consider
like their toxicity.

I think we already drive Molotov cocktails, but we are so used to the ones
we have now.

Now, let me get off my soap box.  I really appreciate your inputs.  I'm not
trying to start an argument, but merely introduce another point of view.  I
do agree that if the A/C systems were to use propane as factory-fitted
refrigerant, the A/C system itself would have to designed a little
differently.

OK, I'm done now.  back to work for me.

Chris
'85 Westy 'the Luv Box'
'67 Squareback 'Hans' - God rest his soul
'61 Beetle 'Lucy'
'70 Beetle 'Mayflower'

----- Original Message -----
From: Kapitan Ray Nemo <Volksiebus@netscape.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 11:56 PM
Subject: Re: Propane vs. Freeze 12 vs. R-12

>>Chris,
There's a reason the engineers chose Freon instead of propane....
It doesn't go KABOOM!!!! when there is a leak and a spark. :)

I agree.  That's why a drive a Vanagon GL instead of one of those
Westy-malatov-cocktails.  No propane on my bus!!!  :)  Of course, I'm also
far
too thrifty--cheap-- to pay for a Westy.

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