John,
You swatting at a hornets nest here?
Opinions on R-12 vs 134a seem to be a constant source of heat.

I am in your camp and feel the whole reason now 134a is on its way out the
door and a new type is coming in is the same reason and only real reason we
had to get rid of R-12  C-A-S-H.
R-12 was and is a benign gas that has been used for decades all over the
world it is scientifically controversial as to what harm it is or can do to
the environment.  R 134 has its own set of problems we are now finding out.
Its more toxic for one.

R-12 can still be purchased outside the US fairly inexpensively. and the
good news its proven to be colder than 134a

It was very important to me when I purchased my 89 wolfy that it had NOT
been converted to 134a.

Opinions vary,

my .02

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 8:12 AM
Subject: Re: R-12 alternatives

> I have given this a lot of thought since I am having a go at getting my
> AC system back up and running. After a lot of consideration I decided to
> stick with R12 Freon in the system. It is set up for that. All
> components were designed around that refridgerant, I can still get it,
> and it is still the best for cooling. I know about the environmental
> issues, but with procedures properly followed, impact is reduced. My old
> Van is grandfathered in, and as long as I can get the R12, I will stick
> with it. Newer vehicle AC Systems are built with engineering for R-134a
> as that is the new refridgerant standard, and the new systems work well
> with it. But not so well when put into the older vehicles. Works good,
> better than the others, has less environmental impact, but not as good
> as the old Freon for which they were designed in the first place.
>
> Besides,  I want to go back to Alaska and catch a halibut, and that R12
> AC of mine will sure-in-heck freeze that sucker, cause it gets  cold as
> winter in my van when I have it turned on, compared to others.
>
> Yep, I'll stick with the R12.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> David Brodbeck wrote:
>
> >I came across this while browsing, today.  It's a report by Santech with
> >material compatibility for alternative refrigerants.  I thought I'd
> >mention it since I've seen these refrigerants mentioned on the list from
> >time to time.
> >
> >http://www.santech.com/reference/index.cfm?action=view&pdfid=9
> >
> >They tested "Freez-12", RB-276 "Freezone", FR-12 "Frig-c", GHG-X4
> >"Chill-it", "Hot Shot/Kar Kool", and R-406a "McCool".
> >
> >The results weren't good -- nearly all of them caused some swelling of
> >most of the seal materials.  Problems included seals swelling to where
> >they'd no longer fit into the glands, seals splitting, seals extruding
> >out, seals turning gummy, and hoses collapsing due to softening.
> >
> >The chart in the PDF might let you pick out a refrigerant that would be
> >acceptable if you happen to know what type of seals are in your Vanagon.
> >
> >
> >