Thank you for your "suggestion" that I consider my future needs, however,
why should I act now?  Is R-134a about to skyrocket in price?  Perhaps the
purchase of R-134a is akin to Microschmeg stock in 1985?

My Point of View:

The price of R-12 has been pretty static at $22 a can, R-134a is about $5 a
can.  A Vanagon takes 3.5 cans of refrigerant, let's say $100 of R-12 to
make the math easy.  Now, considering my first statement about the A/C
system, "good & tight, with no leaks", IMO it is by far the smarter path to
keep the system stock spend the extra $80 and use R-12.

I have worked on several vans that had been converted to R-134a where the
owner installed a high efficiency condenser and not one of them cooled as
well as a good working stock R-12 system.  Hap-hazard R-134a conversions
often do more damage than good due to the fact that these systems were not
designed for R-134a (e.g., the conversion has to be done right).

Yes, I am a licensed A/C tech (big whoop), and my shop does have an R-12
recovery machine, however, R-12 is not that hard to get.  The A/C tech tests
are available online, they're cheap and are a joke.  Once you have your EPA
number, you can buy R-12.

Ah, I love A/C topics.  So many opinions, such little actual experience...

Cheers,

Jeff
www.vanagonparts.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Stan Wilder
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 3:19 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 134 conversion

Yes Jeffrey! Even Ray Charles could see that.
Yes R12 is approximately 14% more efficient than 134.
Auto-makers response to this was simply to spin the compressor faster to
compensate and build a substantial compressor business in the process.
Just consider that a recharge of R12 cost about $215.00 on my Crown Vic last
year.
Next year it could easily be in the $400.00 range.
You better consider your future needs and just roll on over to the cheaper
stuff before you regret the wait.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 4:50 PM
Subject: Re: 134 conversion

> Same O, Same O, Except....
>
> Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the Vanagon interior is a wee bit
> bigger than a 912.  I could be wrong, perhaps I forgot to carry the one.
>
> Ceteris Paribus, R-12 is more efficient than R-134.
>
> Happy cooling...
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
> www.vanagonparts.com
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Stan Wilder
> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 2:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 134 conversion
>
>
> Same Type IV engine, Same Mini Your Compressor, Same general application
> Suction Valve and Reciever dryer. Same O Same O.
> And another Port Of Entry or Dealer Installed system.
> If this was a $300.00 midification I wouldn't encourage it but it cam be
> accomplished for less that the R12 refrigerant charge.
> I was quoted $175.00 to recharge my Porsche system with R12 and that is
> about the same as the VW system.
>
> Stan Wilder
> Engine Ceramics
> 214-352-4931
> www.engineceramics.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "TJ Hannink" <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 3:46 PM
> Subject: Re: 134 conversion
>
>
> > Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
> >
> > > So when some body says something, remember to ask: "Have you ever done
> > > that?" and that should send you in the right direction.
> >
> > So have you ever modified the A/C on a Vanagon this way? Your posts in
the
> archives describe your success in doing this to a 912e Porsche, not a
> Vanagon; thats a little like comparing apples to oranges.
> >
> > There is at least one post in the archives from someone who has done
this
> modification to a Vanagon and for them it didn't seem to make any
> difference.
> >
> > Good luck,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > TJ Hannink
> > Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
> > 1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33
> > Winter Park, Florida
> > http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge
> > FAVOR website:  http://home.earthlink.net/~clubvanagon
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> >  Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'
> >
> >
> > --
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> >
> >
>
>
>
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