You can buy Freeze-12 on ebay without a license.  I bought 3 kits to cover
each of my pre 94 cars with R12 systems.  They come with all the fittings
you need to do the refill.  I also bought some Freeze-12 Leak Stop from
another web site to use as well.
TEMiller

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Wilford" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 9:30 PM
Subject: Re: all my R12 is gone..? (bummer)

> I had a '86 syncro here one time with a fried A/C compressor.  The guy
> had all of the paperwork for it since it was new (very detailed) and I
> had a few minutes so I looked back through the records.  Almost from day
> one the van had A/C problems.  Every year it needed a recharge and it
> had already had the compressor replaced once (the fried one was only a
> couple of years old).
> My 90 Carat needs a charge at the beginning of every summer and then
> again right before the end (usually still pretty hot in September
> here).  I use Freeze-12 instead of R12 since it works well and is
> cheaper.  However you will still need a refrigerant license to buy it.
> Right now it is cheaper than R134a too.  Not flammable either.  Just FYI.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
> honemastert wrote:
>
> >Curious as to what others in hot climates have done,
> >and or 'are' doing.
> >
> >Tried to make sure that all through the winter months,
> >I fired up the A/C from time to time.  Keep the system
> >lubricated, keep that precious and 'expensive' R12 in
> >the system.   My plans seemed to be working, until
> >we hit record highs last week in the 'Valley of the Sun'
> >(should be fire BTW.. but I digress! :-)
> >
> >Anyways, now I have an A/C system that seems
> >to be cycling on properly, but no cool air (or at least
> >very little) to speak of.
> >
> >Need to get the system checked out for leaks, etc,
> >but wondered what the consensus was for a 'Westy'
> >
> >Even on R12, this system is nothing to write home
> >about,  I'm thinking of just checking, make sure I have
> >no 'massive' leaks, then go and get my EPA license
> >so I can buy cans of R12 off of ebay.
> >
> >Some folks I've talked to say that even with an 'all
> >new' system (compressor, hoses, dryer, cleaned out
> >condenser etc) that the most you can expect is 2-4yrs
> >between recharges?
> >
> >Ideas, suggestions welcom
> >
> >TIA
> >
> > -tim
> >
> >90 syncro westy
> >mesa, az
> >
> >
> >
>