There's a lot of hearsay on this phasing out of R134a. From what
little I have read here and there - it appears that R134a doesn't have a
much better reputation than R12 when it comes to environmental issues.
We seem to have traded one bad actor for another. I don't know the
details of all this, nor the exact "why" R134a is being phased out. But,
it appears there are alternatives for use in the USA, anyway, in place
of the R134a. Freeze12 is one that is used a good bit in my area.  But
one  needs a buddy who can deal with it. Most shops are set up for R134a
and since they do a lot of business with it, they are not going to mix
up with Freeze12.

The reason for the Freeze12 is that it is supposed to match closely in
performance with R12, and if so, it doesn't have the head pressure that
R124a requires to operate properly. This saves on those old compressors
that were not designed for the pressures of R134a.

Note: /The Freeze-12 brand has been discontinued this year/. (ES 12a has
replaced it)

http://www.freeze12.com/

http://freeze12.net/

http://autorefrigerants.com/co00030.htm

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 6/30/2011 3:11 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> I'm no AC expert, and R134a is known for leaking much more easily than
> the
> old R12 ...due to smaller molecules.
>
> there are also other juices..
> often with propane in them, that are supposed to cool pretty well.
> 'super-cool'  or whatever aftermarket sounding hotshot name I'm trying to
> remember.
> Dura-cool,
> that's one I think.
>
> ( environmentally ..........R134a is currently  being phased out on
> very new
> euro cars I believe. )
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 12:42 PM
> Subject: Desert refrigerant of choice?
>
>
>> Any opinions on the R-12 refrigerant of choice for use in hot climates?
>> Looked on Google and found a half dozen or so.  R134a is an option,
>> but I
>> get bad reports on its ability to cool from over 110 degrees.
>>
>> Karl Wolz
>
>