Yes, Dennis..my AC professional recommended regular use.  Keeps seals soft and lubricated I guess.
Don't hate me...but I am also intrigued with the Harbor Freight Low and High pressure gauge setup.  About $60, and with a 20% off coupon, it starts looking worthwhile.
When I attempted recharge on my Vanagon R-134A system, all I had was the "low side" information.  Seems to me, that having the extra data of low side and high side pressures while recharging, would be very valuable information.  I watched those guys at my AC shop a couple years ago; yep, they had the gauges for both high and low side pressure right in view.  They also had a big can of R-134A turned upside down and pumping it into the system; I thought that was a No-No.  Freon should be gently introduced into Vanagon system....at least my thoughts from Samba and Internet research. These guys are aware of Vanagons, but also deal with normal cars, so I won't hold that against them.

Yes, for sure, I will have professionals evacuate my system, and recharge to optimal levels.  Next week.  

But....as time goes on, and freon depletes with corresponding depletion of AC performance, I'm trying to figure out what to do.  No, not gonna replace Evaporator Unit...NLA.  Nor hoses.  

Visible Dye, whether via Ultraviolet light or just normal light, should sure help out.  But my expectation would be that it would mostly reveal leaks at O-rings.  And they were all fixed 2 years ago.

So....I want to get my AC system back to Zero.  Get evacuated (to remove any little water molecules) and then refilled to optimal R-134A Freon charges....
I will update the story for all interested.
Rich
San Diego

    On Saturday, August 10, 2019, 6:33:06 PM PDT, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:  
 
 
One thing that might help would be to add a dye to the system to help find leaks. Working AC is not only just for cooling. It can also be used to help defog windows as it can remove humidity. Most modern cars use the AC as part of the defog operation above freezing. Regular use of the AC will also help to keep a system alive and well.
 
  
 
Good luck
 
Dennis