ls1 nova
08-05-2010, 06:01 PM
I would like to convert my old r12 gauges to 134 and was wandering what the best product to do this is?
MonzaRacer
08-06-2010, 10:25 PM
You cant do it, the guages are not set up for it, they will lock up, and the hoses wont screw on, after you buy all the crap to try and make it fit, including calibrated guages you can get a set for around $100 bucks or so and have good stuff not cobbled. Look around that setup isnt hard to find, but if you have r12 guages hang on to them as there MIGHT be a replacement down the road with similar characteristics(I got this hint from friend at Honeywell, the people making the new R1234YF stuff).
Honestly if it has all the pipe thread fittings by the time you replace all of the fittings, the gauges and hoses you wont save anything.
Here you go and if you have access to big compressor this unit comes with an air powered vacuum pump too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Air-Conditioner-Freon-Manifold-Gauges-AC-Pump-R134a-Kit-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ160454305070QQptZMotorsQ5f AutomotiveQ5fTools $63.15 plus shipping, you will have at least half of that in hoses and other in gauges .
Oh and get this, its possible to contaminate the charge with dual fluid setups.
OK if someone tried ot sell you a set up where you screw some fitting on the older R12 hoses it illegal.
All refigerants have to have their own specific fittings, lick R12/22/502 etc (olds stuff is basically all same just different operating pressures/temps, ie all CFC Chloroflorcarbons)
R134A is an HCFC, now combine both together as in contaminate one or the other system and if its enough of one or another you have a Carbon Tetrachloride Bomb, ie it gets real explosive and real corrosive.
Spend $60 bucks on new gauges and a can tap at local parts stor for what another $10.