| Author | Message | ||
| Phil Cegielski (Rt4957)
Registered Member Username: Rt4957 Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 Rating: |
I have my 1975 Flx and it has the Factory Air,,but in sitting for many years,,the R22 has vented. Can I as a Rookie do the Re Charge Myself?? I have the Manuals to see how and stuff,,but is it a One Person/Rookie Job?Can I even Buy The Refrigerant? What Places will do A/C Service on a Transit Style Bus,,I`m Sure Jiffy Lube $19.95 Wont cut It. Thanks Phil/Rt4957 | ||
| Mike (Busone)
Registered Member Username: Busone Post Number: 313 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 71.33.24.110 Rating: |
It is not rocket science. You cannot buy R-22 unless you are licensed. You could convert the system to R134a. You can buy R134a without a license. It is about $200 for a 30lb tank. | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Registered Member Username: Drdave Post Number: 661 Registered: 5-2005 Posted From: 67.78.176.54 Rating: |
R22 Transit A/C systems need major changes to be compatable with R134a, The R22 is a wierd item and the seals, o-rings, Expansion valves and compressors are slightly different the way they are set up. I doubt that you would want to spend all that money and effort for such an old system. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 28 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.141 Rating: |
Phil - Aside from the cost to refill the r22, or the cost to convert and fill with r134, you still have the problem of fixing the cause of the leak. You can invest in a black light and suffer the expense of filling the system, along with the additive to locate the leak using the black light... and unlike a car, you've got 40 feet to examine, inch by inch... The cost to have it done (for me) is prohibitive.. When all's said and done... You could probably buy two roof top air conditioners, or two of those "ventless" types, and an inverter to run them from the bus alternator... Or a genset to do the job... Or buy a "Welch" auxiliary system. The OE bus system is great when it works, but once it's leaked out, the chance of it not costing you a big bag of cash -every year-, is slim. When I bought my bus, the AC worked great! A few months later, it didn't. The guy I bought it from said it cost $300 to fill it, when he had it done. It had already been converted to R134. $300 for three months just doesn't hack it, unless I ran charters and needed it for passenger comfort. It's gone; I'm glad. | ||
| Bob Boyce (Bob_rts)
Registered Member Username: Bob_rts Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.44.206.182 Rating: |
Phil, where are you located? I have the equiptment and materials for doing R-22 systems. I am in the TN/NC/GA tri-state area. Bob | ||
| james dean boggs (Jd_boggs)
Registered Member Username: Jd_boggs Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.70.70.253 Rating: |
You CAN purchase R22 online it cost me $100 for 30 pound cylinder. It then took me 6 months to find a shop that would do it. I finally found a shop in Tijuana Mexico while on vacation, They did it for $300 bucks and took them 2 hours to vacum and re-fill with R22. I watched them do it. The hardest part is knowing which connectors to use. If you have the equipment and manual, you can do it yourself. Remember, you also need a vacum pump. | ||
| Phil Cegielski (Rt4957)
Registered Member Username: Rt4957 Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 Rating: |
Yeesh,,was hoping just to buy the R22 and the Manifold to put the stuff in. It`s a very small leak,,It stays charged for about 9 months to a year but as was my fault,,the bus has sat in storage for a few years but is now legal and insured so I can drive it again. The System works as I had it done via a mechanic moonlighting from work (So Calif RTD)years ago,but in not using it regularly I guess it leaked out. I`m in So Calif.The Tijuana deal doesnt sound too good as I`d rather stay this side of the border,,but I would like to find some of the New Look Flxs they used to run,,Wonder where they are? Thanks for the replys Phil/Rt4957 | ||
| Mike (Busone)
Registered Member Username: Busone Post Number: 314 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 71.33.24.110 Rating: |
If you were able to purchase R-22 online you were lucky to find a seller that would break the law. Unless you have that license number they are not supposed to sell it to you. http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/608/sales/sales.html Phil, Have you confirmed that the system is completely discharged? Just because it is not working does not mean the whole charge is gone. If you can find the sight glass you can get an idea. Of course if the compressor will not start due to a low charge the sight glass will be no help. | ||
| Phil Cegielski (Rt4957)
Registered Member Username: Rt4957 Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 Rating: N/A |
Well ,the compressor sight glass shows oil,but the reciever tank with the light on (Checked at a night visit)showed just a little dirt on the glass,didnt see any fluid. The bus has an electric clutch to allow the compressor to start,plus years ago when it was working I could tell the charge was low as the A/C would only kick in at idle or a low oil pressure,,it would kick off after acceleration. This was about a year after I had the system charged so the leak/bleed off isn`t extremely severe.(In my opinion) Would a Truck Stop/Station have the neccessarys to charge my system,,how simular are trucks to buses? Ohh the woes of Bus Ownerdom!! Phil/Rt4957 | ||
| Mike (Busone)
Registered Member Username: Busone Post Number: 315 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 71.33.24.110 Rating: N/A |
Trucks use R12 or 134a. Buses are about the only vehicle that uses R22. I would look for somebody that does commercial refrigeration. They are used to large complex systems. If you can find out who services local bus companies that would be a good place as well. The price of R22 is only going to go up. Soon it will be phased out as well. I would try to find the leak and get it fixed or go with basement/roof air. | ||
| johnwood
Unregistered guest Posted From: 71.142.133.188 Rating: N/A |
There are several "drop-in" replacements for R-22, but none as cheap! Find a place that knows how and pay em to fix it, or buy a couple of carbuncles for the roof. It IS closer to rocket science than most conversion topics. From a "no longer" refrigeration tech. | ||
| james dean boggs (Jd_boggs)
Registered Member Username: Jd_boggs Post Number: 99 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.70.70.253 Rating: N/A |
Mike, thanks for the EPA Gov link. According to the EPA anyone can purchase R22 without certification if you buy a 20 pound can or smaller. You do not have to be certified to purchase refrigerants such as R-11, R-12, R-123, R-22, R-406A, R-414A, R-414B if they are in containers that are 20 pound or smaller. So, if you need more than 20 pounds. Buy 2! | ||
| Dave Wilson
Unregistered guest Posted From: 205.234.33.61 Rating: N/A |
Charging your system with out a pump,use a five gallon pail with hot water,put your cylinder in there open the valve and vola. | ||
| Bryan Ross (Ccrscubby)
Registered Member Username: Ccrscubby Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.228.58.100 Rating: N/A |
I have a 1980 Prevost leMirage. The carrier A/C compressor crankshaft was broken, so i bought a reman compressor. It has already been retrofitted to r134, etc. I own a truck repair service, and am equipped to fix a/c systems. My only question is, can anyone tell me how much freon (at least aproxximately) the system will hold? I know that with r134, presice ammounts is the key to proper performance. Thank you very much. (Message edited by ccrscubby on September 04, 2006) | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 123 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 63.233.4.228 Rating: N/A |
"about" 20 pounds |
