| Author |
Message |
doug yes (Dougg)
Registered Member
Username: Dougg
Post Number: 36
Registered: 1-2007
Posted From: 71.30.225.176
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 8:36 pm: | |
Thinking of converting our 93 102DL3 bus air from R22 to 134A. I'm not about to take it on myself. I found someone in Atlanta to do it but I'm in Florida. ABC in Wintergarden said they don't do AC conversions. Got any ideas? |
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member
Username: George_mc6
Post Number: 267
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 76.168.69.233
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:01 am: | |
Doug,
Can I ask why you want to do this?
R-22 is less costly than 134A, 22 has more capacity, and is still readily available.
A changeover will require a complete oil purge of the system, resetting the pressure switches, and new thermostatic expansion valves. 134A has smaller molecules than 22, so it will leak thru hoses made for 22. Both POE and AB oils (required with 134A) work as cleaning solvents, and will bring all the sludge in the system back into circulation which can cause a compressor failure due to plugged lubrication openings.
IMNSHO, leave well enough alone!
Just ask somebody who has bought one of these "conversion kits" and changed a car over. Now they are adding refrigerant monthly, and LOTS of compressor failures.
Sorry, George |
John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member
Username: John_mc9
Post Number: 505
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 66.217.105.108
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 1:19 am: | |
In Florida? Try here:
http://www.travelynx.net
or here:
http://busdirect.bussolutions.com/companies/deal-bus-repair_id114792.html
(see others also HERE)
By the way, the previous owner said my '79 MC9 had been
converted to 134 by MCI. His last fill was a year prior to my
purchase, and he said he'd had it refilled each spring. It was
cheaper than 22, easier to find, and less problems....
OE AC systems on these old gals were always prone to leaking,
and a refill was close to the price of a rooftop unit... I tore it all
out, put in two rooftop units, and kept the Welch auxiliary system.
MCI charges a bit more for service, but a local operator swears
they're the best..... MCI; Kissimmee, Fl...
Cheers |
Justin Griffith (Justin25taylor)
Registered Member
Username: Justin25taylor
Post Number: 48
Registered: 4-2007
Posted From: 70.244.123.88
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 7:51 pm: | |
I am with George. If it was R-12 I would convert it. R-22 is still easy to find although you need to be licensed by the EPA to buy it. A good HVAC guy can fix you up.
I would wait until they start to phase out R-22 in a few years then make a decision on converting it.
I buy 30lb cans of both 134A and R-22 and there is not that much difference in price.
Good Luck,
Justin |
John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member
Username: John_mc9
Post Number: 517
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 66.217.108.99
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 9:19 pm: | |
George -
My mind must have taken a break.... My bus was apparently
converted from r12 to r134, not from r22.
A quick read at the Welch website (among others), confirmed
the typical refrigerant used in the older model buses. And a friend
confirmed that r22 was the gas used in his...
The price difference between r12 and r134 is great, but the
difference between r22 and r134 is only negligible.
The availability of r22, and the availability of mechanics with
equipment to purge and collect r22, may not be as great as
those willing to work on r134...
With all that said (and while eating some deliciously baked crow), the
question to Doug should be: Does your bus now have r22, or r12?
(Prices for refrigerants) |
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member
Username: Chessie4905
Post Number: 739
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.58.117.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 5:38 pm: | |
Don't do it. R22 is easy enough to obtain.The current talk from the auto circles is that they are planning to phase out R-134 in a couple of years, due to it's effect on the environment also. The EU is pushing for this change now. Manufacturers are trying to decide between R 500 something and just going to CO2.You could end up doing this all over again if you keep the coach long enough.They would probably phase it out by increasing tax on it over time, like they did on R12. |
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