Ignorant about A/C

[Mastiff]

Fired up my 1983 K5 (original AC system) for the first time in a while, after doing some electrical work. I turned on the A/C to see if the electric fans would come on (and they did), but I see that the compressor is cycling a lot, like less than 5 seconds between on/off.

Maybe needs to be charged? What can I do myself on an old R-whatever freon system? I doubt I can charge it myself, can I check the pressure? What do I need to do that? Anything else that might cause the cycling?

 

[Fordum]

Almost certainly low gas. But, if the outside temps are really low that can cause it too.
You don't have a lot of good options if its low on gas. Freon 12 is still available, but its really pricey.
Converting to 134A is probably cheaper, but unless you change out the condenser for a more efficient one, you are likely to be disappointed in the performance in hot weather.

Several people I know have had good luck with some of the alternative gases. They are a mix of propane and butane with a smell additive, but they work really well and mimic R12 really closely.

If you decide to stick with 12, find someone who can recover as much of what is in there now, and be sure to change out all the O rings and hoses so you make sure to not have any leaks when you charge it back up.

At the price of R12, you don't want to risk a leak.

 

[Mastiff]

I filled it 3 years ago and the guy discouraged the conversion. He said the old stuff works better and the price has stabilized because demand has dropped and people are still recovering it from old building A/Cs and stuff.

Are the alternatives home-brew or something I can buy someplace for this purpose? I was just thinking that I was surprised nobody has come up with a legal alternative for the old systems.

 

[Fordum]

Well, its all relative.
R134A actually works really well, and actually removes more heat per volume than R12.
Which is the problem.
When you convert from R12, the system cannot handle the extra heat removed. Which is why you have to replace the condenser with a more efficient one.

But, the other parts of the system are not optimized for the new gas either.
Any car I have been in that has 134A from the factory is really cold, because it was designed for it.

As to the other gases, there have been some changes. Some brands have fallen by the wayside, and others have been redone.
I think this is one of the better ones now.

http://autorefrigerants.com/co00033.htm

I don't see the instructions online like I used to, but I assume that it comes with them.
One of the drawbacks to this stuff, is that it is a mixture, and needs to stay at the same mix.
So, it used to have to be charged as a liquid, not that much of a problem, and if any leaks out, you have to remove all the remaining and recharge from scratch, since there is no way to determine how much of which of the two gases have leaked out.

But it seems to work really well, is much cheaper than anything else, and requires less work to convert.