I have a few friends who use propane instead of R134/R12. They claim that it cools 20 degrees better than R12 and of course is much cheaper. They add oil just like normal and have never had a failure. Has anyone else tried this?
CK5
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Propane instead of R134 or R12
- Thread starter LVJimmy
- Start date
vortec
1/2 ton status
sounds dangerous. idk if it is, but i'd let them them have their fun and stay the hell away from their cars.
you should do something really smart like put helium in the tires, then box the frame airtight and pump it in there too. seal off all the body panels and fill them with helium also. yay, you're truck just got lighter! or did it get heavier from all the metal you added to seal stuff up?
you should do something really smart like put helium in the tires, then box the frame airtight and pump it in there too. seal off all the body panels and fill them with helium also. yay, you're truck just got lighter! or did it get heavier from all the metal you added to seal stuff up?
pauly383
Daddy383
Its not certified for passenger vehicle use . If it was wouldn't the OEM's use it .
Hell there are certain rules for propane tanks and hoses , and your friends want to put it right up front where some aluminum and rubber can bunch up in a head on collision
Hell there are certain rules for propane tanks and hoses , and your friends want to put it right up front where some aluminum and rubber can bunch up in a head on collision
77crewcab
1/2 ton status
Hold my beer and watch this!
BOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!
Hey man, dibs on his beer.
BOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!
Hey man, dibs on his beer.
odin
1/2 ton status
Im a mechanic.
A few years ago the state of New Jersey held a safety class on why you should NOT use propane in automotive A/C systems. The demonstration video was a Ford Tempo with the A/C running on propane with a small evaporator leak and a lit cigarette in the ash tray. By far the coolest vehicle explosion Ive ever seen.
If your friends are this stupid enough to do this you should invite them over for some cold bleach cocktails and tell them it will get them 20 percent drunker.
A few years ago the state of New Jersey held a safety class on why you should NOT use propane in automotive A/C systems. The demonstration video was a Ford Tempo with the A/C running on propane with a small evaporator leak and a lit cigarette in the ash tray. By far the coolest vehicle explosion Ive ever seen.
If your friends are this stupid enough to do this you should invite them over for some cold bleach cocktails and tell them it will get them 20 percent drunker.
Danger! Danger Will Robinson!
wasted wages
1 ton status
OK,,,,picture this,,,small evaporator leak ( pinhole )
car sits overnight closed up,,propane leaking into the car.
You walk up, hit the unlock button on your key chain,,,alarm relay contact sparks under the dash when it blinks the parking lights...see ya !!!!!
They don't put propane in cars for a reason,,,,just like they don't use ammonia, sulfur dioxide, methyl chloride ( which by the way are excellent
refrigerants,,,except for the fact that they will kill you if you inhale them.....)
I do use industrial grade propane in ultra low temp cascade systems ( only a few ounces) mixed with some special refrigerants,,,it's only purpose is to help carry oil back to the compressor... But were talking temps 120 below zero...
car sits overnight closed up,,propane leaking into the car.
You walk up, hit the unlock button on your key chain,,,alarm relay contact sparks under the dash when it blinks the parking lights...see ya !!!!!
They don't put propane in cars for a reason,,,,just like they don't use ammonia, sulfur dioxide, methyl chloride ( which by the way are excellent
refrigerants,,,except for the fact that they will kill you if you inhale them.....)
I do use industrial grade propane in ultra low temp cascade systems ( only a few ounces) mixed with some special refrigerants,,,it's only purpose is to help carry oil back to the compressor... But were talking temps 120 below zero...
Thunder
3/4 ton status
Altho propane (HC) is an excellnt refrigerant. It is ileagal to use in vehicles. EPA baned it in vehicles in the mid 90s. Before that it was sold as a R12 replacement. It was banned prolly because it works so well and is a cheaper replacement for R12 and 134a. I am sure the auto makers had a lot to do with it. Better to sell someone a new car than fix the AC system with a cheap can of OX-12 or Dura Cool.
I dont know how dangerous HC refrigerant is it is.
R134a is just as flamable under pressure (5 PSI) as HC. 134a doesn't cool as well and takes more energy to cool than HC.
You are driving around with 20 to 30 gallons of gas in your car and you worry about 1lb of propane?
IMO propane refrigerant is no more dangerous than 134a. It is way "Greener"
Many european countries and Australia are switching over to HC refrigerants.
I dont think I would fill my system with the same stuff you use in your BB-Q. It has too many contaminants that commercial HC refrigerants dont have. There are a few HC refrigerants on the market.
One of the more common propane refrigerants for sale is RED TEK 12.
I dont know how dangerous HC refrigerant is it is.
R134a is just as flamable under pressure (5 PSI) as HC. 134a doesn't cool as well and takes more energy to cool than HC.
You are driving around with 20 to 30 gallons of gas in your car and you worry about 1lb of propane?
IMO propane refrigerant is no more dangerous than 134a. It is way "Greener"
Many european countries and Australia are switching over to HC refrigerants.
I dont think I would fill my system with the same stuff you use in your BB-Q. It has too many contaminants that commercial HC refrigerants dont have. There are a few HC refrigerants on the market.
One of the more common propane refrigerants for sale is RED TEK 12.
vortec
1/2 ton status
You are driving around with 20 to 30 gallons of gas in your car and you worry about 1lb of propane?
considering gasoline is liquid at atmostpheric pressure, and doesn't ignite easily in that state, yeah, i feel pretty safe about it. i'd rather have a leaking gas tank than a leaking a/c system with propane any day.
What about a vehicle that runs on propane? The same danger is there, and you dont see those blowin up all the time.
vortec
1/2 ton status
i was kind of thinking of that, but my theory is that the parts are better designed to carry it. the tanks i've seen that are intended for automotive use are heavy as hell even empty because they are very thick-walled and the lines are either stainless steel or briaded stainless and rubber. a normal ac system is made of some wimpy stuff. i've crushed condenser coils with my bare hands before accidentally.
pauly383
Daddy383
Yes propane is used to run a vehicle . The tanks are much thicker , and the lines are usually ran out of harms way , and have certain kinds of fittings .
With the a/c system the condenser is most always ruined in a front end collision .
With the a/c system the condenser is most always ruined in a front end collision .
blazindorito
1/2 ton status
No smoking comes to mind!
odin
1/2 ton status
It was banned prolly because it works so well and is a cheaper replacement for R12 and 134a. I am sure the auto makers had a lot to do with it. Better to sell someone a new car than fix the AC system with a cheap can of OX-12 or Dura Cool.
You are driving around with 20 to 30 gallons of gas in your car and you worry about 1lb of propane?
IMO propane refrigerant is no more dangerous than 134a. It is way "Greener"
It was banned for good reason...its dangerous.
Who the hell buys a new car because the refrigerant leaked out??
And BTW the fuel in your vehicle doesnt travel through the passenger compartment like refrigerant does. Thats why refrigerant needs to be SAFER than what the vehicle runs on.
joecowap
Registered Member
Odin, not to bash, but the refrigerant never comes into the vehicle passenger compartment all A/c compomets are under the hood. The closest it comes to passenger compartment is the heater/fan box that blows air over the fins.
Slapperbar
Retired Navy NDT Examiner
Just for example, look at a Jeep TJ. Evap is in the passenger compartment. Check it out.
Randy92782
1 ton status
Your avatar kinda reminds me of what i think of the propane idea. NOT a good idea but some people just listen to their friends
x2, lots of vehicles have the evaporator under the dash
odin
1/2 ton status
The HVAC box is most certainly in the passenger compartment.
If you dont want to take my word for it...
Go look in any service manual on any make or model with A/C.
smalltruckbigcid
1/2 ton status
All of Europe has been using HHC refrigerants for about 15 years now in home fridges and other things. To date last I looked they have not had a fire blameable on the refrigerant used. Whats interesting to note is who holds the patent on R-12 and R134. Dupont had both.....
