Since they scuttled R12 and replaced it with R134a and a myriad of other brews, the
refrigeration user has been been hit with sky rocketing refrigerant costs, high servicing costs, inefficiency and confusion. I believe this has led to the situation where we now have refrigerants of dubious quality, some with various additives for this or that reason and
sold over the counter in many countries.
To add to the confusion, in some countries R134a is
sold as 'agriculture quality', 'industrial quality' etc and then there is also the re-claimed gas, how good or otherwise is that?
Refrigerant gas quality may be of less concern in larger systems but is critical in the micro systems that members here use.
My concern is the cans of R134a are mostly intended for use on car air cons, and that many of these have added gook that can kill a micro system.
Suggest avoiding these off the shelf cans where possible at least the ones with additives.
Best to evacuate properly and NEVER add anything to these micro systems but pure refrigerant and the correct
oil, NEVER use tape or sealer on pipe couplings or fittings.
Cheers OzePete
Ozefridge | 12 Volt Refrigeration Systems