Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.
|
R134a A/C low side pressure |
Post Reply |
Author | |
FSJunkie
AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: Apr/22/2012 at 5:04pm |
I have specs for what the low side pressure (good indicator of system charge level) should be at various ambient temperatures, but those specs were for R12. What should the low side pressure be for a brand new 134a converted system? It runs about 15-18 PSI on an 80 degree day.
|
|
1955 Packard
1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited |
|
6768rogues
AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6237 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The low side pressure will vary and is not as good for diagnosis as the high side pressure. The one I installed on my 68 Rogue runs 150 psi on the high side on a hot day, blowing 38 degree air. My 67 runs a little higher pressure and will only get down to about 41 degrees. I had a non-AMC that needed to run about 220 high side to be good and cold. I usually start at about 150 high side and add refrigerant until I get air in the 40 degree range without exceeding a pressure of twice ambient temperature plus 80. I test it at a high idle with a fan blowing at the front of the car, all the vents but one closed, a thermometer in the open vent and the fan on low or medium.
If you converted an original system and know the weight of R12 that it took, you should add about 80% of that weight in R134A. There, I said a lot and didn't answer your question. Edited by 6768rogues - Apr/22/2012 at 5:43pm |
|
Content intended for mature audiences. If you experience nausea or diarrhea, stop reading and seek medical attention.
Located usually near Rochester, NY and sometimes central FL. |
|
Mr. Ed
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Nov/12/2010 Location: Sewell, NJ Status: Offline Points: 4916 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The low side (suction side) of any air conditioning system should run at 45 degrees regardless of refrigerant. So an R-134a system should be around 40# SST. If it runs higher, the cabin is really hot or it probably has non-condsables (air or something other than refrigerant) in the system. You did evacuate the system after recovering the R-12, right?
Later!
Mr. Ed
|
|
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo "Gwendolyn."
1978 Concord Sport coupe "Mr. Black". 1982 Concord wagon. The Admiral. FOR SALE! 1976 Sportabout X, 304, auto, air. The Bronze Goddess |
|
Peter Marano
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: Kenosha WI Status: Offline Points: 1650 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
In the early days of A/C purging was an accepted practice!
|
|
Mr. Ed
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Nov/12/2010 Location: Sewell, NJ Status: Offline Points: 4916 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I know. I did my share of purging when I did A/C&R service last century. But now it is a no-no and refrigerant should be recovered and the system evacuated. And purging doesn't get everything out of the system that is why evacuation is a must to ensure the system is clean and doesn't contain any non-condensables.
Later!
Mr. Ed
|
|
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo "Gwendolyn."
1978 Concord Sport coupe "Mr. Black". 1982 Concord wagon. The Admiral. FOR SALE! 1976 Sportabout X, 304, auto, air. The Bronze Goddess |
|
farna
Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yeah, can't let ANYTHING marked/sold as refrigerant into the atmosphere, even it if IS perfectly harmless (such as Enviro-Safe, which is a propane/butane blend, and works better than R-134a in most systems, about the same as R-12). The blanket ruling makes it easier to police, can't blame the EPA much for that. Purging is also called "sweep charging" and requires some refrigerant to be vented to the atmosphere.
You can find R-134a pressure charts on the web easy enough, just search! |
|
Frank Swygert
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |