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Author Topic: I am an air con thicko!  (Read 9452 times)

roycv

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I am an air con thicko!
« on: October 25, 2010, 11:46:57 pm »

Hi can anyone tell me what recharging the air con system on a car involves?  I saw this at a garage as a freebie on a Mercedes MOT.

 My car (Honda CRV)  is now 11 years old and the air con apparently works, so what happens when it needs recharging?  How would I know?  How long does a 'charge' last?

Would appreciate some enlightenment!
regards to all, Roy
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Wasyl

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2010, 12:35:14 am »

Your air-con,works like a fridge, cold air replaces warm air,the cylinder is charged with liquid nitrogen,if your air-con is still working after 11 years, then you,re lucky,If you go to the garage they will re-charge the air-con cylinder thats under the bonnet,simple

Wullie
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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2010, 01:38:04 am »

Your air-con,works like a fridge, cold air replaces warm air,the cylinder is charged with liquid nitrogen,if your air-con is still working after 11 years, then you,re lucky,If you go to the garage they will re-charge the air-con cylinder thats under the bonnet,simple

Wullie

 liquid nitrogen ? R12 refrigerant gas systems (pre-1992 approx)  all modern R134a refrigerant systems.  It has never been liquid nitrogen it also has a small amout of oil about 10%. i am not recomending just an example of what they have to do and why

http://www.subzeroac.co.uk/

http://www.kulls.com/acrecharge.htm

Peter
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tigertiger

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2010, 03:55:59 am »

Put simply.

The aircon works like a fridge and needs a gas refrigerant in the pipes.

Over time this gas depleats. It needs replacing, topping up. If the aircon is used a lot, this can be as much as every 3 years.

If they are offering a free top up, take it. You may notice an instant improvement in the potency of the aircon in your car.
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Peter Fitness

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2010, 04:46:43 am »

Quite correct, HS93. R12 was banned in Australia quite a few years ago because of its effect on the ozone layer. R134a is commonly used in modern car a/c units.

Peter
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Shipmate60

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2010, 08:17:46 am »

The garage will connect up a machine to your ac filling valves.
It will then empty your system of gas and measure how much was in it.
It will carry out a vacuum test to check for any leaks.
If all is OK, and if it is working fine it should be, then refill with the correct amount of gas.
It all takes about 45 minutes.

Bob
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roycv

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2010, 08:31:46 am »

Thanks and most grateful to all that responded.  I shall go and have mine checked out.
regards and thanks, Roy
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funtimefrankie

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2010, 08:58:21 am »

Why don't you need your  domestic fridge topping up then?
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derekwarner

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2010, 09:11:17 am »

 :embarrassed:  the greatest cause of air conditioning refrigerant gas leakage is via the compressor shaft seals..... >>:-( ie.,.....if the A/C system is not used every day the seals become sticky....really simple to understand..... :-))...Derek
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tigertiger

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2010, 09:22:13 am »

Why don't you need your  domestic fridge topping up then?

Probably because they don't work so hard, because they are in a closed environment, as the door is closed most of the time.
Domestic fridges do become less efficient. I would guess most people would think the machine is past it if it does not keep cool as well as it used to. And buy a new one.
I would guess that by the time the gas gets that low, the compressor is also in need of replacement. Better to get a new machine.

Industrial refrigeration units, like the ones in the supermarket, do need topping up. Something the service engineer does.
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tigertiger

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2010, 09:27:16 am »

:embarrassed:  the greatest cause of air conditioning refrigerant gas leakage is via the compressor shaft seals..... >>:-( if not the A/C system is used every day ....really simple to understand..... :-))...Derek

I don't suppose that being in a vibrating environment (the vehicle) helps the compressor shaft seals either.
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nick_75au

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2010, 10:16:56 am »

Household refrigerators are a sealed unit, the motor and compressor is encased in a hermetically sealed can, no shaft seals. My parents (grandparents brought it) have a 60+ YO Kelvinator that has been shipped between Europe and back 3 times, it still serves duty as the beer refrigerator :-))

the Industrial ones are separate motor/ compressor units so do have shaft seals.

Nick
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RaaArtyGunner

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2010, 11:32:47 am »

Household refrigerators are a sealed unit, the motor and compressor is encased in a hermetically sealed can, no shaft seals. My parents (grandparents brought it) have a 60+ YO Kelvinator that has been shipped between Europe and back 3 times, it still serves duty as the beer refrigerator :-))

the Industrial ones are separate motor/ compressor units so do have shaft seals.

Nick

Therein is the answer.
O0 O0 O0
Cars are invariably being continuously adjusted by users as outside temperatures vary.
Domestic fridge is set and left at that setting generally for the duration, hence less wear and tear.
Son has my old Kelvinator. :-)) :-))
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Circlip

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2010, 01:27:44 pm »

Aircon in a car in Britain  {-)  {-)  {-)  {-)

  Get a life, Almost as funny as Hi-Fi , seatbelts and airbags in a car %)

  Regards Ian.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2010, 01:33:46 pm »

Do you all ride about on tractors oop North then Ian?  :}
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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #15 on: October 26, 2010, 01:43:20 pm »

we use are aircon/climate controle all year round set the dial to what you want once and the car is always a nice temperature and you don't get windows fogging up, by the way if you have air con it recommended that you use it once a month to keep it working correctly,

Peter
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tigertiger

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2010, 01:47:25 pm »

Many a time in the UK I have been very glad of aircon.

I remember all the sweaty, sticky to seaty driving I did in the my dad's old escort.
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Liverbudgie2

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #17 on: October 26, 2010, 02:56:18 pm »


Aircon also increases your fuel consumption by around 10%, noticeable on a small engine no so on a larger one.

So your windows steam up the open a window; too hot and sticky in summertime, get a sun roof and open one or more window, or even better no roof as they say: simpules.,

Why make things more complex than they need to be, this can be embarrassing if you you’re a long way from home and in the middle of nowhere, also equals large and unnecessary garage bills.

LB
Volvo 850 estate, with sun roof & TR6 :-))



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Wasyl

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #18 on: October 26, 2010, 03:29:25 pm »

Do you all ride about on tractors oop North then Ian?  :}
..When did West Yorks,become oop North, {-)

Wullie
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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #19 on: October 26, 2010, 03:34:47 pm »

Aircon also increases your fuel consumption by around 10%, noticeable on a small engine no so on a larger one.

So your windows steam up the open a window; too hot and sticky in summertime, get a sun roof and open one or more window, or even better no roof as they say: simpules.,

Why make things more complex than they need to be, this can be embarrassing if you you’re a long way from home and in the middle of nowhere, also equals large and unnecessary garage bills.

LB
Volvo 850 estate, with sun roof & TR6 :-))

Not on modern carsmost are not driven of the engine and the motors driving them use very little,I take it you havent got air con then.




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pugwash

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #20 on: October 26, 2010, 03:39:38 pm »

You now the routine Wullie - if you live in the home counties anywhere north of the north circular
is inside the arctic circle
Geoff
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Circlip

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #21 on: October 26, 2010, 04:12:10 pm »

Well Liverbudgie, seems like thee an me regard a car for what it is, A Car Southern pambies need aircon when the snowflakes start falling. Look at last winter, the Metropolis ground to a halt with a smattering of the white stuff and heaven help us when it gets warm, seizes the electric windows up with the expansion.

 Anywhere north of Watford is classed as "Ooop North" Wullie.

 
Quote
Do you all ride about on tractors oop North then Ian?

  No colin, we leave that to the Chelsea residents.

  Regards  Ian.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #22 on: October 26, 2010, 04:23:40 pm »

Quote
No colin, we leave that to the Chelsea residents.

  Regards  Ian.

To be honest, there are far too many of them down here in Surrey which are mainly used for the school run.

Colin
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tigertiger

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #23 on: October 26, 2010, 04:29:58 pm »

aircon no longer uses up so much juice.

We can all open the window, ok if the car is moving over 30 mph. And even then you get a sweaty clunge.

But if traffic is stationary, or you have to drive around in a suit, air con is pretty standard.

I remember the good old days, windows open, fan on full, and still as sweaty as a Turkish wrestler's jock strap. Next you will be decrying the benefits of the horseless carriage.

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Martin (Admin)

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Re: I am an air con thicko!
« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2010, 05:05:07 pm »


My car (Honda CRV)  is now 11 years old and the air con apparently works, so what happens when it needs recharging?  How would I know?  How long does a 'charge' last?


When you turn the AirCon to full cold and you find yourself still sweating...... but here in the UK, you may have to wait another 9 months to test this hypothesis!
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