Refrigeration & AC
I see that one can get certified on line (relatively cheaply) for EPA 609
certification. This allows one to buy the freon for air conditioning and
refrigeration uses. And, the gauges are not that expensive. Has anyone
done their own refirgeration or AC recharge? The manuals outline the
procedure in detail so I am wondering just how difficult it could be.
--
Joe Berini
Fairwinds
1972 GB 36 Classic Woodie
Yes, I do. It's pretty simple to just add Freon (or the subs). Now if you
have to empty the system you need more skills, training and equipment like a
vacuum pump.
-----Original Message-----
I see that one can get certified on line (relatively cheaply) for EPA 609
certification. This allows one to buy the freon for air conditioning and
refrigeration uses. And, the gauges are not that expensive. Has anyone
done their own refirgeration or AC recharge? The manuals outline the
procedure in detail so I am wondering just how difficult it could be.
--
Joe Berini
Fairwinds
1972 GB 36 Classic Woodie
Joe:
In my teenage years (a long, long time ago) my Dad, an HVAC contractor, kept
a large R22 container for filling the house system and we bought cans of R12
at the autoparts store for the auto system. In those days compressor seals
leaked and it was a spring rite to add a can of R12 to the auto A./C. We had
a vacuum pump and all of the hoses and guages to go with it. The process of
adding freon to an HVAC system wasn't diffficult.
But!!!!!
You say certification is easy. I am surprised.
But even if you are certified, you can't just pop a can of R12 in your
system like in the olden days. You have remove the R12, store it, find the
leak, fix it and recharge the R12. The equipment to do this is expensive.
Yes you could just get certified (cheaply???) and violate the law and your
license and just pop in a can of R12. Most boat refrigeration systems are
now R134A, but the principle is the same. There are R134A fill kits
available that are very easy to use, but they only work if there is a
service port on the system.
Hermetically sealed boat refrigeration systems (almost all of them now) are
more difficult. You have to go through the whole process of removing the
refrigeration, cutting and soldering a service port and then evacuating and
refilling.
Is it worth it?
David
David:
I just did the online certification for R22 and it cost $25. I am sure
the R12 certifications is similarly priced. I got mine a long time ago.
Assuming you check for and fix any leaks, how is adding freon to a
system a violation of the law?
Frank Burrows 79 43' Viking Piney Narrows Chesapeake Bay
On 3/25/2010 12:08 PM, David Marchand wrote:
Yes you could just get certified (cheaply???) and violate the law and
your license and just pop in a can of R12. Most boat refrigeration
systems are now R134A, but the principle is the same. There are R134A
fill kits available that are very easy to use, but they only work if
there is a service port on the system.
On 3/25/2010 8:36 PM, Frank Burrows wrote:
David:
I just did the online certification for R22 and it cost $25. I am sure
the R12 certifications is similarly priced. I got mine a long time ago.
Assuming you check for and fix any leaks, how is adding freon to a
system a violation of the law?
Frank Burrows 79 43' Viking Piney Narrows Chesapeake Bay
It's not.
The problem comes when you "top off", which has been contrary to EPA
regs for several years. I did the certification when I was operating the
business, did the employees, bought the reclaimer, took the reclaimed
cylinders back (you have to pay for that) and the whole deal. I never,
ever met anyone who was busted, nor had any of my colleagues, so I feel
it's fairly safe to say enforcement is nonexistant. Never saw the
refrigerant police. Wouldn't have a clue who to call if I had need to
report a perpetrator of such heinous crimes. I was more concerned with
practical matters- like getting paid for the job. <G>
steve
Sorry to be late to the party here:
David Marchand wrote:
You say certification is easy. I am surprised.
But even if you are certified, you can't just pop a can of R12 in your
system like in the olden days. You have remove the R12, store it, find
the leak, fix it and recharge the R12. The equipment to do this is
expensive.
Actually, this is a myth. I just went through all the regs, because I
just happen to have about 3 lbs of R-12 (in a 30-lb disposable cylinder)
that I am trying to sell (it's on Craigs List, south SF bay, CA).
DIY (do it yourselfers) are not subject to the same stringent
requirements as professionals. There is no requirement, for example,
that you actually find and fix leaks, although one could argue that not
doing so is foolish, given today's refrigerant prices. Also, while
professionals must use certified equipment, for example for recovery,
DIYers can use homemade equipment. About the only requirement for DIY
is that you not deliberately vent any refrigerant to atmosphere.
It is also a myth that you need to be 609 certified to work on your own
system. You do not. However, you MUST be 609 certified to purchase ANY
refrigerant, whether that's from a dealer or from little old me on
Craigs List.
And, yes, becoming 609 certified is easy and available to anyone, not
just shops. Several web sites will sell you the course.
HTH,