By Frank Scandura Owner, Frank’s Mercedes Service In case you haven’t heard, there is a new refrigerant coming called R-1234yf. The claims are it’s a much lower greenhouse gas than R-134a. As a shop owner who’s trying to stay ahead of the curve, I need to know what service equipment is needed, when it is needed and what it will cost. The problem is no one is ready to answer those questions. It would appear the studies and design criteria are not done, yet some vehicle manufacturers are planning to start using R-1234yf as early as later this year. One of the issues my ­research has brought up is the fact that R-1234yf is slightly flammable and the service equipment must be non-arcing for obvious reasons. I would suspect we are going to handle it a little differently in the shop. Of course, we can expect new and unique fittings and couplers to attach to the vehicles. There also seems to be some disagreement over who will produce R-1234yf, so I would expect it to be expensive when it’s time to purchase it.

By now, I hope you’ve ­upgraded your A/C Recover, ­Recycle, Recharge equipment to the new SAE J2788 standard. This standard allows for plus or minus 1 ounce recovery accuracy and ½ ounce charge accuracy, along with 95% ­recovery efficiency, and there are also purity requirements. This is important as more cars are coming in with low factory fills. A few years ago, if a vehicle came in and was not blowing cold, and it was a two- or three-pound system, you could recharge it pretty close and still have good cooling ­efficiency. Today, it’s not uncommon to see cars with less than a pound of refrigerant from the factory and when you use an older A/C machine, you could over- or under-charge the system enough to cause cooling problems. A 10% or 15% under-charge on a 15-ounce system could mean poor cooling efficiency. So you can see where knowing you’re within a 1/2 ounce is important. Hybrid Considerations Never, ever use conventional A/C equipment to service a hybrid system with an electric A/C compressor.

These compressors run on a high-voltage, three-phase electric motor and the refrigerant oil in the lines, hoses or your recovery equipment could contaminate the car you’re working on and cause a compressor failure, or worse. Toyota and Honda also warn that if the wrong oil is introduced into and circulated through the system, all of the main A/C parts (such as the evaporator, condenser, receiver/drier and compressor) must be replaced. There are a number of cars on the road today with idle-stop technology that may be using a high-voltage compressor.ac window unit vs central air There are A/C Recover, Recycle, Recharge machines today designed to clear the hoses, valves and switches of oil so they can be used on both systems, so get educated on what’s available before making a purchase. ac ground power unitBe sure to check with the vehicle manufacturer and use the correct A/C oil in any repair.10 ton ac package unit

And, do not attempt any high-voltage repairs without being properly trained and/or without using the correct safety gear. If you’re looking to add machines for A/C work, don’t purchase any that are not J2788 compliant. So keep watch for the new refrigerant and get ready to service these new systems, but with the proper training and equipment to do the job correctly and safely. Frank Scandura is owner of Frank’s Mercedes Service with locations in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. The 33-year industry veteran boasts the shop’s Golden Wrench Service Commitment – providing customers with the safest and most reliable auto maintenance and repair services possible. His shop specializes in M-B, BMW, Jaguar, Audi and VW, with an emphasis on driveability. 2016 NARSA Heat Transfer And Mobile A/C Pavilion At AAPEX Expands With 2 Sections Sign Up For The Car Care Council’s e-brief The Alliance Announces Newly Selected Service Center Advisory Council Members; Council Attends Annual Retreat

Fastest, Smallest, Lightest, Best looking and Most reliable heavy duty recovery machine in the world. Revolutionary "vacuum pump" style design. Designed and Manufactured in the USA REFRIGERANT USAGE CHART FOR RECOVERY MACHINESRefrigerant Usage Compressor Type:  2 Cylinder Oil-less Reciprocating Compressor Dimensions:  6” x 12” x 9” (15 cm x 30 cm x 23 cm) Operating Temperature Range:  0˚C (32˚F) to 49˚C (120˚F) Power Source:  115V 60 Hz Power Consumption:  1000 W Filtration:  Cleanable 100 - mesh screen integrated into Suction Port Overload Protection:  European model only High Pressure Shut-Off:  550 psig (Auto Reset) ARI740 Class III - R-12, R-134a, R-401C, R-406A, R-500, R-1234yf/ze ARI740 Class IV - R-22, R-401A/B, R-402B, R-407C/D/E/F, R408A, R-409A, R-411A/B, R-412A, R-502, R-509A ARI740 Class V - R-32, R-402A, R-404A, R-407A/B, R-410A/B, R-507A Agency Approvals:  UL, CE, CSA, TUV

• Maintenance free oil-less compressor design • Aesthetically unique industrial type styling • Precision machined from aluminum and steel components • Permanently lubricated and sealed main bearings • Improved piston seal design for less leakage and deeper vacuums • 550 psig high pressure cutoff switch with LED indicator • Cleanable 100 mesh inlet filter • Weighs less than 25 lbs. • Fastest recovery rates in its class • Patent pending cooling system design improves compressor longevity • Patent pending suction and discharge valve design for faster recovery • Patent pending crankshaft design for improved reliability • Patent pending head design for superior performance This CPS product replaces the following Competitor Tools: The effects of high ambient temperatures and elevated tank pressures on the recovery process are well known. As the temperature / pressure of the recovery cylinder increases, the speed of the recovery process decreases until it is finally halted by a high pressure shut down.

The Pro-Set® MT69 Molecular Transformator provides valuable assistance in the transformation of high temperature / pressure vapor refrigerant into low temperature / pressure liquid refrigerant, dramatically improving recovery speed and efficiency. The Molecular Transformator is a patent pending "Innovation in Design™" from CPS, intended for use with all commercially available brands of refrigerant recovery equipment. It is extremely easy to use, saves time and money and provides the missing link in high ambient performance that exists in all commercially available recovery machines on the market today. Dimensions: 4" D x 12" H Heat Sink Temperature: 100° F Maximum Operation Pressure: 500 PSIG Discharge Pressure Gauge: 0 to 600 PSIG Inlet / Outlet: 1/4" SAE Male PRO-SET ® Oil-Less Refrigerant Recovery Machine • Fastest overall ARI certified recovery rates in its class • Powerful 1HP oil-less reciprocating recovery compressor • Exceptional compressor, condensing & cooling systems allow fast recovery in high temperature environments

• Automatic Low Pressure shut-off feature turns unit off when recovery is completed • Rugged high density double walled plastic housing with easy view top mounted controls • R-410A ready with 550psi high pressure shut-off switch • Ergonomic well balanced design for easy transport including shoulder strap - weighs 36 lbs/16.2kg • Built-in suction filter located under suction port • Worldwide patents pending • Compact modular design with easy access 4 bolt latching system • Complete compressor rebuilt in minutes • Externally serviceable valves and gauges • Integrated component moorings for quiet operation • Fewer components equals more reliability • Oversized piston head & cylinder combined with a larger discharge port • No suction valve eliminates failures caused by liquid slugs • Heavy duty components with special long-lasting composite seals PRO-SET ®Oil-Filled Refrigerant 230V, BAR/kPa Recovery Machine

ALL PRO-SET® MACHINES HAVE: • On the fly self-clearing valve (except CR300) • Integrated manifold block system • Indestructible high-density polyethylene case • Comfortable integrated carrying handle • Worldwide approvals CSA/CE/TUV-GS • UL certified to meet or exceed EPA regulations per ARI standard 740-95 • Residential A/C, Commercial • 1/3 HP Oil-less • 230 VAC 50-60hz no description available at this time TRA21 complete with 30 LB DOT recovery tank and over flow protection & R134a manifold set Compressor Type:2 Cylinder Oil-less Reciprocating Compressor. SAEJ2810 APPROVED comes with oil seperator and 17 cubic filter Operating Temperature Range:0˚C (32˚F) to 49˚C (120˚F) Power Source: 115 V 50/60 Hz Power Consumption: 850 W Filtration: Cleanable 100 - mesh screen integrated into Suction Port Overload Protection: Motor Thermally Protected Permanently lubricated and sealed main bearings