$10 Core charge per can of R134???
 

So I am working in the kids Passat, A/C charge was low so I figure I'll stop by wally world and pick a few cans of R134. Back in the day I think I remember this stuff being $4 a can, today $14, OK, so be it, pick up 3 1lb cans head to the check out, that will be $78, what the .....? $10 core charge per 1lb can, is this a CA thing or is everyone dealing with this?

Eric

That's one of the oddest things I've read in a long time.

I am thinking revenue generation.

Eric

Well it's not a Colorado thing for sure, just bought some cans for $8 on sale recently.

Am so glad that I use ES-12...

ES12 is superior. I use that in the Silverado that was shipped with R12 I see 37 degree temps - around the 80's I'm still barely 40 degrees.

It actually stings my skin after leaving the AC on for a few minutes and driving around.......

What is it, like $6 a can?

rjp

Arizona is one of 18 states that has banned the use of flammable refrigerants, which includes ES12 however. Oddly enough California has not.

Had this list bookmarked due to a person I know having an issue with an insurance claim in Texas. While his car fire was not caused by his AC system, they are denying his claim due to his using a flammable refrigerant. So be careful where you use hydrocarbon replacements.

So what, they want a core charge for a steel canister?

So does wally world refund the core charge when you bring them the empty can ?

big lots 8 bucks a can

It's not so much a core charge as a way to get back any unused refrigerant.

Regulation for Small Containers of Automotive Refrigerant

No problem taking the empty back for the core, just like a battery. One other little detail you have 90 days from date of purchase or you donate you $10 to the state. As for getting back a partially filled can, not going to happen, the valve that gets screwed on the can pierces the can to let the stuff out, so if you don't want to donate you valve to the state they are getting a empty ventilated can back. So I am back to thinking purely revenue generation here.

Eric

It will prevent everyone from stockpiling it when it gets banned.

You want me to buy you a case out here and ups it to ya? No BS like that here!

Thanks for the offer, already have some on the way from a friend.

Eric

Still using R-12, I have a bunch of 14oz cans, and the wife of a friend who recently passed away is getting ready to clear out the garage.....there's a 30# cylinder of R-12 just waiting to go to a new home. :D

We shall see how good the Dupont/Honeywell lobby really is. Just wait until you need to buy HFO1234YF for the shop! BTW, it's flammable, and is already mandated in the EU.

As far as using 134a in place of R-12 these days, it doesn't matter much if you know what you are doing. 134a will ice up an evaporator just the same as R-12, and a good a/c guy can make any system blow popsicles. When the compressor cycles off and the vent temps are 29 degrees, that's as cold as the system is ever going to get no matter what refrigerant you have.

The problem with 134a in originally designed R-12 vehicles is higher head pressures, thus higher low pressures and higher vent temps when comparing the two refrigerants. Traffic lights are not your friend with 134a. One thing to combat that is to get a better condenser, say a parallel flow micro tube condenser, another is a better fan for it. Tube and fin condensers are now inferior, but they can still be cleaned, unlike the aforementioned condenser. Not the outside, but rather I mean you will have to replace it when catastrophic failure occurs, as you can not clean the inside of the new style condensers.

Anyway, I did not see Maxifrig on Scott's list, and I know it's flammable, and I know they advertise to shops in Texas at $79 per 30lbs. A few I have talked with say it's awesome, they love it. Never played with it myself.

Prices on refrigerant? It's BS, but then again, demand is high and will remain high until it gets to a point where fixing the system correctly so it doesn't leak, happens. Basically the DIY'er who blows 3 cans into a 2 lb system, like the OP, without fixing the leak suddenly gets priced or legislated out of trying anymore. That is complete BS, but mobile AC now days is not was it once was, and I confront shops whether they have technicians or parts re-placers all the time. It isn't looking pretty for the shade tree a/c mechanic anymore. You better know your stuff or you'll get bit hard. FYI, 134a cans are typically 12oz, 16oz equals a pound when dealing with a/c.

$10 a can? $50 a can? Who cares about that. I want to hear about that insurance claim that was denied. Now that's expensive!!

I haven't spoken to this guy in a bit but it was a 93 Suburban and this whole issue started when the adjuster found the conversion sticker that my friend had installed under the hood.

Seems they were looking for anything to use to remove liability.

Better not to put the sticker until you sell it :)