Is my compressor usable/sellable/junkable?

[patssle]

Pulled this off my engine today along with the other A/C components that were disconnected/destroyed.

I tried Googling the labels I found on it, but no results.

Is this thing worth anything, will it even still work (is it R-12?), is it worth selling, or should I just junk it? I have no idea if it works. It had a belt on it and it spins!

[Scott R]

That's a Sanden 508, nice compressor, R134 btw. Are there any other pieces of the system that you can post? Forgot to add that it's probably very usable, give the clutch 12V and see if it works, it probably does those are good little units.

[patssle]

Oooh, if its R134 I take back everything I said, I will keep it. I was under the impression from the PO that it was R-12.

Had to throw the condensor out though, it was banged up and had its lines crimped.

[Scott R]

It can use either r12 or 134, I just figured it was 134. But who knows what you PO did...

[Bob Kontak]

For what it's worth, you can still buy R-12 on Ebay as long as you send/fax a form to the seller stating you will resell the R12.

R-12 Refrigerant 14 oz can Case of 12 - eBay (item 260753819177 end time Apr-16-11 09:38:43 PDT)

I think there are pretty decent R12 replica refrigerants out there so may not even be a point of interest any more.

Oh, you want more factoids? - The atomic half life of R12 (I think the freon) is close to 100 years. If you find some in an old garage it may real tired.

[patssle]

When you say it can use both, is it interchangeable...or do you need the conversion kit?

Is there a way to tell which one it's currently setup for?

[Bob Kontak]

Yes - you need the conversion kit. I run R12 in my Sanden. To switch to R 134 I have to go through the purging process and get the R134 valves.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by patssle

When you say it can use both, is it interchangeable...or do you need the conversion kit?

Is there a way to tell which one it's currently setup for?

I suspect your's is R12 but I can post pics of my unit in the morning. Also see this link from EBay showing the fitting sizes. EDIT - The R12 valve is the one on the left in the link below.

R134a to R12 & R-12 to R-134a Brass Fitting Adapter Set - eBay (item 350446696356 end time Mar-18-11 09:25:25 PDT)

[patssle]

Ah, so the fitting sizes will dictate if it takes R12 or R134. I will check this evening.

Little disappointed, I was hoping for it to be R134. Those conversion kits such as the one on PP are expensive!

[Bob Kontak]

Here is the side of my compressor with the R12 set.

The ebay adapter set is $4.95. Do some searching. There is more to it than just switching adapters.

up.

[Ken911]

Make sure you change the oil though. r-12 uses mineral oil and r-134 uses ester oil.