AC tools

[Just a Six?]

Dave I have the 12-134 quick connect/disconnect here brand new in the package.
A six pack will cover it. 

[daveismissing]

134A uses larger, quick release fittings on both low and high pressure sides.   The original R12 fittings on our cars are smaller and screw on.  You can buy adapters that screw on the original fittings that are quick connect to match your R134A gauge hose ends. 

Do you lose the charge when you change those connectors?

One of my cars had been converted before I bought it and had a 134A adapter on the low side and had been left R12 on the high side.......was gender confused, I guess

I think this is what I have too. Must be common~ish

[Steve Wood]

no...they have a schraeder valve built into them...

Unless my memory is even worse than I know

[daveismissing]

Is the schraeder really below the threads on the bottom of the quick connect nipple?

[Steve Wood]

I believe they have a button that depresses the original valve while containing a new valve in the top....might be wrong

[Steve Wood]

I think I am wrong.  I think the last set I did was when I replaced the evaporator on one of my cars and the system was empty.  I unscrewed the valve and then installed the adapter...I think...better ask someone else

[Just a Six?]

Mine look like a screw on & they are permanent I think but been a year since I read the package? It says for 12-134 conversion with quick connect?? Looks like an experiment is in order! 
 
Maybe I should grab them from the shop & read the directions again!! 

[daveismissing]

Reluctant to go to far without the high side measured but at least I've bumped it up past the 24lbs where it was cycling and not too cool at all.

Tables suggest at these temps 40lbs is not unreasonable? I'm a bit chicken to go that far.

 

[ULYCYC]

How much R134a did you put in the system? 

[Steve Wood]

and are we talking about a Buick, or another car?

[daveismissing]

This is the Buick. Guessing I added 3-4oz.
The F150 is still just a big pile of rockauto packages.

[ULYCYC]

Not sure how you are measuring but 3-4 oz is not enough. Our systems hold around 3.25 lbs of R12.  Usually 3 1lb cans of R12 would work fine. R134A will be 20% less on a fill.  I would add 3 1lb cans of R134a and purge out some from the high side. This will allow some of the moisture/air to escape.

[Charlief1]

Not sure how you are measuring but 3-4 oz is not enough. Our systems hold around 3.25 lbs of R12.  Usually 3 1lb cans of R12 would work fine. R134A will be 20% less on a fill.  I would add 3 1lb cans of R134a and purge out some from the high side. This will allow some of the moisture/air to escape.

Cans of R-134 here are 12 OZ so it will need 4 12 OZ cans. In other words, I'm agreeing with Ed here.

[Steve Wood]

On an empty system, our cars hold 3.25 lbs of freon R12 which is 52 ozs (4.33 small 12 oz cans)

134A normally takes 80-85% of the R12 amount which, on an empty system again, would be ~3.5 of the small 12 oz cans.

I would think your gauges had a temp range "greened" off on the low side...if the compressor is not cycling, and it is in the green...call it good.  Pay more attention to the gauge than the "not cycling"  It is not unusual for one to cycle at idle but not when the rpm comes up a bit. 

[ULYCYC]

Unless you are adding the freon in a perfect vacuumed system usually you can't get 3.5 cans of R134a in without standing on your head doing tricks.  With 3 cans and shy of the required amount I always found I get lower duct temps and high side readings.  I've seen duct temps 40* and below doing this.
I like to use the gauges for checking problems, vacuum drops, head pressure but adding freon I rely on lbs and oz's the system requires.