http://www.aircondition.com/tech en-us http://www.aircondition.com/tech N/A actech@aircondition.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:00:06 CST 20 http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/13/How-Refrigerant-Flows-Through-the-System The following explanations that describe the flow of refrigerant were taken from the bulletin board. They were all good, and each describe the flow accurately with different emphasis. The original ... Chris Bede Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:57:52 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/15/What-is-Black-Death%3F Black Death The subject of system flushing would not be complete without discussing Black Death. Below you will find an interesting article which first appeared on the AC Source web site. This art... Chris Bede Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:06:48 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/18/What-is-Section-609-%28MVAC%29-Certification%3F Since 1993, all technicians performing automotive a/c service for consideration must certify to the U.S. EPA that they understand how to properly handle and recover refrigerant. According to t... Chris Bede Tue, 19 May 2009 15:29:31 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/19/What-are-the-Benifits-of-Leak-Testing-with-Nitrogen%3F We fond the answer to that question in an article which first appeared in the May/August 2001 edition of Cool Profit$ Magazine. This article was written by John Noble, and has been reprinted her... Chris Bede Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:17:46 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/20/The-First-Step-to-Successful-Refrigerant-Leak-Detection A complete visual examination is the first step in the leak detection process. Before you pick up that electronic leak detector, take a close look at the hoses, fittings, compressor and condense... Chris Bede Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:16:38 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/21/Automotive-Refrigerant-Leak-Sealers-FAQ This article courtesy Cool Profits Magazine This is an updated version of an article which first appeared in Cool Profits Magazine. It has been reprinted here with permission fro... Chris Bede Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:16:40 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/24/What-Does-it-Mean-to-Flush-the-A%7B47%7DC-System%3F Flushing must be performed when the system is contaminated or you suspect there is debris in the system from compressor failure. When a/c compressors fail, bad things can happen. The typical a/c com... Chris Bede Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:34:02 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/25/A%7B47%7DC-Flush-FAQ Question: When should the system be flushed? Answer: We believe if the a/c system is opened for service, it's a good time to flush. A clean system minimizes the chance ... Chris Bede Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:02:12 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/27/A-Word-about-Safety Automotive air conditioning service should only be performed by trained personnel.  Service technicians should always have the proper equipment and prior instruction to perform the... Chris Bede Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:52:48 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/31/Do-I-Really-Need-to-Change-my-Receiver-Drier%7B47%7DAccumulator%3F Desiccant is used to trap the moisture inside your A/C system. The receiver-drier and accumulator contains a bag of dessicant which is used to trap system damaging moisture. Moisture inside your a... Chris Bede Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:07:14 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/32/Can-You-Explain-the-Purpose-of-a-Receiver-Drier%3F The receiver-drier is found on systems that use a thermal expansion valve. This type of metering valve requires liquid refrigerant. Therefore, to ensure that the expansion valve gets plenty of liqu... Chris Bede Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:05:51 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/33/Will-I-Gain-by-Wrapping-my-Lines-and-Hoses-in-Foam%3F Many people think that you can improve performance by insulating cold refrigerant lines from engine heat. Some design engineers may even use insulation for this purpose.Hose insulation is primarily ... Chris Bede Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:42:31 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/34/What%26%2339%3Bs-the-Function-of-the-Evaporator%3F The evaporator provides several functions. Its primary duty is to remove heat from the inside of your vehicle. A secondary benefit is dehumidification. As warmer air travels through the aluminu... Chris Bede Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:16:41 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/39/Differences-between-R12-and-R134a One of the differences between R-134a and R-12 is the boiling points. Pure R-12 will boil at -22 degrees Fahrenheit while R-134a boils at -16 degrees Fahrenheit. If we hooked up a gauge to a bottle of... Chris Bede Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:30:59 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/38/Air-Powered-A%7B47%7DC-Vacuum-Pumps Question:  Can I use an air powered vacuum pump instead of the more expensive electric vacuum pump? What's the difference. The simple answer is yes, provided you have an air-compressor with enou... Chris Bede Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:24:16 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/49/Which-Oil-to-Use-with-R-134a%3F Question:  With so many oils available, which one should I use?  Is there a good universal oil? You should use the oil that matches the recommendation by the original manufacturer.  ... Chris Bede Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:57:20 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/50/Lost-Refrigerant-License I had an R12 license and lost it. How can I get a new one? It would really help if you knew who the original credentials came from. Looking at the EPA site, there are quite a few organizations th... Chris Bede Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:26:38 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/66/Pressure-Chart-Question---Readings-with-Compressor-On-or-Off Question:  I am chargeing my 1992 ford auto air conditioning.  Looking at the pressure chart it has ambient temp, low side p.s.i and high side p.s.i.  Is high side reading set with the ... Chris Bede Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:58:28 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/69/What-Oil-to-use-on-O-rings%3F When replacing A/C system O-rings, it's always recommended to lubricate all O-rings with clean 525 viscosity mineral oil.  Oil on the O-ring surface helps protect the O-ring d... Chris Bede Wed, 27 May 2009 10:50:27 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/80/Micron-Rating-of-a-Vacuum-Pump Question: What's the story with the Micron rating of a vacuum pump? I'm assuming that smaller is better, but what does it mean as far as practical application? I do my own AC on my car and have a 5CFM... Chris Bede Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:56:06 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/81/How-do-I-use-the-gauge-set-with-my-vacuum-pump%3F If your ready to vacuum an empty system, you begin by attaching the middle hose (yellow) to the vacuum pump port.  With both manifold valves turned off, attach the red hose to the high side servi... Chris Bede Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/82/Troubleshooting-with-Gauges-FAQ A visitor comes to us with questions about what might be wrong with the a/c in their car. It goes something like this. My air conditioning was working last week, and then it quit working. What do you ... Chris Bede Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:48:44 CST http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/87/What-is-Superheat%3F ACProf  was kind enough to explain the meaning of Superheat for us.  The following text originated from the A/C forum.  The original message and replies appear here.This question comes ... Chris Bede Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:38:38 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/90/A%7B47%7DC-System-Performance---Ideal-Vent-Temperature Question:  I have a very simple question that I could not find an answer to: What should the air temperature be (at a duct output) when the A/C is operating properly at its maximum setting?With... Chris Bede Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 CDT http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/94/A-Good-Electronic-Leak-Detector-Makes-All-the-Difference Electronic Leak Detection A good electronic leak detector is one of the best investments a shop can make.  I've tested quite a few over the last fifteen years, and I still think the heated d... Chris Bede Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:28:50 CDT