Community Forums

rmeusborn · 07-04-2014, 06:12 AM

Our kids have a 30 year old Coleman rooftop AC that appears to be out of refrigerant. We want to try adding refrigerant, but don’t know what kind to use. Has anyone had success recharging with R134A?

PyrateSilly · 07-04-2014, 07:20 AM

You can NOT mix that stuff. If you are not sure what it takes have a professional look at it. If it's the "older" stuff then only a professional who has the training and the certificates to back it up can order and use it.

TQ60 · 07-04-2014, 08:02 AM

If 30 years old it is gone...

Check caps and controls but if compressor bad then replace unit.

jesilvas · 07-04-2014, 02:48 PM

No system should ever leak, so if it did leak, recharging is not the way to go. The leak has to be fixed professionally first, then recharged after being evacuated, and they probably don't have the old refrigerant left anyway.

They are sealed systems to begin with.

Pexring · 07-05-2014, 12:11 AM

Probably used R12 refrigerant, which if you could find any would definitely be a spendy fix. The ACs life cycle ended 10+years ago. Time for something new.

jablair · 07-05-2014, 01:06 AM

Like others have said - Replace It. I have had A/C men and RV techs tell me more than once that a recharge is a waste of money. It will simply fail again within a year and the recharge is not cheap.

rmeusborn · 07-05-2014, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmeusborn

Our kids have a 30 year old Coleman rooftop AC that appears to be out of refrigerant. We want to try adding refrigerant, but don’t know what kind to use. Has anyone had success recharging with R134A?

This system has a bolt-on aftermarket charging port that has no cap and appears to be unusable. If we can find a replacement port, gauge set, and vacuum pump, we (just out of curiosity) plan to try recharging it with R134a before we throw it away. We had good success switching the R12 system to R134a in our 1993 Ford E350.

Thanks, all, for all your good responses. Keep them coming...

TQ60 · 07-05-2014, 04:40 PM

The oil is not compatable with 134 and 12.

Is it low or locked compressor?

If it is low then it has a leak since they are a closed system there are no seals to fail.

You may find someone to add a port and charge it but you will be in it more than it is worth.

Search craigslist for used ones.

We had one fail of the pair and found a guy that had a pair of 7 year old units for a song.

They needed larger ones per dessert heat.

We have old ones for sale as set due to control system...you may be able to find wrecked rv or used unit just use craigslist and widen the area.