R12 refrigerant

[William F.]

What are current sources for genuine R12 refrigerant for mid year factory AC?
Thanks

[Tom P.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

ANY auto parts store should have it, or can get it from their warehouse the same day or at least by the next day.
In MOST states, you now have to have a license to purchase R12 (I got mine 25+yrs ago). It should be readily available in 12oz cans or 30lb bottles.

[Larry M.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

To legally purchase R12 refrigerant, you need a MVAC #609 license. These can be obtained on-line for about $30 and 1-2 hours study/testing. Or know a good friend with a #609 license

Cost is about $20 a pound retail in the 30 lb cylinders ($600). If you watch e-bay and find a reputable seller(you need to be sure of your seller when buying cylinders), you might be able to buy for $10 a pound + shipping. The $10 price is from actual auctions, so it is valid.

Cost for cans is higher. They are available on E-bay all day long at around $25-30 per can (12-14 oz). Again, if you wait for a deal you may get for $20 per can + shipping.

System capacity is about 3 lbs R12.

Sellers will ask for your #609 certificate, or you must sign a waiver that you are buying to sell to a person qualified under #609 or #608 (home/residential/commercial).

Larry

[Michael D.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

Automotive AC shops still have R12.

[John M.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

Automotive AC shops still have R12.

I expect to be able to get it for a very long time, at slowly but steadily escalating cost.

[Larry M.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

I expect to be able to get it for a very long time, at slowly but steadily escalating cost.

John:

The costs MAY escalate/increase in the future, but the amount of R12 supply available in the USA continues to increase as big commercial and industrial users replace their older R12 equipment and switch to other refrigerants. The R12 in these systems is recovered and reclaimed for sale to folks like us.

Larry

[John M.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

The costs MAY escalate/increase in the future, but the amount of R12 supply available in the USA continues to increase as big commercial and industrial users replace their older R12 equipment and switch to other refrigerants. The R12 in these systems is recovered and reclaimed for sale to folks like us.

Larry,

That's a good point and, of course, a classic unintended effect.

[Tim S.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

To legally purchase R12 refrigerant, you need a MVAC #609 license. These can be obtained on-line for about $30 and 1-2 hours study/testing. Or know a good friend with a #609 license

Cost is about $20 a pound retail in the 30 lb cylinders ($600). If you watch e-bay and find a reputable seller(you need to be sure of your seller when buying cylinders), you might be able to buy for $10 a pound + shipping. The $10 price is from actual auctions, so it is valid.

Cost for cans is higher. They are available on E-bay all day long at around $25-30 per can (12-14 oz). Again, if you wait for a deal you may get for $20 per can + shipping.

System capacity is about 3 lbs R12.

Sellers will ask for your #609 certificate, or you must sign a waiver that you are buying to sell to a person qualified under #609 or #608 (home/residential/commercial).

Larry

Larry,

That does not apply in all states. In Wisconsin, you need your own personal training certificate (state certified class), a certificate from the Dept. of Agriculture(verifys you or your shop has the proper equipment for evacuation and containment) as well as sign a waiver. As I understand it, Wisconsin and California are the toughest.

Tim

[Peter M.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

I got it a my local NAPA store this past spring, but it cost me $40 a can. OEM C4 systems need about 3 cans to properly charge. At these prices you really need to make sure you don't have any leaks before you recharge.

[Clem Z.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

a friend bought 4000 1# cans for less than a $1.00 can before the govt stepped in. i have not seen him lately but i heard he moved to hawaii.

[Michael F.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

how long are the 609 license' good for...life...renew after year etc.??

[Larry M.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

how long are the 609 license' good for...life...renew after year etc.??

Life......or until new/additional government regulations.

Larry

[Bryan L.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

I see the 1# cans for sale all the time on Craigslist around here. The prices range from $15-25 a can.

[Michael A.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

To legally purchase R12 refrigerant, you need a MVAC #609 license. These can be obtained on-line for about $30 and 1-2 hours study/testing.

Larry

Just got my MVAC #609 license @ http://www.epatest.com for $19.95. It took about an hour to read the material and take the test.

[Paul J.]

Re: R12 refrigerant

Just got my MVAC #609 license @ http://www.epatest.com for $19.95. It took about an hour to read the material and take the test.

I almost did that, I thought it would be nice to have. But then I realized that I have'nt done any R-12 work in years and it will be several years before I do any more. That and the fact that in the literature EPA states that there are new regulations pending caused me to wait until I get closer to working on them again. I'd hate to get the certificate and have it not be valid when I need it.