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Get ready for R-1234yf Te updated air conditioning refrigerant will require upgrades in training and equipment By Joy Kopcha
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s more automotive manufacturers transition to using R-1234yf refrigerant, the need to update technicians’ training and the equipment in your shop is imminent. Automakers are making the switch from R-134a to R-1234yf in order to meet growing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of air conditioning systems, and improve vehicle emissions standards. Te Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) says “automakers can receive emissions credits for using environmentally friendly refrigerants, meaning afermarket technicians will begin to see an increase in vehicles using R-1234yf. “Te number of vehicles using R-1234yf is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years as the refrigerant
replaces the current industry standard R134a.” As part of the switch, MACS, along with Robinair, a Bosch Automotive Service Solutions brand, is ofering a free test preparation webinar on Section 609 for the training and certifcation of 100 technicians. Te webinar is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on May 6, 2015, and will last about 90 minutes. Technicians can become Section 609 certifed to work on vehicles using the refrigerant when they take, turn in and pass the writen test provided. Technicians can register for the training at www.macsw.org.
Te other adjustment comes in updated equipment
The Robinair AC 1234-6 ACS features a large, colorful graphic display screen and an on-board printer capable of printing vehicle service reports to give to customers.
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The Mahle ArcticPro ACX1280 won the ‘best use of technology’ award and stood out from the MACS competition with its optional internal or external refrigerant identifer.
Robinair’s AC1234-6 ACS machine recovers, recycles and recharges air conditioning systems that use the new R-1234yf refrigerant. Robinair says its machine is fully automatic and comes with an integrated refrigerant identifer that samples the coolant before it’s recovered. It identifes leaks, charges within a half-ounce and shows how much oil was removed from the system during service. The AC1234-6 automatically checks for air accumulating in the tank and reflls the tank as needed and meets all the requirements of SAE J2843. Mahle Service Solutions, a division of Mahle Afermarket Inc., ofers the ArcticPro equipment line, which it says is approved and recommended by several vehicle manufacturers. Diferent models ofer the choice of an integrated or external refrigerant identifer. Te ArcticPro features a self-test function and quick service vacuum
pumps to fll and drain oil. Te machine also has the capability to set up a customized database. Te ArcticPro complies with the SAE J2843, and at the 2015 MACS Worldwide Trade Show, it was named the “best use of technology” by a panel of automotive media members. Protecting the new R-1234yf refrigerant from contaminants is the priority for products from AirSept Inc. In marketing those products, Frank Walker points to the higher cost of the new coolant compared to its predecessor, R-134a, saying it can cost up to 30 times more, and thus protecting every drop is critical. Te AirSept refrigerant canister flter helps service providers protect their supplies. Te flter fts between the refrigerant tank and fll hose that connects to the machine. It traps debris as it fows out of the cylinder and stops it from contaminating a shop’s existing tanks and equipment. It works with R-1234yf, as well as other refrigerants and is available with half-inch ACME or quarter-inch
MTD April 2015
