Tech Tip: The importance of refrigerant identification

April 6, 2015
The availability of contaminated and/or counterfeit refrigerants is a growing and is potentially a dangerous problem in the marketplace.

The availability of contaminated and/or counterfeit refrigerants is a growing and is potentially a dangerous problem in the marketplace. Counterfeit R-134a, containing various amounts of R-40 (Methyl Chloride or Chloromethane), has been found in mobile air conditioners, stationary air conditioning and transport refrigeration systems in many countries. When placed in contact with aluminum, R-40 forms compounds that can be extremely dangerous. For your personal safety and to avoid serious injury, special care must be taken when accessing the service ports to sample or work on systems that are not functioning properly or have been serviced by others.  MAHLE Service Solutions offers a series of Refrigerant Identifier Systems for R-134a and R-1234yf refrigerants.

The ID1000 Pro works with the ACF1180 Series of A/C equipment for R-134a refrigerant. It will identify EPA SNAP-approved blend refrigerants. The ID1000 Pro will also alert you to percentages of R-12, R-134a, R-22 and hydrocarbons like propane, butane and air. This unit contains a self-calibrating system that ensures at least 98 percent accuracy.

The ACS1280 Series of A/C equipment specializes in servicing R-1234yf refrigerant. These units meet the new standards of mandatory refrigerant verification by utilizing either an internal or external identifier device similar to the ID1000 Pro.

MAHLE Service Solutions offers the RRR A/C units and identifiers to quickly determine refrigerant purity. Ensuring you are working with a vehicle with uncontaminated refrigerant will help preserve your refrigerant recycling machine, the refrigerant stored in your machine as well as your safety.

Information provided by MAHLE Service Solutions. 

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