Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

bohica2xo wrote:If you go with a vintage can, a side tap is a good investment.

bohica - I've thought about getting/using a side can tap, I have separate top tap units for R-12 and for R134a. Exactly why do you like that type better? thanks.

Cusser:

After years of fumbling & leaks with the old R12 pierce valves I bought a side tap. I had a can of R12 turn in to a rocket when the tap let go of the top rim as I was piercing it - that was the final straw.

1) No pierce & retract for flow - the pierce needle stays swaged in the hole as long as the tap is installed. Not a great seal, but it fully supports the secondary rubber seal against the can.

2) It fits everything. I have had a 134a can with threads so bad the valve would not even screw on it. Side tap no problem. It can't fly off - it wraps around the can. Want to access other aerosols at high volume? No problem. Got an old 4 ounce can of oil & dye? done.

3) You can pierce at the lowest point on the can, where the rim supports it. Then you can set the can on a flat surface & draw liquid. By drawing liquid you solve the freezing can issues. Throttle the service valve if you want gas, the manifold gets cold - but the can stays at full pressure.

One of the reasons I recommended it to the M-B owner is 30 year old cans. The can OD is the same, and the side tap will fit. I can't promise that there is a compatible top tap in his tool box.

And you can use the oil chrages if needed.

http://www.ackits.com/service-tools-and ... e-on-24232

Both those fittings look like they're for R134a hoses.

Is that what I'm seeing, or is it for both R134a and R12?

Should be both threads - can't see why they would offer two of the same thread on one unit.

This one has both for sure

http://www.ackits.com/85530-3-in-1-side ... dard-31770

Tim wrote:And you can use the oil chrages if needed.

http://www.ackits.com/service-tools-and ... e-on-24232

The first one (above) sure looks like both R-12 and R134a to me !!!.

R12 & R134a.

I'll be honest here.

You need to do something about your shipping costs.

$16 to ship to California is WAY HIGH.

emsvitil wrote:I'll be honest here.

You need to do something about your shipping costs.

$16 to ship to California is WAY HIGH.

Call UPS. Its thier rate.