Recharging your own air con?

[Pan mixer]

Having had a sweaty day in my tractor and watched some of the American Farmers just doing the recharge their selves I was wondering if we could do it, how to do it and how expensive.

It costs me about £200 to have someone come and do it every couple of years for 3 vehicles 2 of which need another go now I find..

 

[Kevtherev]

@neilo

 

[neilo]

Halfords do a recharging kit, with the gas canisters being on a deposit scheme.

It’s not hard to do, so long as it’s only the gas that needs topping up. If there is a problem, like a leak somewhere, then you will just be pee’ing money up the wall by squirting more gas in of course.

I wouldn’t have that £200 every couple of years for 3 vehicles was out of the way tbh.

 

[KB6930]

I'd be asking why they need done as often?

Unless there's a leak they shouldn't need recharging.
Our oldest tractor with AC is a yr 2000 and has never been touched

 

[Pan mixer]

I'd be asking why they need done as often?

Unless there's a leak they shouldn't need recharging.
Our oldest tractor with AC is a yr 2000 and has never been touched

My 1985 model and my 1991 model are a little more mature, some parts have been replaced but no obvious leaks according to the experts.

 

[KB6930]

Do you run them up regularly? Older stuff used to need the compressor ran up to lube the seals or they dry out and leak

 

[Pan mixer]

Do you run them up regularly? Older stuff used to need the compressor ran up to lube the seals or they dry out and leak

I think that might be the problem but when I am feeding the cattle and the weather is cold enough to seriously concern a brass monkey the last thing I think of is turning on the air con.

 

[KB6930]

Just a couple of minutes here and there will be enough

 

[Hilly]

I use air con in winter as a
De mister to give it a
Run helps
It .

 

[kiwi pom]

I think that might be the problem but when I am feeding the cattle and the weather is cold enough to seriously concern a brass monkey the last thing I think of is turning on the air con.

I use AC all the time in winter to demist the windows, you don't have to have the temp set to cold.
If its completely discharged in two years you have a leak and need new "experts".
AC seems to be something a lot of workshops avoid, even some main dealers use outside companies to do the work for them. Don't really know why they're so scared of it though.

 

[kiwi pom]

I'm told over charging is as bad as it running low so be careful if you're doing your own.

 

[feilding]

Heaters work better with air-conditioning on all year round, just adjust temperature, and never stop engine with aircon on, or try to start engine with aircon on.

 

[scottrac]

Be careful doing it yourself,like already said you dont know how much to put in,the system has sensors and switches that could be at fault rather than just low on gas,also it wont come on if it is below a certain level but might not be empty,

 

[Acke]

My JD4955 from-92 is never touched.

 

[Hesston4860s]

I used to do my own but now can’t get the gas as everywhere says you need an Fgas certificate to buy it.
I’ve just checked on .gov again and you still don’t need an Fgas certificate if you’re only doing your own or working on mobile air conditioning.

£200 for doing 3 machines isn’t to bad I’d say, I had my 4755 charged several years ago and it was over that then !.., which is why I started doing my own.

 

[Flat 10]

My 1985 model and my 1991 model are a little more mature, some parts have been replaced but no obvious leaks according to the experts.

But you are running them on modern gas, so it will never last properly? Or am I wrong?

 

[JeremyD]

I had a sealant added to our John Deere 6410 as kept leaking and needed recharging every 12 months! We couldn't find the leak so added a sealant in with gas top up, now been 3 years untouched and icy cold.

 

[Flat 10]

I had a sealant added to our John Deere 6410 as kept leaking and needed recharging every 12 months! We couldn't find the leak so added a sealant in with gas top up, now been 3 years untouched and icy cold.

Never heard such a thing existed. Radweld fir aircon?

 

[Hilly]

I can garuntee You messing with air con your self won’t fix it and if it dose will be short term and probably do more damage , don’t even go their get a pro to do it.

 

[Barleycorn]

I've heard of people gassing up with butane / propane.