R-32 V R454B video

Why does it matter, We don't have a choice anyway!

I'm still having trouble tightening the hose to the jug adapter without the adapter loosening.

And I don't know what "fractionates" is, so...

That's interesting enough that I might watch the video.

What it seems like I'm running into on new systems is due to the micro channel evap coils getting logged with oil from opening the liquid line quickly, instead of the suction line slowly. Apparently it's a lot harder to get a big slug of oil back to the compressor through those tiny passages.

But ISTR that Europe is banning 32 in the next few years. Whisky Tango Foxtrot, I wish they'd make up their mind.

I think it's the oil foaming up when the liquid line is opened & the juice carrying lots of it out into the system, more than normally moves through it during operation. Once it gets to the evap, I imagine it's surface tension that tries to hold it in the passages—they're a lot smaller than you'd think if you haven't seen the end of one of them in section.

Calling them "radiator like" really isn't doing the trade much good. While they share some appearances with radiators, they are also not very radiator-like in other ways. A radiator has what's basically a flattened tube to carry the fluid, but a micro channel coil is made up of extrusions, only a fraction of the section is actually available to carry the fluid compared to the apparent size.

It probably has to do with the condenser being stored or transported on its side and the oil moving around inside too. It was a problem for the tech that installed my ac 25 years ago. Their trucks were small bed pickup trucks and the bed wasn't empty so it wouldn't surprise me if it only fit on its side.

As related to work I need at least another $20hr. to even begin to care about something I have no control over. I can only care about what's in front of me at the time.

"R-32 and R454B production levels allowed by the EPA are already down to 60% they were at 90% a few years back."

This is not true, production of both of these refrigerants is UP the 60% number takes into account ALL regulated HFC combined

"It was mentioned in the video that 454B is R-32 & R-1234y and 410A? so it has 3 components."

well then the video has multiple inaccuracies…. R454b is a blend of R-1234yf (agreed dumb name!) and R32

I think the guy tried too hard to make a video about this. Obviously R32 was the better choice in hindsight, it's not a blend and open to manufacture by anyone in the world (thanks Daikin) but go back in time several years, there was a plan in effect several years ago that we would need to transition to a GWP lower than what R32 has. it was going to happen in the middle of our current refrigerant generation, This was a USA only rule. The solution? create a refrigerant that met the future standard, "future proof" your refrigerant. That was R454b, and this is why you see the US manufacturers using it, while manufacturers based primarily in other countries using R32.

The patent has NOT expired on R32, there are hundreds of patents relating to R32, daikin released (voluntarily) The overwhelming majority of these patents to allow anyone to make it

"He also cautions that with R-454B you charge a system and start it up you can't check superheat or subcooling until you let it run for at least 1/2-1 hour."

This is true of any refrigerant…. it must be running under stable load with good airflow, when its hot out this can take a half hour or more….

"This is something they are just finding out about now. He says a lot of R-454-B systems have been overcharged due to this."

it was covered in every A2L class I took, or gave, and every EPA608 licensed person would know this if they read the book..

I am thinking maybe don't watch that channel if you want any accurate info, seems like just ragebait at best, and pure misinformation at worst?

@EBEBRATT-Ed which part do you disagree with?

@EBEBRATT-Ed I dont think I made any statement of opinion here with the exception of the last thing I wrote which is more speculation than anything. it isn't an opinion that A2L production is up for example, or that R454b is a blend of 2 refrigerants and not 3, or daikin patents not being expired just being voluntarily released, or dialing in a charge on a residential AC correctly requires the system to be stable.