How To: Recharge A/C Unit with RED TEK- PartSource: Automotive, Truck Parts & Accessories

How To Recharge A/C Unit with RED TEK

The law prohibits the sale of R12 and R134 automotive refrigerants to non-certified individuals. That means that normally, you’d have to pay to have a certified professional charge your A/C system for you. But now, with RED TEK refrigerant recharge kit, you can do it yourself with a convenient package containing everything you need. Your air conditioning system will run even colder than with your old R-12. This non ozone depleting, non toxic refrigerant can be charged into any system. Let the PartPros show you how it’s done.

Remember, if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They’ll always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let’s go!

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. Watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration, or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your capabilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Retrofitting your Air Conditioning System

Locate the low and high service ports of the vehicle’s air conditioner and remove the protective caps. The low side service port is located between the evaporator and the compressor on the large hose. The high side service port is located between the compressor and the condenser or between the condenser and the orifice tube/expansion valve on the smaller hose.

Screw the longest metal retrofit valve onto the low side service port. Do not connect onto the high side as the pressure may result in injury.

IMPORTANT - Do not over tighten the fitting.

Locate the high side service port and screw one of the shorter metal valves on the high side service port.

For free print out diagrams of the air conditioning system specific to your vehicle see your local PartSource.

Charging Procedure

IMPORTANT - Repairs should be carried out before you recharge the a/c system. Do not vent refrigerants into the Atmosphere.

Before installing can tap assembly, make sure the valve is fully turned counter clockwise until it stops in order to withdraw piercing assembly.

Screw the can tap valve onto the threaded valve of the Red Tek can.

Thread high pressure hose onto the can tap valve.

Locate the low side service port and attach the hose by pulling back the quick couple sleeve and then pushing the fitting onto the low side service port and then pushing the sleeve forward until it locks into position.

Start the engine and put the A/C to the maximum setting.

Turn the cap tap valve handle clockwise allowing the piercing needle to puncture the refrigerant can. Turn the can upside down. Make sure the can is upside down through the entire charging process.

Slowly turn can tap valve counter clockwise until you feel and hear refrigerant leaving the can.

Continue with charging process as determined by the Red Tek 12a conversion chart and proper cooling is achieved.

After each can has been emptied into the A/C system, close the valve by turning the valve handle clockwise until valve is fully closed.

Remove quick coupler from the low side fitting by pulling the sleeve back once more. Do Not remove the can tap if there is any remaining Red Tek 12a in the can. Store unused refrigerant in a well ventilated place away from open flame.

Remove charging valve and hose from can if empty and discard properly.

Screw dust caps on the service ports; Blue on low side, Red on high side.

Apply RED TEK refrigerant identification tags in a highly visible area near the charging port for future service requirements.

RED TEK ® 12a Refrigerants Equivalent Weight Installation Chart

RED TEK® 12a	HFC 134a	CFC 12
1 oz	2.7 oz	3.0 oz
2 oz	5.3 oz	6.0 oz
3 oz = 1/2 can	8.0 oz	9.0 oz
4 oz	10.7 oz	12.0 oz
5 oz	13.3 oz	15.0 oz
6 oz = 1 can	1 lb.	1 lb. 2.0 oz
7 oz	1 lb. 2.7 oz	1 lb. 5.0 oz
8 oz	1 lb. 5.3 oz	1 lb. 8.0 oz
9 oz = 1-1/2 cans	1 lb. 8.0 oz	1 lb. 11.0 oz
10 oz	1 lb. 10.7 oz	1 lb. 14.0 oz
11 oz	1 lb. 13.3 oz	2 lb. 1.0 oz
12 oz = 2 cans	2 lb.	2 lb. 4.0 oz
13 oz	2 lb. 2.7 oz	2 lb. 7.0 oz
14 oz	2 lb. 5.3 oz	2 lb. 10.0 oz
15 oz = 2 1/2 cans	2 lb. 8.0 oz	2 lb. 13.0 oz
1 lb.	2 lb. 10.7 oz	3 lb.
1 lb. 1 oz	2 lb. 13.3 oz	3 lb. 3.0 oz
1 lb. 2 oz = 3 cans	3 lb.	3 lb. 6.0 oz
1 lb. 3 oz	3 lb. 2.7 oz	3 lb. 9.0 oz
1 lb. 4 oz	3 lb. 5.3 oz	3 lb. 12.0 oz
1 lb. 5 oz = 3-1/2 cans	3 lb. 8.0 oz	3 lb. 15.0 oz
1 lb. 6 oz	3 lb. 10.7 oz	4 lb. 2.0 oz
1 lb. 7 oz	3 lb. 13.3 oz	4 lb. 5.0 oz
1 lb. 8 oz = 4 cans	4 lb.	4 lb. 8.0 oz
1 lb. 9 oz	4 lb. 2.7 oz	4 lb. 11.0 oz
1 lb. 10 oz	4 lb. 5.3 oz	4 lb. 14.0 oz
1 lb. 11 oz = 4-1/2 cans	4 lb. 8.0 oz	5 lb. 1.0 oz
1 lb. 12 oz	4 lb. 10.7 oz	5 lb. 4.0 oz
1 lb. 13 oz	4 lb. 13.3 oz	5 lb. 7.0 oz
1 lb. 14 oz = 5 cans	5 lb.	5 lb. 10.0 oz
1 lb. 15 oz	5 lb. 2.7 oz	5 lb. 13.0 oz
2 lb.	5 lb. 5.3 oz	6 lb.
2 lb. 1 oz = 5-1/2 cans	5 lb. 8.0 oz	6 lb. 3.0 oz
2 lb. 2 oz	5 lb. 10.7 oz	6 lb. 6.0 oz
2 lb. 3 oz	5 lb. 13.3 oz	6 lb. 9.0 oz
2 lb. 4 oz = 6 cans	6 lb.	6 lb. 12.0 oz
2 lb. 5 oz	6 lb. 2.7 oz	6 lb. 15.0 oz
2 lb. 6 oz	6 lb. 5.3 oz	7 lb. 2.0 oz
2 lb. 7 oz = 6-1/2 cans	6 lb. 8.0 oz	7 lb. 5.0 oz
2 lb. 8 oz	6 lb. 10.7 oz	7 lb. 8.0 oz
2 lb. 9 oz	6 lb. 13.3 oz	7 lb. 11.0 oz
2 lb. 10 oz = 7 cans	7 lb.	7 lb. 14.0 oz
2 lb. 11 oz	7 lb. 2.7 oz	8 lb. 1.0 oz
2 lb. 12 oz	7 lb. 5.3 oz	8 lb. 4.0 oz
2 lb. 13 oz = 7-1/2 cans	7 lb. 8.0 oz	8 lb. 7.0 oz
2 lb. 14 oz	7 lb. 10.7 oz	8 lb. 10.0 oz
2 lb. 15 oz	7 lb. 13.3 oz	8 lb. 13.0 oz
3 lb. = 8 cans	8 lb.	9 lb.