MACS Service Reports - 2016 - JUN3

Bosch/Robinair

J2843, which didn't require identification. The machine went into production and is being delivered
to an equipment marketer under a supply contract,
so it's legal.
However, the need to ensure that an R-1234yf
machine does not become contaminated was recognized shortly afterward and J2843 was revised. The
"unlocked" machine does not meet the current version of the J2843 standard. And the SAE testing procedure that permitted that machine eventually will expire
and the machine production will be discontinued, even if
not immediately (legal stuff takes time). So if you want
the machine that meets the latest version of SAE J2843,
you don't want to get that.
Here's the rub on going without specific R-1234yf identification: the high price of R-1234yf means that counterfeiting and substitution will be major issues, both
now and in the coming years. So being able to identify
R-1234yf very specifically with the current generation
identifier is going to be very important. That means that
sooner or later, probably sooner, you will need that latest
identifier, and any saving on not having one will be very
short-lived. So even if you bought that unlocked
machine, you'll still need a new identifier to be sure
of what the R-1234yf system really contains - no
savings overall and if you don't have the identifier,
potentially expensive trouble. ■

Figure 5: This is a low-cost identifier (note the squeeze bulb to manually
pump the refrigerant sample into the tester), but all it does is illuminate a
Pass or Fail light for R-134a. That isn't good enough anymore.

Well, where did the unlocked machine come from?
That "unlocked" R-1234yf machine was built using the lab procedure in a five-year-old version of

SENSIBLE BUYING SCHEDULE
port--FIG. 6) that meets the current edition of the standard. If
you shop around, including online, there are attractive prices to
be found.

Neutronics

Here's our purchasing schedule recommendation: buy the
new identifier now (it comes with the separate sampling hoses
for both refrigerants), get full use of it on R-134a systems and
when you see enough volume equipped with R-1234yf systems,
you can buy a J2843-compliant recycling machine (with a USB

Figure 7: This little box is actually an identifier without the housing for
the display or the printer. It is installed in the recycling machine and uses
the machine's display and printer. So a machine purchased with a built-in
identifier is somewhat less expensive than the hand-held unit, but does not
provide the flexibility of checking multiple cars and taking it with you to
evaluate the purchase of a refrigerant jug. With the high price of R-1234yf,
you certainly don't want to buy a mislabeled jug or counterfeit refrigerant.

Figure 6: You can order a recovery/recycle/recharge machine for either R1234yf or both refrigerants without an identifier, but with a special circuit
board and the USB port shown. Just connect your hand-held identifier to
the vehicle system, get a valid signal and plug the identifier's USB cable into
the machine's port as shown to enable the machine to operate.

June 2016

MACS Service Reports

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MACS Service Reports - 2016