MACS Monthly Newsletter - 2017 - FEB4

REFRIGERANT IDENTIFICATION, NOW ANOTHER CHOICE
machine and, assuming you have an R-134a machine, the
opportunity to service R-134a systems if the R-1234yf machine goes down. Also, if there's a line of cars at the shop,
the technician can check the refrigerant in all of them and
perhaps assess that their needs do not include the use of
the recovery/recycle/recharge machine.
With almost everything available on internet sites, we
want to warn you there are R-1234yf-only hand-held
identifiers sold outside the U.S. But you should avoid
them for a simple reason: they do not have the USB port
or Bluetooth wireless that communicates with machines
that recover/recycle/recharge R-1234yf sold in the U.S.
Therefore, they won't provide the trigger signal you
need to begin recovery of R-1234yf from an R-1234yf
machine or even R-134a from a dual-refrigerant machine
(R-1234yf/R134a) that meets SAE J3030. Why are these
identifiers without the USB connection even made? An-

Neutronics Inc.

As we've said many times, the first purchase in the R1234yf era should be a refrigerant identifier. If your only
identifier is one of the original models that detected R-12
or only R-134a, list it as an antique on eBay and look for
something new.
You can buy one built into the recovery/recycle/recharge machines and save some money over a hand-held
identifier, but we believe the hand-held provides a lot
more flexibility, in particular giving you the option of taking it with you when making a bulk purchase of refrigerant. The hand-held acquisition gives you the chance
to make a deal on both the identifier and the recovery

Neutronics Inc.

Figure 4: Ultima refrigerant identifier released in 2004 covered R-12, R134a. It met an older SAE standard (J1771) and also identified percentages of R-22, hydrocarbons, air and unknown refrigerant, such as R-40.

Figure 6: Newest identifier is Legend, which also "goes back" to cover
R-12 (and forward with R-1234yf, R-134a, R-22, air and unknown refrigerants). It's for those shops that have a stock of R-12 in the storeroom
and customers with older vehicles, particularly trucks and cars they intend to "keep forever" and "keep original," including R-12 components
and refrigerant.

Neutronics Inc.

swer: they're for countries that do not follow the SAE
standards (SAE J2843 for R-1234yf-only recovery/recycle/recharge machines and SAE J3030 for dual-refrigerant machines - J2843 for R-1234yf and J2788 for 134a).
Two Neutronics identifiers in its Ultima series have
been on the market (FIGS. 4, 5). The first, RI-2004DX,
came out in 2004, and provides high-percentage detection of R-12, R-134a, R-22, hydrocarbons and air. R-12
and R-134a sampling hoses and a 12-volt power cord
were included. Available were a rechargeable battery kit

Figure 5: Next generation Ultima released in 2012 included R-1234yf
identification, along with R-22, air, hydrocarbons and unknown refrigerants.

February 2017

MACS Service Reports

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MACS Monthly Newsletter - 2017