Good for you researching - I was trying to do the same but got derailed with an issue of my own.
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I notice, nowhere is mentioned R417a. The next replacement for R22 without oil change.
It was common to purchase R417a compressors or condensing stations, reclaim the R417a and charge all with R22.
Somethings are amazingly tough. I checked my two OEM Cruisair units this week. In the six years I’ve owned Aslan, I’ve never had issues with them. Thought the fwd cabin unit might need something, but it’s rarely used. It had about 40 psi on suction side, but still putting out 58 degree air. I bumped it up to 55 psi and it’s at 50 F with good head. The other oldie was on 50 psi and cooling well. The charts called for 60 + psi, but no way I’m going that high on a coolish day. Not too bad for 38 year old heat pumps.
Just use propane it’s cheap easy to get and you can fins the leaks wit a match
R-22 is not that hard to come by, as least locally. I was able to buy a new, in the sealed box, 30 lb cylinder about 1 year ago for just over $300 from a private individual (yah craigslist!). I didn't even have to meet them in an ally behind an old abandoned warehouse or anything. That should be enough for my DIY air conditioner maintenance until my old CruiseAire units turn to rust. :cool:
I checked into this when i had some compressors go out. I found it cheaper just to source r22 locally or on ebay. Way cheaper than you quoted.
Someday, once all the other projects are done (yeah right lol) I want to go with a chiller type system, should save considerable space in an already cramped engine/equipment space.
I have 7 of the older rotary control ac units. They are R22. We recently had a compressor short to ground. I was able to order a new r22 compressor from PTAC Solutions for about $300.
We charged with R407-c instead of R22. All same hardware and is one of the coldest acs on the boat now. My AC guy just did a compressor swap instead of trying to replace the entire system. The evaps on these old girls seem bullet proof!
We did not try the M99 since our AC guy said the 407 is better formulated for these acs. Super happy and my wallet is happy too!