M.M. wrote:
> Masospaghetti wrote:
>
>> ...
>> Why are they called "death kits"? because they often put too much oil
>> in the system or because the gauge is not accurate? or both? ...
>
>
> Both, and that you're only seeing the low side (and often not very
> accurately). Also, they're often used to convert older R-12 systems to
> 134 and most people don't do it right...they just let out all the old
> R-12 (if any's left) and then add the stuff in the cans. Not evacuating
> and flushing the system and not replacing the drier and not knowing how
> much oil is in it will often result in a dead system...usually
> compressor failure. And, if you connect the can to the high pressure
> side it can explode with dire results.
>
> If you continue to just add gas to the system you have no way of knowing
> how much (or what kind of) oil is in it (or how much gas is in it
> either). The only way to know for sure is to start with an empty,
> flushed, and evacuated system and add known quantities. At least get a
> decent set of gauges so you can monitor both sides.
>
> Look here http://acsource.net/acforum/ for lots of helpful folks & good
> advice.

Thanks for the input.

I retrofitted the system about two years ago myself but I had the system
evacuated and flushed, then I added r-134a and ester oil (can't remember
how much though). So I know it started with the right quantities.