Customer Reviews

Interdynamics AFK-12 Arctic Freeze Auto Air Conditioning Smart Charge Recharge Kit - Pack of 1

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Interdynamics AFK-12 customer support was helpful. This may supplement the instructions on the unit. As I understand it, you press the round black on button first to turn on the unit it will cycle and beep to show it is on. Then give the black handle a 3 -4 second squeeze to calibrate it to air pressure. The unit will go through its measurement cycle. Connect the hose to the low side coupler and while holding the unit upright (if a freon can is screwed on), squeeze the black handle for only 2 to 4 seconds to get a measurement. A short squeeze will take a measurement, a longer 15 second squeeze will add freon if a freon can is screwed on. The unit will cycle after each 15 second fill.
But always use an additional 2 -4 second squeeze in between the 15 second fills to measure and see if it needs more freon added. I have two of these units in different locations and will have to play with these instructions.

I felt comfortable with the Arctic Freeze Freon Fill kit with guage and UV leak detector and penlight which was simple and worked well. I found no leak. Freon level set and AC blowing cold. :)

Interdynamics AFK-12 Arctic Freeze Auto Air Conditioning Smart Charge Recharge Kit - Pack of 1.
Artic Freeze Recharge Kit with UV Dye and Pen Light

I purchased this product to check the charge level on a 98 Pontiac Bonneville and 2004 Chrysler Town and Country. I figured that since it is a computerized "smart" unit, that also measures outside ambient temperature, I would not have any trouble. Well, after dropping $44 at Advance Auto here is my experience.
Firstly, Reading Is Fundamental. For those born in the mid to late 60's you may remember the RIF campaign. When I took the first measurements with the unit it read "low charge". I ran the check three times for verification. I was about to go pick up some R134a when I notice something on the end of the blue quick connector tube. It read "push to engage". I went back to the low side service port and using my thumb....."Pushed to Engage". There was an audible "click" sound which confirmed you were solidly connected to the low side port.
Secondly, the blue hose could be another six to eight inches longer. If the low side service port is located low next to compressors, radiators, etc. you may have a hard time recharging the A/C per the instructions. The R134a can must be held as upright as possible when recharging A/C. Failure to do so can cause liquid refrigerant to drain into the smart-charge thus causing the trigger to stick. Depending upon where the low side port is located, you may have to get underneath the vehicle.
Thirdly, according to the unit, both vehicles are overcharged. It was close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit when I did the testing so I am not sure if that was a factor. The package information says the black center button is a Start/Calibrate button. I am not sure if the calibration is manual or automatic. Neither do the instructions state how to calibrate if it is deemed required. I am planning to borrow my neighbor's non-computerized dial unit to verify if both vehicles are overcharged.

The first clue you should be aware of since my experience with this Charger is fully explained in the first Troubleshooting Guide's FAQ: "ISSUE/CONDITION - Green light does not light after adding 2+ cans (more than 24 OZ) of R-134a refrigerant (only White Light lit); POSSIBLE CAUSE - AC System Leak OR TXV A/C System with rapidly cycling compressor; REMEDIES/ACTION - Check for leaking oil on refrigerant lines & A/C components. Seek Professional Help. Check vent temperature. If temperature cold, stop charging." This last sentence is in my opinion the first clue that this Charges isn't so SMART. I order it simply because I wanted an easy way to check systems and to dispense refrigerant. Was I sadly disappointed. Both vehicles I own, a 97 Merc and an 07 PT Cruiser which what I believe have perfectly working A/C systems failed. The Charger would only register the White Light -- Low Charge. After connecting a can of R-134a refrigerant I found the Charger's connecting tube almost to short to allow a can of refrigerant to be held correctly. I also found that trying to charge the systems of both vehicles that little if any refrigerant was dispensed after 15+ minutes on each vehicle by squeezing the unit's trigger in 15-second increments. Little if any of the fluid was dispensed since the can still seemed full even though some fluid must have because the can of refrigerant did get cooler on certain tries. I know that both car's cooling temperature here in central Texas blows cold air down to 45-50 degrees since I keep a thermometer on the air vents. I should therefore know that both systems in these vehicles work efficiently and correctly and the Charger simply does not live up to it's advertisement. I just wish I had weighed the Charger and can of refrigerant on my postal scale before connecting it to the A/C system so I could later weight it again to ascertain just how much fluid was dispensed, if any. If you should purchase this Charger be aware that the BLACK button is the "On and Off". I didn't read anywhere that this button was anything but "power" which is printed on the device -- at first I expected the button to glow or something. I would not recommend this device.

I have never charged an ac system and I found this very easy to use. I have a 1996 Ford E150 Van. I bought this charge kit and the InterDynamics RLS-134 13oz. Refrigerant R134a with Leak Sealer. My low pressure port was right up front (if you don't know where yours is, just Google your car make and model AC system). You just start your car, turn on your AC to max, screw the can into the receptacle, connect it to your low pressure port, press the test button and wait. It will show "low Charge" if your system is low. Shake the can and press the trigger for about 15 seconds. Press the test button again, and repeat the process until the test shows green "charged". I needed two cans for my van to reach full charge, and it has been 5 weeks with COLD air still blowing. I love it!

I PURCHASED THIS "RECHARGE KIT" TRYING TO SAVE THE EXPENSE OF A PROFESSIONAL DOING THE JOB AT $78.00+
USED IT ON A FORD EXPLORER AND IT DID HELP DELIVER COOLER AIR.
THEN I TRIED IT ON A NEWER BMW AND AT FIRST THE METER READ IN THE WHITE INDICATING THAT A CHARGE WAS NEEDED.
RELEASED CHARGE AS PER INSTRUCTIONS (15 SECONDS) BUT THE METER STILL READ A LOW CHARGE WAS INDICATED.
GAVE IT ANOTHER 10 SECOND CHARGE AND THE METER WAS IN THE RED MEANING OVERCHARGE.
I RELEASED SOME OF THE CHARGE AND IT THEN READ NORMAL.
THIS PROCEDURE WORKED WELL FOR THE 1ST 2 MINUTES BUT THEN THE CAR BEGAN BLOWING WARMER AND WARMER AIR AND EMANATED STRANGE NOISES.
REMEMBER AS I SAID, THE METER NOW READ A NORMAL CHARGE.
I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO AN AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST WHO HOOKED UP HIS GAUGES (HIGH AND LOW SIDES).
THE LOW SIDE READ ABOUT 50# WHERE IT SHOULD BE, SO THE PROFESSIONAL SAID.
THE HIGH SIDE, WHILE IT SHOULD HAVE READ SOMEWHERE IN THE 200# AREA, READ OVER 420#, DANGEROUSLY HIGH.
AS A RESULT A TOTAL RECHARGE WAS REQUIRED AND A SYSTEM CHECK WAS RECOMMENDED BECAUSE OF THE EVIDENT HIGH PRESSURE.
END..........A BILL FOR $167.95 (NO TAX IN OREGON SO THAT WAS "GROSS")

BEWARE OF THIS METER AND WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. ANYONE WANT TO BUY A SLIGHTLY USED METER AT A GREATLY REDUCED PRICE?

Not having used one before, it took a couple of guesses to get it hooked up and working. After that, it worked just fine.