Air Conditioning Products, Tools, Equipment Power Division
It’s easy to assume your automotive A/C is performing poorly due to a compressor failure, however, it’s quite possible the culprit might be your belt. It’s good practice to first check your entire drive system for wear and proper tenson
If you have noticed a sudden change in your A/C output, you may have a leak in a metal component. These leaks can be caused by accidents or other damage, or corrosion from moisture in the system. These type of
LMK2020
As electric and hybrid vehicles continue to gain in popularity, we have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries regarding OEM requirements, safety precautions and general procedures regarding the A/C evacuation, recycling, and charging procedures on these vehicles. In 2020,
It’s a question we hear all the time at FJC. “Do I REALLY need to change my vacuum pump oil?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes—for the sake of your vacuum pump AND your system!” Vacuum pump oil is a
An inexpensive way to potentially increase the cooling properties of automotive A/C systems is through the addition of performance-boosting refrigerant additives. But, do they really work? Performance additives, like FJC’s Extreme Cold® circulate through the A/C system and increase the
FJC Power Division offers an incredible line of radiator and cooling system pressure test and refill kits to help you find internal and external leaks in your cooling system and test radiator caps for proper operation. Today we will focus
An A/C filter, or cabin air filter, is a simple but important element of a mobile A/C system. The filter helps maintain air quality within the vehicle cabin. It does this by removing contaminants such as dust, dirt, smoke, pollen,
No. No, it’s not. A properly functioning vehicle air conditioning system is absolutely crucial to maintaining a cool and comfortable interior cabin, especially during the heat of summer. That’s why when things start to go wrong, we are so impatient
Under normal conditions you should never have to recharge you automotive A/C with refrigerant. The system is, after all, a closed loop through which the refrigerant flows ad infinitum. So what does it mean if your system starts blowing warm
When you’re in need of heavy-duty air conditioning products, tools, equipment and refrigerant, think FJC HD! FJC is committed to supporting and advancing the commercial vehicle industry. To that end, we carry an extensive inventory of A/C products, tools, equipment
Due to the high cost of R-1234yf refrigerant, FJC recommends checking for leaks in yf systems with a Nitrogen/Hydrogen gas electronic leak detection system. Using hydrogen/nitrogen as your tracer gas provides a significant cost savings over R-1234yf or helium while
When a mobile A/C system needs to be repaired, the first step taken is usually to recover the refrigerant from the system for reuse later. An A/C vacuum pump is used to remove unwanted air and water vapor when it
Hot temperatures outside generally means cranking up your car’s A/C, but what if you do that and a rattling noise accompanies the cool flowing air? Hearing any sort of rattling noise from your car can cause stress and concern. A
It may seem counter-intuitive to run your mobile A/C when the weather’s cool, or even freezing, however running the A/C in the winter not only does not do any harm to your heating/cooling system, it may in fact, offer benefits.
LMK 2020
With automotive air conditioning, as with all automotive repairs, when you need repairs you generally have two costs: parts and labor. Generally the labor cost is a constant—either you do the repairs yourself, incurring no labor costs, or you hire
For an A/C tech, a quality set of manifold gauges is an important diagnosis and service tool. We’ve referenced the issue of brass vs aluminum within the text of a previous blog, but since we’re still receiving questions about it,
At FJC we recognize that our customers may need a little help easing back into running their businesses after a couple months of lagging, or non-existent sales. Money is tight, people are spooked, and we certainly could all use a
When considering a purchase of booster cables, cable gauge, resistance, clamps, length and product cost are all important considerations. It is imperative to not sacrifice one quality for another. For example, choosing a long cable at the expense of sub-par
A vehicle’s air conditioner keeps the cabin cool and comfortable on hot days. To do that effectively, it requires the correct level of refrigerant in the system. Since refrigerant is not “consumed” or used up in the normal process of
During the current lock down, it may not be possible to bring your vehicle into a shop for maintenance/repair. However, if (like many of us) you find yourself with extra time on your hands, and can tackle simple maintenance like
Is there water pooling inside or outside of your vehicle? While there are a few potential causes, the culprit may likely be an A/C water leak. A/C water leaks are very different from the A/C refrigerant leaks that we often
Wait one second! Stop right there! Unlike most components under your hood, an air conditioning system does not require a regular service or maintenance charging schedule. In fact, your vehicle’s A/C might NEVER need to be recharged unless you’ve been
Fogged up, “unclear” windows are not just an inconvenience, they present a “clear” driving danger. When the air temperature inside a vehicle is warmer than the temperature outside, the water molecules inside the cabin can go through a process of
I admit it. When I started working for FJC a couple years ago I questioned their printed catalog strategy. “We have the INTERNET nowadays,” I argued, “We don’t need to pay to design, print and mail out physical catalogs!” It
How lucky are we to be able to control the temperature inside of our vehicles’ cabins to help keep us comfortable and safe in all seasons and temperatures?!? Although it wasn’t always the case, in 2020 we’d be hard-pressed to
With the COVID-19 global pandemic continuing to escalate, we wanted to share with you a brief summary of our response to this crisis. Along with the safety of our employees, customers and community our priority is to ensure that we
A/C systems operate by utilizing a compressor which pressurizes and circulates refrigerant and oil through the system, producing cold air through refrigerant phase changes. The refrigerant starts out as a gas in the low-pressure side, and is converted into a
Spring is right around the corner, and right after that we’ll be hit with the stifling heat of summer. FJC’s distributors are already purchasing their refrigerant, tools and equipment for the upcoming season so they’re prepared. It’s equally important for
We should all try to conserve fuel, whether for the environment or our pocketbooks—or both. It is with this notion in mind that we address an age-old question: Is it more fuel efficient to drive with the A/C running, or
In general, “Spark Free” tools are made of materials that do not contain iron and which utilize manufacturing processes which reduce the risk of a spark being created while the tool is in use . They protect against both fire
It’s been 27 years since Lynn Parnell established FJC (short for Fruit Jar Chemist), creating A/C flushes in his NC garage. We’ve come a long way since then—we’ve expanded our product line, our staff, and our footprint— now filling two
FJC receives daily requests from customers who want to buy our products for their personal use. However, because FJC does not directly sell to end users, we refer these potential buyers to our established and knowledgeable distributor partners. At FJC
Quite simply, yes! FJC has been providing quality air conditioning products, tools, equipment and refrigerants for over 25 years, and while we love to help DYIers save money, we would be negligent in our duty if we didn’t advise that
As part of his strategy against the Chinese “Made in China 2025” industrial policy, In July 2018 the Trump Administration placed $34 billion in tariffs on goods coming from China, prompting the Asian powerhouse to retaliate with an equal amount
As in years past, for 2020 FJC has integrated the ideas of the most forward-thinking people in our industry to create new products, and improve existing products, to better meet the changing needs of the automotive Air Conditioning industry. We
You might have noticed that FJC offers O-ring Lubricant (Part #2206). You may have also read the description pf this convenient aerosol spray: Use FJC O-ring Lubricant to decrease the surface friction of the o-ring, helping to prevent abrasion, pinching
Although many techs know (or suspect) this, it may surprise DIYers to know that service port caps are THE primary seal for a vehicle’s A/C system’s service ports. Many erroneously believe the Schrader valve provides the seal for the ports, but in fact
Component/Design Differences One of the compelling reasons R-1234yf was overwhelmingly chosen to replace R-134a in automotive air conditioning systems is because there are not really many differences between the way the systems are designed and work. There are a couple
Among the new and innovative products unveiled by FJC for 2020 is our highly-anticipated “Power of Nitrogen” line. Nitrogen provides a highly-effective, non-residual and inexpensive method of Flushing, Pressure Testing, and Detecting Leaks in both R-134a and R-1234yf A/C systems.
You may have noticed that FJC uses the term “backflow preventer” when describing our refrigerant dispensing tools—can taps, U-charge hoses and Hoses with gauge. You may have also noticed that our competitors might use the term when discussing R-134a tools,
Travel emergencies can happen at any time. Clearly there are steps we can all take to reduce the likelihood of a travel emergency, which will be covered in a future post. However this post contains advice about how to plan
Let’s face it, no one likes getting into a vehicle that’s frozen over, however many of us still use the “tips and tricks” of yesteryear to heat our vehicles despite the fact that these are no longer recommended today. In
Have you ever attempted to start your car only to find it’s not turning over? You think the battery is likely the issue but you’re never really sure. Fortunately, if you own an inexpensive battery tester you can check the
We sadly announce the resignation of Alicia Mills, who has worked with our company for the past twenty years. Alicia has been the friendly face and kind voice of our company to the public, providing that “Southern Charm” and old-fashioned
Attention all automotive tradespeople: For three days in early November the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, NV will once again open its doors to targeted vendors and buyers from around the world. From November 5-7. take some time to visit
The following checklist for inspecting an automotive A/C system has been developed from the recommendations of the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) An annual A/C inspection is recommended, ideally during the Fall or Spring seasons. Many use the change to
Car windows fog up when the temperatures inside and outside the car are very different. In other words, in the summer it happens when a windshield, cooled by cabin A/C, meets hot outside air. In the winter, by contrast, it
ABSOLUTE ZERO – The lowest theoretically possible temperature: complete absence of heat; believed to be -459.67°F (-273.15°C). AIR CONDITIONING – A system for controlling temperature, ventilation and humidity in a vehicle through condensation. Typically used to maintain a cool atmosphere
Short answer: No. Long answer: There is a reason FJC has never sold propane, ammonia, butane, or blends of them to use as refrigerants—because they are not safe. Propane , Butane, and Ammonia are highly flammable hydrocarbons. Here are several
A question we hear often is, “How do I know how much refrigerant to add to my car’s A/C?” Stated simply, it depends. (1) It depends on the car. Most cars will hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant
O-rings are common seals used in many industrial applications. There is a wide range of materials from which O-rings can be made, and that material affects the way a particular o-ring will function. Some materials are more durable, others more
Expansion Valves: The expansion valve is a complex valve which regulates refrigerant flow at the evaporator inlet with an internal moving rod mechanism. This rod opens and closes to differing heights based upon the cooling burden put upon the system.
Refrigerants are substances that are used in an A/C cycle to cool the car cabin. They are responsible for capturing heat and releasing it to another area by using the thermodynamic phenomena of phase changes wherein fluid continually changes into
FJC offers a complete line of refrigerants for automotive applications. In sizes ranging from 3 oz to 22 oz, the FJC Signature Series offers premium R-134a refrigerant with a gamut of additives for the specific needs of your system. Additives
MUSTY OR DIRTY AIR COMES THROUGH DASHBOARD VENTS A musty odor, or dirty air coming through the dashboard A/C vents and into the cabin is likely caused by a dirty or moldy A/C evaporator drain hose. As a first line
“Righty, tighty Lefty loosy.” is a common axiom to help remember which direction tightens and which direction loosens a screw, nut, bolt, etc. To tighten, you must turn it to the right (clockwise). To loosen it, therefore, you turn it
Before servicing a vehicle, confirm system refrigerant type. Cross contamination of refrigerants can cause damage to A/C system, service tools and equipment. GENERAL MANIFOLD INFORMATION: The right (red) side of the manifold is the high side and the red gauge
Environmental Property Comparison In the wake of increased global environmental regulation, R-1234yf has been introduced to exceed both United States EPA and European F-Gas phase-out guidelines for high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. R-1234yf has become the industry standard refrigerant
When an automotive A/C compressor failure occurs, it’s best practice to flush out the system before installing the new compressor. Many times when a compressor fails it sends small metal particles throughout the A/C system. These particles can clog up
As the coolant in your cooling system increases in temperature, the pressure in the system also increases. Normal operating temperature of a cooling system is around 220 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly higher than the boiling point of water. The
Every June 26, industry trade associations around the world come together to celebrate World Refrigeration Day. This global awareness initiative has been established to highlight and celebrate the significant contributions by the refrigeration industry to the health, food and comfort
At FJC we know when we’ve got a good thing….but it’s not every day that an independent researcher validates that knowledge by choosing one of our products as a “Top 10” on the market for its category. But that’s exactly
A power inverter is a device that converts low-voltage Direct Current (DC) power to standard household Alternating Current (AC) power. The inverter does not produce any power on its own, rather it is provided by the DC source. An Inverter
If you haven’t had to recharge your automotive A/C in a while, you might be surprised to notice that your old can taps, hose and gauges, and other dispensing equipment don’t work on your new refrigerant can. No, this is
Quality assurance: FJC’s is unmatched. In house testing provides consistently exceptional results for our refrigerants for purity, moisture, acidity and non-condensable gases. You can be confident our refrigerants meet or exceed AHRI 700 specifications. In fact, we guarantee it. Moisture
An automotive air conditioning system is a closed loop. As the refrigerant moves through the system it is subject to pressure variations. This pressure changes the phase of the refrigerant from liquid to gas and back again. As these phase
Top quality refrigerants demand top quality cans! All FJC refrigerant cans are produced in the USA by the world’s leading manufacturer of two-piece steel containers. Our supplier focuses solely on automotive and industrial refrigerants, specialty chemicals, and both high-and low-pressure
New for 2019 is FJC’s Multi-Function Work Light. This impact-resistant and waterproof gadget offers the latest in technology and convenience. Its COB (chip on board) technology means the LED chip is built directly into the circuit board eliminating the need
Automotive air conditioning is a self-contained system which cools the cabin of a car by changing the phase of refrigerant from gas to liquid and back again by applying and releasing pressure on it. Each of the parts of the
Did you know FJC is more than just Air Conditioning products? The FJC Power Division is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of power electronic products and systems for mobile markets including battery testers, chargers and maintainers, power inverters, booster cables,
When you’re in the A/C business (like we are) the distinction between coolants (antifreeze) and refrigerants is abundantly clear. However, so many people ask us to distinguish between them that we’ve decided to set the record straight once and for
Choosing the correct lubricant for your Air Conditioning system can be confusing. The move to more eco-friendly refrigerants and more stringent vehicle engineering standards has led to a number of regulations to manufacturer requirements for A/C compressor oils over the
There are some car odors which are indicative of a mechanical issue that needs your attention. For example, a burned rubber smell may indicate that your brakes or clutch need attention, a burning oil smell may indicate an oil leak,
You never want your little one to be too hot! If your baby is overheating a number of things may happen. At the very least he will be uncomfortable, his sleep may suffer, and he may get heat rash, but
Spring is in the air, and with it are thoughts of renewal—sunshine, flowers, emerging leaves……and for some of us, cars. That’s right, Spring is the time car enthusiasts get to wash the memories of winter from their car and make
Most people assume if their A/C is blowing warm that they are low on refrigerant. However, this is not always the case. Therefore, when charging A/C systems it is recommended to evacuate the system before adding refrigerant. This is because
Manifold Gauge Set Q & A What is an A/C manifold gauge set? An A/C manifold gauge set is a service tool which enables techs to keep a close eye on the pressure in an air conditioning system and regulate
FJC is on the forefront of many exciting innovations in the automotive aftermarket air conditioning market. We have integrated the ideas of the most forward-thinking people in our industry to create new products, and improve existing products, to better meet
At FJC we understand that all booster cables are not the same. So don’t grab those cables from the bargain bin just yet! First be sure read this informative blog before making that well-intentioned impulse purchase. Learn about important considerations
It’s tough to get away from the daily grind sometimes, but that doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial to our businesses or careers. We all know Trade Shows are great places to network and meet up with potential clients and vendors.
Diagnosing an automotive A/C system that is not blowing cold air takes a multi-faceted approach. One of the most common problems causing a mobile A/C to blow warm, especially after a long winter or period of non-use, is a refrigerant
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to certain chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known as Proposition 65. Proposition 65 requires the