AirSept’s new A/C Charge Guard filter allows technicians to charge refrigerant into hybrid vehicles while eliminating the risk of lubricant contamination causing damage to electric compressors.

Most electric compressors used in hybrid vehicle a/c systems require a special polyolester (POE) lubricant.

Introducing even a small amount of PAG oil (the lubricant commonly used in belt-driven compressors) can damage the high voltage insulation in an electric compressor. This damage creates a ground isolation fault that leads to compressor failure and an engine no-crank condition.

Vehicle and compressor manufacturers specify that no more than 1% of total lubricant in a hybrid a/c system can be PAG oil. This includes any PAG contained in leak detection dyes, and the PAG that remains in a/c service equipment hoses after use.

SAE has proposed a new J2788H specification for charging hybrid a/c systems. It recommends that the amount of PAG or other non-POE lubricant be limited to no more than 1,000 ppm, to stay below the 1% limit set by compressor manufacturers.

A single A/C Charge Guard unit allows no more than 240 ppm of liquid (including PAG) into the a/c system – less than one-fourth of the 1000 ppm limit proposed by SAE J2788H.

J2788H also recommends that technicians change or flush hoses before charging a hybrid vehicle from equipment that is also used to service non-hybrid vehicles. Using A/C Charge Guard instead traps any lubricant coming out of the service hoses. This saves the technician from having to flush or change hoses, lowering labor cost for the job.

A/C Charge Guard works with new and existing a/c service equipment. Today, you can protect hybrid vehicle a/c systems from PAG oil and other contaminants by using AirSept’s new A/C Charge Guard when charging hybrid vehicles.

For additional information, visit www.airsept.com or call AirSept at (800) 999-1051 or (678) 987-0500 for more information.