Which Leak Detection Method is Best? Craig vs. Bryan Cage Fight
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- Опубликовано: 27 июн 2024
- Which Leak Detection Method is Best? Watch Craig vs. Bryan Cage Fight! We discuss all the air conditioning and refrigerationleak detection methods including ultrasonic, nitrogen standing pressure, heated diode and infrared as well as our experiences and best tips for finding refrigerant leaks.
Visit AC Service Tech website at: www.acservicetech.com/
Find Craig's channel here: @acservicetech
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes
and find our handy calculators at www.hvacrschool.com
![mgk - Sun to Me (Zach Bryan Cover) [Live from Cheshire Cottage]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_ZnbTEs4O6U/mqdefault.jpg)
Bryan, I like you even if you don't use ultrasonic! Had a bunch of fun teaching together!!
I bought my ultrasonic cause of you and love it. I find so many leaks sometimes ones my co workers can’t find. Thank you @acservicetechllc
I love watching AC service tech videos, I’ve learned so much, going to buy his book this weekend, if Craig had a service where we can call him when we need help on actual service calls, I would totally pay for it! Could be a monthly service fee to have his direct cell number, something like that would be phenomenal!!! I’m sure a lot of techs would sign up for something like that to be able to have Craig in our pockets! Hahaha keep up the amazing work!
@@nes012003ify whered you buy it from can you post link
I have a water heat pump and wish i knew how to turn off the AUX HEAT does any one know how?
@@Gods-Elect Generally, it is controlled through the thermostat. There are many, many ways a thermostat can control it. Without knowing what thermostat, what heat pump, how they are wired together, how the thermostat is set up and how the heat pump is set up, it is next to impossible to solve this through RUclips comments. Do some research and find a reputable HVAC company in your area and have them help you out. They will likely have to come to your home and do some investigating into your system to help you with the function of Aux heat.
The 2 best RUclips teacher's that I watch and learn a lot, good to know they getting a long and share knowledge.
Two of the greatest hvac techs in the industry! Such a treasure trove of knowledge! Many thanks!
Thank you for putting all those pictures of the things you were talking about it makes things way easier for beginners otherwise we wouldn't know what were you talking about.
Us techs are spoiled rotten with guys like you sharing invaluable information like this. Bit by bit you guys are helping the industry as a whole become more efficient and effective.
Loving the collaboration you two have started!! I’ve started this career after being a Chef for 30 plus years and the information y’all have shared has been instrumental in my progress. Keep up the great work!! Love and Blessings.
I watch both of you individually and love when you guys get together. Awesome info with all your combined experience. Thank You so much for putting in the time to teach all of us!
Your discussion on manuals has me motivated to collect the most common Manufacture units I work on and study their manuals. Such a great idea, thanks for the reminder guys.
I cant thank all of you legends enough for your youtube videos and i have yet to get the books but im working towards it. Seriously from the bottom of my heart. From someone who wants to be more than an installer or parts changer. And already have helped me with my own confidence and understanding. I really wanna push for my company to get atleast one copy of ur books to lend out to growing techs or anyone wanting to really learn this trade. Thanks again.
You guys are the Best I have learn a lot from you guys Bryan & Craig thank you guys for all the support
Nice to see to great teaches sharing their knowledge with the HVAC world. I thoughly enjoy and recommend your RUclips videos to fellow techs.
Keep up the great work and keep the video coming!!!
Clear, concise and accurate.
Honestly I just use dye now, I charge them up and I come back in 2 weeks because a lot of times if you have multiple leaks you can see all of them with dye in 2 weeks very quickly versus relying on that one that you might find with an electronic and not actually getting them all... Dye never fails even though it's the longer process
I agree especially for very very small leaks on hard to reach areas. I have all the other tools which I use as well depending on the use cases.
My only problem with the dye is that it voids most of the compressor warranties. I’m a sniffer and then bubble guy. 90+% of leaks are fairly easy to get located and taken care of. I’m not discrediting the dye process but I find that it’s not usually needed
As a 20 year Supermarket refrig. service tech, I use a combination of leak techniques & tools. I'm a big fan of Amprobe's ultrasonic leak detector ULD-300. I agree with Dave Bunson, you need a quality detector. I love my Amprobe & can find the smallest of leaks. It is my go to detector if it is not too noisy. Then I will switch UV dye, that stuff is great too! I sell it as an add-on to maintenance contracts.
As a tech I appreciate this take on the pros and cons of both types of detectors. I have a heated diode leak detector and its OK for certain applications. But like was said in the video, small leaks are hard to find. The diode wont pick up very small leaks most of the time. Been looking into these ultrasonic detectors and the information here was very helpful and appreciated.
PS
RTFM!
I`ve have tried ultrasonic, sniffer, micro leak soap detector, with these three i had mixed results. However, ever since the industry came up with UV Dye i have a 100% success.
The beauty of it is that you can show it to the customer and determine weather is repairable or not.
you are 100% on this, leak dye never lies or misleads because it can only escape from where it is leaking and with a uv light it will glow bright so its impossible to miss and the customer pays for the leak search so you dont have to buy expensive leak detectors
Sucks following up behind you guys and getting the dye all in your gauges unsuspectingly
@@zachosborne6577 There is no following up in our case since we repair the leak once found. Thanks for the comment anyway.
Yes if they ever have it serviced in the future, the dye is still there. Better to do isolation test over a couple of days, then contaminate the customers system for life
@@zachosborne6577 It is essential to recognize that when a refrigerant leak occurs, the AC system's ability to provide comfort cooling to a customer's home is already compromised. As such, the primary objective should be to promptly repair the leak and restore the system's integrity. Instead of isolating the line for days, which would leave customers without cooling, we have successfully employed UV dye to both locate leaks and deliver immediate, temporary relief for our customers. UV dye enables technicians to pinpoint the exact location of the problem, while also providing the much-needed cooling that customers seek during the sweltering summer days. We assure our customers that we will return after 2 to 3 weeks to assess the leak, by which time the dye should be easily detectable using a UV flashlight.
When utilizing UV dye for leak detection, it is imperative that technicians adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines. Various types of UV dyes are available, suited for either 1.5 to 3 Ton systems or 3.5 to 5 Ton systems. Once the leak site is identified through UV dye, the technician should repair the leak, pressurize the system with nitrogen to confirm there are no additional leaks, and then perform a deep vacuum (e.g., 300 microns or less) followed by a 10-minute decay test to ensure a properly sealed refrigerant system. This tried-and-true field practice has proven to be highly effective.
It is also important to note that numerous UV dyes on the market have been specifically designed to be compatible with common refrigerants (e.g., R-410A & R22) and oils used in residential HVAC equipment. These dyes are generally non-toxic and non-hazardous, posing minimal risks to both technicians and the environment. Furthermore, major manufacturers such as Carrier and Trane sell these dyes through their respective distributors. As additional evidence to the validity of UV dyes, look no further than the "Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning" 21st Edition textbook which cites the use of UV dyes as a valid leak detection method (pages 209 to 210). This is the same text book used as source material for HVAC licensing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
So yes I am a fan and do firmly believe that when used appropriately, UV dye serve as an invaluable tool in detecting and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Great info, thank you. I use a combination of ultrasonic, UV dye, bubbles and sniffer with nitrogen/hydrogen mix. My work is all automotive. Even then there's always one that won't play ball mainly due to access in a cramped engine bay.
Love the collaboration and the discussion
My 2 favorite teachers together 👍
Great video guys. Finding leak is the one thing that give me the most stress. When I find a leak , I feel so accomplished. When I can’t find it , it is so frustrating
Go ultra sonic. you will never turn back
Thank you for the great discussion 👍
Two great technicians very good information thanks bro
22:08 😆 Great convo between 2 great instructors. Both have there methods that are proven to work in the field.
I’m a kind of part-time technician and I’ve had really good luck on finding legs I got a TIF lake detector I usually talk to the customer first look for the pressure is on the temperature difference that’s where you usually find leaks and New York micro channel it’s like the world’s worst just recently I had leaks in a coil and it wasn’t in the condenser pressure tested it two weeks later the whole condenser late and I just pressure tested it to 150 pounds so I knew it was getting old sometimes I just the solder joints gets just gets weaks Great conversation guys you guys both do a great job thank you for being good teachers but I had great luck finding no leaks I always found them
I’ve used the accutrak vpe for 3 years and it’s been the best leak detector I’ve used. Have yet to not find a leak Since learning how to use it. But it did take me a little bit learning what I was listening too. Deff buy it. It’s worth it!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge 😊
Awesome content and colaboration, thanks. BTW, you guys are hysterically funny if you watch at half speed on a mobile.
Thank you! This is so knowledgeable 👍
Valuable information thank you
Thanks for sharing.
Really great video!
Great video!
I tried the $25 Ebay china special and it worked great when I squirted out from a R22 can.
If you use propane as a refrigerant, your leak detector would be a book of matches 😂😂😂. YES, I’m JOKING!!!!
Love the collaboration between the 2 gurus !
Good explanation
The Big Blue does a good job finding leaks, but when used before other types of probe leak detectors on joints it will clog the probes. I prefer the Snoop leak detector, it leaves less residue and still produces a good bubble. I work in manufacturing and we use the bubble method for gross leak checking before we do fine leak testing on some assemblies. Great video! The best info I have seen on ultrasonic leak detection.
For C02... im just getting back into Supermarket business again... im ALLLLLLL in on finding leaks 1000000%... ill keep watching and post
CO2 and Ammonia as a refrigerant scare the crap out of me. godspeed in your endeavor
I love ultrasonic ...I still use alternative methods however I've had great history
you guys are the best. Thanks!!👍
Someone please bring these guys their capes!!! They’re both the very top of the HVAC industry!!
You have a very good show on the RUclips channel and I do get a lot of very useful information out of it. I am not well versed in a lot of the new diagnostic tools that are on the market today. Have you done shows in the past about them or will you in the future? I've seen your Leak Detection show and I do have an ultrasonic one but I am interested in the airflow and temperature diagnostic tools. Richie-Supin sheet metal.
Very cool educational video 📹!
Just bought a VPE-GN, got it today. Ready to get to a condenser that’s 2 days old abs we haven’t been able to locate leak with bubbles or infrared.
we just started using a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen (95/5%). that allows us to find leaks with an eletronic sensing device for hydrogen that also works with other flammables like r290 and r600a. the sensor is in my feeling also more accurate than the heated pentode one that i used to use. i can really recommend that, since hydrogen is lighter than air. you don't have "gas-pools" building up. after tightening the leak it stops sense the gas after like 2-3 seconds. i imagine that's also a good thing about ultrasonic (that i haven't used before) that as soons as you tighten a leaks the sound stops.
Hearing you two talk about havac is music to my ears.
Awesome video again. I bought the Accutrak Ultrasonic and have a Fieldpiece Heated Diode. So I have system running so I can have compressor pressurize the system, I have hard time distinguishing between refrigerant leaks in coil or around TXV connections and airflows and airflow leaks where pipe enter coil panels. Is Ultransonic supposed to be used with system off and pipes and coil under nitrogen pressure? Appreciate the help.
These two dudes are very knowledgeable
The ac gods have been having a convo
Craig is a Master of Masters
I have found many leaks with ultrasonic detector. The sound can be very slight at times.
I'm interested in ultrasonic detection and all the other useful applications, like bearing noise or air leaks,ECT...
Having $1500 of electronic leak detectors in my truck. I have found on the difficult to find leaks, Dye, UV lamp with glasses is a good way to go. When that pressure is on to find that leak, Use Dye as a Service.
UV dye leak detection. It would be great to know both of your opinions on this option.
I use dye it works with me 👍🏽
Hacks use dye
Thank you I thought I was the only one second guessing on an older system!🤣
I am going to buy an ultrasonic unit this year I've had all of them at my disposal but never an ultrasonic.
60/40 average so hopefully I can bring that average up on the non-obvious leaks.
🥃🍺🍺🥃🍺
Thanks again , this is definitely better then house wives of the NY!🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂🙄🥃
Stay safe.
Retired keyboard super tech.
Wear your safety glasses.
Love my inficon detector
What if one pressurizes the system with a lot of pressure, does that help pick up the leak better with an ultra sonic detector?
Much of what you said is true. You “must” put in the time to acclimate yourself to getting use to using the ultrasonic. I had a job in a factory, where It was so loud, Headphone were mandatory whichever method you use. I learned on the H10, i have two, one by Yogokowa and the other is a GE Mars unit. I love em both. I have the old halide torch, but the problem with that one is I’m color blind. I have a Prowler which is completely useless. I have the heated diode by Fieldpiece. Spray bubbles and the dauber bubbles, and lastly, simple green. Some may sneer about simple green, But it will sometimes find very small leaks where others miss. The only caution with Simple Greeen is detectors will sometimes react to the chemical, where no leak exists. If the unit is vapor only, I use R22 and nitrogen and the H10. Otherwise its the ultrasonic and heated diode with bubbles. If i cant find it on the tube sheet I hit it with Simple Green, the leaks look like a fine spit or a cocoon. A concern with detectors I have found is trying not to suck up any liquid into my probe. This is of no concern with the ultrasonic because it doesn’t suck in anything.
Infrared Detek is a very good detector.
I rarely call it a leak until i see bubbles. I have the H10Pro and inficon Select(dont see the need for the Stratus yet). But if my leak detectors go off, and I cant find bubbles, I start to get nervous and do really start to dig in.
been using big blue for over 40years its great for me ,,,,,patience please
Will the accutrak ultrasonic leak detector find leaks on suction line pipe that is wrapped in Arma flex pipe insulation?Im concerned about the Arma flex blocking the noise that the accutrack ultrasonic leak detector depends on.
My first leak detector was a halogen and soap bubbles my second was the H10.
If I suspect a leak I cut the system off and wait 20 minutes and then stick my probe in through the filter door under the evap coil.
But wouldn't that hurt.
Here in Argentina, in the mini splits installation manuals it literally says "check for leaks with soapy water".
In trade school and the books that I read told me that too
When using ultrasonic leak detector, are you running the system while using the detector?
Does anyone know if theres any videos about them dunking the evaporators in the tank? This is the first time Ive heard of this and that sounds very interesting to see.
Great video guys. Wondering if you guys have experienced leaks on service valves. It seems no matter which brand. I found more and leaks on service valves in the last 10 years They usually appear in the beginning of the cooling season May or June since I live in Ontario. Canada. I have tried using nylok ,leak sealer nothing seems to work. Depending on the age of the unit I will swap out the valves or replace the unit. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.
Let us not forget that residential service valve has 2 caps. One is on the 1/4” flare connection, the other is on the plunger. The plunger it self has an o ring seal. And the 1/4” flare has the shrader core in it, so that’s total of 4 points that need to be checked and maintained, on each valve. In addition to that, Heat Pump will have dedicated suction access port, that’s another cap and another shrader.
Good job congratulation 👏👏👏👏👏👏 I started used ultrasonic 15 years ago from nasa mi dad tell me for ultrasound 25 years ago. I have experience I only use nitrogen and ultrasonic, I need maximum five minutes And job complete 😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍👍👋👋👋
What are your thoughts on water with s and
Sorry this is off topic but i don't know where else to ask it: is there a schedule for the upcoming training weekend? I cannot find it anywhere. Also, this video was great, i will be looking into ultrasonic detectors since finding leaks may be the weakest part of my game.
It will be up at the site link in the next few days
what about injecting UV-sensitive liquid and checking with uv lamp? you did not mention this method.
hello wich accutrak is best for hvacr leaks spotting vs amprobe thx
Hey, On a new ac install with old line sets , would you guys drain the system, add some leak seal, then do a nitrogen test , deem it good or no good and then go from there as to what to do to go forward ??
Leak seal is designed to be added to a system that is charged with refrigerant then it will seal the system. I could be wrong but I don't think its a good idea to put leak sealant then nitrogen test. Also leak sealant is only for very slow leaks and won't seal leaks in rubber seals or loose or bad fittings. Will only fix leaks in copper and aluminum that take about a month to leak out. Nails in pipes is a definite no that's too big 9f a leak
My friend lives in a 3 story townhome. The system is a split unit. Somewhere in the line is a leak. But the lines are covered by sheetrock. How do you find that leak?
If it's comes down to price. Elma makes a very good and cheap ultrasonic leakdetector, ELMA EasyFlex 641.
Don't know if it's available in the USA.
What about Fieldpiece DR82 Infrared detector?
Excellent content as always.
It’s not just knowing how your leak detector works and it’s abilities and limitations.
BUT !!! Also knowing the anatomy of how a LEAK WORKS!!!.
The best leak detectors with the best technician will not find a leak if he doesn’t understand how to leak works in the first place.
1: there are certain leaks that only leak when there is vibration under working conditions and sometimes maybe a fan is blowing by it at that time because of location sometimes not.
2: There are leaks that only leak at a certain designated pressure within a range upon rising to the pressure it does not leak at all whatsoever when it reaches that pressure on a rising pressure or a temperature of the metal line it starts leaking then when it exceeds that pressure it stops leaking again.
3: Then there are the leaks that do the exact opposite the leak in the falling pressure scenario the pressure has gone high example 475 psi the leak never starts leaking on the rising presser but when the unit shuts off in the pressure starts stabilizing as either the pressure or the temperature of the metal tubing falls it starts leaking.
4: Then there are those leaks that only leak when the system is full and it could obtain its highest running pressure with a full charge only and during that high-pressure it leaks until for example the system is half charge and can no longer obtain that pressure and the leak 100% totally stops. That’s the type of leak where the technician cannot figure out every time he comes to it it is not leaking so he cannot find the leak he tops off the system and come back next season. Sometimes UV dye helps in this situation. Or if it was in a condenser removing the fan and running the system without a fan driving up the high side pressure and with no air movement of the fan you could get inside and start searching and cycling the system constantly keeping the pressure to its highest safe operating pressure while looking for the leak.
And when you find this type of leak you stay there and watch the pressure go down or the temperature that certain metal tubing and right in front of your eyes you’ll find out there’s a certain pressure to leak just 100% socks and no matter which leak detector you switch to will pick up absolutely nothing .
5: when you get into Automotive where they use synthetic rubber hose slipped over a aluminum or a steel fitting ( keep in mind they both have different rates of expansion and contraction with temperature ).
Then you add years of age as the hose loses its elasticity and only when that fitting gets cold in operation the steel or aluminum contracts away from the sidewalls of compression of the hose material it starts to leak and it only leaks say at 28° or 30° temperature for example.
As soon as you turn off the system it starts warming back up the metal expands and seals the leak with a thin film of oil.
Unless you’re at that fitting at the time the system is running without a fan interfering with airflow over the fitting you are not going to find that leap with the best tool for the best technician. Unless that this technician knows to run the system and remove the fan out of the equation and search exactly at those points only under that one particular operating condition. And this is a good scenario where UV dye comes in to play often will find these leaks later when you coming back on the second visit if the teardown of the fan and running the system while looking for the leak was not performed in the first place.
5: Here’s a prime example I have came across and repeat it to prove it over and over in front of other technicians who have never seen the scenario. System had a leak and been to several large companies repeatedly over and over the past two years they keep charging the system and in a couple days the system would be 100% entirely flat with maybe one or two psi remaining. Customer also taking it to old private shops who say they specialize in leak detection. After several attempts with the same outcome of not finding the leak paying lots of money and lots of wasted time I was finally called. (I like these kind of challenges it’s my hobby) and from what my dad has taught me before high school I kind of have a hunch I know where the leak is. And how to find it.
This is Automotive on a volts wagon and the condenser is upfront when lifting the hood you have access to 100% of the surface space of the condenser visually and manually. (Hint) R134A system with PAG oil.
UV dye has already been installed in the system both by the dealer and another air-conditioning and radiator specialty shop.( don’t take the mindset this is a car therefore it’s different and it does not apply to HVAC) The same thing happens in refrigeration and residential HVAC both medium temperature and low temperature.
On initial inspection whether I used my H 10 for my ultrasonic leak detector or my UV dye I cannot find the leak and I spent excessively long time because I want to prove I can find it.
So I put in my UV dye now it has an excessive amount of UV dye in the system 😂 but there are different types of UV dye and I know mine works. (you need to know the chemistry of UV dyes and their make up and the different types of UV lights to be used otherwise you may get bad results)
So after I completely ran the system and recharged it to for factory specifications tried to drive up to high side pressure disconnected the fan allow the condenser pressure to go up to 400 psi. Restarted my league testing procedures with different devices including big blue completely empty in half the bottle on just the condenser alone.
Good night find a leak sent the customer on the way in the next morning got a call that the system is 100% completely empty.
Customer came back repeated all procedures and this happened three more times. (but I would not give up because I know what type of leak this is and I cannot get it to reproduce in front of me but I know it’s happening when the customers going home shutting off his vehicle and it will completely open up and release the entire contents of the refrigerant all in one outburst continuously.
On the fourth time end of the day in front of the owner of the two owners of the shop several mechanics and the owner of the car they broke out the beers and passed them around after I finished recharging and we were just talking about the different scenarios and how much work was done on this car.
After about 20 minutes of resting and setting I just said OK I’m going to give up for an hour today and will try this again it Hass to show itself sometime when it finally gets bigger. And just as I said this we all heard a loud hissing sound just appear immediately extremely loud that all of us look down at the condenser because we can hear where it was coming from. It was so big you could hold your hand several inches away and the refrigerant would hit your hand. This leak continued until it completely emptied the entire system.
Since I knew exactly how this leak worked with everybody in front of me I decided to repeat the test right there in then and of course there was no UV dye coming out of the small crack in the metal tube of the condenser.
I pulled a system under vacuum recharge at 100% leak checked it at that point before operating the car no leak under micron vacuum test deep vacuum it held.
None of the leak detectors found anything including ultrasonic UV light found nothing big blue found nothing.
Starting up the vehicle letting you can answer get hot drive it up to 400 psi turning vehicle off another round of beers.
Knowing exactly where the leak is in front of everybody it’s circled in yellow perform every test with every known device right at the leak point and there is absolutely no leak whatsoever.
And again after 20 minutes of resting it popped off like a Scylla Noyd opening up and completely releasing the charge of refrigerant right in front of us all easily repeatable and documentable.
So from the first time when my dad showed me this properly after the age of 12 on with my training started I knew this existed and I have repeated it many many times over the decades and 40+ years later it has never changed and it keeps repeating.
So if you don’t know the anatomy of your leak the technician it the tool will make no difference at that time you’re searching for the leak in the wrong operating conditions for a leak to exist. If it’s not there it’s not there.
Intermittent leaks are a bitch
Just like leaks in the tire there’s leaks that only leak in a tire only when a tire is rotating but when the tire is parked at rest it 100% stop.
It’s an automotive technician or the owner of the shop or service writer cannot comprehend this and cannot be educated on this fact. And they need to go flip burgers take out garbage Or become a janitor but stay away from car tires. Same goes for Oil leaks and internal combustion coolant leaks.
And this is only a few of the many scenarios that can exist that I mentioned.
Longest comment ever! Congrats! It is certainly a good read by the way!
@@acservicetechchannel always try to meet beat and exceed.
There is so much more knowledge that is out there that is not written in books or operating manuals
I'm sure u have lot of experience seeing tons of stuff. I too have tons in residential and commercial have. Our trade is also very difficult in its own right. You know
ton of things I don't and I probably know a ton you don't unless you've been in my shoes. I'm sure that you know a ton about leaks but if u don't do this type of work I'm sure there's tricks we both know and don't. We get weird leaks in weird places that are so insane to find and we get them all the f ing time. Atleast I do because they're me on those calls the most. U can have certain leaks in king valves, athe bottom of accumulators txvs. Ivefound leaks through drywall without cutting the drywall. Then id cut a 10 inch hole and weld it up. I did new construction where they got nail gun Rambos. I've seen houses that had over 20 nails all the way through the line set. Or people hanging a picture on the wall. I probably get 8 or 9 evaporator coil leaks a week in the summer. I know mechanics like u have a H.E.L.L . on earth job to do and deserve tons of respect but believe me we do too. We're all just people doing are best. Over 16 years experience in Las Vegas not one woman has ever done this kind of work here in this town. And if so they might have lasted a week
@@hvacdr Las Vegas I would not last a week there. I dye when it hits 80°F I’m a Fog born boy from SF.
But I sell and install commercial VRF system talk about just one system that can hundred Y-joints hundreds of brazings .
My other business is Automotive and I grow up through my high school years building new construction homes.
As a young kid my dad would bring my out to salmon ships repairing the flash freezers on ships.
I have two accounts out on small planes and Hellacoptors at San Francisco and Oakland airport
I prefer finding and repairing or replacing a leaking evaporated on commercial residential. Then spending 12 to 22 straight hours tearing apart a dash on a BMW or a Mercedes just to get to a tiny hand size evaporator with a mile of wire harness and now hundreds of sensors and connectors.
I grow up spoiled with easy to find CFC refrigerant. Hated it when R12 got phase out then R22.
@@coldfinger459sub0 i worked in the hottest part of AZ for 5 years from 98 to 2003. Vegas heat is heaven compared to that. I'm a ruff tuff desert born man i grew up in the desert not having a/c in the house or car until i was 15. And when i fix ppls ac and watch how they act like a meteor just hit like lil pu$$ies just because their a/c isnt working i laugh to myself because most these people have been way older than me im only 37. this trade has put me in so many situations. i invented the solution to repair 4 entire high rise condo buildings that hundreds of other people couldnt figure out!! when i started hvac r22 was 35 bucks a jug and nobody had recovery machines. Ive probably done over 40,000 service calls even at my age.
Can you guys try out & make video on a CHEAP $20 Ellitech leak detector? I didn’t think much of it. Bought thinking $20 down the drain. Definitely Surprised me how well it works.
children's miracle bubbles work as well as any of these expensive liquids! we order it by the case!
is it (childrens miracle bubbles) non corrosive to copper and brass?
what expensive liquids? a quart of big blue leak detector is 15$
Finding a good, honest, HVAC technician is so damn hard. I have a 7 year old top of the line system (when installed paid a ton for it) that has a leak, need to add about a pound each year and each year I am told I need to have the entire system replaced without being offered a leak test and repair. They qoute me like $700 for a leak test and that doesnt include repair, but then say "I can sell you a whole system for $6k." I will just keep topping my system off at $120 a year thanks.
I have the Fieldpiece heated diode I am constantly not finding leaks I've been thinking about going ultrasonic. But what I was wondering is what if I saturate the coil with soap bubbles will that be too noisy for the ultrasonic
Yea she will crackle and pop a lot even when not on a leak from my experience. Water is better because it doesn't except on the leak it will squeal from rapidly poping bubbles.
Field piece infrared. Picks up leaks advertised at .03 oz year. All you need boys. Or the high end inficon but she pricy.
Ultra sonic is the way to go. Save so much time ⏲️
Accutrak Ultrasonic best leak detector on the market imo
Depends, I’m pretty much soap bubbles guys . Depends on the system.
If you can patent a bore-through cylinder (revolver) you ought to be able to patent a bore-through refrigerant cap? I mean previous cylinders still had tiny holes for the caps so it should be a done deal 😂
When we talk about ultrasonic is that the same thing as infrared detectors?
Please forgive my ignorance. I'm fairly new tech looking for info. I have yet to find a leak detector that I feel actually works without trace gas or bumping pressures with nitrogen
The navys nuclear submarine uses the bracharch H-10 pro. And they have high tech stuff. They have to constantly measure th8ngs like oxygen, co, refrigerant, and all kind of air stuff. Its supposed to work on all hfcs cars and hcfcs. What I do is make sure the leak ain't a leak in any rubber seals or flare joints. If its in the coil I give option of attempting leak sealant if for sure its in the coil and if the leak is slow enough it will most likely work. Let the customer there's no guarantee but will give a lower price if we have to replace the coil. Lately coil leaks have become about as common an issue as fan motors. Even systems that are only 2 years old. Its absolutely ridiculous. We used to never ever use leak sealant but it got to the point that to service all of our customers and make sense of this epidemic of bad evap coils we had to give it a try. I've had lots of great luck and some bad but hey I tell this is what it is. Atleast it has the dye so it could help. I really wouldn't try fixing a coil leak in almost any evaporator unless its obvious. Theres no guarantee there won't be another leak somewhere else. Its a total red flag. But leak sealant can seal multiple leaks in a coil. So to u leak sealant haters I don't care.
Awesome ! I've never seen Leak Sealant Hurt any system !
Best way to do it is to just replace the whole unit
Line set extra
Question for you experienced HVAC guys out there: I know they use a certain kind of smoke to detect emission leaks in vehicles, could this practice not be used to find leaks in HVAC servicing?
The answer is pretty much no because these leaks are considerably smaller than a passing evap leak check would be. In the case of hvac, even a well performing elastomer seal (ex: rubber o-ring) is a compromise b/c they do leak a very, very small amount because elastomers are permeable.
Also probably dont want to introduce any type of chemical into a system
DID GOOD PRACTICES... install , brazing, floating nitro has it changed.. checking the joint after brazing to see if full shoulder cover....I hear YOUNG people cant braze today... i think you need to stress full install on how to do and full complete system "NO LEAKS" installer...
There isNOT ONE BEST but I start with my 2 eyes, & have everyone ever made, each ,,,,has their PROS. & CONS, I do love my ACUCHECK Ultrosonic, however in a supermarket motor room, compressors cooling head fans , kill is it . Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Is tekmate a good detector?
My company sells a UV dye anytime we suspect a leak. Then we'll go back and scan with a black light. What's the opinion on this method?
Works every time seeing is believing no second guessing that’s all I’ve used for last 10 years never failed me
True it works every time, but many experts warn that it should only be used as a last resort bc it introduces contaminates that could cause long term damage, including the compressor.
@@realSamAndrew I have major troubles on aluminum coils with leak dye which is why I’m here… sometimes it’s super obvious and most of the time I’m questioning myself. The aluminum coils once the oxidize the white all glows green and it looks like the whole coil is glowing. Also the insulation flakes also glow bright green. The other day found a pretty obvious leak and verified it with an electronic detector very quickly. My problem is I rarely ever see the electronic detector find small leaks. The ultrasonic detection seems nice but obviously they’re really expensive. Seems like a good investment though.
It's great if you like Dye in your hoses.
Also you better be putting a sticker on the unit that says you added dye. That way you don't ruin a future technician's nice Gauges
Damn Bryan that’s a easy 1200 for that curb one
Ahhh! HP evap coils more durable, they have to act as a condenser and take much higher PSI.
Seems like the last 3 to 4 years we have seen a lot of failed indoor coils from several manufacturers. Not sure what others are experiencing out in the field. I’m in central Florida and we have a lot of heat pumps in this part of the world.
I do know that not many years ago I had to have help to install a 4 or 5 ton indoor coil into the cabinet. Before I left the field work behind about 6 or 7 years ago I could install the new one by myself. I think they weighed half as much as the older ones.
🤔🤔
@@hvacmike1175 Aluminum indoor coils have a higher leak rate.
You 2 teaming up, is like Drake featuring Lil Wayne!
I saw that flir makes a visual refrigerant leak detector that looks like a camcorder. So I asked them how much it costs. I believe it was…. $120000… I’ve decided to wait for a more affordable version.
@@AnX8765 it was a couple of years ago. But I’m not using hyperbole, that’s what they told me over the phone. The price wasn’t listed online, so I called and asked. It was clearly not for residential use.
Give them a ring! I’m now interested if they misspoke or not. I’d love to have someone else confirm it. It might be the gf304
Is he saying you can’t pump down a scroll? Why not. Done it many times.
Visual inspect and a piece of 3/4 pvc has found nearly every leak ive ever come across. In 10+ years i have found maybe 4 leaks where i needed a leak detector.
What do you do with the PVC?
Sounds like he put it next to his ear to hear it
@@dennisivakhov yeah just stick a 90 on the end as an ear piece
Should have my new ultrasonic kit tuesday after the 4th. Ive got 4 leakers already lined up to see if i can find em. Fingers crossed, hope i didnt waste 10 bills and this thing works.
After a year or so with the ultrasonic leak detector i can confidently say its amazing. Once you get used to the different sounds it makes zeroing in on a leak is so fast its stupid. Quite amazing tool and will always be my first choice from now on to start searching for a leak.