Returning To A Leaking System to Perform Another Leak Search
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ธ.ค. 2024
- In this video I go back to a leaking system to perform my third leak search. I first used the Fieldpiece DR58, and today the Inficon D-trek Stratus. #acrepair #hvacguy #hvac #dr58 #stratus #hvac #hvaclife #hvactechnician #hvacinstall #leak search @inficon @FieldpieceProducts @VetoProPacToolBags @KleinToolsVideo
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Here are links to the tools I use, And it costs you nothing extra to buy from this list:
Inficon D-tek Stratus: amzn.to/3zNg7IO
3 Amp Lil’ Popper: amzn.to/3D5lt3e
Inficon D-Tek Stratus: amzn.to/3RvnXOl
Fielpiece SC680 Clamp Meter: amzn.to/33rhxvE
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Fieldpiece SMAN 480 Digital Manifold: amzn.to/3twfVvA
Fildpiece SVG3 Vacuum Gauge: amzn.to/3udursu
Fieldpiece DR58 Leak Detector: amzn.to/3nt1TXw
Fieldpiece JL3KM2 Bluetooth Manometer set: amzn.to/3blMrJR
Fieldpiece Blutooth Scale: amzn.to/3Gzveab
Fieldpiece SDMN6 Manometer: amzn.to/3qwk9RP
Fieldpiece MR45 Recovery Machine: amzn.to/3cUFX5h
Fieldpiece 8CFM VP87 Vacuum Pump: amzn.to/3qC2wA2
Yellow Jacket Tubing Expander: amzn.to/3sjuK3a
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Fieldpiece Smart Probe Kit : amzn.to/34NG3HL
Klein Heavy Duty Wire Strippers : amzn.to/3I8YNzT
Klein Needle Nose Crimpers/Stippers: amzn.to/3fuwXlw
Klein Knee Pad: amzn.to/3cy6FB0
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Appion G5 Twin Recovery Machine: amzn.to/33Dvd6C
Yellow Jacket Large Tubing Bender: amzn.to/3qwJv1U
Similar Small Tubing Bender: amzn.to/3fJsziJ
Fluke Twist Guard Test Leads: amzn.to/3216R6j
Fluke 975 Air Meter: amzn.to/3GwD9oM
Honeywell T-4, 2-Heat, 1-Cool Programmable Thermostat: amzn.to/3qtIuaX
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm: amzn.to/3qtIIyP
SolderWeld Flame Resistant Magnetic Blanket: amzn.to/3qtJ4Wb
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Leaks can be a real pain in the backside. Sometimes when they are so small and hard to find i use to divide the system in three pieces - outdoor, indoor and pipes. Then put them under high pressaure with only nitrogen. That will narrow down the search area.
I do the same thing. Sometimes customers don’t want to pay for that tho
I was in the game from 1988 thru 2016 and had maybe 8 or 9 different leak detectors through those years and I never had one I felt I could trust....
Yes tools for the industry have certainly changed since i retired 6 years ago after 45 years as a service tech and instructor. My old H10 could find leaks nothing else could. And for the real old timers like me...Surfax,liquid we used for absorbers, was also amazing to pinpoint the exact location of a leak. Digital tools are great as long as the batteries are strong but i still have a few sets of manifold gauges that I trust. I can see how convenient digital tools are but ....I'm old and fortunately no longer work. Nice to watch what others do though. Peace to all.
I started in hvac in 1983 and I am on my 3rd H-10. They used to be called GE leak detectors. I have tried other detectors and nothing works like the H-10.
From what I understand, even though I agree with the H10, since I used one myself, the stratus and others do exceed what the H10 can do. It costs around $1000 though.
@@sprockkets I work for the government so we get unlimited tools at no cost to us. I will give the stratus a try. Thanks for the tip.
@@frankjackson1918 If you want more info go to hvacschool channel here on YT. IIRC it's an infrared style scanner, so unlike others, it will go off when you hit but stop chirping if you don't move it as it is always in a way, self calibrating.
Hey frank was hvac better in the 80's? Im hearing it was better money and installs weren't as hard....all mid efficiency furnaces but I guess heavier...would like to hear your input
Saw many a beautiful field of cotton on both sides of the old US 1up thru Georgia to Big Clark Dam on the South Carolina border back in the day before I 95. Something you never forget.
I have the DR82, and SLR8 from Fieldpiece and the older Inficon D-Tek Select. I also have the SLR2 (I know, I'm a tool hog), and at least in my experience, the Infared detectors work better than the heated diode style. I'm the guy my company sends out to find the leaks no one else can find. I use my DR82 and Big Blue. The Inficon gear is also excellent, but at twice the price, I can't justify buying their new detector.
Same, DR82 is a beast. I’ve found leaks easier with that than my H10
I was unfortunately the one that had to locate leaks no one else could find. They can be so frustrating and you really need to trust your detector or your just wasting time. Perseverance!
Ya I get sent on leak searching jobs often so I know the feeling, I will say I got to use an ultrasonic leak detector recently (borrowed, not mine unfortunately) and I might have to get one it was so nice and because you can actually hear the leak.
Thank you Curtis. You just saved me a bunch of money on a leak detector that does not work. That money will go towards a better product.
Dont know how you do other search metods over there but we also use the fluorcent fluid in to the system for a while and then use the ultra violette flashlight to expose the leaks. And these bad quality evaporators are so thin in the material. So we use to put some clearcote on the curbs.
That prevents it from early oxidations, if the air is with some bad stuff from nearby industries or likewise. Had not only ones changed elements that corroded shortly and leaked on the paper- and steel industries. The air on thoose places are sharp and bad for copper.
Haven’t tried the DR58 but I have the DR82 and have been very happy with it. It’s a beast.
I had the same issue with my fp and changed the filter tip and problem solved. The filter was not dirty and I still never understood why it wouldn’t hit
Watching your video's is running my tool bill up!
lmao for real
Might have to sell my dr58 now
Sensing tips can get clogged up!
It’s always a problem when you can’t fully trust your equipment. I would have expected better from the DR 58. Glad you found the leak though
Wow the tools sure have changed since I retired. I was surprised no manifold needed.
Probes are the sht. tenth of a psi resolution on both sides, low loss, and no silly hoses.
@@sprockkets I know right. Even though I seldom work on HVAC units anymore. Retired. I’d still like to have a set just because I like nice tools.
Back in the day their was a company called Bench Mark that had a shit load of bad coils. I changed out 100 plus.
Check your filter tip on the FIELDPIECE. The tip was clogged up on mine and didn’t notice it right away…. Drove me crazy. Not saying that’s it, but it’s definitely a possibility
Part # Fieldpiece RFT6
Replacement Filter Tips and Gaskets
man I'm seeing more and more terrible quality control from multiple different companies. And most customers react the same exact way... hard to tell a customer they're spending a fortune on junk. and then sell a changeout saying they'll get 10 to 20 years out of it. then be out a month after install looking for leaks from bad manufactured equipment. HVAC isn't easy especially when the products we get nowadays just aren't what they used to be .
like the video. may have to get new fieldpiece equipment. be bless
I was a H10 pro guy for years, I tried Fieldpiece and several others, I got rid of the Fieldpiece. The Stratus has been even better than my H10 on most leaks.
HVAC Guy!!! Ill be in Valdosta the this month from FL. I need your expertise!!!! Thank you for your videos. Always much appreciated!!!
Good work friend
Way to persevere on this call!!!!
That being said, I'll put my 200 dollar DTek up against any of these newer 600-800 dollar boutique detectors any day, any time. The only time it lets me down is when I forget to change the batteries.
I say this because this isn't the first HVAC video I've seen the last couple years where techs have used these super expensive leak sniffers and ended up frustrated when the 10 dollar soap bubbles do a better job of finding the leak than the 700 dollar sniffer did.. The only expensive leak detector worth the money is an H10 style IMO.
30 years in the business and for 20 of those I've been using the same DTek and replacing it when it gets old or breaks and I've never been disappointed, really. I have an H10 on my truck too, but seriously I only have to use that thing once or twice a year usually to find something super sneaky..
I'm glad I saw this video. I was looking for a new leak detector. Thanks
I usually resort to dye and a uv light if I can't locate it in a timely manner. Alot of people don't like the dye, but it doesn't hurt anything.
AFAIK only spectronics dye is approved.
You loose warranty if you use other. I have no idea how Copeland found this out.
Didnt you stick the tip of the DR58 in water at some point? You mentioned in one video you hoped that didnt damage it....
If that’s the case it’s definitely damaged. You can’t get those sensors wet
@@timrob0420 He did. I found the video . youtube dot com/watch?v=r-3bVDgXlXU&t=215s
@@SirHumano97 well mystery solved then. Can’t blame the DR58 if he got water in it and damaged the sensor. Even the H10 is sensitive to that, I think all heated diodes are. Mystery solved
Would recommend getting the h10 pro leak detector better than field piece for sure .
I went through the coil episode with York one after another after another.
My dr58 has been good to me. But now I'm wondering if it's missed leaks
A Goodman with a leak or multiple leaks, big surprise!
You got snow in Georgia before we got snow in Ontario Canada where I live. No joke lol.
just hate it when the test equipment fails, add some leak stop and a charge for now....
Old times there are not forgotten
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land
I’ve been using the Dtek Stratus almost 2 years doing supermarkets refrigeration and I love it. Best leak detector on the market
Curtis that inficon leak detector seems to be the best on the market. The fieldpiece has lost its place in the veto
Good find
I'm absolutely convinced that Fieldpiece has some kind of issue with the DR58. It is just not capable of finding known leaks out in the field. I've performed the exact same test you did in this video numerous times. Putting the DR58 up against a Robinaire LD7 & an Amprobe RLD-1. And the Fieldpiece failed every time. I would be very interested to see what a Fieldpiece rep would have to say in response to this video. Keep us posted. 😎👍
I can't help but think that the DR58 just isn't pulling a good enough air sample back down into the instrument where the sensor is located. It's definitely not reliable at all... EVEN WITH A NEW FILTER TIP.
I have the DR82 and I thought it worked great when I got it but sadly after only using it a handful of times I don't have much confidence in it anymore.
@@tomoliver8498 that's the exact same thing I experienced with the dr-58. It worked great the first two times I used it and I actually thought..."Man this is going to be the best leak detector I've ever owned!" But then all of a sudden I stopped finding leaks. I was spending hours searching, knowing there had to be a leak somewhere. But finding nothing. Come to find out the damn thing wasn't working properly anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love my Fieldpiece stuff. But I have no faith in these detectors. Too many people having the same issue.
With increase of the expense of new units and parts the HVAC industry needs to start guaranteeing parts and units like the automotive has done with their industry. They should cover parts and labor industry wide. I'm sure you would appreciate that as would customers. It would also serve to increase quality control. When I was still working had pre-ordered five down draft units that out of five units three had bad fan motors out of the box. The two that worked ended up waiting on parts because I robbed fans off of them. It was disgusting that on two both the distribution and draft fans were squealing upon installation. Needless to say they were no longer my go to brand of unit.
Please name brand and model so we can avoid those units!
@@bobboscarato1313 Goodman
@@HVACGUY Thank you; I was guessing right. If they only improve their quality 15% we'll have a great quality product.- A lady engineer that worked for them told me they have a sweat shop operation there.
lol can you say formicary corrosion holes from the inside look it up that why you have that many coil failures
Thought id let you know it finally snowed lol
The DR58 is dependent on the sensor being replaced every 300 hours, shorter if contaminated. $47
What unit is that and who made the coil so I know to stay away from it
I remember you also have a little orange gas detector.
Well, I don't recall your other videos on this, but if it was a heat pump, I would heat it up cause even my H10 had trouble finding one that was leaking, but a year later was big enough to find.
Course the h10 had a way to calibrate, not sure about anyone else.
What's your opinion on the Inficon D-Tek 3? Good one? Can pick one up at a discounted price.
Might be the sensor already need to be replaced? Have you try to change filter?
I think I have 11 hours on the sensor. You think it’s gone already? They advertise 300 hours.
@@HVACGUY I believe if it's exposed to pure refrigerant, it'll decay like super fast. So it depends. I'd change the sensor just to make sure it was the issue.
@@raulrse you are correct heavy contamination of the sensor will shorten the life.
Excellent video quality! 👍👍
Thank you! 👍
@@HVACGUY iPhone 14 Pro Max?
What brand was that air handler? Heck with the way logistics are going we might be fixing these pieces of garbage soon.
Goodman
@@HVACGUY The SWIFT trucking of airconditioners.
Thats the difference in design. Heated diode detectors are usually considerably cheaper than an IR detector and are not as reliable at finding a leak. Personally I wont use a heater diode detector anymore.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
That’s Goodman for you
That the best leak detector beside h10
I wanted to like fieldpiece and was a fan, but they just seem to disappoint. I've been eyeing that fieldpiece vacuum pump but don't want to risk it.
fieldpiece pumps are great, can't be happier with their previous model
Use dye and u find ay leak
Kiss that Fieldpiece goodbye. What a big difference
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As a homeowner, what are his options? I heard you say the leak detector paid for itself. Three coils, 2 in rapid succession and you explained poor metals and quality on the coil. I would be need to be told the warranty is still valid. 😐🙄
New air Handler has 10 year parts warranty and one year on labor
A bit disappointed in Fieldpiece. I’m a Fieldpiece guy. Bought the DR82. Haven’t used as yet. Hope it’s better than dr58
I'm soooooo happy I don't do Residencial
anymore. No more climbing in attics or crawl spaces. BUT. .. . being on a roof in the dark, in the middle of a snow storm ain't NO picnic either. Lol
However, that don't happen often. Its kind of rare. Anyway, I'd love to be able to afford that leak detector your using.
It is extremely expensive. UT OH !
Helicopters
Any chance there was less pressure leaking on the second detector? Or needs maintenance of some kind?
Shouldn’t but possible. Has 11 hours on sensor, filter is new
Sounds like it's UV dye time
How much you charge for Leak search?
I just charge by the hour
Soap bubble test??? How do you find a tire leak!?! Soapy water.
DR58 is over 350 bucks! The 1000 dollar detector found it
H-10
Get a UV light and use UV dye....electronic sniffers just suck
Maybe your leak detector needs to be recalibrated...if possible.
That why I stopped using goodman
I have the 58 and the 82. The 82 hands down way better than the 58.
Ocassionally i will break out my old h10 and use it while my minion uses the 82 on leak searches. H10 Still in my book is one of the best.
One day i will do the stratus. Just not right now.
Poor quality control.
Aluminium coils are the worst , I do not use them .
Many manufacturers have been switching to all aluminum coils for years, Trane, American Standard, Airtemp, etc. less chance of bimetal corrosion.
QC these days is really terrible
R410A systems are a joke. It should be criminal for allowing manufacturers to put these on the market when they did. The coils just arent built well enough to handle the high head pressures of R410A. These systems are a HVAC repairmans wet dream for income!
Curtis, is the silver coil aluminum and is that weaker then copper?
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