Doesn't matter if they want repairs or new. It all pays you the same. Your torch skills are next level. I would have burned through them paper thin tubes in a new york second
@@MikeF1189 - I know some of the smaller refrigeration manufacturing companies went out of business in the late 80's and early 90's. My mother worked for one.
The biggest problem I see is a possible lack of windows that open and are big enough to throw that whole mess out of. That one of those cases can cost $50,000...the mind boggles. Does that include the refrigeration system?
I've run into some really tough dogs doing Tv's and sound systems as a road tech for American appliance the last18 years before I retired. I understand the frustration perfectly. Especially when you're up against the clock. It can be crazy. Good Job keeping the screams inside 🙂 Yours is not an easy job. Lots of moving parts to deal with on those behemoth's.
Very admirable work, alotta guys wouldve given up and just left those difficult repairs for another tech Rick. Those days definitely test out your character, great job man I enjoy watching your channel. A true craftsman keep up the good work
Thank you very much. I see that happen with some techs that want all the money but when the job requires effort they bounce. This was the real leak that was supposedly to have been found at the rack. 🤫
Try Nationwide Coils for custom coils to fit. I've used them for old condenser coils and found them to be reasonable especially with the amount of labor used to remove, attempt fix and replace.
Dang Rick.....repair after repair after repair....makes for long days. You handled it like a true pro. They were in goods hands with you on the job. Thanks for sharing
I'm not even two months into service after seven months of being on an install crew. New to the industry. Had no idea how easy install was until recently. It is difficult to articulate how much it helps to see the struggles are just a part of the job and not 100 percent on my lack of experience. Running into problems around every corner on some jobs has led to questioning my life choices. From doubting which condensing unit is for which box or case only to find out my first assumption an hour prior was correct to finding leaks on a rack receiver that make the married guys text their wives to say they'll be home eventually, it's a wild ride.
The distributor tube leaks aren’t fun. The first time I had to do one I was worried that I was going to pop some of them out. I literally used the Viper wet rag around the other tubes to dissipate any heat I could. It was sketchy though because I felt like I was overheating it but the brass took a bit to heat up to take it. I sealed it but I was okay if I never had to do it again. It was up in a walk-in cooler and didn’t have great angles. It was properly my second leak repair as well.
Side note, those distributor caps with the brass end that looks like a trumpet to cooper feeder tubes suck to try to repair. I have literally cut those out and made my own out of copper pipe, it’s not pretty but what can I say. My company services a 20 Trane split from 1998 that cools a clean room. The liquid line is 1 1/8” with 4@3/8” pipes ram jammed into it and soldered shut. Again, not pretty. However, it’s worked for 23 years lol! Just a thought if you run into what this video showed today lol! Great job! To clarify, the 20 ton air handler has 4 expansion valves with 4 TXVs mounted external to the cabinet feeding 4@5 ton coils. Sorry I left that part out lol
I’ve seen that done before where they basically taken oversize pipe and flatten it down. The problem is you gotta be careful to make sure that the distributors are all equal so they all get equal feeding but you know like you said if the things a piece of crap and you gotta make it run then you do what you can do and if you lose some efficiency, so be it, thanks for sharing!
Great video! Thanks for sharing! I definitely understand the frustrations, things can snowball sometimes and then inpatient customers is the cherry on top! Nice work 🙂👍
it wouldn't hurt to brush flux all over the areas being re-brazed, that will help clean it more when heated. not that you'll ever get it super clean where it's been oily and leaking between the tubing, although flux may migrate in somewhat and help the rod flow(or not) lol
I been in that position before. You’ll be waist deep bent over into a case with a torch and they (employee or manager) will stop you to ask “how much longer”
Hoss you are the man most people would have condemned it . I truly enjoy all your videos so much to learn if you have an open mind and watch instead of pointing out negative comments it just gets me . Sail Captain
Make sure you get the matching handle. It will screw on to the victor torch but you’ll have issues with the oxygen and acetylene mixing in the handle and then it’ll go out on you and it will burn back in the handle. Been through it many times with all the different tips. You can’t trust the Counter guys. They told me that it would work and they are full of it, I had to call the factory and talk to them.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, helping us newer techs with what to look for, sure saves me from looking for ghosts. i feel each time you have a Vid I'm there with you thanks for teaching us newbies
I stopped installing rancos bc of that exact problem with them reading the probes correctly. Ke2 + air defrost is just slightly more expensive. I’ve never had to replace a probe, or a defective control on them. The air defrost can be turned off, there's max compressor starts per hour if you like that feature, diff, and set point.
Nice! Seems like the Ranco use to come with a normal metal thermistor on the end of the wire. Now they have that dumb looking rubber piece. At least the ones I’ve found lately.
You like the blue rod? I used it once, about 4 years ago. Nothing but bad luck for me. Been back to that job 3-4 times since. Recently cut it all out and zoom locked it!
I've learned that if you have a leak that is difficult to fix, try tightening the cap ape shit tight. That way the next tech will find the leak and fix it. Works almost every time.Sometimes the next tech is me :(
Great video, that sucks when it just seems like very hiring goes to hell. You did a good job though no F bombs dropped and you kept your professonalism
Great video as always, I admire your patience lol. I do have a real question based off of experience. How are you dispatched, and, how mad does the dispatcher get with you. I only mean that by saying that a service call like this that could turn into an all day cluster, does dispatch get shitty with you for having to move any other calls? Love your work man!
The shop has non-chlorinated and that’s what I’ve been using. I can’t say I’ve tried one over the other and didn’t know there was any differences other than to watch out for phosgene gas if I’m burning it off.
When it rains it pours ! I'd love to get my hands on the Uniweld stuff , i don't even have a rosebud tip ... Sigh... By the way I'd wear some anti cut gloves mate , you don't wanna cut yourself on that nasty dirty old stuff !
@@HVACRSurvival Yeah it's just a lot of hassle. You've got currency conversion which inflates the price , then you've got shipping which is very long and expensive, then once it gets here there's customs they may or may not allow it and they'll make you pay import tax as well . Then you need an address where someone will for sure be here to receive, otherwise now it's another hassle with the delivery company which may or may not have provided you with a tracking number and so on and on .... Just too much hassle , and that's if the seller even ships overseas, cause for example trutechtools does not , so it's not even an option . 🙄
Typical end of week job by the way. This past friday left me with 3 stitches in my elbow to finish a furnace and evap cooler c/o for a cranky customer 🤘
The Stratus finds the leaks. It carry’s a 2 year over the counter warranty. Check out my review video. th-cam.com/video/kYWpP1QYXt4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EHxuSeW7AFfnt0eQ
Ive seen this store in a bunch of your videos. Arent they going to end up paying more to keep fixing and then end up replacing anyways? Seems like not a good plan. "We cant afford to replace" will turn into "we cant afford not to replace"
I understand it all pays the same, but you should have condemned it. Guarantee it will leak again. Great job though.how many hours did you do that day?
@@HVACRSurvival I may start doing that. I usually internalize the pain of doing the job correctly and yell at the units I'm working on. Most of the units stay fixed because I threaten them with getting replaced and becoming soda cans.
Its not residential. These coils are only made for a little bit then discontinued or obsolete. So you very frequently have to make field repairs....these parts are extremely expensive and its not our call as techs...its the customers choice and we make the best of the situation
Not even close. The time to repair that coil isn’t nowhere near what a new coil costs. And you’re not gonna find one so you’re gonna have to wait to get one made plus the loss of product that they can’t sell plus the time to install a new one. This is refrigeration. They want it done now
I guarantee you it's not sitting on the shelf at your local supply house. If it's available, you will have to get Hussman or Hill Phoenix, etc. to special make one off of a drawing. Patching coils in the field is a very common occurrence.
If you not doing. Serving Supermarket you need a whole team of technicians I did racks we had over 600 refrigeration mechanical at that time late in the 90s union shop.
I did the service manager role while still running service calls for 8 years prior to where I’m currently working. Owning your own business is not what most think it is. I’m paid very well for the area I’m in, it would be hard to make more money to be worth being on call all the time and dealing with the BS that goes with running your business. Plus I’m soon to be 49 years old. I don’t want to deal with it.
Tears would’ve started. Tears. That was a lot of work man. Impressive.
Thanks fisherman! 🤜🤛👍👍
The amount of knowledge I've got from your channel in the last 4 years is just admirable. Thank you, Rick.
Wow, thanks!🙏
Glad I'm retired, I use to hate those kinds of calls, trying to repair junk is miserable. Thanks for the video.
It definitely makes it hard to put your best effort in when it’s garbage.
Doesn't matter if they want repairs or new. It all pays you the same. Your torch skills are next level. I would have burned through them paper thin tubes in a new york second
Lots of practice and the tip makes a difference for sure. Thanks for the support!
New York Minute - defined as the time interval between the light in front of you going green and the guy behind you leaning on his horn.
😁👍👍
Important to note with using brake clean. Make sure it is non chlorinated, phosgene gas can be no joke.
I showed what it was but cut it out to save time. This was indeed non-chlorinated. But that’s a good reminder 👍👍
The right brazing equipment makes repairs on those bends way easier! I like you repair if possible rather than replace strategy! Great Job!
You got your hands full there Rick. Thats some excellent brazing without making anything worse, great job.
Thanks Steve 🤜🤛💪
Nice video Rick. Yeah folks don’t understand the cost of refrigeration cases and coils are not available.
Someone should open a shop to make custom coils.
@@MikeF1189 - I know some of the smaller refrigeration manufacturing companies went out of business in the late 80's and early 90's. My mother worked for one.
Good job Rick, Quitting is not an option with you, you are too good at your job, Stay positive.
The biggest problem I see is a possible lack of windows that open and are big enough to throw that whole mess out of. That one of those cases can cost $50,000...the mind boggles. Does that include the refrigeration system?
I couldn’t believe it either. I’m talking about a glass deli case that has a flip up glass lid. But still it’s jumped in price from what I’m told.
I've run into some really tough dogs doing Tv's and sound systems as a road tech for American appliance the last18 years before I retired. I understand the frustration perfectly. Especially when you're up against the clock. It can be crazy. Good Job keeping the screams inside 🙂 Yours is not an easy job. Lots of moving parts to deal with on those behemoth's.
Thanks Larry! I was set to be an electronics technician but changed schools 2 months before it started.
Fantastic job Rick. Some days are just shit and you done well keeping your head in the game. Hellz yeahhhh👍👍👍
Very admirable work, alotta guys wouldve given up and just left those difficult repairs for another tech Rick. Those days definitely test out your character, great job man I enjoy watching your channel. A true craftsman keep up the good work
Thank you very much. I see that happen with some techs that want all the money but when the job requires effort they bounce. This was the real leak that was supposedly to have been found at the rack. 🤫
Try Nationwide Coils for custom coils to fit. I've used them for old condenser coils and found them to be reasonable especially with the amount of labor used to remove, attempt fix and replace.
I’ll try to keep that in mind. Thanks!
Dang Rick.....repair after repair after repair....makes for long days. You handled it like a true pro. They were in goods hands with you on the job. Thanks for sharing
I wanted to give up or lie about it being fixed but I knew I couldn’t ☹️
I'm not even two months into service after seven months of being on an install crew. New to the industry. Had no idea how easy install was until recently. It is difficult to articulate how much it helps to see the struggles are just a part of the job and not 100 percent on my lack of experience. Running into problems around every corner on some jobs has led to questioning my life choices. From doubting which condensing unit is for which box or case only to find out my first assumption an hour prior was correct to finding leaks on a rack receiver that make the married guys text their wives to say they'll be home eventually, it's a wild ride.
Thanks for sharing! It’s a good career choice pay off just has some downsides just like every other job.
“He’s back here burning!…” I caught that. Being a tech myself people always wanna investigate lol love the channel
Thanks for the support 🙏
Not the distributor too 😢 Excellent work, Thanks for not giving up! Another must see video 👍👊
Thanks man!
Man I feel for you Rick! What a headache it just didn’t end lol
What a challenge. Thanks for showing us how to do it.
Wow, it will still run with that many problems. You are a wizard! Thanks for making the video.
I feel your frustration man. I did supermarkets for 3 years all service. It can be trying the amount of problems you can run into on one job.
You are a better man than I would be on this gig WELL DONE! Love your vids
Thank you! 🙏
Nice Video, sir! I absolutely love your videos! Out of all the HVACR guys I watch, yours are the best! Thanks for posting!
Wow thanks brother!
The distributor tube leaks aren’t fun. The first time I had to do one I was worried that I was going to pop some of them out. I literally used the Viper wet rag around the other tubes to dissipate any heat I could. It was sketchy though because I felt like I was overheating it but the brass took a bit to heat up to take it. I sealed it but I was okay if I never had to do it again. It was up in a walk-in cooler and didn’t have great angles. It was properly my second leak repair as well.
Heck yes, they suck! Good job ! 👍
Well done Rick, truly fantastic work…you’ve got some persistence 💪🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤟🏻
Thanks brother!
Side note, those distributor caps with the brass end that looks like a trumpet to cooper feeder tubes suck to try to repair. I have literally cut those out and made my own out of copper pipe, it’s not pretty but what can I say. My company services a 20 Trane split from 1998 that cools a clean room. The liquid line is 1 1/8” with 4@3/8” pipes ram jammed into it and soldered shut. Again, not pretty. However, it’s worked for 23 years lol! Just a thought if you run into what this video showed today lol! Great job!
To clarify, the 20 ton air handler has 4 expansion valves with 4 TXVs mounted external to the cabinet feeding 4@5 ton coils. Sorry I left that part out lol
I’ve seen that done before where they basically taken oversize pipe and flatten it down. The problem is you gotta be careful to make sure that the distributors are all equal so they all get equal feeding but you know like you said if the things a piece of crap and you gotta make it run then you do what you can do and if you lose some efficiency, so be it, thanks for sharing!
Great video! Thanks for sharing! I definitely understand the frustrations, things can snowball sometimes and then inpatient customers is the cherry on top! Nice work 🙂👍
I appreciate your feedback! Have a great week!
Great video! It’s just amazing to watch you work.
Another excellent job. Great information rick. Thanks for sharing the video 👍✌️
You are very welcome!
it wouldn't hurt to brush flux all over the areas being re-brazed, that will help clean it more when heated.
not that you'll ever get it super clean where it's been oily and leaking between the tubing, although flux may migrate in somewhat and help the rod flow(or not) lol
I never use flux on dynaflow it screws up the flow
I been in that position before. You’ll be waist deep bent over into a case with a torch and they (employee or manager) will stop you to ask “how much longer”
Yep. I just tell them I’m hanging out for something to do😅
I generally tell them, they pay me by the hour so it could be quite a while.
😅👍👍
Great video, refrigeration here in Pa is the same way . No one wants to buy new equipment!
Great job 👏.. Amazing 👏 craftsmanship.. Proud of you for sticking with it 🎉
Thank you very much!
I have had good success using 45% on those distributors.
These jobs look like a pain in the butt. Thanks for sharing this one!
Hoss you are the man most people would have condemned it . I truly enjoy all your videos so much to learn if you have an open mind and watch instead of pointing out negative comments it just gets me . Sail Captain
I complain but it doesn’t do any good. I try to space out so it don’t bother me and get it done 😉
Always happy when you're having a glad time. 🎉
👍 'Polishing a turd'. At least it wasn't under the end plate, notched a few of those myself. Enjoyed the vid.
I seen that tip on Amazon and wondering what it looked like with a flame nice it covers the whole area that needs brazed got to get one❤
Make sure you get the matching handle. It will screw on to the victor torch but you’ll have issues with the oxygen and acetylene mixing in the handle and then it’ll go out on you and it will burn back in the handle. Been through it many times with all the different tips. You can’t trust the Counter guys. They told me that it would work and they are full of it, I had to call the factory and talk to them.
Rick you are the king, when it comes to getting shittty calls.. I don't know how you keep up the spirit.. You sir are a true inspiration for me❤❤❤
That my friend is called master editing skills🤣✌️
@@HVACRSurvival 😂😂😂😂😂
Im newer to racks and always told dont vacuum unless have to because leaks pull moisture in. Purge baby purge
🤫
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, helping us newer techs with what to look for, sure saves me from looking for ghosts. i feel each time you have a Vid I'm there with you thanks for teaching us newbies
Your welcome. Messages like this make me feel good. Thanks!
Nice work and video Rick. Thank you for the knowledge.
Great job Rick glad you got it fixed rough job.
Thanks man!
I stopped installing rancos bc of that exact problem with them reading the probes correctly. Ke2 + air defrost is just slightly more expensive. I’ve never had to replace a probe, or a defective control on them. The air defrost can be turned off, there's max compressor starts per hour if you like that feature, diff, and set point.
I even added a 120v coil isolation contractor to make it last longer.
Nice! Seems like the Ranco use to come with a normal metal thermistor on the end of the wire. Now they have that dumb looking rubber piece. At least the ones I’ve found lately.
You like the blue rod?
I used it once, about 4 years ago. Nothing but bad luck for me. Been back to that job 3-4 times since. Recently cut it all out and zoom locked it!
Normally I use the 40% wire. I gave this a try because one of the guys was bragging it up.
@@HVACRSurvival funny, my sales rep bragged it up. He’s not my rep any more 😂
Great professional work Rick
Wow, thank you! 🙏
Only thing that would have made that job better was if it were a Friday…. lol. Thanks for sharing Rick.
I think it was Thursday 🤣
too many calls and accounts to be doing all this haha. I would have just quoted them on new coils. glad to know that its possible to repair though
Just supporting those hard working HVAC guys. Good content bro.
Much appreciated!
I've learned that if you have a leak that is difficult to fix, try tightening the cap ape shit tight. That way the next tech will find the leak and fix it. Works almost every time.Sometimes the next tech is me :(
Ha ha defiantly my kind of luck.
Did you use high silver solder
For the brass distributor I did. That’s what the blue rod was.
I have the same bucket for ice fishing... Lol.. Great work
Thank you!
Great Video. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Feel your pain sir.
Nice work as always Rick.
I appreciate that!
no one understands our pain 😂.... way to see that through💪💯
I wanted to bail but I couldn’t. 😉
Great video, that sucks when it just seems like very hiring goes to hell. You did a good job though no F bombs dropped and you kept your professonalism
@@jasonhewitt7614 thanks Jason, no F bombs that you heard anyhow lol
I thought you were joking about the other tech when you panned over to find an M&M figure 😅😅
🤣
wow, that manager should have been thanking you up and down on behalf of corporate. I hope they gave you a 12 pack for the road
She does get the deli to make me hot wings, which is kind of cool. She’s even paid for it once before. 🙂
@@HVACRSurvival Gotta take care of people that take care of you! It's easier to put in the extra effort for people like that
You’re absolutely right !
Great video as always, I admire your patience lol. I do have a real question based off of experience. How are you dispatched, and, how mad does the dispatcher get with you. I only mean that by saying that a service call like this that could turn into an all day cluster, does dispatch get shitty with you for having to move any other calls? Love your work man!
We have 18 service techs. We usually get the calls covered.
do you use chlorinated or non-chlorinated brake cleaner? I know for most of my work, I prefer chlorinated. I use it outside as it is.
The shop has non-chlorinated and that’s what I’ve been using. I can’t say I’ve tried one over the other and didn’t know there was any differences other than to watch out for phosgene gas if I’m burning it off.
@@HVACRSurvival - Chlorinated is a bit more aggressive and seems to be a bit less residue. I prefer it when I can get it; I also don't use it indoors.
Good job buddy
Thanks 👍
good work I can relate to never ending feasco that's not aeasy repair
Not at all.
1:10 looks like oil on the bottom of that metal in the corner
It likely was.
God bless you bro
Thank you!
look at that, co-worker laying down on the job? ! 10:48 lol
When it rains it pours !
I'd love to get my hands on the Uniweld stuff , i don't even have a rosebud tip ... Sigh...
By the way I'd wear some anti cut gloves mate , you don't wanna cut yourself on that nasty dirty old stuff !
Sterling how do you get the jobs done. You never get anything you want. Why can you order stuff from here? Shipping? Tariffs?
@@HVACRSurvival Yeah it's just a lot of hassle. You've got currency conversion which inflates the price , then you've got shipping which is very long and expensive, then once it gets here there's customs they may or may not allow it and they'll make you pay import tax as well .
Then you need an address where someone will for sure be here to receive, otherwise now it's another hassle with the delivery company which may or may not have provided you with a tracking number and so on and on ....
Just too much hassle , and that's if the seller even ships overseas, cause for example trutechtools does not , so it's not even an option .
🙄
dang homie went in
Those knee pads look worn out. How long have you had them?
Less than a year
In the middle of choosing wrather to go into Refeigeration or comfort hac.
It’s a personal choice. I prefer refrigeration over most other sectors of the trade
What leak detector ya using?
Inficon Stratus.
I felt this video
Then you been thru that dreaded process. ✌️
Thoughts and comments on the inficon stratus?
I have seen mixed reviews but from what i see from your content it seems to be fairly reliable
Typical end of week job by the way. This past friday left me with 3 stitches in my elbow to finish a furnace and evap cooler c/o for a cranky customer 🤘
The Stratus finds the leaks. It carry’s a 2 year over the counter warranty. Check out my review video. th-cam.com/video/kYWpP1QYXt4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EHxuSeW7AFfnt0eQ
you would have made a great episode with Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs.
That would be a lot of fun
Lol nothing ever goes the way it's supposed to. When it rains it pours
Ive seen this store in a bunch of your videos. Arent they going to end up paying more to keep fixing and then end up replacing anyways? Seems like not a good plan. "We cant afford to replace" will turn into "we cant afford not to replace"
They might try that but it’s not my problem. I’ll try to lead them to the water, but I can’t make them drink.
Can lead a Clydsdale to water, but can't make it p$ss Budweiser
That system has probably never had a micron gauge on it.
At some point they will have a new system one part at a time.
Yep 👍
I been using that C type brazing put for ten years.
I understand it all pays the same, but you should have condemned it. Guarantee it will leak again. Great job though.how many hours did you do that day?
There’s not going to spend the money
When it comes to the valves at the end If it's not broken don't fix it.
It's days like this that make me question my work ethic.
I had to call for advice to keep motivated. I wanted to be like everyone else say it’s fixed.
@@HVACRSurvival I may start doing that. I usually internalize the pain of doing the job correctly and yell at the units I'm working on. Most of the units stay fixed because I threaten them with getting replaced and becoming soda cans.
It helped. I knew what needed done i just didn’t want to but as usual i did the right thing.
They where failing so they backed them all the way out
What book or teaching aid make people say acrossT?
Not criticism...just always been curious.
Can you rephrase that somehow I’m not sure what you’re asking?
👍🇺🇸💪❄️
would have been cheaper to just replace the coil. VS the hours trying to patch many holes, testing and so on
Coils are not always readily available
@Zack how much do you think that coil costs? Where do I find a 35 year old coil?
Its not residential. These coils are only made for a little bit then discontinued or obsolete. So you very frequently have to make field repairs....these parts are extremely expensive and its not our call as techs...its the customers choice and we make the best of the situation
Not even close. The time to repair that coil isn’t nowhere near what a new coil costs. And you’re not gonna find one so you’re gonna have to wait to get one made plus the loss of product that they can’t sell plus the time to install a new one. This is refrigeration. They want it done now
I guarantee you it's not sitting on the shelf at your local supply house. If it's available, you will have to get Hussman or Hill Phoenix, etc. to special make one off of a drawing. Patching coils in the field is a very common occurrence.
Youre worth at least 150k a year. After tax
Thumbs uP
That one a real turd fest wasn't it?
Yea, just a little. Now I need to fix some leaks on the low temp bunkers. 🤦
You're worth at least 150k a year, after tax.
Plus benefits, medical, paid vacation, 2 weeks paid sick leave, stock options.
You’re too kind. I did well last year but not that well😀
Why don't you start your own business. You are very experienced.
If you not doing. Serving Supermarket you need a whole team of technicians I did racks we had over 600 refrigeration mechanical at that time late in the 90s union shop.
I did the service manager role while still running service calls for 8 years prior to where I’m currently working. Owning your own business is not what most think it is. I’m paid very well for the area I’m in, it would be hard to make more money to be worth being on call all the time and dealing with the BS that goes with running your business. Plus I’m soon to be 49 years old. I don’t want to deal with it.
Damn, refrigeration is whole different animal. You might as well spend the entire day on a single call.
It would take two guys several weeks there to get it up graded and cleaned up.
Great video! It’s just amazing to watch you work.
Thank you very much!