Search results

My comparison to cars was from the quality perspective - not repair costs. I never subscribed to the situation of "book time" on cars (and "flat rate" with A/C). You make a set chunk - your employees make peanuts. Treating people this way is foolish - they represent your company, and can make...

Slice it how you will. $80,000 new trucks are ridiculous. So are $12,000 A/C's. You can't blame $300 run cap replacements or $600 condenser motor replacements on inflation. It's contractor pricing - they charge what they know that they can get because they have people over a barrel. Someone...

Buy the AMRAD and be done. They offer a 5 year warranty - mine has been in service 15 years with no issues. Stuff does go bad, but the newer (post 2015) have fallen off a cliff. The things I'm hearing about units later is downright awful. Just look at new cars. Multiple computers, engines...

Somebody mention tubing cutters? The CS mini is my favorite for small tubing uses.

Don't do apps - not old school enough for me. :LOL: Some more oldie stuff: Charging cylinders Somebody mentioned charging cylinders earlier. I use one in school, never owned one. I did use a "meat hook" scale to weigh freon for adding to systems, but went to a "new" item fairly quick: the TIF...

A scanner that can upgrade your wife - sounds like you two need to get together and create a tool! :ROFLMAO:

OP, I'd be willing to send you one of my spare EASYDRIVERS - en gratis. If you like it, keep it and use it. If not, pass it on. I'm confident you'll appreciate the grip and the torque ability. I just picked up a NOS one in pristine condition. I can assemble my best bits and bobs for it and...

Not to sound old but I remember run capacitors for compressors that were rated at 45mf/440v - yet were the size of 1 pound coffee cans! Of course, caps failing in those days were rare.

I've heard about these years ago but never got around to using one. An electronic contactor for compressors that replaces the standard electro-mechanical style found in most all A/C's. They are sealed against dirt and insects, last alot longer than normal contactors, and can work with voltages...

Condensate fixes I've already spoke about the E-Z trap condensate P-trap system from Rectorseal, with clear U-tube for easy viewing for clogs, a long flexible brush for cleaning, and provision for a unit off switch in case of blockage. https://rectorseal.com/ez-trap-group/ For units needing a...

That reminds me of a story. I worked for this contractor when I first started working in the industry, and we were working at this church. The stat needing replacing, but the stat wire was old, cracked, and broken. We're like, "How do we get a new stat wire pulled from the sanctuary outside to...

Remember back when that Dura-Lube stuff came out that was advertised to reduce wear in your car engine and extend life? I read about this additive that did the same thing for A/C compressors. Fully compatible with all the refrigerants and oils at the time, and was said to reduce friction, extend...

A/C leak check ideas There were sonic detectors, and several different types of hand held electronic freon detectors I've used over the years. But honestly, I've found more leaks with soap bubbles than any other method. Plus, I could use it to clean my hands, clean up grease and oil spills in...

Add a wire For older homes with only 4 wires in the thermostat but you need 5 wires with a new install. Running new stat wire through a house with limited access can be a real pain, so Carrier came up with this little thing to "add" a wire electronically. I've heard of - but not seen - techs...

Came across this device advertised as a soft start that can drop the inrush current on the compressor by 75%. Supposed to protect the compressor and capacitor, and can institute a 4 minute time delay feature if it notices any irregularities. About $400...

The only digital gauges I knew about were the Testo's with the manifold and hoses.

The popularity of the "Old School" thread got me thinking. Perhaps there's a place for new fangled ideas that could serve as solutions for old unit problems? Since I'm a older technician I'm not familiar with most of the new technology over the past decade. But I'm willing to learn, and hope...

Shoot! That could've come in handy alot when working on rooftop units - and saved alot of ladder trips.

I was watching some Youtube videos about guys working in the field, interesting to see they way techs are working the job in todays environment. The wireless pressure and temp probe set by Fieldpiece looks interesting. Feeds the temps and pressures to what looks like a smartphone, and it read...

This sounds accurate. I've got no actual experience on any R-32 equipment, but I think the rules are roughly comparable across refrigerants. Superheat is going to fluctuate depending on system load and the temperature of the evaporator. I was taught to charge cap tubes and piston systems by...