2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
AC season is in full swing here, and I'm considering investing in an electronic refrigerant leak detector. The shop is currently only equipted to service 134a systems, and our current leak detection methods are dye, and soapy water for the massive leaks. My goal is to minimize customer returns for re-checks and subsequent leakage, as well as pay back the tool obviously. All systems will receive dye when serviced, the detectors purpose would be checks immediately after service. I don't have a budget per say, but the units I have been looking at are sub $500. Lower price means more money to spend on other tools.
I would like to avoid the older heated diode units, as they all seem to require D batteries. Some of the newer designs out there are using a "solid electrolyte semiconductor sensor" (robinair LD series) which allows it to run on easily available AA batteries. The shop is directly next to a gas station and while I stock lots of AA/AAA batteries, I prefer things with batteries I can restock on next door.
My understanding is that the heated diode design will likely require the most maintenance. I have no information about the corona discharge aside from the basic principle of operation. While the shop is currently only servicing 134a systems, a detector capable of 1234yf is a plus, it seems only some models are certified for use on both. The newer the design and tool, the better IMO, as it will hopefully have a longer service life than older tools which may have parts discontinued.
What are you using, in 2020, and why? What are your maintenance routines? What are your experiences with the various styles of detectors? While I would ideally have more than 1 style of detector, I have decided to only buy one for the time being.
The robinair LD7 ($370-ish) is high on my list currently. Looks like a newer design, does 1234yf, AA batteries, visual screen, etc.
I would like to avoid the older heated diode units, as they all seem to require D batteries. Some of the newer designs out there are using a "solid electrolyte semiconductor sensor" (robinair LD series) which allows it to run on easily available AA batteries. The shop is directly next to a gas station and while I stock lots of AA/AAA batteries, I prefer things with batteries I can restock on next door.
My understanding is that the heated diode design will likely require the most maintenance. I have no information about the corona discharge aside from the basic principle of operation. While the shop is currently only servicing 134a systems, a detector capable of 1234yf is a plus, it seems only some models are certified for use on both. The newer the design and tool, the better IMO, as it will hopefully have a longer service life than older tools which may have parts discontinued.
What are you using, in 2020, and why? What are your maintenance routines? What are your experiences with the various styles of detectors? While I would ideally have more than 1 style of detector, I have decided to only buy one for the time being.
The robinair LD7 ($370-ish) is high on my list currently. Looks like a newer design, does 1234yf, AA batteries, visual screen, etc.