In this episode I interview Don Fort (Senior Technical Trainer) with Heatcraft Refrigeration Products
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Hey everybody! Chris Here I Am at Heatcraft Refrigeration Products in Stone Mountain Georgia I'm about to sit down with a senior technical trainer and we're going to discuss how we can become better technicians and more informed about Heatcraft's Refrigeration products. All right! I'm here with Don today. Yeah! Don Fort Senior Technical trainer for Heatcraft Refrigeration products and as a senior technical trainer, What does that entail? What does that job entail? Well, training. One thing we saw early on a pre-pandemic we saw more and more HVAC Technicians coming to Refrigeration classes make sense, right? So helping them to get a grasp of what's different, what's the same and what's different. It's a it's A. It's a learning experience, but it's something that we want to try to help people with as much as we can. You know I get a lot of people that that will ask me. You know how do I transition to refrigeration and they've been experienced HVAC technicians and a lot of the times I Tell them you know there's not huge differences really. It's the temperature of the refrigerant and sometimes the controls that we have to deal. and there may be a few extra valves. I Mean, especially if you're in the Light commercial commercial sector. You get into the supermarket side and yeah, you're going to add a lot of other components, but the concepts are still the same. Yeah, it's still a refrigeration cycle. Yeah, you're still transferring heat. That's right. That's the basic principle. That's it. That's it. So and then and then attention to detail because some people they might want to cut corners from time to time. and we want to stress that with refrigeration with anything. Three things: Clean, dry, tight systems, right? Yep, and that goes whether you're working on an air conditioner or refrigeration system. But when we have this, especially moving refrigerated at refrigerant, at Uh, at high velocities, at lower pressures, yes, then those are things that you have to really pay attention to, otherwise you're going to be in trouble. Yeah, and when we talk about Um, evacuation levels and different things like that, while they're all critical, moisture is bad for a system. But the moisture issues become Amplified the lower the temperatures get, That's right, right? Yeah, Yeah. Comfort Cooling: 40 degree coil. Yep, as opposed to 10 below zero. 20 below zero in some cases for refrigeration system. So hey it to your point. It does amplify the fact that you need to do a good job of deactivating a system, keeping it nice and clean so it works properly. And as we lower the temperature in the system, if you have moisture because you did not do a proper evacuation, you run the risk of that moisture actually freezing within the system. the colder the temperatures get. Now, there's other ramifications of having moisture in a system, such as copper plating, which can lead to premature compressor failure. There's all sorts of other things like that, but in general it's just heat transfer. We're just moving here. That's it, right? But we add some other components now here at Heatcraft. I've worked with your products for a while and you guys have some new Innovations And you have new technologies such as the beacon system such as the QRC system and the new system, the Intelligence system. Intelligent. Yeah, Okay, now when it comes to these systems, I mean I Don't mean to be blunt here, but what's the point of your job? What are you training people for? Well, it's what it's interesting. you say that because one thing is Energy savings, right? Because okay, if I can as opposed to a paragon timer that I'm gonna I'm gonna defrost four times a day whether I need it or not. right? right? Which is which is which has worked and it's worked for many years. Yeah, But but if I have the opportunity to to save money because I can maintain coil efficiency at about 80 percent, well, why wouldn't I want to do that? So with electronic controls that gives you it opens up a Vista with mechanical. Just not just not efficient enough, but with electronic controls now I have the opportunity to. Okay, so let's take tabs because now I've got a transducer and a thermistor working together, right? So I it'll know starting from its reference point when we start losing efficiency because now my Delta T is getting closer and closer together, right? See, So now, uh, when it gets there, I could do a demand, defrost or I could do us what we call a smart defrost only doing looking at certain times during that during that Refrigeration period to see, well Am I still within 80 percent efficiency. If so, I can skip a defrost right? So the money I would spend on low temperature to turn on that that cow Rod heater. Guess what? That goes away right? So I could go 17, 18, sometimes almost 20 hours before I Have to Really before I have to really defrost that system right? And and with your guys's control system then you guys are able with your sensor placements and stuff than to identify when you might have frost on the coil. That's right, that's right, because it's it. It knows where it started because if you have a normally operating system, it's going to know Well, temperatures are going to change because that's the relationship between my my calculated temperature pressure relationship and the actual temperature with that thermistor being measured. So looking at those two values, it can tell. Okay, so these are they're moving away or closer together. Do that. Well, What made that change? Well, it's because I'm not able to properly load that coil, right? Yeah, because I've got frost on it now I'm not moving heat through those core plates right? See, So hey, but to answer that question, Uh uh, we have to teach the sequence of operation. Well, why does it do what it does? What can I expect? You've got. You've got it. You've got to be taught that. You've got to walk up to it and find out what that sequence is. Right You've got to. You know you've got to actually be taught that. So we do teach that you know and and trying to keep it as common sense as we possibly can step by step through the sequence of operation Because if you don't know how it's supposed to work, how can you troubleshoot you can't right? No. And it's I would imagine I know this to be true as you get into more high efficiency systems as you get into Intelligent to a controller that has logic built in. you know, while it seems easy, and while it actually is rather easy to set up, there's also complexities to it that we need to understand as contractors. Yes, yes. And that's that's totally true. And so so how do you? How do you logically troubleshoot to see if a thermistor is still valid? Is it still good? Is it still sound Transducers? We use a three wire, a capacitive type of pressure transducer, right? Because so so how do you do those things and make sure that it's monitoring as it should. And even from an installation perspective, how can I make sure that I don't ruin that in some in some way just by the virtue of me installing it incorrectly. So you're leading me to the the topic that I brought you up earlier, right? So I was doing an installation uh and I did not read the installation operation manual and I was doing a nitrogen pressure test on a system and I pressurized the system I didn't have any leaks so we were good I did my job right right? But then when I started the system up I started to notice the system acted a little funny. it was flooding back to my compressor and I'm starting to think what did I do wrong what happened here and I'm going to tell you that my logic because it was new and everything was like this is just not working right This system is just it's instant for me to go to that. That mode like this is their fault, you know and uh, in their defense, there was a big sticker on the pressure transducer that says do not pressurize at that time over 150 psi and I think I pushed it to 200 250 psi because I was going to find out if I had any leaks right? Yeah, yeah. and I ruined a pressure transducer, right? It's popped it right. Had I read the installation operation manual I would have known that. Okay, so I'm guilty just like many other people of jumping into it and trying to be a cowboy and I could do this And you know I've learned that there's a lot of things we have to follow installation, especially if you've been doing this a while. You just make an assumption. this is just like the last one I worked on which is not. Oh well. All together, true, right? Let's see. So hey, just make sure. All right. this is strange because I'm not seeing anything wrong. So if I go to, let's start back at the beginning. Sue's superheat where that's cooling mode. 42 degrees in the Box my superheat currently right now it's five degree. Uh see, yeah, we're running kind of low right now. Okay, so it's a minute ago is at 15. um, suction pressure. Ah, it is not 77 PSI Suction pressure. Yeah, that is a problem. 51 PSI and the unit says 73 PSI So there's something wrong with that transducer. For your information, there is a Schrader Port underneath the pressure transducer and uh, pulled it off and it kind of makes me wonder I can't remember what I pressure tested to I wonder if I got the pressure too high on this because it actually tells you right here do not exceed 150 psi I can't remember what what pressure I pressure tested to? you know. so I can't over emphasize the fact that hey, read the book. it was made by the manufacturers. They should know how the equipment works and just do that. There's a reason why it's there. There's a reason why it's there. So when it comes to training, um, what kind of training do you guys offer? We do. We really offer core training. For example, basic Refrigeration and installation. What you need to think about and do what are considerations that need to be top of mind to get a system up and running. You know that sort of thing. right down to actually we do. like in in the Refrigeration Basics class there's a whole activity about. Okay, so how do I select my on my liquid line, what size of my suction line need to be and what about my Riser And how do I construct? How do I construct that P-trap You know at the head of that Riser You know. So all those things we go through and even the No-No So there's a reason there's a good way to do that successfully and there's an unacceptable way to do that. So then you guys are being proactive and going Beyond just training on these specifics on your products and you guys are even doing kind of introductory training to basic Refrigeration I Imagine that you guys have realized the value in that. Yeah, because as you know, piping is key because it's all about the pump. Yep, you know I've got oil in that pump because I have moving parts that need be protected. If they're not, it's going to seize up. I'm going to have problems because without that pump, all I have is a very expensive Refrigeration bottle at that point I can remember you know coming up in the trade and I don't remember how many years ago it was that I learned that just because you're off the shelf, condensing unit has a three-quarter and a 3 8 suction line on it. doesn't necessarily mean that that's what the line size needs to be from point A to point B And I can remember. The question in my head in my infancy was, well, if the evaporator has a bigger suction line and the condensing unit has a smaller one, which one do I choose because I thought, hey, we just pick one or the other when in fact, the answer is it's not necessarily either one of those and it depends on the line set length right, the total equivalent length which is factoring in all the turns, the bins, the restrictions right, and then evidently it's leading down to proper refrigerant velocity and proper oil return. That's right, that's right. Good point there. Chris because not only that, but what refrigerant am I using? And then what's my TD Okay, so is my target temperature going to be 20 below zero? 10 below zero. All those factor in it Again, that's why we cracked the book open because there are tables to refer to. That's right based upon capacity of the system. Is it a 12 000? BTU It's a 24 000 BTU system. Okay, so now comparing that to, well, what is my target temperature going to be And so when I make when I bring those those values together. It will make the crosshairs. There is my answer. So I've got that half inch liquid line I've got I've got that inch and 3 8 suction line. You know for that 24 000 BTU system. Okay, so so you got to know that you just can't guess or pick because all those things can change Based upon my TD and I would say that especially now with all the new technology. with with all the Energy Efficiency we have to go back to the basics and we have to follow proper installation practices because with new mandates and new regulations, we're dropping condensing temperatures. We're doing all sorts of things to maintain Energy Efficiency and to get better numbers, right? But our system design becomes more and more critical, even more so than it did in the past. I Remember coming up in the trade and you know it's it's a funny term, but I was taught beer can cold, you charge to a certain pressure and that suction line just needed to be cold on air conditioning systems. Yeah, and you know, eight Seer days, six year day in my head I Try thinking, why did it work back then you know And it's like, well, because that equipment was forgiving, you had a massively oversized condenser. Yes, they weren't so concerned with the efficiency, but the more efficient our systems get, the more important it becomes to understand the refrigeration process and what's happening. And that's critical. And so so. It's so important for us to be mindful of the fact between air conditioning and refriger duration, because Refrigeration Okay, so you and I could be maybe not so comfortable into space. But now, if I'm trying to hold product well, that that ice cream's got to be Five Below Zero regardless of animals, right? right? So it doesn't matter whether it's 100 degrees outside or where it's -10 outside. I've got to have a steady state operating temperature in the Box What's holding that? So to do that well, how do you do that? well? Refrigeration Temperatures and pressures are directly proportional, right? Yep, if temp goes up, pressure's got to go up with it. Temp goes down. Pressure's got to go down too. So knowing that in cold conditions, I've got to have a way to artificially inflate my my head pressure. That's right. to to make sure that I have 100 liquid going to my expansion device, right? But even with that, there's industry changes coming out right? Because the old way was just to maintain a constant pressure, we need 180 PSI or 70 80 degree liquid Temp, right? Everything is designed at that same thing, but even that is changing right now. When it comes to efficiency, we're using a term floating the head pressure down, but we're essentially reducing the liquid temperature right, making the system more efficient Because lower the head pressure lower the liquid temperature less Watts that the compressor is going to use. That's right, right? So, But when we do that, especially on Legacy systems, we have a problem because if our head pressure is going lower, your expansion valve is sized for a certain liquid temperature. and again, like you said, the the pressure in the temperature is proportional. It's right back together. That's right. So as we drop the pressure, as we drop the liquid temperature, things start happening in our evaporator. and your expansion valve can now potentially be oversized undersized depending on the the conditions, right. And so how do you Safeguard against that? So now you have to have. That's why we have hip pressure controls, because now we're going to have to hold back some of that liquid at that condenser. Outlet to now take up more space in the condenser when that happens. Guess what? Less space I'm going to artificially raise the pressure of that condenser now I have something usable now I have something usable that goes down in that liquid receiver on its way to the expansion device right regardless of ambient to kind of be a safeguard. so when one holds it back, that's what you want. But it's the understanding of that from a air conditioning perspective. Moving moving to to Refrigeration is key is key. So you may see a single head pressure control or you may see a dual or iron or a D valves right? See So so so do I have those two working in tandem? They work the same. It's just one that gives you more latitude because based upon fluctuating ambient conditions, because we don't know where this equipment is going to go, it could be north of the basic Dixon line or South you know. So based upon those things, that's going to really give me guidance as to how I'm going to set my system up right and I'd say too. Again, as with energy regulations, Aof compliance, and different things, Yes, every manufacturer out there that I've dealt with on refrigeration site in one way or another, they're dropping the condensing temperature of the system. They're dropping the refrigerant temperature whether it be head pressure control valves, fan cycling either way. And with that being said, let's go back to what we started talking about in the beginning is proper system design. Yes, if you're are doing retrofit installs, if you used an existing liquid line that maybe was already oversized, right? and you know you now have too big of a liquid line that will hold too much of that liquid refrigerant. when maybe there's not enough liquid refrigerant to flood the condenser anymore. So that's where proper sizing really comes in. And we're going to segue that back with reading the installation operation manuals when we learn about line sizing, when we learn about yeah, and that's part of the training too. And I will say it to that point too. We have a fine tool that that can help guide someone. So so the Refrigeration toolkit. You can actually build a Heatcraft system and then within that, then that's an app on your phone. You can. Well, does this need to be a A A with compliant or not? Yes or no. Oh, and it walks you through that So you can actually build. So if it's a whole system, or you are you just looking for an evaporator or a condenser to replace for a system, you can walk through that just right in your phone to do that. So and they'll they'll spit out. Now it'll give you typically more than one system as as a sample. Okay, so Awip compliant and non-afric compliant because sometimes outside outside the realm of uh, if it's over three thousand square feet for your box. Okay, so that's you don't have to be a web compliant. But if you are with another now now, you have some options. Heatcraft options that actually can. You can. Then once when you finish the calculation, guess what? You could actually email that to a customer, email it to yourself. You know you've got that. Or even even if you've got a wholesale you deal with. Okay, so that goes to now. Oh here here's my here's my model numbers: I've got a compliance system now you know. So uh, we try to make that as easy as possible. but also we want to expose technicians to to that as a tool that can be used to help them deal with what they're facing in the field. Better, better, all right. So when you talk about wholesalers, okay, do you guys train the wholesalers too? That is always an option. Okay, in fact, like for and we'll talk about heatcraft certified contracts in a few moments there. but they have the option to actually host training. They will come out gotcha and do training so they don't have to. You don't have to just come to Stone Mountain We'd love to have you right, yeah to to be trained, but also our Wholesale Distributors can also host any of our training, you know, so that's interesting. As a contractor as a technician, then we could potentially petition our wholesalers and ask them hey, I'd really like to get some Heatcraft training and then maybe that could start the conversation right to get them. So what I find is that there's a lot of misinformation out there with wholesalers too. Um, you know I've heard I'm not going to name names, but I've heard some horror stories of of people doing certain things and not understanding proper system operation. and I think that you know we can definitely somehow get these wholesalers trained. That way they can go back to the old industry standard of being the people that trained people. Yeah, you know and and sadly it's kind of gotten a little ways away from that. But you know it'd be nice to have them trained a little bit more and there's some wholesalers that are more proactive proactive in that regard than others. of course you know, but we want to put that as an option to them. So our sales tax staff they're in they all have have trade areas that they work with so that's their. That's part of their job is working with those wholesalers to make sure that they know their options and to help them get better. They'll go and do lunch and lunch with them. But also they can also put before them the fact that uh well you know you can have some training you can host here for technicians if they want to get like for basic Refrigeration uh we we also uh do Intelligent Controls training. We also do even uh CO2 Trends critical training. You know for that you know. So so that's those are all options there that that are on the plate that will help people in the field get more comfortable with what's coming in in the future right? So you mentioned about becoming a Heatcraft certified contractor kind of enlighten me on that. What's the process and what is that? What benefits do I have for becoming a Heatcraft certified contractor? There are a lot of neat benefits to that one. It's uh, it's raising your comfort level and also also when when a customer potential customer wants Heatcraft product, they can go to our website heatcraftrpd.com look for the contractor locator. Well, if you're certified, guess what? When they type in their zip code, they're going to have your name come up there. Boom! This is the Heatcraft certified contract in your area. He's the expert. Call him, call his company right that. but also the training itself. It's Nate certified. So if if someone is looking for a CEUs to to keep their Nate certification current, that that will go toward that as well. All right, so they can go into the night their my name portal. if they're already certified, type in that part number I mean that part our course number and they can get credit for that. So uh, toward their Nate certification for the year because I think every five years they have to have certain amount of hours. You know for that, you know. So so that's also something. Also, once certified, they get a 30 discount on any any training in the future that we that we conduct. So that's 30 right off the top for them. So part of the package that the HTC uh contractor gets once they get certified and get their certification number is we send them a starter kit. Okay, that's got an RSC control board that's got a transducer, got a thermistor, and an EV You know? So so that's about proof 900 worth of stuff. Right off the bat to kind of give them a nice start as they start to service the equipment. Not to mention that when they get certified every piece of equipment they put in that's Heatcraft, you know that that's a Heatcraft piece of equipment. They get an extra year of warranty tacked on to Uh to their to the the standard warranties. so they so that's a selling point for them to the customer. Yeah, like if you use me for this installation, I will give you I'm a certified contractor so I'll give you an extra year warranty. oh that's kind of cool for that and uh and also when you think about so so you've got that, you've got um, the Uh 30 discount on all training you've got uh being being listed as the expert in their trade area. so when it so and and the customer can can zero in on 5 miles, 15, 20, 25, 50 miles that sort of thing like that. so within that range so so that's a pull for you. so potentially you have some cold calls people can call you hey I hear you, The Expert on Heatcraft I've got this project for you? Can you do that for me? So so for that and uh, just the fact that uh, that uh, they're comfortable and they are Adept at not only installing but troubleshooting this equipment as well. you know I think that's a benefit because as a contractor myself, while I wouldn't necessarily send every one of my technicians right away, you could start, you know a lead technician can get certified and then you could slowly start sending everybody to get certified. That's a certain option. It is. It is. in fact, we've have. When they fill out the application, there's there's a space for up to eight technicians. Got it? You know you have as long as that five years experience in the field. Yeah, that's fine and we only require that one technician. B Heatcraft Certified Contractor certified. If you have multiple offices like some people, have more than one one shop if you will, you know. So as long as you have one in that shop then you still keep can keep your certification rating for that, you know. So so okay, so that's interesting with the training. I Have a question though. You know when it comes to this Exb: why this Exv over a thermostatic expansion valve. They do the same thing. They need a refrigerant, right? But what's the point of having an electronically controlled valve versus a thermostatic valve? Great question. Great question. You can put that back. I've got another one over here because I Was hoping that you would say that. but part of the training too, especially on the basic Refrigeration training. We run a graph that shows you the difference. Okay, so let's say you have a superheat and our Target is 10 degrees right? So from a coastal from a fresh start for cooling okay you'll have a TXV and an Eev right going. It will take on the average that TXV about 120 Minutes to get anywhere close to 10 degrees super heat so to stabilize out just stable as opposed to the EV that after it gets the steady set up studies steady state operation that's about about 15 minutes in, right? It's just hugging that 10 degrees the whole time. Bottom line, it's more efficient. So tighter temperature control? Yeah, you've got to have it's tighter temperature control. And now because these are pressure controls I mean that's where some people get it. Well I'll just adjust my TXV to get my my low side pressure down. No, No no no no no, it's there to make sure that we don't We don't have liquid on its way to that compressor right? So because they're Vapor pumps, they're not liquid pumps right? And one thing about that we we always try to give tidbits as to what a tech technician kids do to make themselves more efficient in the field because it is about okay. Secrets of Operation: Where's the deviation and how can it? How can I make it right? Okay for that, but then once you do, what's going to help you get there. For example, if you're working on an exp system, uh on these now these we we happen to have Corel valves for these but now that one that you that we send with the kit, guess what now in the Ino manual? If they read it, there's a way that they can that they can manually manipulate that valve right to open and close the valve. and sometimes they might have to do that because if they're worrying about a restriction, is that stem coming off the seat all the way? whatever that sort of thing like that. Okay, how do I get? Make sure in my mind that I can either eliminate that as a pain point or not right? So you could do that with that or or you can use and we we actually give these away in class but you got to come to class to get one for for correct. So then that goes right on that valve and you see it's it's a no-brainer because it tells me which way to turn this to close it and which way to turn it when I'm when I open it. So if I want to, if I wanna if I want to open this completely up yeah, guess what? There you go you hear that Yeah and this is the this is really what's Superior as opposed to doing this manual. But if this is all I got, that's all I got right? Okay that that's it. However, if I do have the tool, I can tell quickly. oh I'm I'm I'm I'm right I'm I'm I'm I'm as open as it's going to get right So now that that removes all doubt as far as where that position of that particular stem is relative to the seat. So that's a method of verification whether or not the valve is working properly. Sometimes we just need a mental verification. Is the board doing what it's supposed to be doing? The board says it's open this much, but is the valve really opening? We can kind of put it and that's the mechanics of it. Now you there are test modes you can put in there to to now check because that's that's mechanically. But what about electrically right? See? So so there's there's there's a testament you can put it in to. Okay, so it's basically it's basically a two coil valve. So I got a B, C, and D. So A to B C to D I mean it's really straightforward because each each one is going to be 150 ohms. Yeah, thereabouts right for that to see if I So if it's within that realm, let's say within 10 percent now I'm not, that's not going to be the culprit. But now if I'm measuring that and it's 50 ohms, well I've probably got some shorter windings. Yeah, you got to see inside that hand. it's so so that's that. That's those are some of the things that we make sure that people understand and and they have a good uh. they've got a good uh bearing on on what what they're dealing with, what they're looking for. The other side on that because you heard the click when it's wide open. Well what about when it's all the way closed because these do the the the the stem does have a spring so when I close this thing all the way, look at that. Okay, so see. So now it's gonna because with a lot of EVs and even on the on the air conditioning side you power you. You you your move, you remove power, bring power back on right? What happened you? You always hear this. it's over closing on purpose just to make sure that it is closed on the seat. It'll do that several times. Gotcha, You do that. So so okay. so for that, it's got to have some kind of spring. otherwise you're going to ruin the stem right? It doesn't take that that long before you kind of blunt that stem. it's not going to hit hit like it should, but see that it just gives you a little more flexibility as far as am I troubleshooting this properly and and am I really verifying that this thing is physically physically okay. Yeah, right. One thing I Have to say that I got to give you guys props for when it comes to your Eev systems and and it took me a while to finally read the manual and learn this. but is that you guys actually ship your systems with your valves in the open position? So when we're doing an installation, we can Purge with nitrogen without having to do anything. And in fact, you don't turn on the power to the system and you install you purge with nitrogen, you braise everything in and then you start it up and on. Startup If you listen, you'll hear the valve close. Yes! so that was something that when I finally figured that out, it's like oh, that makes sense, you know and that was a cool and I Imagine: had I gone to the contractor program I probably could have known yeah, you would have by the time you got finished, you'd know Yeah, Yeah, yeah for sure. So there's a lot of benefits for that, especially as we get more specialized in everything. It's just one more effective to put in your cap for that in the customer size. I Mean why do people get ADC certified when they're a technician or mechanic right? Because my potential customer recognizes that if you're trained like that, then I'm going to trust you to do my work for me, right? You see otherwise, that level of trust is not there necessarily. And I'd say if the manufacturer is willing to stand behind you, it's got to give confidence to the customer, right? right? Yeah, the manufacturer is willing to say this guy went through a certified program. He did these steps. He went through this and you know this particular person is capable of doing the installation of this equipment, of maintaining your equipment right. and and the certification program. it's a two. It's a two-day training. So so the first day we we give you a good look at the swath the whole catalog of what we offer for in the field as far as selections of equipment. But not only just, it's not like you're going to go like back there see back in the back you might see there. Well that's that's what we call it. Lop It's got the intelligent control on it right? But uh, where's the low voltage on there? Where do I hook my high voltage there? You know? Where do I Where Where Where do I put my my liquid and suction line. Where are they gonna? So all those chassis we we go through those during that day one process as far. so this is here's what you can expect from this: Lop or the medium profile or the large unit cooler. What's different about that? What are my options for that? So that's the first one. The the second day is really intensive because that's where we get the intelligent controller and the sequence of operation for that controller gotcha. and it's Hands-On You're going to have to actually wire the thing you're going to actually put it through. Let me do five five activities that really help them focus on not just set up for the first time right because they have to tell it. Tell it what it is because it doesn't know. So what refrigerant? Well, if it's 449, okay, you got to tell it that you know you've got to tell it whether it it's going to have a condensing unit connected to it that's going to be wired to it or not. Yeah, so you got to tell it to right. You got to tell it all those things. And then once you do, now it knows where what what to do. Right now it knows what it's taught and also the set temperature. So what? What's my target temperature for this? Okay, so that's going to have everything to do with well, what superheat value? Am I going to have to achieve and maintain depending on the refrigerant I've chosen for that system Is it R404? So all all the common refrigerants are right there. So during the setup process we we just tell it and it reads off what it is. Okay, so okay I'm going to find. Oh, here's 449 448. Okay, lock that in now. Now it knows what it's dealing with. You know? So it's like you mentioned, it's pretty straightforward, but it's just information you need to know so you don't stumble. right? Yeah, and I've set up several intelligence and several QRC systems. And and yeah I mean there's There's a few questions that you answer, especially with intelligent. it's you know There's some real basic questions. Yeah, like you said, you went through them. and then it does everything it. Maps The system for you. It profiles the Eev operation and and the races. That's it. It is. Literally. and you can do that in less than two minutes. Yeah, as opposed to, you know, a standard mechanical TXV system. Guess what? It's going to take you a while. Yeah, it's going to take you a while to wait for it to stabilize. You're going to make adjustments, You're going to give it time, You're going to make another adjustment, you're going to give it time, and then maybe you're lucky. And your system operation is good. Yeah, and and about two hours later, you might be ready to go, right? So as opposed to two minutes for setting this up right? So, and time is money. time is money. So yeah, that's another thing to be thinking about how to convert your mind to this electronic mindset, because we're not going back the other way. We're not I mean, with all the Doe mandates and we're at 7.6 right now. As far as a whip is concerned, they're probably going to raise that value more as far as doe. Now that's not us, but we do have to comply to it. You know, we have to build to it. So uh, hey, it's not going to go away. So I've got two choices I can either embrace the change or retire hey, one or the other and I agree. You know what we have. We have a lot of people that don't want to evolve with the trade and the way things are going and you're going to get left behind. We need to embrace the change because as a manufacturer, as a contractor, as a technician, if we embrace it, then we move on with everything and we stay employed. We stay in business, and you know, Yeah, And one more thing about the the certification program. We once, once they get certified, the clock starts ticking right three years later, because hey, we're not going to stop building new stuff. So we want to make sure that they stay up on the new stuff, right? So they're required to recertify. You know, So whatever it's going to take for that particular time, new chassis comes out new. Uh, New Logic whatever that sort of thing is. hey, we want them to be up to stuff on that, so we'll let them know when it's time for them to recertify. And that's that's a good thing too. So to keep them current, because as you know, even with doctors, I mean you just think somebody that that became a doctor 25 years ago, if they never went to another seminar, if they never went to another Workshop ever, at some point they're going to be useless as a doctor, right? There's always changes. You know it's inevitable, right? So yeah, so so that's that's the same thing with us, because we are doctors of the sort, right? We are all right. Don This has been some great information. Where can people learn about becoming a Heatcraft certified contractor? Where can they go to find more information on this? Easy peasy man? Just go to Heatcraftrpd.com Hit the training Tab And then right there in the upper left hand corner, there's going to be hey, do I want to be a certified contractor? Hit that button. Awesome! So that's on the training page. That's it's got everything they need, plus all the options as far as what we call our calendar is live and up so they can see well what other things can I get trained on. That's there too. All right, this has been great information. Don And you know again Heatcraftrpd.com all the information we need. Thank you so very much for this opportunity I Really appreciate it. It's been a pleasure Chris it's been a pleasure. Thank you.

30 thoughts on “Heatcraft sessions – training podcast”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars burningdust says:

    Chris, the more of your content I watch the more I think you would make an awesome instructor in trades college running a refrigeration course.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Zach Silkey says:

    Man i work in-house HVACR for a school system but I looked and there isn’t even a certified contractor in my state

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars George Robles says:

    Good video and preview of what training offers.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars George Robles says:

    Love how my 3d printing experience comes into play for eevs. I need to get that tool, but I wonder how much is training 🤔 probably nothing in my area, I need to research this.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Real estate services & sales Heating & Cooling says:

    My heat craft condenser is 35 years old and I want to replace it with another one!🤣😪
    Nice video!
    Stay safe.
    Wear your safety glasses!!!
    🥃🥃🍺🍺🍺

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steven Cossaboon says:

    Great video Chris. We need more meetings with the masters such as yourself and Don. Please keep them coming when you can.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Vincent Ramirez says:

    Chris Thank you. This is a Supreme video of technological development in this field. And yes we all sometimes assume things an cause issues. READING IS KEY. Service area Orleans??

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Mooney says:

    This is great! Thanks Chris. Thanks Don.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars FatKiefBowls says:

    i went to one of this guys classes he's awesome

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RELIABLE HVACR says:

    Good info man 🤙🏽

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris Anderson says:

    Coffee mug handle wasn't facing you…I'll bet it's just a prop…

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Everett Stevenson says:

    Hey Chris, I like your podcast/social media ? Looks like some more of the matrix reloaded again? I might be talking like Larry Fishurne again? the red pill or the blue pill ? Again you are talking potatoes and I am talking tomatoes. Love you buddy, might sound a little queer again. God bless you…

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ThatOneGuy says:

    Thank you for not posting this for your patreon only ppl ! Service area Ottawa??

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Danny says:

    This was awesome. I have such a thirst for knowledge like must people in this field. This was a wonderful video you put together for us. Thank you!

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Logan L says:

    I called Heatcraft tech support a couple weeks ago and Don tried to help me. Not only did he fail to get me going down the right path but he's a total douche

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nathan G. says:

    Nice

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott says:

    Chris,
    Thanks ‼️
    I think it’s time for you to stop climbing ladders. Whether you partner with someone like Bryan Orr or Heatcraft, you should open your own training academy as close to your house as possible. Reduce your travel time, increase your family time. And make sure you charge an arm and a leg for tuition. Are you in Barrhaven ?

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jhill. 721 says:

    This is really good man , you should sit down more and talk to these guys and let them know how it is ! Great job 🙌🏽🙌🏽 Are you in Kanata ?

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Fleur de lune says:

    ❤️

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Everything HVACR says:

    Good stuff Chris. All of your viewers may not appreciate this video but the HVAC guys out there should, keep up the good work 💪

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brian Mc Dermott says:

    Great interview and info. Thanks Chris.

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jamie Lapierre says:

    Don is awesome
    I just went through their certified contractor training class.

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Montalvo says:

    Great video. I've wanted to take that training class but I barely work on those things any more. I may just bite the bullet and go on my own cause I love to learn new things

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Matt Woodbridge says:

    Thank you guys for this information. Are you in Nepean ?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars HVAC with Greg says:

    Any update for a part 2 on the house project? Did you decide on carrier trane goodman etc and the minisplit.

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alex Bowles says:

    nice little change-up in content, i like it

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars yz250a says:

    That xducer looks familiar: been used on automotive for 30+ years.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jason Johnson says:

    Training is very important to fully understand the equipment you are working on…….getting factory training is the pinnacle of understanding the exact piece of equipment you are working on

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars clive ramsbotty says:

    Don Fort is a fantastic name

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars fluke196c says:

    awesome. time for a bong hit

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