We test multiple leak detectors at once and learn that ultrasonic works better than I originally thought.
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All right, so we've got a good situation for leak detection. We've got an evaporative coil that we initially uh pulled out of a job. It actually had a rub out leak here, uh and then it was even leaking here. But after we got that all done, we've got it pressurized and we put just a little bit of forte 410a in it about 50 psi, and then we topped it off with nitrogen and so we're doing a leak search with multiple different leak detectors.
We've got a testo, we've got a inficon, we've got a stratus inficon stratus is, you know widely considered to be one of the best in the market, and we've also got an h10 over here. So we're just going to go through and show all of the others and then we're going to uh show it with the accutrack, because this is one the ultrasonic that i initially didn't believe in um, but i i'm actually really impressed with the results so i'll. Let you kind of hear what it sounds like. I don't know how well that will work, but we'll put the headphones over the camera.
Let's try some of these basic ones, all right, i'm all started off on high okay, so we're definitely picking up something right there. In that corner, that's definitely definitely picking up, and it's right down there in that in that corner, we'll spray bubbles on it. So you can kind of see the cocooning here once we get done doing this. Let's see what jessica has not real convincing check it against the check it against the leak references definitely working.
So this is confirmed to be a pretty darn small leak here. Let's adjust it on medium, i'm medium we're not picking up much with the h10 now hold on. Do we try with the? What did we try with the 316. i'm gon na? Try with the testo, you know 316-3 is picking it up pretty okay.
So that's pretty pretty convincing yeah. This h10 is not doing great and it is actually picking up with the calibrate reference. So that's a indication there. You guys you can see it's definitely showing something.
I was really impressed by how easy it was to find the leak with that i mean it really helped us pinpoint it pretty quickly. So now we're gon na go ahead and just spray, some bubbles on it and just show what that looks like. So if you watch right in that area, you're gon na get some very, very fine kind of cocooning some foaming there and you have to watch it for a while to really see it. But it's a very small leak.
It's right here where it meets the plate and you'll see that foam just sort of builds right there, but again, we've you know confirmed that. That is where the leak is with multiple leak detectors. The ultrasonic is really the winner as far as proving it and uh. It's a very, very small leak, so it's i'm convinced honestly.
This is the accutrack superior from superior signal. This is the case for it here, thanks for watching our video, if you enjoyed it and got something out of it, if you wouldn't mind hitting the thumbs up button to like the video subscribe to the channel and click, the notifications bell to be notified when new Videos come out, hvac school is far more than a youtube channel. You can find out more by going to hvacrschool.com, which is our website and hub for all of our content, including tech tips, videos, podcasts and so much more. You can also subscribe to the podcast on any podcast app of your choosing. You can also join our facebook group if you want to weigh in on the conversation yourself thanks again for watching.
Now try using it in a a mechanical room with high decibel background noise.
Yeah! AccuTrak!
The thing with the AccuTrack is that it sounds like it's just staright-up giving you the sound of the refrigerant. The beeping ones seem good too, but the AccuTrack is more, Idunno, sraightforward?
1.AccuTrak
2. Stratus
3. Inficon
4. Orange one
5. H10
lmaooo When the H10 was being used brain said "not real convincing" yet he used to use that leak detector
im glad Brian came around because most leak detectors are GARBAGE compared to the AccuTrak. Are you in Ottawa ?
I wish I could afford this one.
Boss said he'll no lol
Just used mine the other day. Suuuuppper small leak could not find. Bad Shrader on high side…..soap no worky….high pressure nitro too….
Been using the Accutrac for the last half year. On systems where my colleagues give up. I ususally find the leaks within minuttes. On blastfreezers, open the door and the unit is yelling at me. In larger compressor rooms, shutting every unit, and i manage to find several leaks, but was only there to leakcheck one system.
Somebody plz take that dude holding the sniffer that looks like a pen and treat him to a manicure 😩
I've been using the Ultrasonic leak detector for years now. It's the best. You can find refrigerant leaks, natural gas leaks, compressed air leaks, even CO2 leaks on fountain lines. Super flexible tool to have. I've even been able to hear internal leaks in valves without having to open systems up or pressure test. Can't be beat. This is the hill I'm going to die on lol.
You should include in video the sound it makes with big blu leak reactant & also coil when wet with water
It’s amazing how the noise change listening with my accutrak.
Whaaaaaa????
I have used the accutrak for 6 years finding air leaks on semi trucks as well as a/c leaks, works great, but will pick up noise from florescent lights and others air tools from across the shop its so good.
BEEP!! Service area Orleans??
I have a lot of confidence in the H10 over the years on CFC and HCFC gasses, it would find leaks that other detectors would pass by. It has always been my go to until I couldn't really find a leak on some HFC gas.(like R410A) As you can see it picked up the reference leak no problem. If I recall the reference vial is R11..? (a CFC gas) I think the H10 in the newest model will work with HFC gas but I own 2 of the older plug in models and neither work on the newer gasses with much luck. I now own a Fieldpiece SLR8 that seems to work much better than my old H10's on the HFC gas. I also have purchased one of the ultrasonic detectors (Accutrak VPE1000) and I am still learning how to use it. It says in the book that it helps to find a leak if it is really small that if you spray water or soap over the suspected leak as it will help with the noise that the leak generates. Kind of like making more velocity over the leak hole…like putting your thumb over the hose end to make more velocity. One thing I have found for the VPE 1000 is it has a probe for listening to contact noise like bearings. I had a pillow block that was making noise and thought it sounded like a bearing that needed grease. I had the probe on it while I put grease in the bearing…WOW! I could hear as soon as the grease went in, the noise went away. Cool way to grease a bearing.
Totally agree, I used an ultrasonic to find a leak that I couldn't find with a Fieldpiece heated diode!
I bought the ultrasonic same one shown here because I saw it on Craig from AC Service Tech video, it does work great. But my question is still, unless the leak is in joints, what benefit is knowing where the leak is? In the case of the coil in this video , answer is still the same replace the coil. What am I missing?
Hi,
Can we fix actuator for 2 way valve if there is no actuator. What all changes we need to if we want to fix it. Pls explain Service area Kanata??
Bought an accutrak and it's been a reel timesaver
My ref technician is really an expert without using a leak detector, he concluded that there is a leak in the system and will cost about $1000 to get it fixed, which I purchased my ref for only$650 at HD 1 1/2 year ago of Whirlpool brand. He never used a detector, only his cellphone to enter the sN and model number. Less that 5 minutes, without checking the current draw on the compressor or a pressure check! There goes he billed me with no report/receipt for $99 as trip charge.
I hate the H10. They are cumbersome, and not sensitive to 410a. People that love them probably also have a VHS collection.
Would you be able to do a video on difference on using the wrong lineset size has on a unit? At the company I am working at I sometimes find smaller suction lines connected to the condensers. Sometimes I have off SH/SC readings. Service area Barrhaven??
I have faith in the Accutrack Track and even done two videos on both versions of it but I'll be the first to tell you and even said it in my sponsored review video that it will not pick up every leak and actually misses a lot of them. I've missed several leaks that do not have turbulence due to rough edges. example: like flare fittings. But it's great in highly contaminated rooms and outdoors away from people making random noises.
Of course it had to be a Lennox coil.
My coworker was just talking about ultrasonic detectors yesterday! Maybe he saw this video. I definitely want to add it to my "find it" tool kit. Are you in Orleans ?
I see that none of you are trained on how to use the H-10. Start with large then finish with small. This absolutely will pin point the leak.
I've had one for several years and the only disappointing thing about it is when you don't have a replacement battery in the truck. And you will stop and go get one. Great tool for any business.
IS it safe to used some refrigerant and nitrogen in the system? Service area Nepean??
HVAC school is an excellent teaching tool for anyone in the trade . They provide up to date information and the latest in developments as well as fundamentals in A/C . The classes are for everyone and it’s not assumed that you know everything about the trade ,so it’s perfect for apprentice types and newbies.
وش السالفه🤣
I wonder how it compares to the inficon whisper.
I made my own low tech "ultrasonic" detector 25 years ago and it worked pretty damn good. Used headphone type hearing protectors; drilled a hole in the bottom of one ear piece and inserted plastic tubing to basically make a stethoscope. It worked great because the headphones filtered out all the background noise and the tube picked up the sound of the leak. I found a lot of leaks in a lot of evaporator coils with that. Are you in Nepean ?
H10s are not great on 410. Better with R22.
Couldn't say that was a clear winner Are you in Barrhaven ?
The key is to wet the coil before using the ultrasonic leak detector
Inficon is awsome
Too bad most companies won’t pay for a non-traditional leak detector that cost $700+. Right now most techs in this company get assigned a $180 Tek-mate.
That leak detector was one of the few tools I regret buying. Did not work for me on a bunch of of coils I knew where leaking, good thing I had my S8 as a backup.
You folks definitely know your stuff inside and out, butttt, the testing is default. Why?? If the EVAP was in it's case the electronic snoopers would be going off prematurely. Especially any mid or back of coil leaks. How effective would they really be?? I use the ultra sound, but if you're going to simulate then the actually environment must be as authentic as a true service call. Once again, you guys are great and truly rock! I am just referring to giving any instruments/companies their props. Keep up the awesome work and thank you for so much priceless knowledge.
I believe after spraying the leak with bubbles it decreases the capacity of the EDL's.
Seemed more like a sales pitch for Accutrak, Testo seemed to work the best out of all of them. Fieldpiece heated diode is my go to leak detector.
I got that one and tried it on the real world of refr and hvac and i couldn't trust it, sometimes it would be unbelievable at showing the leaks and some other times nothing, when there was a proven leak, how can you trust a leak detector like that ? Specially when the price is as high as this one is. And then, got it with a case the size of o a recovery machine! cant waist all that space in the van for such a small tool. I really thought that detector was going to be great but did not do it for me. The good thing, signal took it back no questions asked very good customer service.
I'm not sure why I'm reading comments in here about how this ultrasonic leak detector isn't good for 410A. It's not sensing refrigerant. It's sensing pressure coming out. I just walked up to a system that was flat and filled it up with nitrogen and found the leak in 30 seconds. It had nothing to do with being sensitive to nitrogen. I'm not quite sure I'm understanding those comments about the 410A
Update: i misread the comments. They were referring to the h10 the detector that couldn't detect the 410a.
We just ordered one and it came in yesterday. I used it for the first time about 2 hours ago and found the leak in 30 seconds
There are different versions of the H10.
The H10Pro is much more sensitive to R-410A than the earlier versions like the H10G in the video.
Been using ultra sonic for 8+ years. Btw tested amprobe vs accutrak and amprobe more sensitive. 100× sensitivity button. Only problem with ultrasonic is you have to put lots of pressure to hear the really small leaks. Had to put 450 psi on a coil I knew must be leaking to hear the leak
I've been using the AccuTrack for about 10 months. It requires a lot of judgment in its use. Electronic noise can set it off. I have to make a point of not having my cell phone close by, and turning off power to defrost control boards when checking outdoor units. It's amazing how electronics can scream at you when listening in the ultrasonic frequencies. Learning to disregard background noises is fairly key. Training yourself on what to listen for is key with the AccuTrack. You have to listen for that frying bacon sound. I'm pretty stoked about the fact that I can use it without any refrigerant in the system. It has proven to be very useful on systems that I find completely flat. I pressurize with nitrogen, and can find the leaks in pretty short order most of the time. It is also really good at finding very small leaks. Spraying leak area down with water really helps pick up on the sound of leaks. Service area Ottawa??
Welcome to the blue side. I love my accutrack.
Nice.!! This shall be my first leak detector.