Ammonia Refrigeration Technician CyberCoders•$40,000 - $60,000Today

[cg2]

This jobs been on for about a year. wonder why they cant fill it?

[tuba]

Probably because most refrigeration engineers know they are worth more, especially when dealing with a refrigerant that could kill you pretty darn quick.

[zw17]

Tack on another $25k in this area and you will get a few responses.

[MechanicallyInclined]

If you're working as a non-Union Ammonia Refrigeration Tech for anything less than 33% over Svc Jm wage equivalent, then you're crazy. To much to risk, not worth it.

[indy2000]

ammonia 'tech'?

what is that? check temp, and oil in compressor?

[indy2000]

emptying 50 gall of oil from a low pressure receiver is hardly 'tech' work IMHO.

[Lightning_Boy]

$40-60k for an ammonia tech??
I kn

[Lightning_Boy]

ow techs in my company are on 30-40% over that...

$40k is n

[Nh3 Refrigeration Tech]

ammonia 'tech'?

what is that? check temp, and oil in compressor?

Nah, we do a few more things than just that. :)

[indy2000]

Nah, we do a few more things than just that. :)

are you a tech or mechanic?

[Nh3 Refrigeration Tech]

are you a tech or mechanic?


I'd consider myself a Technician (Although my actually title is Refrigeration Manager). The main differences between a Refrigeration Mechanic and a Refrigeration Tech (In my opinion) is that a Technician would normally read the manual prior to an install, where as the Mechanic would just go ahead and install the unit and wonder why it didnt work afterwards. Another would probably be that a Mechanic would typically get a unit back up and running by changing out parts until he finds the right one, a Technician would diagnose the problem and change the bad part the first time. Which isnt nearly as bad as it sounds. The Mechanic's approach to fixing or installing a unit is what teaches them to be good Technicians later on in their career. All of us at one point or another has been a Mechanic. Because to be a good Technician is to have been a good Mechanic, learned your mistakes, and apply what you have learned from your expriences as a Mechanic to your current and future expirences as a Refrigeration Technician.

But to recap, in order to succeed in Refrigeration ALL of us pretty much need be a both a Mechanic and a Technician. Can't be good at one without being good at the other.

I hope I haven't offended anyone, as these are only my opinions.

[indy2000]

I'd consider myself a Technician (Although my actually title is Refrigeration Manager). The main differences between a Refrigeration Mechanic and a Refrigeration Tech (In my opinion) is that a Technician would normally read the manual prior to an install, where as the Mechanic would just go ahead and install the unit and wonder why it didnt work afterwards. Another would probably be that a Mechanic would typically get a unit back up and running by changing out parts until he finds the right one, a Technician would diagnose the problem and change the bad part the first time. Which isnt nearly as bad as it sounds. The Mechanic's approach to fixing or installing a unit is what teaches them to be good Technicians later on in their career. All of us at one point or another has been a Mechanic. Because to be a good Technician is to have been a good Mechanic, learned your mistakes, and apply what you have learned from your expriences as a Mechanic to your current and future expirences as a Refrigeration Technician.

But to recap, in order to succeed in Refrigeration ALL of us pretty much need be a both a Mechanic and a Technician. Can't be good at one without being good at the other.

I hope I haven't offended anyone, as these are only my opinions.

Interesting evluation.

Although I don't agree with what you say, my company issued business cards that titled refrigeration 'tech', I told them they need to relabel as mechanic.

IMHO I don't think tech holds weight to a mechanic, I might be arguing symatics, just my opinion.

[Nh3 Refrigeration Tech]

Interesting evluation.

Although I don't agree with what you say, my company issued business cards that titled refrigeration 'tech', I told them they need to relabel as mechanic.

IMHO I don't think tech holds weight to a mechanic, I might be arguing symatics, just my opinion.

I actually brought this topic up at our Refrigeration Meeting today, and I asked all my Refrigeration Techs if they thought there was a difference between a Ref Mechanic and a Ref Tech....needless to say this is a topic that Refrigeration "Folks" alike will NEVER agree upon. I had 50% of my Techs say that there was a difference and that they thought Mechanics were superior to Techs and the other 50% said the exact opposite. Interesting arguement none the less and a great way to shoot the bull for 30 extra minutes at your next meeting, but as a whole, I'm pretty sure Refrigeration "Folks" will have to agree to disagree when it comes to this topic. But either way, as long as they get the job done safely and the Systems runs properly, I could really care less what they call themselves. :)

Take it easy.

[carmon]

well said.............

[idontgetit]

This jobs been on for about a year. wonder why they cant fill it?

Probably because they are offering low wages even for a residential tech those wages are low and they are asking for a significantly higher level of training. (not knocking resi-techs)

The most likely highly accurate answer will remain the same which is why they are looking indeed. If you value talent, you keep folks happy and you do not have to work so hard at hiring them. That can range from benifits to shifts, but in this case it is clearly wages, not worth it for those who have the talent.

[valdelocc]

Probably because they are offering low wages even for a residential tech those wages are low and they are asking for a significantly higher level of training. (not knocking resi-techs)

The most likely highly accurate answer will remain the same which is why they are looking indeed. If you value talent, you keep folks happy and you do not have to work so hard at hiring them. That can range from benifits to shifts, but in this case it is clearly wages, not worth it for those who have the talent.

Wow!! the man, the myth... the legend !!!

[spinning wheel]

Ammonia is no more dangerous than regular refrigerants. I would rather NH3 than 123 anyday. The best thing about ammonia is that the smell tells you when it is time to go; until your sense of smell goes away. I loved working on ammonia but did not want to travel that much anymore to make the money. That price is way too cheap.
I like to be called a mechanic, tech sounds like I am trying to dress it up. Tech is what the kids what to be called, they feel that they have failed if they are just a mechanic with their name on their shirt.

[jeremy-lvhm]

I actually brought this topic up at our Refrigeration Meeting today, and I asked all my Refrigeration Techs if they thought there was a difference between a Ref Mechanic and a Ref Tech....needless to say this is a topic that Refrigeration "Folks" alike will NEVER agree upon. I had 50% of my Techs say that there was a difference and that they thought Mechanics were superior to Techs and the other 50% said the exact opposite. Interesting arguement none the less and a great way to shoot the bull for 30 extra minutes at your next meeting, but as a whole, I'm pretty sure Refrigeration "Folks" will have to agree to disagree when it comes to this topic. But either way, as long as they get the job done safely and the Systems runs properly, I could really care less what they call themselves. :)

Take it easy.

I always thought Technicians meant more "technical" myself. While mechanics usually just do grunt work and get greasy. LOL Guess its all irrelevant. We just need to be well rounded and not afraid to do our jobs. And competent enough to stay alive. I used to be a field service engineer... Maybe thats better.... Lets not ask though. It will just open up a three way tie. LOL