JB DM2-3 Digital Manifold

[dustinvetter]

Is the new JB DM2-3 digital manifold comparable to the Digi-Cool DRSA? I know the JB is a whole lot cheaper. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[mark beiser]

Money not spent on electonics made by JB is money well spent.

[dustinvetter]

Thanks Mark! What about Testo 523 Refrigeration System Analyzer--I want a digital gauge set-I just don't really want to cough up the cash for the Digi-Cools.

[mark beiser]

After researching all the available digital manifolds, I bought the Digi-Cool without the temperature input. I already have hundreds of dollars worth of Fluke thermometer and probs, and can do simple subtraction in my head, so didn't see the point in getting a manifold with temp probes.

So far I am VERY happy with it, I doubt I'll ever willingly go back to regular gauges. I'll likely be purchasing a 2nd Digi-Cool this spring.

[fishunterhvac]

i got a drsa 1100 so far so good except the temp sensor is +8 degree off this is my second one sensor i guess i just have to call them back and let them know about it.

[wolfdog]

A local supply house said a rep came in and priced the JB set with manifold and hoses at around $700. Ouch!

[condenseddave]

Originally posted by mark beiser
Money not spent on electonics made by JB is money well spent.

I'll second that emotion.

[condenseddave]

They should really spend their R&D money on a bourdon tube that holds it's calibration at least until it's installed on a manifold, before they venture into the high dollar stuff.

[Dowadudda]

I have the Testo 523. Incredible. I can honestly tell you. It is durable. About as heavy duty durable as a nextel rugged phone, by comparison. It's not bullet proof but neither is a regular set.

The one thing I love the most about my set is the fact that both high and low side are simply just reading pressure, so you can read net oil, pressure drop across something, like on the high side. With a normal analog set it's more difficult. or like if your reading net oil, you need two low pressure gauges. Or if your reading pressure drop across something on the high side, you would need two high side gauges. This tool eliminates the need for the additional.

The temp probe has been okay. I wish they had like three inputs for others. And they do in a similair model.

The one thing I am not that keen of is it's response time. I have noticed that say when your setting a compressor low pressure swith for cut out and cut in, say on a pump down set up, the gauge sometimes will be slower in it's display of the pressure than what the pressure is. Not by much. like half a millisecond, but enough where I don't like it. I am also not sure if I have to adjust something or what.

It is basically a mini computer. I can set up a system, cut in cut out, superheat subcooling. I can record all that in the thing and label it, like say is was for a condensing unit for a case (s) I just got done reworking or installing or what not. I can give the readings a name. I can know a year from now, what I set that system at for all the settings. It's really nice that way. I never used that yet, but I was just on a son of a witch set up the last two days. It's all effed up, but I got it all to work despite everything thats wrong with it. Did a bucnh of stuff to help it not screw up by way of adding stuff, setting the pressures a little different ect and so on. In an instance like that, It will be nice to reference the info on it.

Don't get me wrong. A system screwed up should be made right but sometimes you just can't do that and have to be macgyver. That is what I had to do. I will and others will forget how we got it set up to run. Now I can reference the system on my gauges and know the numbers that make it work.

[aerox]

my company uses the testo gauges too and i like them very much. I will say that you have to be easy on the handles because some of my friends have broken theirs because they were dumb and cranked them down to hard.

[beachtech]

i have a brand new set of jb's am trying to sell. never used.

[darctangent]

i have a brand new set of jb's am trying to sell. never used.

LOL I think that answers the OP's question better than any other response.

I've been tracking DM's for quite some time and I can tell you that there's no comparison between the two.

IMO, the JB's are a joke.

great vac pumps, nothing special elsewhere.

[beachtech]

i talked to a couple guys earlier today, that have the JB's. they like them.

i already have a set of digi cool 1250's and a set of testo 550's.

i won the JB's in a contest at last job, and haven't had a desire to use them. i would however like to sell them and use the money for a couple other tools that i really need now (never needed before) like a couple big azz aluminum pipe wrenches. :)

[Retread]

If money is the issue Digi Cool has a new set in testing they should be great and lowing in price. I think it is refered to as AK 900. Also Fieldpiece has some in testing for under $400. I would wait for one of those options.

[JBM1000]

I have the JB's and they are totally great. The only downfall is the holding up in the field. I have found that mounting them on a fold out small luggage 2 wheeler helps a lot and having bank deposit bags zip tied to it will hold the sensors safely. The only big draw back is even if one drop of water goes down the hanger stem and inside the unit it "will" kill it. So I only use them with great care and indoor refrigeration times.