Leak detectors.

[Itstony]

Would like to get a leak detector, but there seems so many and so different it's confusing.
I think it will be a good addition to save time.
Who has a favourite they use all the time?
Any feedback will be appreciated.

[tlj000]

From what I understand some of the less expensive or older units. Have sensors that degrade over time and have to be replaced. If you use it on a regular basis and replace the sensor at set intervals they should work well.
For me I expected that mine may sit on a shelf for months at time, so I did not want to guess if the sensor was operating at its peak performance when I needed it.
The Infrared units don't have this issue. (at least that's what I was told)

[rantis]

If you have the money, I would get the Fieldpiece SLR2. I am personally not a fieldpiece guy but a coworker let me use his on a job and I went and bought one that day. It is extremely sensitive even in the low mode. It takes the frustration out of finding a leak.

[CoolWine]

Leak detection was always frustrating until I got a H10-PM.
http://www.bacharach-inc.com/PDF/Brochures/8003%20H10%20Series.pdf

[Itstony]

Thanks for the replies. These are good items, but looking at something not as expensive.
Realise you get what you pay for, but mainly looking for something cheaper and accept it will be limited.
There are several such as Ultra V , IR and having never used one relying on advice on what might be a good buy even though limited.

[spliskin]

Hold up on buying anything. Talk to guys, see what they use. (Another reason to be an RSES member :-).
Take some time do some web surfing. Those too many choices can get narrowed by some research. What will make you happy won't make others happy.
Someone has to be the expert on leak detectors. might as well be you :-)

[Itstony]

Totally agree, I never make decisions without my own research but its good to get some pointers at recommended products.

[Itstony]

Checked more, plus the SLR2 and see they have a new one out, SLR8.
Be good to have some views on what type is prefered.
Heated diode seems good.
Infared seems good but limited.
UV appears best, but a lot of time and cost to use.
I'm looking for the best for quick checking or HFC's up to $250

[cavalieri85]

H10 g it's all I need. Had a d tek and it was junk compared to h 10 look on eBay and try to pick one up. I understand a budget but leak detector is something I would not skimp on.

[Itstony]

H10 g it's all I need. Had a d tek and it was junk compared to h 10 look on eBay and try to pick one up. I understand a budget but leak detector is something I would not skimp on.

Yes, thanks other people have said the same.
I have checked the item and it is clearly branded by at least three different company names, but same item.
It isnt cheap and maybe too much for my needs.
I still need to research and find out what technology is preferred and some feedback before I decide. At the moment the SLR8 looks good.

[itsiceman]

Yes, thanks other people have said the same.
I have checked the item and it is clearly branded by at least three different company names, but same item.
It isnt cheap and maybe too much for my needs.
I still need to research and find out what technology is preferred and some feedback before I decide. At the moment the SLR8 looks good.
What needs? Do you only need to find big leaks? You don't need a electronic detector for that. The first time you are running in circles looking for a leak you cant find you are going to wish you spent a little extra on one detector because more than likely down the road you will buy another model at full price and you may have two that aren't that great. There are too many guys who swear by the H-10 and seem very reliable.

[cavalieri85]

Ok so you want something cheap just pick up a tek mate by Inficon.

[Helioson]

Personally, I use a dtek for initial and tight space work and follow up with a corded H-10. It may seem overly excessive to some, but so far (20+ yrs, knock on wood), I have never been "skunked" on a leak.

[Itstony]

OK, I appreciate all the time taken with feedback.
My gut feeling is always to never skimp unless I get good advise on 'Good value' tools, never to be confused wuth "Cheap".
I am going to bide my time and try and get a Bacharach H10PM or equivalent.

[cavalieri85]

Smart move you won't regret it. You will soon be finding leaks for people that don't use the h 10

[eddiegoodfellar]

Has anyone tried the Leak detectors from AccuTools?
They might be worth a shot for $115.
http://www.trutechtools.com/AccuToolsel520

[Glenn Harrison]

Has anyone tried the Leak detectors from AccuTools?
They might be worth a shot for $115.
http://www.trutechtools.com/AccuToolsel520
I haven't bought the refrigerant detector, but I have the gas leak detector, and it is fantastic. The refer detector is on my list of tools to buy in the spring.

[eddiegoodfellar]

I haven't bought the refrigerant detector, but I have the gas leak detector, and it is fantastic. The refer detector is on my list of tools to buy in the spring.

I wanted to get the combustable gas detector but can't get one local and my company helps out with tool purchases through wholesalers. I bought a extech and am happy with it.

I like the bluvac so much I want to support them when i can.

[Itstony]

What needs? Do you only need to find big leaks? You don't need a electronic detector for that. The first time you are running in circles looking for a leak you cant find you are going to wish you spent a little extra on one detector because more than likely down the road you will buy another model at full price and you may have two that aren't that great. There are too many guys who swear by the H-10 and seem very reliable.


Got one, Jonson RLD-H10 PM.
Am I correct that the Bacharach and Yoko are the same?
Look identical and hard to believe they are different, just the branding.

[JoJoMix]

Got one, Jonson RLD-H10 PM.
Am I correct that the Bacharach and Yoko are the same?
Look identical and hard to believe they are different, just the branding.

They all look identical but I did open an H10pm made by Yokogawa and one by Bacharach and to be honest I felt the parts for Bacharach is cheaper. Both works the same and I found many here say the same, same tool just different branding. So how is it going with you so far? I love both H10PM and TIFZX-1 old model as it seems to be built with quality than the new model which seems cheap.

[passintyme]

Tif zx1

[AussieNZ]

I've got a Fieldpiece SRL2K7 and I love it. It picks up small leaks and doesn't false alarm as much as others I have used.

[m singer]

Ok so you want something cheap just pick up a tek mate by Inficon.

I have had one of those for about 7 years now. It works great on R-22 but it sucks at picking up R 410a leaks. I have a Fieldpiece SL2R that works well for R-410a but not as good as the tek mate for R-22.

[cavalieri85]

A lot of guys at work use them and they are pretty reasonable. They still ask me to get out my h10 though whenever they work with me. My feeling had been if I can't find it with my h10 it's not leaking. Just found one the other day on a Lennox tru that we have been adding gas to about every 1.5 year and nobody could find.

[jtrammel]

A lot of guys at work use them and they are pretty reasonable. They still ask me to get out my h10 though whenever they work with me. My feeling had been if I can't find it with my h10 it's not leaking. Just found one the other day on a Lennox tru that we have been adding gas to about every 1.5 year and nobody could find.

Any experience finding 410 leaks with an h10. My experience has been if a 410 systems got a leak its empty by the time I get there. Had a 410 heat pump today 1 year old nordyne completely flat, pinholes in the indoor coil found with nitrogen and ears didn't have to get out tge leak detector.