Ultrasonic Leak Detectors?

[timebuilder]

Which have you used, and liked?

[servicef1rst]

I tried several US-RLD's before I decided to purchase the AccuTrak [below]. Ultrasound technology as it's relevant to refrigerant leak detection has it's place, but IMO it's also very limited. US has difficulty in indicating loss through armaflex, and in some cases won't indicate through it at all, the AccuTrak was in fact, of the 7 or 8 I tried first, 1 of only 2 that would indicate through the insulation at all. I would estimate in the year and a half I've owned it, it's been applied maybe 6 times.

Would I buy it again? Yea probably because it's an additional instrument that facilitates another method of professional diagnostics, I would not however, rely on it as a sole method of locating the source of refrigerant loss.


http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/3686/accutrak4redone2sd.jpg

[turtletyme]

I bought older version of Accutrack off ebay and just love it.It paid for itself the first time I used it.Don't know how I will get along if it breaks.

[wannafreeze]

I have an uei ultrasonic.I won't recommend spending money on it.it sits in my truck for years.it's very hard to use and determine if it's alarming for a leak. I am so used to TIF rx 1a,it's been very effective for years.the only thing is though every year or so I have to buy a new one on-line for about 120 bucks which is fine with me,I use it a lot.

[mcr]

I've got a Amprobe ultrsonic. What it's really great for is locating blown vacuum actuator bladders on our reheat coils where I work. This place hae been remodeled so many times some of these are in strange places. I just walk along and put the probe by the ceiling tile and it goes off when I,m under one. It picks up flourescent light ballast too but if I'm more than one tile away from a light I know there's a actuator there. It also great for finding pinholes in pneumatic lines in walls too.

[nchvac]

I've got a Amprobe ultrsonic. What it's really great for is locating blown vacuum actuator bladders on our reheat coils where I work. This place hae been remodeled so many times some of these are in strange places. I just walk along and put the probe by the ceiling tile and it goes off when I,m under one. It picks up flourescent light ballast too but if I'm more than one tile away from a light I know there's a actuator there. It also great for finding pinholes in pneumatic lines in walls too.

Have you got the new amprobe, or the pasar/amprobe? Also, what do you mean it locates flouresent light ballasts? Please define what you mean, it locates bad ballasts, master/slave ballast serving lights or what. thanks

[william antley]

I have an Amprobe ULD-300 and it works just fine.
I had some difficulty at first using it but, once I learned how to use it, I have no problems. I don't rely on it exclusively but use it with the other detectors I have. While it can sometimes pinpoint a leak, usually I have to use bubbles to find the exact spot.
My ultrasonic detector picks up fluorescent lights as well, it's very sensitive to the 6o cycle hum from the ballasts. I just learned to deal with it and ignore the hum. Since the majority of the equipment I service is nowhere near a fluorescent light fixture I don't have to sorry about it.