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The H10g/pm are my go to detectors. I've had the pleasure of using the Zx-1 and YJ accuprobe. They both worked well in the first 3 months but started dropping off in performance until failure. Kinda scar'd now from those type of plastic bodied sniffers. I rarely work with 410a but the h10 family has yet to let me down on a 410a leak. False hits on h10's are close to none. It's been observed when walking into a bakery chill with moving product and rising dough, it will quickly false alarm and then stabilize.

The FP IR looks to be something I'd like to invest in. Though it seems on a couple videos that the sensor is almost touching the reference leaks. Do you normally have to be close with the IR? Can you stand a couple feet from a coil with a slow swinging motion and still get the general area where the leak exist? In the videos it seems that the FP IR refrigerant detector have an air pump which depends on sucking up praticulates. When I think of IR, Flir or Fluke imagers come to mind. Are there lenses inside the FP that detect IR after particulates hit the filter? Really interesting stuff.

I own one and would buy it again. But it's only one tool to find leaks, sometimes it's better, sometimes not compared to my other leak detector.

Originally Posted by MechAcc

The ultrasonic will work better than a stethescope. It amplifys the sound.

Thanks, one of the issues I have is the place is right next to the freeway.
So it makes it harder to hear. For $20 can't go to wrong with the scope.

I looked at the ultrasonics which is why I posted in this thread. Not sure which one is the "one" to get. I hate buying tools twice, when I should have done better research. The Fieldpiece is an IR, I don't think that will work through sheet rock.


Anyone own the Thermal Engineering ultrasonic meter?
http://fierychill.com/tools/leak-det...gineering-9997

The ultrasonic will work better than a stethescope. It amplifys the sound.

The few times that happened to me,I had to run a new line or cut the line at top and bottom,pull it out,fix it and put it back!

OK never mind I figure it out like everything else

FWIW I ordered a stethoscope to see if that will help. Worst case remove 16'x16" of sheet rock.

You should have started a new thread in a relevant forum like Pro's Forum: Residential.

A lot of posts in this thread.

Ok my problem. They re stucco the building and suspect a staple hit a line inside the wall. Need a way to find the leak area so I only cut one hole in the wall to fix it. Will cut the sheet rock from the inside vs the brand new stucco. The line run's from the attic down 2 stories to the ground.

I'm thinking a stereoscope. Not sure if an ultra sonic would work inside a wall.

Bacharach Informant II....

Okay, so I've spent the rest of the summer comparing the sensitivity of this tool between R-22 and R-410a and there is a difference. It picks up the R-22 from quite a ways away (3-5ft). You have to move over the surfaces of the piping system (within 6in.) to detect R-410a but it picks it up right away. In terms of R-22 it picks up concealed leaks (under the insulation and other things) very well. You have to remove the insulation for 410a detection. This is by far the best meter I have ever owned.

There are 2 quirks that I found with this unit however, if you are in wind or are sniffing near a running fan, you will get false readings.

Also, the sensitivity scale is much more balanced when detecting R-22. with 410, it's either screaming or it just barely ticks. After getting used to it, I found that you just stay near the tick and get really close and move the tip slowly. You will hit gold pretty quickly.

99% of the leaks I found this summer were due to poor brazing... Which also means that the systems were not evacuated properly to begin with. Shame, shame....

Best find of the summer was when I was called out to a new install to find a leak (they couldn't keep the unit running correctly either) and I knew almost immediately that there was a kink somewhere. So, I went to the last place anyone would want to look (the attic) and found a kink under the insulation. The kink has a small tear in the corner. Recovered, repaired, evacuated, recharged and the homeowners were happy little clams.

I hope I have helped a little and don't come off as the idiot that I was portrayed to be a few pages back.

I think the guy was just mad that I don't like Fieldpile.. Whatev

Originally Posted by MechAcc

Now I can see it. Thanks. How did you like testing the LS-4?

It is a simple device that is only calibrated for one pressure.
When connected to something like R-410A or a hot or cold drum of R-XXX it is merely a reference leak but still useful.

Originally Posted by joeyd

Video looks good....but, did you shoot it in a mirror???

Yep smoke and mirrors
Thats the only way I could find a small R-410A leak with a heated sensor

Now I can see it. Thanks. How did you like testing the LS-4?

Originally Posted by itsiceman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pyFWhq77Js

See if this don't work
If not I don't know what gives

Video looks good....but, did you shoot it in a mirror???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pyFWhq77Js

See if this don't work
If not I don't know what gives

Had a pin hole leak on a walkin freezer today r404 The Fieldpeice IR picked it up at the door,big blue only picked it up with my finger over the leak!

Originally Posted by itsiceman

Hey Mech
Here is that ZX-1/R-401A video on youtube
I think it is messed up though!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97FPpS0v3Qw

Can't see much....

Hey Mech
Here is that ZX-1/R-401A video on youtube
I think it is messed up though!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97FPpS0v3Qw

I really don't think anything is "wrong" with them.
This is my second SRL2 and they both had the same sensitivity IMO
that's why I never bothered sending it back for a third.

Originally Posted by itsiceman

I got around to testing R-22 with my detectors in the back of the garage with the door open and jug on the floor no breeze @ 70˚F

With the reference leak my SRL2 and SRL8 did not pick up anything and my ZX-1 was screaming again.

I changed the clean filters on the Fieldpiece units with new clean filters and got the same result -0- leak detected with either Fieldpiece unit.

I have some R-134A setting up now and will try the R-410A again.

At least from the videos it appears something is wrong with both SRL2 and SRL8 unless being outside makes that much of a difference compared to inside where you did it Mech.

At least now I can see why I'm so frustrated with these Fieldpiece detectors but I still not sure if if there is anything wrong with them or not.

Maybe Russ Harju can address your problem and provide assistance.

where can i get a couple of those ls reference leaks at

I got around to testing R-22 with my detectors in the back of the garage with the door open and jug on the floor no breeze @ 70˚F

With the reference leak my SRL2 and SRL8 did not pick up anything and my ZX-1 was screaming again.

I changed the clean filters on the Fieldpiece units with new clean filters and got the same result -0- leak detected with either Fieldpiece unit.

I have some R-134A setting up now and will try the R-410A again.

At least from the videos it appears something is wrong with both SRL2 and SRL8 unless being outside makes that much of a difference compared to inside where you did it Mech.

At least now I can see why I'm so frustrated with these Fieldpiece detectors but I still not sure if if there is anything wrong with them or not.