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amazing drop tests!

Originally Posted by AStudent

I agree wholeheartedly, in my experiences pipe clamps have been easier a lot of times, but it's that one time you can't fit a pipe clamp somewhere that matters.

What I'm talking about is stuff like temperature difference like a cold line on a warm day then throw sun and air movement and it makes it even worse. Then toss in not making good contact and anything else you can think of. Take a look at the Fieldpiece clamp for one. There is nothing on the opposite side of the sensor shielding it from ambient. testo even got into temperature compensating temperature sensors on their top end units. You can't get a better measurement than just strapping a sensor and covering it with good dry insulation IMO Might take an extra 20 seconds vs clamps.

Fieldpiece SMAN3 is $328.46 with hvactalk promotional code. At check out just put in the code “hvactalk”, then apply and you will get the 5% off the total cost of the product. Free shipping

Originally Posted by AStudent

Just a forewarning....there is a thread on this website about some guys having issues with their SMAN3 face plate cracking above the high and low side ports. From what they are saying these cracks are not changing the accuracy of the gauges and Fieldpiece is replacing these gauges.

Just something to consider.

I just bought the SMAN3 yesterday. Johnstone has them for $333 online. I went there and it is $349 in their sale flyer but they honored the online price. I can't wait to try it out.


Thanks for the heads up bought them yesterday.

Originally Posted by pageyjim

I think that settles it. 99% sure I'm going with the SMAN. I'm finding it hard to pull the trigger.

Just a forewarning....there is a thread on this website about some guys having issues with their SMAN3 face plate cracking above the high and low side ports. From what they are saying these cracks are not changing the accuracy of the gauges and Fieldpiece is replacing these gauges.

Just something to consider.

Originally Posted by pageyjim

I think that settles it. 99% sure I'm going with the SMAN. I'm finding it hard to pull the trigger.

I just bought the SMAN3 yesterday. Johnstone has them for $333 online. I went there and it is $349 in their sale flyer but they honored the online price. I can't wait to try it out.

Originally Posted by itsiceman

A 1250 didn't/doesn't come with "clamps" besides installing the sensors and wrapping with insulation like it says in my 1250 manual is far and away the most accurate way to take line temps in an across the board everybody needs to do it the same way type of deal like you are talking about. The easiest way usually is never the best way when it comes to accuracy
I'm sure the SMAN will make that list also. Bet the wheels turn slow on something like that.

I agree wholeheartedly, in my experiences pipe clamps have been easier a lot of times, but it's that one time you can't fit a pipe clamp somewhere that matters.

I've had my sman3 for 3 weeks now I love them so far.And you can search this forum and know I was not a digital fan.

Originally Posted by AStudent

There's no such thing as over analyzing a purchase.....it's your money study as hard as you can.

When I had decided that the AK900 was the set of gauges I wanted, I came under fire by most of my class mates including my instructor...mostly because none of them had ever heard of Digi-Cool.

We have a program here called Coolsavers...it's hosted by Entergy...one of the biggest electrical companies in the southern US. Every technician that works through Coolsavers has to use the same set of tools so that accuracy can be maintained, lo and behold the Digi-Cool DRSA 1250 was on that list of tools, and I believe that the AK900 would be on that list as well if it had pipe clamps.

Granted I bought the gauge that didn't have clamps...it made me look like less of a fool for buying something 99% of the class had not heard of.

A 1250 didn't/doesn't come with "clamps" besides installing the sensors and wrapping with insulation like it says in my 1250 manual is far and away the most accurate way to take line temps in an across the board everybody needs to do it the same way type of deal like you are talking about. The easiest way usually is never the best way when it comes to accuracy
I'm sure the SMAN will make that list also. Bet the wheels turn slow on something like that.

Originally Posted by pageyjim

No it doesn't. That would be a long story.

Got the SMAN 3 yesterday. It was on sale locally at Johnstone which is a plus for me. I am disappointed at only a 1 year warranty. I like that it comes with 2 pipe clamps. I have plenty of type K probes and clamps which may not be the best or fastest anymore. ( I am not sure about this.) I will use the micron gauge only as a backup. Never was a Fieldpiece guy before this we'll see. Only negative perceptions are the hard case is rather large and knobs feel like they were designed by an engineer to last through the warranty period. It has a built in sh calculator but it seems to have a limited range for some reason.

The only thing I wish it had was that bar graph. I don't mind all the info I can get on certain calls. Worse case scenario I will get a Digi-Cool too what the hell. But it looks like they use a different temp probe. I like pipe clamps been using them forever so that would be another expense.

I don't plan on using them on every call I use stubbies I made for that purpose.

As you can see sometimes I over analyze purchases.

There's no such thing as over analyzing a purchase.....it's your money study as hard as you can.

When I had decided that the AK900 was the set of gauges I wanted, I came under fire by most of my class mates including my instructor...mostly because none of them had ever heard of Digi-Cool.

We have a program here called Coolsavers...it's hosted by Entergy...one of the biggest electrical companies in the southern US. Every technician that works through Coolsavers has to use the same set of tools so that accuracy can be maintained, lo and behold the Digi-Cool DRSA 1250 was on that list of tools, and I believe that the AK900 would be on that list as well if it had pipe clamps.

Granted I bought the gauge that didn't have clamps...it made me look like less of a fool for buying something 99% of the class had not heard of.

Long story LOL. OK

We may work on different equipment but a lot of the stuff I'm seeing has the temp sensor style and type for the Digi-Cool so I can tap into the sensors already connected to the system which I've done a few times already for more testing.

This was some of how the Bar Graph reacts I did for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mQXQ...ideo&lr=1&ob=0

I wouldn't sweat the 1 year They sound like they will take care of you properly if something was to give right away.
FWIW the new Digi-Cool has a 1 year warranty also.

Originally Posted by itsiceman

pageyjim does your PM work here?

No it doesn't. That would be a long story.

Got the SMAN 3 yesterday. It was on sale locally at Johnstone which is a plus for me. I am disappointed at only a 1 year warranty. I like that it comes with 2 pipe clamps. I have plenty of type K probes and clamps which may not be the best or fastest anymore. ( I am not sure about this.) I will use the micron gauge only as a backup. Never was a Fieldpiece guy before this we'll see. Only negative perceptions are the hard case is rather large and knobs feel like they were designed by an engineer to last through the warranty period. It has a built in sh calculator but it seems to have a limited range for some reason.

The only thing I wish it had was that bar graph. I don't mind all the info I can get on certain calls. Worse case scenario I will get a Digi-Cool too what the hell. But it looks like they use a different temp probe. I like pipe clamps been using them forever so that would be another expense.

I don't plan on using them on every call I use stubbies I made for that purpose.

As you can see sometimes I over analyze purchases.

pageyjim does your PM work here?

You're right. The graph is faster to react than numbers on a display typically and helps you relate if the pressure is going up or down.
It makes it read more like a analog gauge in your mind but much better.
Helps with everything not just watching TXV's from watching a pump down to charging. Plus if you are updating the display every second the numbers alone could show steady but the bar graph could be going crazy.

Originally Posted by pageyjim

It seems with the Digi Cools you can watch the txv open and close is this also true with the SMAN 3?

What I was referring to were the bar graphs on the Digi's. They seem to respond faster than the digital number readouts.

I am leaning towards the SMAN because they include clamp probes and I have backups if they were to fail and it is on sale locally at Johnstone which makes it easier. But it seems the bar graphs make the Digi's even more precise and an even better diagnostic tool.

Sorry I over analyze things sometimes.

I've had my SMAN3s for over 9 months, use them every day and still love them.

AK all the way of you want long term reliability.

Originally Posted by pageyjim

I think that settles it. 99% sure I'm going with the SMAN. I'm finding it hard to pull the trigger.

I had the same hesitation and then once I bought the first set, SMAN3, I wished I had done it years earlier. I was so confident in my decision that I bought my self the AK900s so I could have backups. Can't go wrong either way. Do a search for AK900 and SMAN3 together, you'll find plenty

Dan

Found them. Thanks for putting the thought in my head.
http://www.microdaq.com/thermocouple...sion-leads.php

Originally Posted by ncboston

I was wondering if there were premade cables that would serve this purpose. I'll see what I can find on the Internet.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/TEM...Y36?Pid=search