AccuTools BluVac Micron Gauge

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03-10-2011, 02:53 PM
jthomley

This sounds like a great product, and if I had just not purchased a new Fieldpiece I would probabaly try this one.

Wish I would have seen this post a few months ago.

jt
03-10-2011, 09:49 PM
pacnw

Quote:

Originally Posted by energy star

I

I personally believe in the near, very near future, all our vacuum gauges will be built into the manifold.

and you think this is a good thing?
03-10-2011, 10:28 PM
chuckcrj

Quote:

Originally Posted by energy star

I personally believe in the near, very near future, all our vacuum gauges will be built into the manifold.

There are already at least 3 manifolds that have them built in.

What about those of us that don't use manifolds to evac?
03-10-2011, 11:18 PM
energy star

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacnw

and you think this is a good thing?

Yes I do.
03-11-2011, 03:51 PM
AirTechMech

I still have one of these floating around somewhere, boy have things come a long way.

http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/1...4076_114_1.jpg
03-11-2011, 10:35 PM
Vettgetsmwet04

if u do mostly residential and small commericial, 10 tons and less, using your manifold versus hooking up two lines directly to the tree of the pump is very little advantage as far as time. ive done it both ways, takes 20 to 30 minutes to get it to hold 500 microns either way most of the time.

i like the micron gauge built in, but i still have a stand alone micron gauge attatched to the tree of my pump, that way i hook my gauges up and dont have to unhook them to evacuate, then hook back up to check charge, just saves time and potential air that can get in with hooking and unhooking hoses.

bottom line is that 99% of techs use there manifold to evacuate, once your hooked up u just change the middle hose from vacuum to charge tank. keep it simple.
03-12-2011, 12:35 AM
marvin

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirTechMech

I still have one of these floating around somewhere, boy have things come a long way.

http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/1...4076_114_1.jpg

there are 3 similar to that in my truck in a well padded case
at all times. with the blu vac i may br getting ready to retire them.
i will be picking up another blu vac monday along with accu tools
new scale.
03-31-2011, 10:58 AM
joeyd

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTCHVAC

I was looking into the yellow jacket 69075. But now this one has cought my attention. How much is the bluvac? Where can I get one?

The BluVac is now available at TruTechTools.com:

http://www.trutechtools.com/BluVac-D...ge_p_1641.html

Also, we have updated the firmware to allow operation of the BluVac down to as low as 10F, for you refrigeration guys.

If anyone who has already purchased a BluVac wants a firmware update for low temperature operation, contact us. We will upgrade for free, but you need to pay shipping both ways.

We also recommend using a 9V lithium battery ($8 - $10 at your local drug store) for low temperature (below freezing) operation.
03-31-2011, 11:03 AM
chuckcrj

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyd

The BluVac is now available at TruTechTools.com:

http://www.trutechtools.com/BluVac-D...ge_p_1641.html

Also, we have updated the firmware to allow operation of the BluVac down to as low as 10F, for you refrigeration guys.

If anyone who has already purchased a BluVac wants a firmware update for low temperature operation, contact us. We will upgrade for free, but you need to pay shipping both ways.

We also recommend using a 9V lithium battery ($8 - $10 at your local drug store) for low temperature (below freezing) operation.

And also us northern guys that work on heat pumps.

Thats awesome!

This will definitely be my new micron gauge!
03-31-2011, 01:29 PM
Pascone10

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyd

The BluVac is now available at TruTechTools.com:

http://www.trutechtools.com/BluVac-D...ge_p_1641.html

Also, we have updated the firmware to allow operation of the BluVac down to as low as 10F, for you refrigeration guys.

If anyone who has already purchased a BluVac wants a firmware update for low temperature operation, contact us. We will upgrade for free, but you need to pay shipping both ways.

We also recommend using a 9V lithium battery ($8 - $10 at your local drug store) for low temperature (below freezing) operation.

Pay shipping both ways? That doesnt seem right. I you changed the firmware because of what you read here then so be it. But to make the guys pay for shipping from you facility is crazy if you ask me... Stand behind your product will ya!
03-31-2011, 02:24 PM
joeyd

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pascone10

Pay shipping both ways? That doesnt seem right. I you changed the firmware because of what you read here then so be it. But to make the guys pay for shipping from you facility is crazy if you ask me... Stand behind your product will ya!

Hi, Pascone. Thank you for the comment.

FWIW, we stand behind every product we ship. We encourage our customers to call us with any problems or issues, we always answer our phones in person (during business hours), have technical support immediately available, and we process warranty repairs overnight.

With that said, this is not a warranty, recall, or product performance issue. If it was, we would handle it quite differently.

The BluVac was originally released with an operating temperature range of 0C to 50C. It was advertised as such, and we never attempted to misrepresent this fact. Only afterward did we recognize that there was a need, for some HVAC professionals, for a micron gauge that operates below freezing.

We have done considerable cold temperature testing over the past few weeks, and determined that the BluVac does, in fact, operate quite well down to as low as 10F, especially if a Lithium 9V battery is used instead of an alkaline (the energy available from alkaline batteries drops off considerably at temperatures below freezing).

The only problem we found is that the LCD becomes too slow to update at the BluVac's native 3.5 updates per second. So we made a minor modification that slows the update rate to one per every two seconds when the temperature is below freezing. This is all the firmware update does.

Existing BluVacs without the firmware change will operate at the lower temperature, though it may be difficult to read the display when the vacuum is changing rapidly (i.e. during draw down). Once the pressure stabilizes, the display is quite readable.

As a favor to those who have already purchased a BluVac, and intend to use it frequently at cold temperatures (i.e. those of you in the North, or the refrigeration guys), we decided of offer a free upgrade of the firmware. This is optional and extra, and actually costs us time and money to perform the upgrade. Bottom line: this is not an issue of defective product but instead a feature enhancement.
03-31-2011, 04:51 PM
Tassajara

We do get some cold days down here maybe I should drive over there and get the update ;-). I love the scale and charging module btw I used it today its a really nice feature to have. You should think of adding a set of contacts that open a close with the solnoid put a 115 volt plug on it so you actually plug in your recovery machine to the module when tank reaches 80% solnoid closes recovery machine turns off.

maybe make a vacuum sensor that has a set of contacts once the solnoid closes recovery pumps into a vacuum and kills the machine
03-31-2011, 07:41 PM
Pascone10

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyd

Hi, Pascone. Thank you for the comment.

FWIW, we stand behind every product we ship. We encourage our customers to call us with any problems or issues, we always answer our phones in person (during business hours), have technical support immediately available, and we process warranty repairs overnight.

With that said, this is not a warranty, recall, or product performance issue. If it was, we would handle it quite differently.

The BluVac was originally released with an operating temperature range of 0C to 50C. It was advertised as such, and we never attempted to misrepresent this fact. Only afterward did we recognize that there was a need, for some HVAC professionals, for a micron gauge that operates below freezing.

We have done considerable cold temperature testing over the past few weeks, and determined that the BluVac does, in fact, operate quite well down to as low as 10F, especially if a Lithium 9V battery is used instead of an alkaline (the energy available from alkaline batteries drops off considerably at temperatures below freezing).

The only problem we found is that the LCD becomes too slow to update at the BluVac's native 3.5 updates per second. So we made a minor modification that slows the update rate to one per every two seconds when the temperature is below freezing. This is all the firmware update does.

Existing BluVacs without the firmware change will operate at the lower temperature, though it may be difficult to read the display when the vacuum is changing rapidly (i.e. during draw down). Once the pressure stabilizes, the display is quite readable.

As a favor to those who have already purchased a BluVac, and intend to use it frequently at cold temperatures (i.e. those of you in the North, or the refrigeration guys), we decided of offer a free upgrade of the firmware. This is optional and extra, and actually costs us time and money to perform the upgrade. Bottom line: this is not an issue of defective product but instead a feature enhancement.

Joeyd,

Thank you for posting this and explaining the update. That was very nice to see you take the time to do that. However I will add that although I realize it takes money to update the product that these guys bought this thing because its supposed to be the best. No one is really sure about that yet. I do have a good feeling about it tho! Look, I am not trying bash you but personally I think I will be buying on of these things soon. I decided to wait awhile to see how it all works out (since we dont know how it works or that much about it).
Now saying that, Some of these guys jumped on the band wagon and supported you and your product. They took a chance. Some may have only had the tool for a couple weeks. Now they have to send it to you and pay shipping both ways.. What happens if there are other "Updates" these guys are really going to be paying for it..

All I am trying to get at is Doug and Brenda from Digicool have the best customer service out there. There are many on this site that will attest to that. Doug has always helped the end user. I really hope to see other companies take stance like them.

I guess at the end of the day Im starting BS for $60.00 bucks or whatever it is, but that adds up.. I would have liked to see you say something similar to "I will split it down the middle with the guys that are supporting me and my product." I know personally I have informed 2 other people of your product. They are considering the purchase and if they buy this thing, then find out they need to pay $60.00 for an update for a week old instrument I am sure I will hear about it. Not that I blame them..

Just my .02 Take it for what it is.:whistle:

Thanks again Joe. I look forward to seeing how this takes off and the way you handle issues in the future. Remember there are a lot of potential customers here and lots of publicity! :grin2:

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