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Haha, Chuck and Larry! I know those scrap guys! Haul my old boilers out!

Can I just say, hire a pro!! If you are thinking 8x18 for a 5 ton system, you are thinking wrong and don't know what you are doing! Get someone that does know?! That's about half what you need and...

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There you go, just imagine a goodman condenser sitting behind that mess. Why, a lot of work, for what?

Condenser would be sitting at the top of the picture. Sorry, no pictures before...

Thanks for reply but definitely not the issue. System in Chicago, top of 4 story building, behind a fence, with no gate, "nobody's ever going to have to get back there, right?", about one foot from...

Maybe post pics tomorrow, at least of the part that I cut out. Still on the van.

Just wondering if anyone has run into this before. Had a service call today to go install new service valves on a Goodman condenser. No problem, figured leaky service valves right. No, valves...

Sorry, but you bought your own equipment and then hired someone else to install it? You will have a hard time pointing fingers. Can't blame seller, they only provide what is asked for, can't blame...

Tape measure, basic idea of structure, stud finder (important), small rods saved from crappy horsehair filters cut at an angle, used as spotter bits. Leave a hole about 1/16 of an inch, if unsure,...

I would have the wiring looked at first. Number one is the fact that it should definitely be stranded and not solid-core wire. Recently, we had a mitsubishi class and they are starting to recommend...

Why are you thinking about moving in this direction? Most try to move the other way. Installation is hard, backbreaking, head busting work most of the time. I have a helper, and he doesn't say much!...

Think I would spend my time and money on insulating and draft-sealing the room. Converted porch will never be comfortable unless these issues are addressed first, especially with that amount of...

Sounds like a concentric kit, and with the size of furnace you have, if it is 120,000 btu, 2 1/4" would be too small for the exhaust, or the intake, probably 2" id, 2 1/2" od, best guess is what you...

Have to agree, took me about 4 years to move from installer helper to installer, about another month or two to quit worrying about the next days install, what am I doing tomorrow? Few more months to...

I Agree, 90% furnaces do add to the difficulty level. However, we should stand behind what is told to the customer. If you are telling the customer their heat exchanger is cracked, make sure, they...

A cracked heat exchanger is easy to spot, when it is not inside of the furnace, inside of the furnace, it can be a b***h. If they are sure it is cracked, they would accept your challenge, otherwise,...

Second visual inspection, if you trust this company, good, agree to a new heat exchanger, new furnace contingent upon the fact that they can show you the crack once they remove the heat exchanger or...

This truely was the most informative class that my employer has sent me to. Told me where to look for cracks on every type of heat exchanger, made me feel confident that if there is a crack, I will...

Yeah, got the asterisk, won't get yelled at any longer.:yes:
Sorry applied awhile ago, didn't know it was approved until tonight!

One thing I noticed not yet addressed in the thread yet but in the original post is the addition of a bathroom in this former garage. Is there a shower in the bathroom? If so does it have a properly...

I know I am not vetted to post in the AOP section, so I am not posting advice, but did none of you notice this line from the OP. "110 outside.
Unit only runs during cheap electric rate time .....7pm...

Oh 2sac, I feel your pain! Residential Hvac in Chicago. How can such a large city have no real requirements to install this stuff in this city, of course there are requirements but not for the people...

If you were in the market for a IR thermometer, I just picked up a fluke 561R at sears for $123.05, regular price $179.99, I believe. It also came with the Fluke voltage tester, small pocket style....

Woohoo,

Guess I got it made since I can and do both. I agree, it is a different mindset and you truly have to slow down and pay attention to do the service side properly. I think problem is a lot...

Oh, by the way tiger man,

I guess, we should meet, so that you can retract your statement. I always fix my own, and other peoples as well. I am the guy that is sent out to work on the owners...

Once again Tiger man,

Your area, your experience! Around here after the fifth service tech, I wish I was kidding, goes out and does not fix the problem, they send out one of the top installers and...

Jrmech,

Not trying to disagree with you but that is how it is in where you are at, however, in my neck of the woods, some of the best service techs that I have met prefer install. Not everyone...

Can only speak from personal experience, however, I think that you learn more starting as install and moving to service, if that is where you want to end up.
I started as an installer helper, moved...

I pretty much have this setup and it is totally worth the investment! I have the appion crts and they rock, have the appion hoses 1/4" to 3/8", connect them to a yellow jacket vacuum tree and I'm all...

Yeah,

Looking at their site looks like it's made to work directly with the Appion TEZ-8 vacuum pump, since it has a 1/2" port coming off the top. Where you are supposed to hook the red and blue...

Hey Flash,
Yeah I saw those and purposefully didn't invest because of all the f'ing ports. I would check the Appion site maybe they can guide you? I would guess one to to hook up your vaccum setup...

Plus Saturday won't count as overtime, since Monday will be holiday pay and we are paid overtime over 40. Free time! I do miss you, somedays. Grass needs cutting but I guess it can wait another...

Screw overtime, I was just happy to be able to be able to be home early on a Saturday that was supposed to be a three day weekend, that I found out I would be working at about 2 on Friday. Got to...

Lastly, I think my biggest problem was too many fittings, too many seals. The simpler, the better. The more seals and fittings you have, the more possible leak points you have. I tried to minimize as...

Been looking at the appion TEZ8 as well, mainly for the ease of oil changing and being able to see what's going on with the oil top to bottom, just can't justify the price yet. Mainly residential so...

Thanks XcelTech,
That's exactly my setup and Flash I'm not worried about the time either as I get paid by the hour, as well, however it is great to be able to pull a vac and be confident with what...

I got most my stuff online. Appion hoses and core removers. They come in a set, one hose, one core remover and you need 2. they have a 1/4 fitting to connect by the condenser and 3/8 by the vacuum...

That's funny,
Sad that I think I'm the only one currently in the company that now does it this way. Maybe that will change as they see how quick it can be done, and done right. Hopefully my helper...

Just wanted to take a minute to post a quick thank you on here to all the guys that share their experience, expertise and recommendations. Just used my new vacuum setup for the first time today. JB...

Well salary sounds good for a start, yes you may regret it in the summer but winter should pay you back, as long as that is the case and they don't lay you off, as you are worried about, hopefully...

Greenhorn, it can be a rough business, especially when you are first starting out. I started as an installer helper about 9 years ago and the first few years were extra hard. Being on the bottom of...

Nice Blitz, and Supertek, looks like a picture for the hall of fame, not here. Unless it truly is all porn, which is fine too, but that would be a lot of porn.

Work in the field, if you can, it will make everything you learn mean that much more, because you experienced it.

Mnfreeze,

That is the business, do the job the best you can and know how until you see a better way, and if you can, make that way your own because it is better and makes more sense. Or ***** and...

Best advice in this thread, from Looking Forward, in my opinion, "Wearing gloves makes your hands softer and more likely to get cut deeper when you are not wearing them.
My wife loves to say, "My...

My opinion, you will get used to working with the metal if you do it everyday. You learn what you can and cannot do. Wear gloves if you are new, it will save you some scars. But in the long run,...

I know I am biased by my experiences, my company and my area. But I have to say again, without really working on the equipment in the field and finding the true problem, you have nothing. You can...

I think, at least in my area, too many guys go to trade school for HVAC thinking wow I can make a great living but don't realize they are going to work there asses off for it. Go to school but...

I think common sense is key. Having some kind of building or repair background can't hurt. Asked one helper to open a ceiling from joist to joist, his response, What's a joist? You have to be able...

Appreciate the story,

It was long yes, but, it shows how people used to chose, or be directed into a profession. Seemed to be about aptitude or interest. You seemed to have both, which is great....

Probably 4 years after starting the job. No previous school, learned on the job. Started with a sub and then moved on to the company he was subbing for, as did he. Got moved around a lot then stuck...