Ultrasonic Leak Detector

[uzzo2]

Hey guys, I am looking at a Kent-Moore J-41416 ultrasonic leak detector. This particular one was built specifically for locating leaks in evap systems on GM vehicles. Accutrak built it for Kent-Moore and you can only buy it through SPX Kent Moore new for around $1200.00

I have found a few on ebay used for a fraction of that cost and was just wondering if anyone has used one for finding leaks in HVAC systems. Looks just like the VPE to me so I don't know why they wouldn't operate the same way.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kent-Moore-J...item5647e37fce

[coxmech]

I'm not familiar with the Kent-Moore, but I bought one made by Amprobe. This little jewel has paid for itself many times over. I've been to jobs when a tech is at wits end searching and have picked up the leak from the truck and walked straight to it.

[marvin]

i have an old amprobe uld 1 & 2 accutrac.
all have paid there own way.

[uzzo2]

I went ahead and bought one, it should be here on Wednesday the 25th. I'll check it out and see how it does.

[coxmech]

So, uzzo2, how did it work?

[uzzo2]

So, uzzo2, how did it work?

Sorry guys, I was supposed to come back and update this when I got the darn thing, wasn't I? I did receive it and have really only been able to test it once since there's not much going on right now. It's basically just a beefed up version of the VPE. It has a long non removable flex-shaft like my CPS sniffer does. I had a friend stop by the other day that owns a Nissan Maxima that I was almost positive has a leak in the a/c system. He raised the hood a while back and the suction hose was all oily.

I told him that it must be leaking because of all the oil on it. Well he stopped back by a week or so later and I told him that I wanted to try and see exactly where it was leaking. I took my sniffer which I had just replaced the sensor in which is why I wanted to try it. To make sure the sensor was working properly you know. So I told him to start it up and turn the a/c on. I let it run for a couple of minutes and told him to shut it off. I had my sniffer on with the sensitivity about halfway up.

I ran it up and down the hose and didn't get a hit. I just so happened to see a tiny bubble of oil protrude from the top of the hose about halfway in between the fittings. I put the end of my sniffer on it and got a hit, but it was very brief. I lost it almost immediately, he stopped by again the day after I received my ultrasonic detector to visit. I had almost forgot about it, he was backing out of the driveway and I hollered for him to stop. I went inside and got my new toy and told him to turn the a/c on. He did, we let it run briefly and then shut it off.

I started on the upper end of the hose and worked my way down and it picked up immediately. I listened to it for a couple of seconds going up and down the hose. I then asked my friend if he wanted to hear it, he said yes. So I handed him the headphones and did the exact same thing and he heard it plain as day. Several minutes had elapsed by this time and this thing was still picking it up like it was nothing. So I am going to say that it was money well spent. I think the VPE sells for around 350-400 bucks, I bought this thing for about $150.00 with shipping. If you buy it through SPX/Kent-Moore, you'll pay about $1300.00 for it.

Next up is a system analyser that will calculate SH/SC. My partner just bought a fieldpiece HG2 because that's what I was looking at. What we didn't realise is that it doesn't come with the head to do it with. You have to spend an extra 180 or so bucks to get that particular head. So I started doing some research and ran across the digi-cool website. I looked at the ak-900 and then came here and found a thread on it. I read all 42 pages of it. I think that's going to be the way that I go, you get everything you need plus a set of digital gauges with a manifold for around 150 bucks less.

[itsiceman]

I used a VPE like this.
It works the same but its easier to get into different angles with tight spots.

[itsiceman]

uzzo2 Thanks for bringing these to light ......I got one too
I've been on the fence with the VPE for years

[uzzo2]

uzzo2 Thanks for bringing these to light ......I got one too
I've been on the fence with the VPE for years

Sure thing my friend, you got one off ebay as well? Mine works great, hope yours works as well.

[itsiceman]

Yep 99.99+ship

[uzzo2]

Yep 99.99+ship

You got yours cheaper than me then, you dog you.