best leak detector for it's $

[akpunkacr]

I currently have a inficon d-tek select detector and I love the thing only bad side is it can only be recharged via an adaptor, what is a good sensitive leak detector that only requires say alkalide batteries?

[jrbenny]

Moved to Tool forum. Benny

[hvacpope]

http://www.bacharach-inc.com/PDF/Bro...0%20Series.pdf

[corny]

spray bottle full of big blue

[seh]

Anyone used Bacharachs headhelds (tru point and informant)??
Like to see some input on these.

[oloenneker]

Originally posted by corny
spray bottle full of big blue

Best one I have used as well... Works for Gas and propane lines as well...

[Reeferman]

inficon Tekmate is the best bang for your buck that you will get.

[thegoodhumorman]

H10P
yokogawa or Ge or Bacharach versions,
rarely have a problem other than short battery life but don't get false positives and plenty of tiny ones.

checking out a tif now but so far unimpressed-
those lil red and white bottles of soap with dauber have something in it (alcohol?) that set it off- THATS handy for checking a discharge line DOH!

[sotexkoolbreeze]

I have the H10 P and it works great 0n R22 but is not very sensitive at all on 410A . Is this normal or is there something wrong with mine?

[R12rules]

I remember Dave, (condensed), once spoke about the rechargeable leak detectors... short bat life was a real pain.

His arguement was this: as the bat drains, the accuracy of the insturement also falls off.

So Dave recomends the H10 115 volt.

A co-worker of mine uses his H10 and powers it sometimes with a motorcycle battery with inverter!
I was impressed.

I'm gonna buy one of those "jump start" batter paks with the built in inverter.
Now THAT will be hard to beat for powering your H10 in the field.

[hvac hero]

Originally posted by Reeferman
inficon Tekmate is the best bang for your buck that you will get.

I agree, that little joker will really sniff out a leak.

[carnifreek]

Originally posted by corny
spray bottle full of big blue

Beware with this stuff! I went to locate and repair a small leak, and I spent a whole day soldering up small leaks with this stuff. It is so sensitive.

[ikey]

h10 rechargable is great for me and my guys. they now have a charger that will let you use it while it charges, got it for 35 bucks. the supplied charger was alot smaller but didn't let you use it while it was charging.

[kim]

I have an older Techmate. Boss provided me with a new Inficon. Mine is just as sensative as his on a full battery and the battery lasts longer.

Mine detects 410 his doesn't. He says he is going to get me a new head for it. Supply store says that once 22 has hit the head it does not detect 410 anymore.

[kevin1313]

TIF ZX-1 Good down to .1 oz loss per year on R-22. Crack a bottle and do a side by side test. The TIF will pick up the leak first everytime.

[R12rules]

I got my old H10 to react to the residue left in an empty hose set on some gages!

[steve3871m]

Originally posted by kevin1313
TIF ZX-1 Good down to .1 oz loss per year on R-22. Crack a bottle and do a side by side test. The TIF will pick up the leak first everytime.

I have the ZX-1 as well. For me it's been the best.
Had many other brands and spent $$ an none worked as well as ZX-1. Also has a killer warrranty that can't be beat.

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by Reeferman
inficon Tekmate is the best bang for your buck that you will get.

I agree, with the tekmate the sensor is in the body, with the dtek it's in the tip. When I had the dtek I ruined 3 sensors by getting them wet, with them in the body I haven't ruined the first one.

I also like using, I hate admitting this, a tif by GE.

[local 832s]

snoop (aka soap bubbles) never fails

[william antley]

My personal favorite is an Ultrasonic Leak detector. They're pricey but, worth every cent. Once I learned how to listen with it, I've only had one leak in the last 5 years be missed. And that was because of ambient noise and my trouble hearing in very noisy environments. Every other one I've gone right to it, never fail. It's my GOTO detector!
I also have a CPS L790A that does OK but, it will confuse in a contaminated atmosphere and it does react to moisture and some other materials.
Nitrogen and Soapy stuff never lets me down!