Thermal Imager Usage

[Copper Gasket]

Looking for alternative way to find refrigerant leaks, considering using a thermal imager as oppose to using electronic device. Have any of you tried this method and have had any luck?

[Phase Loss]

I have a thermal imager, Fluke Ti32 and have seen refrigerant leaks with it. But I dont recommend it over a tool that is designed to actually detect refrigerant.

[Copper Gasket]

Thanks for the respnds, I use the Inficon D-TEK, I have trouble using it, seems like it gives false hits, and when I use bubble soap can never find it. I only seem to have luck with obvisous large leaks. Any helpful advice on leak detecting?

[coldjoe]

I have a small primalec ultrasonic tester and find it invaluable also use a dtec select sniffer never fail to find leaks between the two

[goodguyu]

I have a small primalec ultrasonic tester and find it invaluable also use a dtec select sniffer never fail to find leaks between the two

Is this the primalec tester your talking about http://www.primalec.co.uk/content/view/78/69/
and can you tell me more about it like where you purchased it. I found a article that said it cost under 300 euros in the uk. Thanks

[coldjoe]

yes thats it,very handy device for its cost.got mine posted out from a crowd called srw in the uk .they send our company regular fliers of their wholesale products.they have a website also.

[Phase Loss]

Here are some leaks I've picked up with a thermal imager

Picture 1: you can see a green/yellow fog coming from the left of the receiver liquid level gauge.

Picture 2: You can see the camera picked up the liquid refrigerant leaking out of a pin hole in the Evap. As the bits of liquid refrigerant leak out of the tube, it cools the area of the leak, and the camera picks up the thermal differences. (this was a small leak)

Picture 3 & 4 are much the same as 2. The camera picks up on the liquid refrigerant boiling off at atmospheric pressure. The camera low scale only goes down to -22.2*, so it marks the coldest spot in the picture with a <-22.2* because its below scale.

[neophytes serendipity]

What camera did you use to get these images?

[Phase Loss]

What camera did you use to get these images?

I have a Fluke Ti32