Accutrac ultransonic leak detector, pros cons?

[acguytx]

I saw this at the expo and it seems impressive but in real life job experiences i wonder how it would work in the field..

anyone use this and does it work well in the field, better then the sniffer and bubbles?

any real experience feedback would be great.. thx

[billg]

I didn't have any luck with ultrasonic leak detection. But the detector looks cool on my shelf with all of its worthless friends.

[itsiceman]

It wont find anything my ZX-1 doesn't pick up on but it helps pinpoint a larger leak in a confined space.
FWIW melting ice sounds just like a leak.
Still waiting for a windy roof to try it on which it should prove priceless!!!!

[acguytx]

they claim that wind doesnt effect it nor sounds from motors and such..it seemed to pick up really smal leaks in the booth and not effected by surrounding sounds but wasnt sure if it would work as well in confined spaces in the field etc..

not sure if its worth 300 bucks if it isnt better then what i have now but if it even found one leak my sniffer couldnt and got me a big job, it might be worth it..

more feedback and research needed for sure..

[itsiceman]

As it turns out mine is more affected by "ultrasonic" sounds in the field than they make it sound. I got the automotive version off ebay for around 100 bucks. Besides hitting the tip in a confined space and blowing the headphones off your ears working around a commercial dishwasher has been the worst. Pin pointing line set leaks has been its strongest point so far for me which has been well worth it so far.

[billg]

I have found one task that ultrasonic detection is exceptionally effective in, that being since a gnat sphincter's resonant frequency falls within the 37.5-51.6 khz range finding flatulent gnats is now wonderfully easy to the point of almost being fun. All other uses in my experience have been lackluster at best.

[acguytx]

As it turns out mine is more affected by "ultrasonic" sounds in the field than they make it sound. I got the automotive version off ebay for around 100 bucks. Besides hitting the tip in a confined space and blowing the headphones off your ears working around a commercial dishwasher has been the worst. Pin pointing line set leaks has been its strongest point so far for me which has been well worth it so far.

thanks for 100bucks it would be worth having..do you have a link to that type?

[billg]

You want to find leaks use one of these.

[itsiceman]

thanks for 100bucks it would be worth having..do you have a link to that type?

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread....Leak-Detector&

billg this I/R one works good on
flatulent gnats

[itsiceman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhf2B1hVsLA

[billg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhf2B1hVsLA

Cool, got to get me one.

[DeltaT]

I have an old Amprobe one, I think, with the headset and a hollow tube and a sensor for vibration. I hardly use it but when I find I need to it's always found a lead where my other standard refrigerant leak dectors don't. It's worth the money to me but you have to learn how to use it and have patience. Background noise makes no difference.