THE NEW FIELDPIECE SMAN3 MANIFOLD

[jpnova70]

There are quite a few digital maniflods out there on the market today. Tyring to decide which one to purchase is another story. I always trusted Fieldpiece for all there other products. So with that said why such a price difference between Testo 557, Yellow Jacket,Master cool, J/B, Refco Digiman,. Seems like the most for the buck is the SMAN3. I really dont care what i need to spend on a QUALITY piece of equipment that stands up to the elements. Does anyone have any feedback yet on the SMAN3 that has any of the other digital manifolds already? I`ve always trusted my analog guages as long as a calibrated them and who really know if thats right. Can you calibrate the SMAN3? How many Senior techs have made the change? One more thing, Do you really think this helps the new techs knowledge of A/C. They may depend on this so much that if it fails will they notremember the old school way of life?

JP

[woody19]

They all probably have pros and cons. The ones I have seen are too big and bulky for me but, then again I am old school and like my anolog gauges. I know two guys that had the Yellow Jacket and both stopped using them because there were some issues. Not sure what they were though.
Fieldpiece has been pretty reliable with their other instruments so perhaps it may be a good choice.
And yes, I do think that some of the new tools available today can be a disadvantage to younger techs. when it comes to basic knowledge of how to check certain things like sh and sc. Already seen that happen. Sort of like figuring out change without a calculator or machine to do it for you.
Technology is wonderful but if you don't have the basic knowledge you can really get screwed up.

[jpnova70]

I would have to agree with you. My boss told me those guages are great for the the newbi`s. ``i dont have to worry about a service call gone bad``. I told him to get 20 and see if they come with a crystal ball!! I am going to purchase a set of the SMAN3 i post my results. I do like the Youtube video of the abuse it takes.
http://m.youtube.com/results?client=...&submit=Search

[martyinlincoln]

Got one about a month ago. Works just like it's supposed to. Pretty good deal considering it comes with 2 clamp on temp,a wet bulb check,dry bulb check and a built in micron guage. I also like the digital display showing pressures and temps in tenths instead of 5's like my 410A analog set does.

[skippedover]

Just put my SMAN3 on the truck this morning. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but I purchased it for a couple of reasons. One is, it's a time saver. I can get target SH by directly reading DB and WB using the manifold or I can use a different thermometer to read the DB and WB and manually enter the numbers. Either way I end up with a target SH for fixed orifice systems.

I do agree that techs should first be made comfortable reading the basic gauges and calculating the SH and SC. But having all the readings right in front of you is, to me a time saver.

The other reason I purchased the new manifold is to be in compliance with our rebate programs. Calibration can be done easily and the video of the abuse the manifold takes was impressive. I have many Fieldpiece tools and they all perform flawlessly. In fact, I'm a little disappointed that my multi-meter is rapidly becoming dated, in that it doesn't read 10ths of a degree in thermometer mode. Another good tool being put out to pasture.

[dandyme]

I've got the Refco Digimon, 2 Testo 550, and Fieldpiece SMAN3

the Refco are a good 1st digital set.............fairly inexpensive and get you used to the digital setup

the Testo............expensive turds.............have sent them back several times, not to mention the piss poor customer service from ACR in W-S

had the SMAN3 for 6-8 weeks, haven't used all the features.
haven't had any issues, except the rubber tip on the hook


as far as new techs and digital manifold............from what i've observed,they don't have a clue what all that information is or how it was derived

some of our techs will right all that info and not realize that it is telling them there is a problem

it's an unfortunate problem that i don't see correcting itaelf

[udarrell]

I've got the Refco Digimon, 2 Testo 550, and Fieldpiece SMAN3

the Refco are a good 1st digital set.............fairly inexpensive and get you used to the digital setup

the Testo............expensive turds.............have sent them back several times, not to mention the piss poor customer service from ACR in W-S

had the SMAN3 for 6-8 weeks, haven't used all the features.
haven't had any issues, except the rubber tip on the hook


as far as new techs and digital manifold............from what i've observed,they don't have a clue what all that information is or how it was derived

some of our techs will right all that info and not realize that it is telling them there is a problem

it's an unfortunate problem that i don't see correcting itself

The Testo 556 video shows the target numbers, with the systems actual performing data on the left; they ought to know what they are viewing; but maybe they don't know what to do to bring everything in line with the required numbers in front of them.

Well, I concede; you witnessed it so I accept that reality...

I don't want to say it but, we have situations with installs & service work that reeks incompetence beyond belief.

Too many don't know how to check indoor airflow, or the correct sequential procedures to follow before we are enabled to accurately charge a system.

There are numerous sequential things that must be checked before U actually check airflow, charge, etc., - they have been doing none of them.

Somehow; We have to change the present situation... Who is going to educate & train them?

[JBM1000]

Somehow; We have to change the present situation... Who is going to educate & train them? [/QUOTE]

I wish economic turn-down and tightening of the diagnostic belt-line would back off and allow me to do my job like I use to and get all parameters first and not have to use a hit and run approach while using 35 yrs of experience to at least be ahead of the game compared to a 5 yr tech. It's frustrating when your cell phone is blowing up and the pressure is on to get to the next call now!

[Shophound]

Well I've been at this HVAC thing for over 30 years, saw the SMAN3 set at our Region 10 RSES conference trade show...and I want one!

For the tech that knows his refrigeration theory, tools like these make perfect sense. It's about accuracy, and with everything in one spot it appears it could save time. Although these days I'm mainly around centrifugal chillers and large commercial mechanical equipment, when I do get to work on smaller DX systems I'm dragging out my gauge manifold, a separate meter to read refrigerant line temp, and just one type k thermocouple pipe clamp, which I must move between the suction and liquid line to get both SH and SC, both of which I always check. With a manifold like the SMAN3 it's all condensed into one tool. Hook it up and bingo...I'm getting the info I need, at least pertaining to what's going on at the condenser. Still doesn't relieve me from going inside and nosing around the air handler to be sure all is kosher there.

[jpnova70]

I would have to agree with you. My boss told me those guages are great for the the newbi`s. ``i dont have to worry about a service call gone bad``. I told him to get 20 and see if they come with a crystal ball!! I am going to purchase a set of the SMAN3 i post my results. I do like the Youtube video of the abuse it takes.
http://m.youtube.com/results?client=...&submit=Search

It is now 5-18 i ordered it when i posted this .From United Rrefrigeration in Long Island City. Still back ordered what is taking soo long?

[nonickname]

The new 570 from Testo looks like a better competitor: lower price than the 560 and same features, including the data logging via USB, which I can't live without.

[Shophound]

I finally got my own SMAN3 set this past Friday. They're selling like crazy and it was three weeks between the time I ordered them and my supplier got them in. When I went to pick it up, the counter person told me they had ordered fifty of them and besides mine, there was only one left in the store. They went fast!

I haven't had it hooked up to a system yet but will soon. As for newer techs and these types of manifolds, if they don't understand why they need to measure superheat and subcooling with a set of analog gauges and a thermometer, the SMAN3 and others won't make them better techs. For those of us who do understand, it condenses vital data into one spot which can help us make better decisions concerning the system's performance.

[jpnova70]

Just called my supplier. 3 more weeks to wait. 8 weeks CRAZY!!!! I think there are people that need jobs that could help with this process.