Fluke RLD1 UV Refrigerant Leak Detector Flashlight

[mark beiser]

A number of us that are Fluke Pluse members recieved an email from Fluke a few months ago asking if we would be interested in testing a new leak detector.

I had almost forgotten about it until I checked my mail today.
I found a big brown envelope, one of those bubble pack type, with this inside.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-1.jpg

Not really what I was expecting, but hey, I'll check it out.

First off it is very small, They include a strap with a quick release thing so you can secure it to something in a tool bag. I supose you could use it as a key fob too, hehe.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-2.jpg

A green LED lights whenever the UV LED is on.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-3.jpg

The light from it is brighter than I expected for something this size, and is a relativly tight beam.
The left picture is with it 6 inches from a wall, the right is 12 inches.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-4.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-5.jpg

I don't normally make use of UV dyes, but I have a few customers that have it in thier systems, so I'll get to play with it a little. :)
I think this thing will probably work better than the UV filter I have for slipping over the end of my mini LED mag light, but if you use UV dyes regularly, don't retire your dedicated UV spot light yet.

[mark beiser]

I played around with this thing a little bit more.

I mixed a few drops of vacuume pump oil with a tiny dab of UV dye and smeared it on a piece of paper.

The dye reacts strongly with the light from the RLD1 from about 20 feet away in my garage with the lights off and is clearly visible from about 10 feet with the lights on, and I have lots of light in my garage.

The UV light from this thing is WAY more effective at lighting up the UV dye than my 4 bulb LED minimag is with a UV lense over it. The light from the minimag didn't react with the dye unless I was within a couple of feet with the lights on, or about 10 feet with the lights off.

[absrbrtek]

Ive tried the UV dies many years ago when they came out. I dont like that when you pull your gauges off it sprays out. Eventually your finger prints starts showing up, etc. I had a seal literaly blow out on a 100 ton open drive compressor with die in the system. The entire mechanical room was glowing when using the UV indicater. I am not a big fan of UV dies in systems. Neither are many of the manufacturers, it show signs of excessive leaks and voids the warranties.

[matt8085]

At first I thought that was the voltage detector/light that Fluke sells. Looks just like it.

[stuntryder]

Company I work for uses dye all to often.I have three uv lights,the yellow jacket one ran me $150 at the time.I got a small uv light on ebay that is sad to say works much better,is smaller,and takes 1 AA battery instead of anything special.Oh and it only cost me $1.99.
http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/7223/gensteel1cq2.jpg

http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/4457/gensteel2ml4.jpg


http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/6320/smalluvka0.jpg

I will never spend good money for a new light ever again.I have two different lights from ebay.They both work better than any other light that I have seen come out of any supply house.

[grayghost]

Mark
I just received the fluke light in the mail today , i was very surprised it was a uv light.
we have very few systems with dye in them. so i guess i will have to make a point to go by and see how this works.

[berg2666]

Originally posted by mark beiser
A number of us that are Fluke Pluse members recieved an email from Fluke a few months ago asking if we would be interested in testing a new leak detector.

I had almost forgotten about it until I checked my mail today.
I found a big brown envelope, one of those bubble pack type, with this inside.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-1.jpg

Not really what I was expecting, but hey, I'll check it out.

First off it is very small, They include a strap with a quick release thing so you can secure it to something in a tool bag. I supose you could use it as a key fob too, hehe.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-2.jpg

A green LED lights whenever the UV LED is on.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-3.jpg

The light from it is brighter than I expected for something this size, and is a relativly tight beam.
The left picture is with it 6 inches from a wall, the right is 12 inches.
http://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-4.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~mbeiser/ACstuff/RLD1/RLD1-5.jpg

I don't normally make use of UV dyes, but I have a few customers that have it in thier systems, so I'll get to play with it a little. :)
I think this thing will probably work better than the UV filter I have for slipping over the end of my mini LED mag light, but if you use UV dyes regularly, don't retire your dedicated UV spot light yet.



The presence of oil on that line was not an indication.

[condenseddave]

I agreed to that too. I didn't know it was for UV. I'll send the damn thing back if one shows up here.

[condenseddave]

Originally posted by matt8085
At first I thought that was the voltage detector/light that Fluke sells. Looks just like it.

I carry one in my pocket ALL the time. Much nicer than the voltstick, IMO.