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Refrigerant leak detector

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zepfan
zepfan Member Posts: 492
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration

Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable refrigerant leak detector?

After retiring my 120 v GE H10 (it still worked) more then 30 years ago, I bought the first generation Inficon D-TEK. That operated fine for almost 15 years, and then I bought generation 2 about 13 years ago and it was fine up until this year. I inquired about getting it repaired, it keep saying the sensor was bad, even though I replaced the sensor every year, but Inficon said that even if they had the parts to repair, it would cost as much as a new detector. So I bought the D- Tek 3 in May. Other then the battery when charged lasting a lot longer then the first two generations, it does not preform near as well as the previous models.

I had it for two months and was getting a sensor failure alarm, the rep sent me a new sensor but even then you can be on a unit and actually hear a slight leak the detector either won’t pick it up, or if it does and you want to hone in on the exact spot, it wouldn’t repeat and go off, even on the same sensitivity level. In my opinion it seems the quality of this particular model has dropped off. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I use it on mostly R22, 410a, and 134A. Thanks to all

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 21,010

    Wow. I had the 120-volt Yokogawa (which I was told was the same as the GE) bought it back in the 90s. 120-volt cord or not it was the best leak detector ever made IMHO.

    The Inficon d teks always worked well that was the family of detectors that the companies I worked for provided to us. I am retired now, I have a D tec I bought myself, but it doesn't get used hardly at all cheaper model. Sad to see a company go down hill

    zepfan
  • Matt_67
    Matt_67 Member Posts: 317

    I’ve used a dtek stratus the last couple of years, it’s the best leak detector I’ve ever had. Expensive though.

    zepfan
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,538

    I still like the H-10

    zepfan
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,676

    I'm using a company supplied Field Piece now. It's iffy. I've found an almost microscopic leak on a capillary for a HP switch, but missed a decent size leak in an evaporator. I sectioned it and charged with 400 psi nitrogen. It lost more than half its pressure in 2 days. The detector should've caught that. Its got High, Medium, and Low sensitivity which is handy. Long battery life. I don't know if I'd recommend it.

    zepfan
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 18,091

    that plug in ge one might still be the gold standard. or a torch and plate type

    zepfan
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 21,010

    @mattmia2

    The h-10s are still made Bacharach makes them now. Don't know if they are as good as the old ones. Around $800

    It killed me to throw my Yogagowa/GE away when it quit, but I was retired. I found a guy in Georgia who still rebuilds them (this was maybe 6 years ago) but I couldn't justify the price.

    When I bought it (early 90s) I think electronic leak detectors were fairly new….can't remember. but the branch manager at the supply house told me "don't buy a battery one" so I took his advise. That thing had 3 settings lo-med-hi and I only ever needed hi. On lo if a fly farted 1 mile away it would pick it up. That thing was great.

    mattmia2zepfan

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