Comparing The Inficon Stratus, Fieldpiece DR58, and Accutrak UltraSonic!

In this video I’m doing a leak search with three different leak detectors, using some very expensive ones. Only one of them actually worked as it was designed! #hvacguy #hvaclife #hvac #hvac #airconditioner #hvactechnician #heatpump #furnace #hvacinstall #hvactrainingvideos #hvactroubleshooting ‪@inficon‬ ‪@FieldpieceProducts‬ ‪@accutrak358‬
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Here are links to the tools I use, And it costs you nothing extra to buy from this list:
Inficon D-Tek Stratus: amzn.to/3RvnXOl
Fielpiece SC680 Clamp Meter: amzn.to/33rhxvE
Fieldpiece SC480 Clamp Meter: amzn.to/33kfgCB
Fieldpiece SMAN 480 Digital Manifold: amzn.to/3twfVvA
Fildpiece SVG3 Vacuum Gauge: amzn.to/3udursu
Fieldpiece DR58 Leak Detector: amzn.to/3nt1TXw
Fieldpiece JL3KM2 Bluetooth Manometer set: amzn.to/3blMrJR
Fieldpiece Blutooth Scale: amzn.to/3Gzveab
Fieldpiece SDMN6 Manometer: amzn.to/3qwk9RP
Fieldpiece MR45 Recovery Machine: amzn.to/3cUFX5h
Fieldpiece 8CFM VP87 Vacuum Pump: amzn.to/3qC2wA2
Yellow Jacket Tubing Expander: amzn.to/3sjuK3a
Milwaukee M12 Impact Driver: amzn.to/37xXkqk
Makita XDT16: amzn.to/3riXuaJ
Makita 18V Light: amzn.to/3Fw4GW4
Makita Wet/Dry Vacuum : amzn.to/3tw4dAL
Makita Jobsite Radio: amzn.to/3HuVp2u
DIY Vacuum Attachment for drains: amzn.to/3tDpfNU
Fieldpiece Smart Probe Kit : amzn.to/34NG3HL
Klein Heavy Duty Wire Strippers : amzn.to/3I8YNzT
Klein Needle Nose Crimpers/Stippers: amzn.to/3fuwXlw
Klein Knee Pad: amzn.to/3cy6FB0
Klein 7in1 Flip Socket: amzn.to/3bpabwG
Klein Journeyman Pliers: amzn.to/3tvB60w
Milwaukee Slim Packout On My Torch: amzn.to/3KeLm3j
Aluminum Packout Wall Mount on torches : amzn.to/3Kf9hQg
Milwaukee Tool Box: amzn.to/322iyK9
Veto Pro Pac Tech MCT: amzn.to/3nwwQdA
Milwaukee Hook Blade Knife: amzn.to/33F3m5T
Testo 300 flue gas analyzer: amzn.to/3IcS3Bd
Western Nitrogen Regulator: amzn.to/3rmdKrx
Klein Canvas Bucket: amzn.to/3FyzKVf
Flag Velcro Patch Kit: amzn.to/3K8Eswx
Supco Magnetic Door Switch Holder: amzn.to/34IcXcL
Milwaukee Magnetic Light: amzn.to/3FulCfF
Milwaukee Rechargeable Headlamp: amzn.to/3nuXsvf
SS2 Float Switch: amzn.to/3K7LJMW
3-Amp Breaker: amzn.to/3nxaSXJ
Appion Valve Core Removal Tool: amzn.to/33CFArw
Appion G5 Twin Recovery Machine: amzn.to/33Dvd6C
Yellow Jacket Large Tubing Bender: amzn.to/3qwJv1U
Similar Small Tubing Bender: amzn.to/3fJsziJ
Fluke Twist Guard Test Leads: amzn.to/3216R6j
Fluke 975 Air Meter: amzn.to/3GwD9oM
Honeywell T-4, 2-Heat, 1-Cool Programmable Thermostat: amzn.to/3qtIuaX
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm: amzn.to/3qtIIyP
SolderWeld Flame Resistant Magnetic Blanket: amzn.to/3qtJ4Wb
Malco 1/4 - 5/16 flip bit : amzn.to/3nr67yU
Quick Check Acid Test: amzn.to/3GA2XAy
Aims Power Inverter: amzn.to/3qOSc87
Wiha Torqe Screwdriver : amzn.to/3u1swH6
Wiha Torqe Screwdriver 1/4” adapter: amzn.to/3IH22Pw
American Flag Gator : amzn.to/3rKBl5u
Compressor Tote: amzn.to/3H8xHst
Inspection Mirror: amzn.to/3r9PERV
Wiha TorqueVario-S 10-50 in/lb Torque Screwdriver : amzn.to/3GbKAku
1/4” adapter for Wiha Torque Screwdriver : amzn.to/3u8g0pq

[@coldking8383]

Hey Curtis -I have an Inficon Stratus Works ok but I also use the Bacharach Informant 2 as well as my old H10 Plus a fieldpiece DR82 and a Elitech METRUM Quantitative Refrigerant leak detector. All of these have their good and bad -I find that each seems to favor one refrigerant over another and I’ve pulled all of them out to back check a single job. I would also say that the stratus and a few others hate to have their tips dipped in water - with the Stratus if water goes into the tip It can fck up the pump . Just from watching your video I’d say you need to send it back to the manufacturer for a repair . When all else fails me I switch to fluorescent dye .good video. Have a good evening. P.S I’d recommend trying the Bacharoch informant 2 - it holds its own.

[@tedperry2441]

H-10 cannot be beat. The PM model is rechargeable and portable.

[@richardselby1711]

It’s the absolute undisputed King of the industry.

[@Richard-qg7sz]

I have both the FieldPiece SRL8 and the AccuTrak VPE Ultrasonic Leak Detectors. My preference is the AccuTrak. The distinctive "hiss" when a leak is detected and by reducing the sensitivity, the leak can be pinpointed. The AccuTrak being acoustic isn't prone to contamination by atomized refrigerant contaminating to the probe.

[@richardselby1711]

I’ve always had trouble differentiating the sound. I have found a few super small leaks but it’s inconsistent for me.

[@sknight0391]

I knew you would like the ultrasonic. I've been singing it's praises for years now. 😎👍

[@HJXEKSD]

I’ve had my Inficon D-stratus almost 2 years now and have had nothing but success with it. Honestly makes finding leaks real easy! It’s unfortunate that both of yours have acted up each time!

[@DevinHVACInc]

I have the dr82. So far been very good to me

[@rolytech212]

Curtis, you need to go back to the soap test😎🤣

[@zesty2023]

I'd keep the Accutrak at about 80% sensitivity, any higher and you just get constant white noise. Also take a spray bottle of water with you, a lot of times spraying the coil will make the leak make much more sound. Also the accutrak is made to be waved around fairly fast, just do a sweep over all the surfaces and if there's a leak you should hear the static come and go past pretty obviously. You shouldn't have to hold the tip right up to the coil and hold it there. It's more like a metal detector, sweep it back and forth over areas.

[@111000100101001]

I hope the Infinicon peeps are watching when you do something special with it :)

[@Freezier134a]

The stratus has been the best leak detector I’ve had in 30 years, sucks yours is giving grief.

[@richardselby1711]

He’s using Cloud Hunting instead of manual.

[@zunar_j5_933]

Like others have said, the H-10 is the way.

[@harrydickson4575]

Looking forward to your next video like others mentioned you should try the H 10 pro 👍👍👍

[@tphvac87]

Get an H-10 thing has never failed me

[@sknight0391]

My Robinair LD7 has been my most "consistently" reliable sniffer. 😎👍

[@philiph1234]

Bacharach H 10 ! Love it !

[@richardselby1711]

Take the Stratus out of Cloud Hunting and put it in manual. You’ll definitely pick up a leak.

[@angelt4186]

Curtis, don't waste anymore money and time on new sniffers. Get H-10 and you will forget the rest. I have it for over 10 years and it's been reliable 100%. On top of that customers think I look like a nuclear scientist when they see me with that big box on my chest sounding the nuclear warning before the mushroom appears on the surface. Also, 9 out of 10 times, all I do is shut off the AC and turn just the blower on. Then I put the tip on my H-10 on the end of the condensate line and here comes the nuclear warning. So, I find 90% of the time the coil is busted within 5 minutes! Get it and thank me later, my friend!

[@dadams7211]

Will the H-10 work with A2Ls?

[@JPTinioMedia]

The Inficon Stratus is comparable if not better than the h10. It's been a huge topic throughout all hvac forums. Ultrasonic accutrak is a perfect addition, those that have bad luck with it is due to user error. As with any leak detector it's an art on how to use them properly.

[@Paulie1232]

Weird I own and have used my inficon for over 15 years and has worked well...😊

[@JPTinioMedia]

My heated diode Testo 316-3 has been very good to me, rarely false positives.

[@kg4muc]

H 10 and dye are my favorites. It’s a shame you have had so much trouble with the Stratus. You definitely haven’t mis used the units as neither one worked long enough to do that😢 There has got to be a defect in the unit somewhere. Big Blue is probably more reliable than it is 😅

[@deanmartin1966]

Love my Accutrak. It works even better with a wet coil.

[@HVACGUY]

I’m surely going to try that.

[@deanmartin1966]

Spray down the outside condenser too. Works great.@@HVACGUY

[@jme36053]

When new, electronic sensors work amazingly well. Over time, their efficacy diminishes until, out of frustration, you surrender to its replacement. With great tools comes a maintenance requirement.

[@KoolinwithKrauss]

I rock h-10 for most cases. It’s got a wand extension which is great! The new fieldpiece one also which is solid for me so far. Also used the yellow jacket accuprobe ll which was great until I sucked water into the pump 🤦🏼‍♂️ cleared it out myself (voided warranty of course) but was never the same

[@billlaporte8255]

I hope you review the H-10 Pro I'd love to see if you think these are worth their weight like the Hype I've read.

[@passenger777]

I have the supersonic accutrak leak detector.I never found a leak.I hane Inficon stratus and i have never failed.

[@nelsonmontalvo7581]

Fieldpiece has being awesome for me but can’t go hitting the coil dude it’s full of water just go medium pace and don’t hit anything if you do replace the tip

[@Balticblue93]

Fieldpiece DR82 or the H-10 PRO are the two I currently own. I have had several others and just give them away or return them. The Accutrak might be next, if one of these fail.

[@JeffsHVACAdventures]

My Stratus has been amazing! Only had it for a couple months though. Hope it doesn't start giving me fits!

[@رافدرائع]

There is a problem with gases formed around the unit, cooling because of its humidity, and the water of the unit is stuck in the vicinity during measurement of leakage. It is better to use a fan to expel it. It is away from a screening device.

[@jorzer18]

I have the Stratus but my go-to is the Ultrasonic!

[@guyhulscher6857]

I have the stratus and a elitech and a inficon ultrasonic. The stratus has been great, elitech ok and the ificon ultrasonic sub par. I want to get the good ultrasonic like you have, someday. However ultrasonic likes it wet. The others any moisture screws them up. Thats the issue i believe you are having. Good video though. I enjoy your videos.

[@robertwojtowicz933]

I appreciate your video. can’t wait to see what you’re gonna get. those detectors are so expensive and none of them really work very good

[@zesty2023]

Finally the man got himself an Accutrak!

[@Bryan-Hensley]

I've yet to find anything that beats robinaire tfzx. I can turn it on outside of a home and take it just inside the door of the house and it will go off if the evaporator is leaking. I have noticed you aren't very careful when there's water on the coil..all it takes is one drop of water sucked in it to destroy the sensor.

[@HVACingMyWay]

I’ve just went with ultra sonic if your having trouble finding it spray some leak detector bubbles on it and it makes it louder. I have the h10 for backup but I never use it. Inficon whisper is a awesome leak detector.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks for the tip

[@JesseDoesHVAC]

Rothemburger Ro-leak Pro I carry and so far has proven to be a highly reliable and accurate tool

[@danobrien3109]

Target practice may be a good idea with the Stratus lol. 👍🇨🇦

[@AdamCraig-ir6yl]

It's wild. Get a man on the moon but finding a good leak detector? Nah

[@allanbrito13]

I have the accutrak ultrasonic and the inficon stratus. I wouldnt solely rely on the accutrak. Its not good at fininding small leaks at the schrader cores and flares unless its a big leak. It picks up my milwaukee headlamp as interference so i have to keep the brightness down on it. Inficon stratus has been great.

[@OnusBones]

Any mothballs up there? Would they cause high background readings? I hope what you got next does better for you.

[@georgerichman4748]

My Testo 316-4 is awesome

[@craigbraswell4269]

I'm glad I have watched your videos, because i was planning on buying a stratus leak detector. Glad I didn't waste $900! I have a d tek 3 and a tek mate. Tek mate is junk, dtek 3 is pretty decent.

[@craigbraswell4269]

Also, im not sure how many hours you have on those IR leak detectors, but maybe your sensors are going bad? Just a thought, because i know the sensors are a wear item, like filters.

[@craigbraswell4269]

Sorry, made the comment about the sensor before the end of the video.

[@romanwrobel2770]

I am using accutrack for couple years … it’s not refrigerant specific, picks up leak period … nitrogen , air, refrigerant whatever … refrigerant leak detectors are very unstable for me…

[@tedhicks5431]

Best I remember was old GE in leather case sound like a ping-pong ball bouncing

[@vbarbee1]

Idk much about those meters. I'm a Hazmat-Tech. Usually, when our meters start acting erratically like that, it's usually the sensors have gone bad or saturated. They also have an expiration date. Do those meters have to be calibrated or bump tested?

[@andyvitz]

Yeah I figured it's the last leak Detector would be the best one Think i've said that before you should always keep that one around just in case

[@jackedwards7420]

That first one, is that the same one you used yesterday?? If so that thing is junk!!

[@HVACGUY]

Yes

[@woodystokes1543]

Pull the coil , pressurize and water bath.😢😅

[@hectormendoza993]

I been there, sometimes is better to replace the coil, especially like that one from carrier or Bryant, you time is more valuable, time is money and sometimes the costumer don’t want to pay for it, I enjoy watching your videos, 45 degrees here in Kentucky

[@MrOzonkiller]

Between the H10 and the Accutrak there isn't a leak I can't find. The Accutrak gets better as you gain more experience. The sounds vary from a whooshing sound, a bubble popping sound and the sound of bacon crackling.

[@robalexander7348]

Well Curtis, that is unfortunate, i hope your next new leak detector works trouble free for you, for a few years at least 🤔 Au

[@paramboytv7378]

0 problem with inficon, your was in cloud mode, it was working fine, its to read the manual..

[@jaycrypto-ns7vs]

i've been happy with a jb for years

[@HVACGUY]

I used the prowler 5000 for years, and it worked. It was reliable.

[@jaycrypto-ns7vs]

I had a teach go out to an ameristar like i saw in another of your videos not calling to contactor. From helping over the phone seemed high pressure switch was bad. Doesn't seem to be an indicator light for that. I had him jump it and it cut on. He said he had tested the temp sensors so as long as he is right was just the high pressure switch. Odd they don't have a flash code for it.

[@jonathansorise8797]

Havent even watched the vid yet but I bought the Dr58 and its a hunk a junk. Boss's old beat to hell srl8s track is for more sensitive and can catch the smaller leaks that my brand new Dr58 wont even recognize. Replaced the sensor because i thought it was faulty. Still same. And now it gives me a "warming error" whenever i try to use it.

[@wolfy33789]

That Inficon is a POS, giving false readings in clean air, it did that to you the other day with that American standard heat pump.

[@SmartestGeneration]

wow this was the worst i have ever seen the stratus. I have always had good experiences with the stratus. there is a pure air sampling port on the back of the stratus that it draws in fresh it has poor place ment i think it is on the back and i thing the stratus beeps based on the differential between the 2 air samples. I wonder if there is a lot of humidity in the attic some times humidty at certain points can piss these things off.

[@Steve410811]

I use the cheap tek mate. Always find leaks with that thing

[@richardselby1711]

I’ve had a lot of success with the Tech Mate too.

[@Steve410811]

@@richardselby1711 best part batteries. No charging just replace

[@richardselby1711]

Pop in 2-D cells and your back in the game immediately. 😉

[@RealWorldHVACR]

dang man i hate that the stratus hasnt worked out for you but i love mine. great work either way

[@gabrielstern4992]

Curtis the acutrack sounds and looks like what you need and you just need to find another leak detecter that's good with the parts per million. As fur the acutrack when you went right by the Schrader valve by the condenser it picked up I think a, small Schrader core valve leak which means you need to change the Schrader valves. And Curtis I don't blame you for sounding pretty mad considering you come off normally as not that hot headed or temperamental ohh and did you replace your brazing mirror yet as the one you have had is pretty cracked. Plus Curtis you may want to try Al 22 aluma weld I know Ted cook has a video testing that out and so does the my hvacife guy too. As they were testing out at their shop Al 222 aluma weld or something to repair old leaking evap coils as temporary fix options before they offered it to custumers who have to wait for new coils or who have coils out of warrenty. As options.

[@rickr6908]

It sounds to me like you should send this video to the manufacturer so they can see how "well " it does in the field. What do you think?

[@Todestelzer]

Better not. Company’s starting to sue people over reviews for deformation on YT.

[@kimsac1]

I have H-10 an it works good .. but it’s not perfect. As the chemicals change with the refrigerant the league detectors have to change .. that’s a sad thing about that… good luck

[@PhilipNation-xm5lh]

Inficon might be worthless (just like the one I own), but it sure looks good! Ha ha. My Inficon micron meter is also pretty useless. Lots of money tied up in 2 tools that don't do the job. Frustrating.

[@craigbraswell4269]

What an expensive turd! You SHOULD get another one and sell it to get some of your $ back.

[@youngsplash85]

I dont think youre using that d tek to its full ability tbh. Like hunting mode and all of that

[@redneckways1617]

Both of your leak detectors seem to need new sensors…any time they are saturated with refrigerant or humidity they will go bad…

[@wildmanwv]

Good old 400 psi of nitrogen works every time

[@wildmanwv]

And soap bubbles

[@karellodewijks4971]

👍👍😊😊

[@josephtramutola592]

H10 there is no substitute

[@gtpforever]

Should send the infinacon back for another replacement and then do a giveaway of some sort with it 🤷‍♂️

[@c21meister]

900 dollars of junk wow inficon

[@111000100101001]

That crappy Inficon looks like a 90’s cell phone but performs worse! They should be ashamed of such a terrible product!

[@lianservellon8916]

Ink uv , faster

[@gmguy156]

That sucks your having issues with the Stratus. I have one and its been decent so far. Stratus isnt cheap either, its more than an H-10

[@tedhicks5431]

My yellow jacket will ly in a heart beat si far they're no good

[@jthonn]

900 dollar piece of junk, good grief. The little one worked the best. You try to stay up with the times and be high tech, then the stuff lets you down. All the work you do, you don't have time for that. May be the dye and light is better, definitely better than the ones that don't work. Thanks for letting us know.

[@jthonn]

Maybe you got a good one, he seems to have a bad time with it.@@angrybeavers1175

[@hinspect]

​@@angrybeavers1175I saw your review and what is " Cloud Search" for anyway and what is the difference from manual? Thanks

[@nelsonmontalvo7581]

Accutrak is about the same price

[@coldfinger459sub0]

H-10 I have been using for 48 years. Starting with my fathers in the leather case that you had to plug into electricity.. But I’ve never seen somebody stick to read detectors down in the pan into water two times in a row . And then complain about the leak detector And on the second one attempt to blow water out of that little felt paper tip because once you get water in it, you cannot blow it out . And on top of that, go up to a place where there’s a known leak . And turn on your leak detectors in the vicinity of refrigerant, so they can zero out close to the source of refrigerant Instead of reading instructions, that say clearly to zero out and turn on your leak detectors away from the source of the leak . But you did the exact opposite.. And then, instead of reading the instructions for the Inforcon that wants to use the parts per million to get kinda close . Then you change it over to the manual mode and you start reducing the sensitivity to zero in on the exact location what you did not do . So apparently you don’t read instructions And you like jamming sensors into a dripping wet coil down to the bottom of a pan that’s filled with water . I also like the ultrasonic loop detector it has its purposes and its place, but sometimes it to can miss some leaks. That the leak detectors can pick up. And then vice a versa There is no one best leak detector. There is the best leak detector for the certain type of leak. And leak detectors are only as good as the person operating them if they don’t read instructions . And there’s nothing more we can see about that . The H 10 leak detector I hold up neck and neck with my Inforcon and Stratus that I have been using for over two years now. In two years, I’ve only had to change the Tips twice because I don’t go jamming it down into a wet pan . Off a dripping wet coil.. Jam in tips down into water pans will make sensors die in Pumps die . Just like compressors Compressors do not die Compressors are murdered