Number one mistake while checking microns/decay test techs make with sman 460 or 480

Countless system installs and repairs weren’t certified non-condensible and leak free due to this prevalent mistake.
Very important to understand do not close left and right low high manifold valves during micron 10 minute decay testing.

[@JA-vy1gp]

Thank you been wondering this for sometime Now and finally decided To check online

[@JuanGarcia-hk9kh]

This is why i use 2 1/2 hoses connected rite to my pump using 2 core removers and a microngauge.once i reach below 500 let said 450 u close ur core remover from the low side and wait your 10 min test. And u wont see no changes until it stabilaze.

[@makanahapakuka3485]

I agree with this method and it honestly gives me way more piece of mind not tryna hope or guess if my gauges have any leaks. One question is that I do have trouble getting certain fittings onto say ductless condensers which service ports are mounted really really tightly against the unit making it a real pain in the butt to attach or reattach. I ve tried removing some screws to buy me a little space but to no luck. Any fittings that may help with this issue I'm having? Nothing beats a vacuum with a core removal and micron gauge. Quicker, deeper and more promising results. Appreciate any advice

[@TropicalRegicide]

Thank you for this!

[@mrcrux213]

e very good point. how ever I seen tech that don't use a micron gages.

[@Dragunfyer83]

Now this is two years ago. The 480 has their sensors between the valve and the port. Per the user manual and the deep vacuum sensor between all the valves and ports.

[@Honeyman76]

The frustrating thing with my fieldpiece sman480, is what you just showed with it unable to keep a vacuum. I have run a vacuum just on my hoses and gauges and it climbs to atmosphere if I let it sit there long enough. I am not a huge fieldpiece manifold gauge. It causes me all kinds of frustration as I am losing my vacuum at my gauges, not necessarily the system that I vacuumed. I honestly am at my wits end with their manifold gauge. Tightness test included. The gauges leak.

[@matttzzz2]

Exactly. I stopped relying on my sman480, i just rely on my micron gauge connected to my core remover tool, so i can completely remove all hoses and manifold from the system and still watch my micron gauge at the service port

[@Chainsaw600]

I don’t have the SMAN 480 yet and was thinking of buying this year. I do the same thing. I attach my micron to the core remover and isolate there. Less chance for leaks from hoses, valves and such. I may not buy that expensive tool after all. Not sure I need it.

[@deriklfixit]

i think the most frusterating thing in hvac work is that you cant just simply trust your gauges!!!!

[@ryanpotter1122]

Better off ditching the gauges and putting a true micron gauge at the farthest point of the system...i.e. put the micron gauge on 1 valve and pull your vacuum through the other valve (with Schraders removed). This will give you a true micron value at the far part of the system. It's faster too. The higher end blue vac micron gauges will even do the delay tests for you in a fraction of the time. Big hose or hoses and, seperate micron gauge are the way to go.

[@matttzzz2]

@@ryanpotter1122 unfortunately most residential splits dont have 2 service valves only one

[@ryanpotter1122]

@@matttzzz2 what residential units don't have 2 valves? Pretty much all condensers have a high pressure valve and a suction side valve.

[@matttzzz2]

@@ryanpotter1122 all the splits ive installed between 2.5kW and 9kW had valves only on the liquid line. Mitsubishi Heavy, Panasonic, Hyundai, Fujitsu, etc. I wish there were 2 valves so i would have a better vacuum reading

[@Captain_Kdawg]

@@matttzzz2 you most likely speaking on mini splits! Ryan and most others are talking about your conventional splits systems.

[@scottgrissom274]

Where did you get the equation of 250 microns to 1000 microns in 10 minutes? I’ve heard of 500 microns to 1000 microns in 10 minutes. If you start at 250 aren’t you allowing more time and leakage to your test?

[@stevetheplumber]

Don't use gauges.... avoid potential for leakage by hose connections. Use 1 hose, use core removal tool and put the micron gauge on the suction side at the service valves.

[@resandor]

I’d love to see a video explaining how to do this

[@anthonybernier9952]

@@resandor I learned here kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYq9aYqrmdCmmJI

[@anthonybernier9952]

@@resandor kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHKac4xtmc6rf8k

[@anthonybernier9952]

@@resandor kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWrYoJuYjqmoiNU

[@antoniosoto5319]

@@resandor go check quality hvac “one hose vacuum set up “

[@Curious0189]

Preach!

[@loyal365]

So when you do it this way and you take the 7 times whatever the microns per minute number and if it's not at a thousand does it mean you passed the leakage test also does the micron numbers quit going up or is it supposed to stop and hold at a a certain number

[@tomboll8816]

yea, 25 years doing this, if you follow this video you going to be there 5 days.

[@matttzzz2]

If you use the sman480 the microns will leak all the way to atmosphere levels. What youre supposed to do is throw away the manifold and rely on a smaller micron gauge connected directly to a core remover tool which is connected to the side of another core remover tool which is connected directly to the service port of the aircon, then the micron levels will eventually slow right down to where they hover around 500 microns for smaller aircons

[@coldfinger459sub0]

Only problem is using a set of rubber hoses that have been used on a system coded with Esther oil on the inside that has absorbed moisture and refrigerant into the hose lining. Only problem is using a set of rubber hoses that have been used on a system coated with Esther oil on the inside that has absorbed moisture and refrigerant into the hose lining After shut off this leads to the technician reading the moisture and refrigerant trapped in the lining of the rubber outgassing failing the micron test

[@ryanpotter1122]

Another good reason not to use gauges for vacuum and decay test. Use a seperate large hose or hoses with a seperate micron gauge.

[@coldfinger459sub0]

@@ryanpotter1122 in my videos I try to stress and get the point across using your refrigerant gages and refrigerant hoses is the wrong way to try to pull it and hold a deep vacuum. But we know the majority of technicians do not know this and do not want to listen to this because it cost extra money and time to own dedicated vacuum hoses like true blue by Acutech or sum other company. They must own dedicated micron meter with isolation valves

[@ryanpotter1122]

@@coldfinger459sub0 I gotcha. I make my guys do it. It's a shame that more don't do it that way. What it saves in labor time alone is so worth it. I hadn't seen any of your other videos so I didn't know you advoxated or knew the other way. Either way, it's a good video and thanks for making it!

[@fromtheashes1657]

You sound like Mr. Garrison "mkay"

[@anthonymartin2412]

And the Gauges could hold and not rise micron if all valves closed. This showing internal inside gauge. Funny it hold on pressure

[@Spiloli]

It's funny to see a bossman sweating 10 minutes.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

LOL, isolate the micron gauge from the system. It's no longer measuring system pressure.

[@andregille4024]

Explication en français

[@Pearly00363]

Itd be great if we could hear anything you said

[@uniquebklyn7184]

If you really want to get technical brother, you should never under no circumstances attempt to pull a 250micron vacuum with guages, especially if you have plugs including on your service ports..your pump should be attached directly to the system high side on a valve core remover, nice vacuum rated hose atleast 1/2" in diameter with your micron guage connected on your valve core remover for your suction..using guages is the equivalent of having several restictions while pulling a vacuum especially with 1/4" hoses. Can be done, but somethin many techs should not practice

[@robertgolden4436]

The number one mistake is using these gauges for performing an evacuation, they leak, use Appion valve core removal tools a hose, pump and external vacuum gauge. The SMAM gauges are fancy, expensive and unreliable, go old school and save yourself a lot of headaches.

[@mikerefrigeration5736]

Mine don't leak. They go down to 500 microns and will hold s decay test with cores removed. Although it does take longer than using two 3/8s hoses

[@wLkByFAITH.]

I thought it was going to be something spectacular. . .He was just showing an idiot mistake! Who in the hell does that!?!?!

[@allenreed8130]

They all don’t start off as rock stars, in fact we hire straight out of trade schools very green folks that need to be taught, and lastly well over half of the most seasoned installers and techs who were tested on demonstrating their evacuation prowess failed for various reasons. The closing of the high and low side valves was the most prevalent mistake. Followed by not knowing how to perform decay testing, and us routinely identifying their tools leaked, weren’t maintained, or simply didn’t work.

[@vincentgelles3805]

Your fist mistake was pulling through a manifold to begin with. On system change outs and new installs, I remove the schrader from the suction side and install a core removal tool with a large vacuum hose connected directly to the pump. Hook the micron gauge to the liquid line and you are measuring from the farthest point from the pump. When it’s time to isolate, close the core removal tool and shut off the pump. The microns will actually drop for the first few minutes while the system equalizes and then slowly start to rise. Once you pass decay test, before you remove anything open the service valves fully bringing the system to a positive pressure. Remove the micron gauge and re-install the schrader core and remove the core tool. You should never pull through a gauge manifold or 1/4 hoses because they all leak. Always remove the valve core and use core removal tool to isolate vacuum. If I’m doing service work, for example replacing a compressor or reversing valve then I pull from both sides with large hoses and core removal tools. It takes much longer when you are vacuuming down with the valves open because it is a much larger volume and you may have refrigerant trapped in the compressor oil depending on what kind of repair you are doing. When I pull with two hoses I install the micron gauge on the side of the core tool that’s connected to the suction line.

[@raidone7413]

This comment section sucks

[@holebass2]

What a bad design.