Every HVAC technician needs a reliable refrigerant leak detector. This piece of equipment replaces the soap-and-air-bubbles test to determine where a unit is leaking. You can’t go wrong with a Fieldpiece Heated Diode Refrigerant Leak Detector – SRL8.
This particular leak detector is able to find and alert on all CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs and other refrigerant blends. If there is a leak, you can pinpoint the actual leak zone.
This model is especially useful because it has a sensor that recognizes moisture such as oil or condensation and shuts down to protect itself. The sensor is a part of a complex filtering system that protects the leak detector from failing due to liquid damage.
Fieldpiece SRL8
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The Fieldpiece SRL8 is one of the most reliable leak detectors on the market. It is lightweight in size, but a heavyweight in the HVAC technician’s tool bag. It weighs only 3.8 pounds and is not new to the marketplace. It debuted on March 31, 2009.
Review
You can charge this tool is able to be charged once and use it for a couple days before running low on battery power. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 15 hours and can be carried into areas that are far from electrical outlets. The device powers on quickly, boasting a 30-second power on cycle.
It works much faster than the UV dye that circulates through the HVAC system and oozes out when a leak exists. The UV dyes are reliable, but they take much more time to locate the leak because the injected dye must travel through the HVAC system before reaching the leak.
The Fieldpiece SLR8 is a reliable product. It has about a 5-year life span, and if it is properly maintained, it can be a go-to tool for years.
The Fieldpiece SLR8 is designed to fit in the palm of the HVAC technician’s hand. This model features a mute button so that the leak detector can be used silently, without drawing attention. The leak alert can be audible or visual only. This gives a technician control over the noise at the job site. If you don’t want to alarm a homeowner that a leak exists, you can turn the volume off and use only the visual alert feature.
The Fieldpiece SLR8 package comes with five O-rings and 10 replacement filters. The 9-inch Flex-Probe Extension is another excellent feature. You can reach further to those hard to reach areas with the flexible probe.
Drawback
The primary problem that we note with this device is its ability to detect R22. The Fieldpiece SLR8 has a harder time detecting this particular refrigerant. It’s not likely that you will always need a backup detector, but we felt this problem is worth noting and worth your consideration.
Pros
Reliable
Fast charging
It has a mute button leak detector
It comes with five O-rings and 10 replacement filters
Cons
Hard time detecting R22
Overall Rating
We give this product a high grade because it outperforms other similar detectors on the market. It is one of the easiest products to use when taken straight out of the box. It definitely speeds up the leak detection process when compared to the time-consuming, messy UV dye detection method. We definitely prefer this leak detector because you won’t have to worry about units gumming up with the UV dye.
Homeowners could be alarmed when you use the UV dye or the volume on the leak detector. We like that this model sports the visual alarm. Rather than alerting everyone that a leak is a potential problem, the HVAC technician can perform the silent check during routine maintenance. If a leak is found, then the technician can alert the homeowner of the problem. However, if there’s no leak, you avoided giving the homeowner unnecessary anxiety.
We also like that this detector comes with a sturdy case that can stand up to the beating of being tossed into the work truck’s toolbox without worry of damaging the detector.
Conclusion
This specialty tool is one that can make an HVAC service technician’s workday quicker and more efficient. When a leak is found quickly, the repair work can begin quickly. This will increase productivity and impress the homeowner. On a hot day, a quick fix is always appreciated, and the boss will love that the technician has solved the problem and can head down the road to the next service call.
It is our recommendation that you add the Fieldpiece Heated Diode Refrigerant Leak Detector to your toolbag. We are sure it will serve you well on the job for years to come.
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