[pcplumber]

diagnosing a furnace is my gas leak tester I bought at Johnstone supply for about $175. This tester finds leaks in valves that are almost impossible to find with soap bubbles. It is much faster, cleaners, and more effective.

Most often, the customer cannot smell a gas leak and if they can't smell the leak, it is not serious to them. When they hear the siren of the gas tester squealing there is a better confirmation that a serious problem exists.

 

[Trick1]

We use the TIF 8800-A. Good unit with reliable results. But if you want to take your diagnostics to the next level....I highly recommend Fieldpiece instruments. I purchased the Fieldpack last year. With one meter and several accessory heads, I can check everything from milliamps to gas pressures and data log the results.

That combined with a good combustion analyzer and a Testo 308 digital smoke tester will make you unstoppable!!:thumbsup:

Oh yeah, the knowledge and training helps too

 

[pcplumber]

That is what I need.

We use the TIF 8800-A. Good unit with reliable results. But if you want to take your diagnostics to the next level....I highly recommend Fieldpiece instruments. I purchased the Fieldpack last year. With one meter and several accessory heads, I can check everything from milliamps to gas pressures and data log the results.

That combined with a good combustion analyzer and a Testo 308 digital smoke tester will make you unstoppable!!:thumbsup:

Oh yeah, the knowledge and training helps too

Thank you very much. Where do I get one?

 

[Trick1]

Fieldpiece is available from Sid Harveys or Johnstone Supply. The Fieldpack tha I have is around $1,200.00 or so. The Testo 308 Digital Smoke Tester is around $650.00 (I doubt that you'll find this tool useful since you rarely run into oil burners out there.)

The combustion analyzer that I currently have is a UEI C100A (I'm waiting until the summer to get a Testo 327 or 550) That costed $1,300.00. The combustion analyzer is a MUST for setting up oil or Natural Gas/LP. Since most condensing boiler manufacturers want to see thier equipment set up with analyzers.

 

[hvaclover]

We use the TIF 8800-A. Good unit with reliable results. But if you want to take your diagnostics to the next level....I highly recommend Fieldpiece instruments. I purchased the Fieldpack last year. With one meter and several accessory heads, I can check everything from milliamps to gas pressures and data log the results.

That combined with a good combustion analyzer and a Testo 308 digital smoke tester will make you unstoppable!!:thumbsup:

Oh yeah, the knowledge and training helps too

My TIF is 15 years old and still going.

 

[Trick1]

My TIF is 15 years old and still going.

Yeah, mine is almost 10 years old. Really solid instrument:thumbsup:

 

[hvaclover]

Yeah, mine is almost 10 years old. Really solid instrument:thumbsup:

Made in the USA too!

 

[RoBoTeq]

I suppose not blowing up the customer is important, but I really thought this was going to be about magnahelic gauges...really.

Without a magnahelic gauge being used on today's furnaces, most troubleshooting is mere guessing.

 

[Trick1]

I suppose not blowing up the customer is important, but I really thought this was going to be about magnahelic gauges...really.

Without a magnahelic gauge being used on today's furnaces, most troubleshooting is mere guessing.

This is true. I use my magnehelic for every boiler install. I can see the varations in draft a lot better than the digital readout on my combustion analyzer. They're bulletproof as as well:thumbsup:

 

[RoBoTeq]

This is true. I use my magnehelic for every boiler install. I can see the varations in draft a lot better than the digital readout on my combustion analyzer. They're bulletproof as as well:thumbsup:

Be still my beating heart

Most times I ask a tech on a furnace problem if he/she has a magnahelic gauge and they tell me they don't even have a little one:001_unsure:

 

[mechanicalDvr]

Isn't that Fieldpiece kind of like a swiss army knife? It can get you buy but isn't as good as having the real thing.

 

[dan22]

test kit

i just purchased a combustion analyzer kit
its e instruments covers oil gas o2 co nox preasure differential built in printer feild replaceable sensors. paper and printer ribbions at staples
very nice tool.

 

[RoBoTeq]

Isn't that Fieldpiece kind of like a swiss army knife? It can get you buy but isn't as good as having the real thing.

Not at all. Fieldpiece just uses the same power pack/basic control module for a variety of specialty testers that attach to it. Fieldpiece also has individual testers.

 

[beenthere]

I don't have a magnehelic. But I do have a Testo 506, and a 510. Both read very quick.

 

[SmithLewit]

you can find on amazon pretty good ones at under 10 bucks