[zootjeff]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting my own set of gauges to check the charge in my system.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LX1001A-R410A-R...787?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51999edef3

I'm thinking of just getting something off ebay. Anyone see a problem with this?

Does the middle port have a 1 way valve in it?

 

[Marty S.]

Middle port does not have any check valve so refrigerant flows both ways. Those will work fine. Make sure to buy some low loss fittings.

 

[zootjeff]

Middle port does not have any check valve so refrigerant flows both ways. Those will work fine. Make sure to buy some low loss fittings.

What do you mean by low loss fittings?

 

[Doc Holliday]

http://www.yellowjacket.com/node/704

btw, if you are not EPA certified to work on high pressure appliances the fine can be more than your mortgage, 25K.

 

[zootjeff]

http://www.yellowjacket.com/node/704

btw, if you are not EPA certified to work on high pressure appliances the fine can be more than your mortgage, 25K.

Does this mean I can't test the pressure of my system without facing fine? If so that's good to know.

 

[Marty S.]

http://www.yellowjacket.com/product/727
410 will blow the seals out after a couple hundred hook ups,that's why they say not recommended for 410. Not a big deal for you but I have to rebuild often. No EPA certification needed for 410A.

 

[Doc Holliday]

http://www.yellowjacket.com/product/727
410 will blow the seals out after a couple hundred hook ups,that's why they say not recommended for 410. Not a big deal for you but I have to rebuild often. No EPA certification needed for 410A.

Are you required to have a license or to be certified to handle and purchase R-410A?
You are required to have an EPA Section 608 Type II or Universal certification license to handle R-410A but no license is legally necessary for purchase. A refrigeration supply house may have its own rules regarding who they are willing to sell R-410A to (they will typically require Section 608 Type II even though the EPA doesn’t require it for safety and liability reasons).

 

[Doc Holliday]

That is because it's a high pressure refrigerant going into a high pressure appliance. The atmosphere safe thing is what gets people confused, why they often think they don't need a license and they might not where you live but here no on will sell it to you without one.

 

[Hubcap626]

410a sucks. I can't tell you how many o-rings blow out of my hoses onto the roof somewhere.

 

[zootjeff]

Are you required to have a license or to be certified to handle and purchase R-410A?
You are required to have an EPA Section 608 Type II or Universal certification license to handle R-410A but no license is legally necessary for purchase. A refrigeration supply house may have its own rules regarding who they are willing to sell R-410A to (they will typically require Section 608 Type II even though the EPA doesn’t require it for safety and liability reasons).

Hmm. That conflicts with the EPA website. I found that same text you found with a google search on a site that sells the training.. Hmm seems like a conflict of interest. Who should I believe, the EPA, or the site selling training?





http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/faq.html#q3
Is section 608 technician certification required in order to purchase R-410A?
HFC refrigerant substitutes that do not contain an ozone-depleting substance (such as R-410A or R-134a) are not covered under the refrigerant sales restriction. Therefore, section 608 technician certification is not required in order to purchase HFC refrigerant substitutes that do not contain an ozone-depleting substance. It remains illegal to knowingly vent HFC substitutes during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances.



http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/technicians_contractors_faq.html
Is EPA technician certification required to service R-410A systems?
No, at this time EPA technician certification (i.e., EPA Section 608 certification) is not required in order to service R-410A systems or other stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems containing HFCs.




Unless you can point me to an EPA site that suggests it's illegal to test the charge in my system, I think I'm ok. If I go to service it, I will need to either hire someone or buy a reclaiming machine.


-Jeff

 

[Marty S.]

That's true for now Jeff. I've heard rumor that a special certification for 410 is coming but have not seen anything in writing yet. Might not ever happen.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Hmm. That conflicts with the EPA website. I found that same text you found with a google search on a site that sells the training.. Hmm seems like a conflict of interest. Who should I believe, the EPA, or the site selling training?





http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/faq.html#q3
Is section 608 technician certification required in order to purchase R-410A?
HFC refrigerant substitutes that do not contain an ozone-depleting substance (such as R-410A or R-134a) are not covered under the refrigerant sales restriction. Therefore, section 608 technician certification is not required in order to purchase HFC refrigerant substitutes that do not contain an ozone-depleting substance. It remains illegal to knowingly vent HFC substitutes during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances.



http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/technicians_contractors_faq.html
Is EPA technician certification required to service R-410A systems?
No, at this time EPA technician certification (i.e., EPA Section 608 certification) is not required in order to service R-410A systems or other stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems containing HFCs.




Unless you can point me to an EPA site that suggests it's illegal to test the charge in my system, I think I'm ok. If I go to service it, I will need to either hire someone or buy a reclaiming machine.


-Jeff

Being a jcakass about it begs for me to tell you I don't have to tell you anything or point you in any direction, I could care less.

Good luck.

 

[JJboy]

That's true for now Jeff. I've heard rumor that a special certification for 410 is coming but have not seen anything in writing yet. Might not ever happen.

I have the 410a certification. This only shows the differences about pressures, charging, hoses, etc

 

[zootjeff]

Being a jcakass about it begs for me to tell you I don't have to tell you anything or point you in any direction, I could care less.

Good luck.

Sorry about that, I do appreciate the input. Just don't like scare tactics.. So many in the industry are all about scare tactics. It did get my blood pressure up though thinking about fines. I don't want to do anything illegal..

I do appreciate your concern if it's valid, I just don't like scare tactics.. If that wasn't your intent, then I apologize.

I'm really into how this stuff works lately, and I'm hoping to get some good insight from the pros here. That's why I'm hanging out on the DIY forum and not the pro forum..

 

[zootjeff]

When you check the pressures on a heat pump, do you take them in heating and cooling mode or is one sufficient? Is there a best time of year to do it where the outdoor temps will be high, or low, etc?

 

[beenthere]

That's true for now Jeff. I've heard rumor that a special certification for 410 is coming but have not seen anything in writing yet. Might not ever happen.

Ain't gonna happen. R410A is already in phase down, so they aren't going to do anything special to pass any requirements.

R410A does not require a section 608 cert to purchase, handle or service equipment utilizing it.


Just be sure you know how to connect and disconnect the hoses first. nasty frost bite if you screw up.

 

[Marty S.]

When you check the pressures on a heat pump, do you take them in heating and cooling mode or is one sufficient? Is there a best time of year to do it where the outdoor temps will be high, or low, etc?

It's easiest to check refrigerant in cooling mode with normal inside and outside operating conditions. Still a good idea to check heating mode once it cools down in the fall to make sure outdoor txv is working correctly.

 

[zootjeff]

It's easiest to check refrigerant in cooling mode with normal inside and outside operating conditions. Still a good idea to check heating mode once it cools down in the fall to make sure outdoor txv is working correctly.

I went for the 14SEER unit so I don't have an outdoor TXV.. Wish I did because I use the HP a lot more in heating mode than AC mode..

 

[zootjeff]

[URL]http://www.yellowjacket.com/node/704[/URL]
[/quote]

This link doesn't work so I'm going to pick up the "Yellow Jacket 19208 1/4" SealRight 45 degree x 1/4" Male Flare" instead..

[url]http://amzn.com/B008HQ6TEU[/url]

16 dollars each shipped.

 

[DOUG1111]

When you check the pressures on a heat pump, do you take them in heating and cooling mode or is one sufficient? Is there a best time of year to do it where the outdoor temps will be high, or low, etc?

Ck pressures subcooling & superheat- IMO best in cooling outside min 70* More Warm the better up to 95* - gauges OK on e-bay but watch for china junk! Some china gauges read metric #s---You may want to buy medium quality tools & equipment-can re-sale - Other HVAC on-line site I read in YOUR area P.O. mandatory for HVAC company to have lic electrician to do wiring- High & low volt wiring. Said they got caught installing T/S wire & was fined $1500.00- I would be more worried about a DIY project (HVAC)- someone turning me in to code enforcement or???? And his company WOULD turn someone in!! You may want to check - may be OK for property owner to DIY HVAC// Also check home owner ins- if something went bad home owner ins may find a way out NOT to cover (pay) I would be more concerned on the install than the EPA. If a lawyer went into HVAC supply & wanted to buy R410A -might be a different story for the lawyer??? You can get R410A on e-bay, craigs list etc. If you buy a part jug, keep in mind empty jug weight around 9 lbs. Google superheat & subcooling. Hope this 411 helps!!