Tech Tips

Have you ever seen a low-voltage transformer like the one shown above? It has multiple input (primary) taps for a good reason. It is common to find three-phase and single-phase equipment rated to operate on both 240v and 208v power. That is because three-phase power can either be 208v leg to leg when the building […]

Erich Vinson is a tech from Colorado and one of the most entertaining people I interact with online. He wrote this quick tech tip on stripping back the outer jacket properly on control wires, and it happens to also be something I preach. Thanks, Erich. In the first picture (above), you can see what happens […]

The primary role of setting an appropriate level of subcooling is to ensure that we deliver a full line of liquid refrigerant to the metering device. We want to do this at: A pressure differential required by the metering device At a temperature and pressure no higher than required for maximum capacity and efficiency But […]

This article is written by a regular contributor, experienced rack refrigeration tech, and RSES CM Jeremy Smith. Thanks, Jeremy. Also, there is a podcast out about what kills compressors HERE. A technique that you can use to diagnose compressor problems and help differentiate them from other possible issues is compressor performance analysis. Manufacturers do extensive […]

A good leak detector is a big investment and one of the more important tools a tech has on the truck. I've had the same leak detector for years, and I've replaced everything on it, from sensors to pumps to the probe. And no, the one shown above isn't mine. One thing that I have […]

These are two separate emails that I sent to our customers and staff in preparation for what could be a very hot Memorial Day weekend (2019). I'm sharing it here so that you can use parts of it in your business as you see fit. I hate seeing techs get beat up on hot holiday […]

Every piece of air conditioning equipment can move a certain amount of heat BTUs (British Thermal Units) at set conditions. In most cases, during the cooling mode, a portion of those BTUs will go toward changing the temperature of the air, and a part will go toward changing vapor water in the air into water […]

The most common method to defrost appropriately in refrigeration involves both time for initiation and a combination of time and temperature for defrost termination (ending defrost). But why can't we just use temperature or time alone? (You may wonder.) Imagine a common freezer with a designed box temperature of -10°F and a coil temperature of […]

In residential and light commercial HVAC, we work primarily with PSC (permanent split capacitor) motors. However, it is good to be aware of some other types. PSC (Permanent Split Capacitor) A common medium torque single phase motor with a run capacitor always in the circuit. This type makes up the majority of HVAC motors (condenser […]