THE ART OF TROUBLESHOOTING
Diagnostics, or troubleshooting, is a non-profit activity. There is a service charge that includes the cost of getting the tech to the job, and some time for the diagnosis. Notice I said “some time”…that doesn’t translate to half a day. Now admittedly, even the best of us have the occasional service call that takes more than 10 minutes to diagnose…but if you need an hour or two on every service call, something is amiss. And you’re not gonna’ last too long with that kind of batting average.
I like to define troubleshooting as simply, “finding the real problem, real fast…” and in case you didn’t notice, that definition doesn’t allow the options of guessing, parts swapping or excuses…you might guess and get lucky…we all do it sometimes…but nobody’s interested in whether or not the sun got in your eyes…just whether or not you caught the ball…so, to exist in the service business, sooner or later you have to learn how stuff works and how it breaks, and in some cases, the quickest way to correct the problem.
Seasoned service people develop an “instinct” for diagnosing equipment. Years and years of servicing the same or similar equipment, has given them a sixth sense for knowing what to expect to find on service calls. In spite of all the possible failures that can occur with a system, there is a relatively small number of failures that occur over and over: run capacitors, leaky indoor coils, furnace ignitors, condenser motors… to name a few. Eventually the veteran tech finds himself no longer troubleshooting systems, but simply confirming failures he’s seen before. He will go on a cooling season service call expecting to find low charge, a failed run capacitor or maybe ants in the contactor. So he doesn’t usually start at “square one” in the diagnostics procedure.
This is of course, a huge time saving ability. The newb will likely want to “flex his muscles” by showing off his knowledge and massive array of tools/instruments, and consequently spend a lot of time locating the problem. The senior tech just wants to correct the situation and move on to the next chore of the day, or maybe just go for coffee…
February 6, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I put this here because I feel it is a tool. A learning tool.
I recieved the DVD’s in the mail today. I watched both the Electrical trobleshooting first then the refrigerant trouble shooting disc.
I’ll start with evaluation of electrical.
The electrical was very straight forward and shows the sequence of troubleshooting. This was not one of those boring,head bobbing droopy eye training class’s.
For the new and seasoned tech it is well laid out. Using resistance troubleshooting, I have found most newer tech in the field only use ohm’s to hear the meter beep and have no idea what resistence readings mean. It is explained,in laymans terms. No $5.00 words straight to the point. I think most newer tech’s never read or understand the meter they bought or what they really need in a meter. I dont know if was ment to be part of the program but does teach basic meter functions and the basics of what is needed in a meter.
The DVD covers low voltage and short circuts,motors,compressors,symptoms of failures in a very logical easy to understand manner. I really liked the capacitor section , I was never taught how to troubleshoot a cap except to swap it out in the begining of my career. I have seen nebee tech replace a compressor due to the high amps and have never checked the cap. Huge price difference in a compressor than a cap,and alot of wasted time and homeowner $$$$.
The second DVD covers trobouleshooting the refrigerant system.
Very nice. The refresher was excellent. Well thought out andreal reasons and explantaions of what is happining in the system. SH/SC covered very well. Also why not to reley on SH readings alone, and what can happen if you do with a TX system. Why to add freon and why not to,what the readings mean,Indoor wet bulb and how it is important in the whole scope of the system.
I really liked the areas of SH/SC w/ TXV or fixed oriface and how the pressures and temps change.
I got to tell ya I think they are great. Kinda like being with (when I was new in the field) with one of the old guys. You know what I mean. Not saying Wayne is old. I also noticed in both DVD’s a very methodical troubleshooting method.
I recomend them both for the seasoned tech for the refresher and the newbee to really see what is going on and why, And why a shot of gas can do more harm than good.
Awesome product. If you want to know more about heat pumps look here
http://www.WayneShirley.com or click on the link on the front page.
ATTA BOY Wayne.
Thank you
Mike
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February 7, 2008 at 2:27 pm
..nice review Mike…you bought out some points I hadn’t thought about…I’m glad you found the videos of value, and I do appreciate the positive comments.
February 20, 2008 at 5:14 am
Hey mate…can you please drop us a link or even a rough idea on the main principals and operation of a ice maker (cubes) please.They can be tricky at times….Would be apprecialted,cheers…
February 20, 2008 at 7:17 am
..Sorry Stormer, but I don’t do ice makers…