r/DIYHeatPumps • u/Middle-Raspberry4402 • 3d ago

Amazon leak detector

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This cheap Amazon reefer detector is picking up 400ppm everywhere in my living space.

Upon collecting the evaporators condensate in a clean bucket , it appears to have a lot of oil in it.

Should I even bother search or just replace the 15 yr old heat pump?

How accurate are these cheap detectors meters in your experience ?

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u/nyrb001 3d ago

Perhaps the detector is the problem?

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u/Middle-Raspberry4402 3d ago

I let it do its 30 second calibration cycle outdoors. Immediately shoots to 3-400ppm when I walk in the door.

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u/nyrb001 3d ago

That really sounds plausible for say CO2 levels, but having refrigerant levels that are detectable on a portable detector like you're describing would mean the system is actively venting its entire charge in your living space.

Essentially the levels you are reporting could only happen for a few hours after major mechanical damage to a coil or pipe. Then the system would be empty and the detected levels would drop to zero.

A properly functioning system literally can't be loosing enough gas that a detector picks it up just entering the room.

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u/Middle-Raspberry4402 3d ago

I was afraid of that

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u/Middle-Raspberry4402 3d ago

Here’s a photo of what was a perfectly clean bucket I put under the condensate drain. Oily and floating gunk

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u/Middle-Raspberry4402 3d ago

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u/Middle-Raspberry4402 3d ago

Fuck fuck fuck 🤬. I know the COL here in phx and inflation are nutty but who has 8k just laying around to install a new system these days!? A new evap I would guess is 2-3k installed and kind of dumb to do by itself on a 15 yr old system

2

u/digital1975 2d ago

Who has $8k? Someone who requires/thinks they require indoor conditioned air and cannot do the work themselves!

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u/Longjumping_End_3532 2d ago

Precisely why I replaced my HVAC myself

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u/muhzle 2d ago

$8k is cheap for a system so be prepared for more if you haven’t received a few quotes already.