far out , i thought i would service the aircon today

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Originally Posted by scarry

So what do they do when the system doesn't have a glass?

Most don't anymore,cost saving.

Overcharging a system is not good[bigsad]

Weird,in the US they are very strict with environmental issue in some areas,but very very lax in others.

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Most Walmart customers drive old cars.

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Originally Posted by vk2loz

You dont need a sight glass ,
If you look at the guages when running your Low pressure guage will show ambiant temp of the gass in the system ,, you want this to be sitting between -3 and +3 with the )Red) High pressure guage it would be ideal at about 40 pis running ,
Thats with 134a gas , R21 runs higher pressuer and R12 ( we cant use anymore ) runs lower temps and pressures ,,
next time i will take a few pictures ,
Bob

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"suction temp"

HP at 40PSI ?Something incorrect there.....

So the DIY guy who buys a can of 134a from Walmart has a set of gauges,and knows where the pressures should be,and has a HP gauge as well?
And also knows that these pressures are all related to ambient temps and load on the evap.

Or he/she could vac the system out,with the recently purchased Vac pump,and weigh it in using an accurate set of digital scales?

I wouldn't have thought so.

Oh,and we can, and do, still use R12,as long as it is used as per the correct guidelines,and by correctly accredited tradesman, no issues with any regulations at all.

Disposable cans of refrigerant were available here years ago,but were subsequently banned when refrigerants became a controlled substance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scarry

"suction temp"

HP at 40PSI ?Something incorrect there.....

So the DIY guy who buys a can of 134a from Walmart has a set of gauges,and knows where the pressures should be,and has a HP gauge as well?
And also knows that these pressures are all related to ambient temps and load on the evap.

Or he/she could vac the system out,with the recently purchased Vac pump,and weigh it in using an accurate set of digital scales?

I wouldn't have thought so.

Oh,and we can, and do, still use R12,as long as it is used as per the correct guidelines,and by correctly accredited tradesman, no issues with any regulations at all.

Disposable cans of refrigerant were available here years ago,but were subsequently banned when refrigerants became a controlled substance.

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They were indeed. I used to get them from the auto section at K-Mart to gas up the family cars. I was quite put out when they were withdrawn from sale. Those trades that are restricted by licences such as fridgies, plumbers, electricians, I notice their charges are quite inflated

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Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

I notice their charges are quite inflated

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A little off topic, but I always laugh at this type of comment!

The company I work for's non contact rate is $105/HR.

We do large HVAC/R, think massive chiller systems, commercial refrigeration and specialised stuff, yestersay I was working on a system cooling a multi million dollar scientific machine for a large government client.
Compare that to a motor mechanics rate, or any other trade, or anyone charging an hourly rate, it's quite a bit less.
I don't earn massive money for my skill level, probably less than most at my age and experience yet i keep hearing that tradies are earning the big $.

I also know how much I cost my employer, they don't earn that much out of that hourly rate when you add my wage, super, workers comp, all insurances and other overheads in.

So many bleat about what others charge and that wages are too high in this country but I never see anyone putting their hand up to take a wage cut!

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Originally Posted by Eevo

and if in an accident and the lines rupture...

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Hmm, maybe 300g of R290 vs how much if the car is running on LPG?
Or petrol for that matter?

So many other things that are flammable and will burn in accident too, I really think the potential safety risks are overstated.

Hell, I carry D size oxy/acetylene daily.
Now that's a potential bomb!

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Originally Posted by rick130

A little off topic, but I always laugh at this type of comment!

The company I work for's non contact rate is $105/HR.

We do large HVAC/R, think massive chiller systems, commercial refrigeration and specialised stuff, yestersay I was working on a system cooling a multi million dollar scientific machine for a large government client.
Compare that to a motor mechanics rate, or any other trade, or anyone charging an hourly rate, it's quite a bit less.
I don't earn massive money for my skill level, probably less than most at my age and experience yet i keep hearing that tradies are earning the big $.

I also know how much I cost my employer, they don't earn that much out of that hourly rate when you add my wage, super, workers comp, all insurances and other overheads in.

So many bleat about what others charge and that wages are too high in this country but I never see anyone putting their hand up to take a wage cut!

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I was thinking of the self-employed ones who do house calls. Seem to charge like the Light horse. Competition restricted by licences, almost monopolistic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

I was thinking of the self-employed ones who do house calls. Seem to charge like the Light horse. Competition restricted by licences, almost monopolistic.

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I agree with Rick 100%.

In our game,around here,if you are not charging at least$100/hr,plus GST,and getting a descent mark up on your gear,you won't be around for long.

Particularly in the AC game,doing domestic stuff,is extremely competitive,actually many companies doing 'house calls' have given it away,because there is no money in it.

Most refrigeration guys doing house calls have also disappeared,for the same reason.

Just a fact of the way it is in business,too many compliances,red tape,heaps of overheads,on it goes.

Actually, the massive increase of congestion on the roads here has recently caused us to increase our rates,and charge travel time.

We are on the road all day,doing service work,break downs,etc.

I should have a fair idea what is going on,26 yrs self employed,40yrs in the industry..........

And at these charge out rates,we never seem to be short of work.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

Most Walmart customers drive old cars.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rick130

Hmm, maybe 300g of R290 vs how much if the car is running on LPG?
Or petrol for that matter?

So many other things that are flammable and will burn in accident too, I really think the potential safety risks are overstated.

Hell, I carry D size oxy/acetylene daily.
Now that's a potential bomb!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

I was thinking of the self-employed ones who do house calls. Seem to charge like the Light horse. Competition restricted by licences, almost monopolistic.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rick130

A little off topic, but I always laugh at this type of comment!

The company I work for's non contact rate is $105/HR.

We do large HVAC/R, think massive chiller systems, commercial refrigeration and specialised stuff, yestersay I was working on a system cooling a multi million dollar scientific machine for a large government client.
Compare that to a motor mechanics rate, or any other trade, or anyone charging an hourly rate, it's quite a bit less.
I don't earn massive money for my skill level, probably less than most at my age and experience yet i keep hearing that tradies are earning the big $.

I also know how much I cost my employer, they don't earn that much out of that hourly rate when you add my wage, super, workers comp, all insurances and other overheads in.

So many bleat about what others charge and that wages are too high in this country but I never see anyone putting their hand up to take a wage cut!

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I ran my bussiness with 4 employes the cost assosiated with employing a person is massive , I believe now thats why so many small bussiness are employing people as contractors with there own ABN ,,

Im semi retired now so i dont worry so much about money ,,, if you dont need to spend it you dont need to earn it ,
but the south coast nsw is becoming south sydney ,, our houses have jumped so high ,,,,
I pitty the kids they better be charging $250 PH as they will need it just for there deposit ,,
my son had to move 4 hours down the coadt to Bega ( very nice spot ) just to be able to buy a house ,,,,,

Its a hard one i know ,, we have developers banging on our door every week ,, but then what walk with 2.4 mill and move ,,,,, maybe one day
OH our councel has lowered the size (min) of blocks of land to 300SM 300 thats a car spot ? i have 5000sm here , res industrial on a corner
when we purchased no one wanted land here ,,now its hot ,,,, have to get lucky some time !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vk2loz

I ran my bussiness with 4 employes the cost assosiated with employing a person is massive , I believe now thats why so many small bussiness are employing people as contractors with there own ABN ,,

Im semi retired now so i dont worry so much about money ,,, if you dont need to spend it you dont need to earn it ,
but the south coast nsw is becoming south sydney ,, our houses have jumped so high ,,,,
I pitty the kids they better be charging $250 PH as they will need it just for there deposit ,,
my son had to move 4 hours down the coadt to Bega ( very nice spot ) just to be able to buy a house ,,,,,

Its a hard one i know ,, we have developers banging on our door every week ,, but then what walk with 2.4 mill and move ,,,,, maybe one day
OH our councel has lowered the size (min) of blocks of land to 300SM 300 thats a car spot ? i have 5000sm here , res industrial on a corner
when we purchased no one wanted land here ,,now its hot ,,,, have to get lucky some time !

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300 square metres is roughly 12 perches. Minimum "small lot development" in Brisbane City Council is 400 sq. ms. unless of course you pass out brown paper bags and get permission to subdivide smaller.

I had an old fashioned window air conditioner stop working. I 'phoned a guy from the Local Business Directory that gets shoved in our mailbox periodically. He quoted $125 for the call which covered the first 15 minutes and $130 per hour charged in 15 minute increments after that. "In your dreams, buddy" was my thought. I dug out the extension ladder and the tool box and delved into it. Seized bearing in a fan motor causing a circuit breaker to trip. fortunately it is an old machine and the motor was repairable not sealed up. Down to BSC and two bearings and $15 later all is well again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

300 square metres is roughly 12 perches. Minimum "small lot development" in Brisbane City Council is 400 sq. ms. unless of course you pass out brown paper bags and get permission to subdivide smaller.

I had an old fashioned window air conditioner stop working. I 'phoned a guy from the Local Business Directory that gets shoved in our mailbox periodically. He quoted $125 for the call which covered the first 15 minutes and $130 per hour charged in 15 minute increments after that. "In your dreams, buddy" was my thought. I dug out the extension ladder and the tool box and delved into it. Seized bearing in a fan motor causing a circuit breaker to trip. fortunately it is an old machine and the motor was repairable not sealed up. Down to BSC and two bearings and $15 later all is well again.

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I love it ,, well done !
$15 fix