Equipment for the installation of split systems should be in the arsenal of the installer if he is engaged in this type of activity as a business. It is a good source of income, especially during the summer season. The installation of air conditioners continues in the form of the installation of industrial air cooling systems and the repair of refrigeration units in shops and shopping centers - there this technique often breaks down, because it works day and night. The type of activity is especially in demand in small towns. The equipment can be rented for the first time, but it is better to have your own set - it will cost less, and the price will pay off over time.
Air conditioner installation tools
The quality of work will directly depend on:
- the experience of the installation team, which will have to be gained (according to reviews - up to the third delivered air conditioner);
- quality of tools.
Equipment for the installation of air conditioners should be as follows:
- Perforator for drilling a wall. The power should be appropriate, since you will have to make a hole of 50 - 60 mm, into which several pipes will be pulled at once - a cable, two tubes with freon, a corrugation from condensate. You can immediately buy an expensive model, for example - Bosch or Makita, to work and not think about repairing the tool. But they also choose cheaper ones - Interskol or AEG. The main thing is that the power allows you to drill concrete or brick - at least 800 watts.
- A drill for drilling at least 40 mm in diameter. It is better to choose with a reinforced shank, with an impact function. The cartridge formats must match, SDS-max is the best option. Such a product is produced by Hitachi and Sigma firms. In the process of installing air conditioning systems, you will have to punch holes in concrete, in brick, in natural stone. The drill should work flawlessly.
- The second hammer drill designed for drilling holes for fixing the outdoor and indoor units with drills. Mainly 10 and 6 mm diameters will be used. Expensive rechargeable models are well suited, because they keep the charge for a long time, and sometimes you have to work on new facilities where there are power outages.
- Vacuum pump. You cannot use a converted pump from under a refrigerator or something else like that, since the task is to completely drain the system from steam and impurities, and not just remove air. If you are installing professionally, you need a two-stage pump to work with two brands of freon. The service will refuse to carry out repair work for free, since the installation will be redone, and the installers will be to blame for this.
- Gauge manifold. It is advisable to immediately purchase a branded digital one. It is expensive, but the price is justified. The measuring range is up to 60 bar. The device will check the vacuum and test the system for leaks. The device memory contains up to 60 types of refrigerants, it is possible to add rarely used ones. Especially necessary for long pipe lengths during the installation of industrial equipment - this is for the future.
- Rollers for copper pipes. Sold in a set. They affect the quality of the connection to the valves.
- A pipe cutter and a device for bending copper pipes, similar to those used for metal-plastic pipes.
- Wrenches of various diameters. They will be used for fixing blocks outside and inside.
- Hexagons for unscrewing valves. Without them, it will not be possible to run the refrigerant into the pipes.
- Screwdrivers for connecting the power supply.
- Level. It is useful for measuring the slope of the condenser tube so that the liquid does not stagnate.
- Wire strippers. If there is, use a sweep
In addition to this list, pliers or a hammer - wooden and metal, as well as consumables - bolts, metal-plastic and copper pipes, wall mounts, freon, oil for a vacuum pump may come in handy.
Many craftsmen avoid nitrogen pressure testing. This is not rational. In the case of installing highways in a suspended ceiling, it will be difficult to find an untested leak: you will have to disassemble the ceiling structure. Therefore, it is better not to risk it and purchase a nitrogen cylinder and a reduction gear. These are additional costs, but the work will be done efficiently.
You can buy ready-made sets of refrigeration equipment of various brands. Carrying method - a suitcase with compartments for each tool. Advantage in price because it is a wholesale purchase.
For self-installation of split systems, the above tools will be enough.
HVAC equipment maintenance tools
Air conditioning service equipment includes:
- Leak detector. Uses UV lamps. Sometimes special glasses are required if the lamp emits a large flux of light.
- Cleaning products - chemistry. These are acidic compounds that brighten aluminum, copper and metal parts. They have antibacterial properties.
- Steam generator for professional cleaning. It is better to buy an imported one - it works longer, heats up better.
- Freon refilling device - filling station. Allows you to do without additional devices - compact and versatile.
- Refrigerant recovery device. Allows you to work with industrial facilities, has digital pressure sensors and other performance indicators.
- Freon cleaning module. It is needed when the refrigerant needs to be cleaned of accumulated impurities during operation, but not changed. Selected for performance. For household or office systems, they are also used, which helps to save money on the purchase of freon.
Service includes the purchase of consumables - freon brands R22 and R410. It is better for professional installers to buy large cans of refrigerant - this is cheaper.
Equipment for the repair of air conditioners
To repair a wall-mounted air conditioner, first find the problem, that is, diagnose it using the tools described above. Based on the results of diagnostics, they decide what is more expedient - to repair the unit, part or change. You will need spare parts from a repair kit for air conditioners. Original parts produced by the split system manufacturer are used.
The most expensive thing is to fix the poor-quality work of the installers.
Necessary equipment for the repair of air conditioners and spare parts:
- Screwdrivers, hex keys for access to valves.
- Refrigerant draining device to check the circuit for leaks and then refill.
- Tools for checking the electrical assembly. Often non-professional installers confuse the wires and connect them incorrectly, so repairing is another connection, only the correct one. The tools are the same - a multimeter, a voltage tester, a current clamp.
- Spare parts for the fan - bearings, blades. Replacement is carried out after non-compliance with the rules and terms of service.
- Replaceable temperature sensors - often fail, so a decrease in performance can happen for this reason.
Serious breakdown - compressor breakdown. It is ordered separately and reinstalled. The reason may be switching on at low temperatures for heating without a winter kit, work for wear if the capacity of the air conditioner does not match the size of the room.In cheap models, there is a manufacturing defect of parts, which is why they fail faster.
Depending on the qualifications of the team and the availability of professional equipment for diagnostics and repair, the process itself may be cheaper or more expensive. The estimate is made after checking the work and identifying the problem.
It is not recommended to invite handicraftsmen with a minimum set of inventory at the first breakdown - incorrect diagnosis of the problem will aggravate the breakdown, and repeated repairs will lead to high costs. This is especially true for expensive brands, which are more expensive to maintain, requires experience and special equipment.
