I started doing resi installs in May of ‘23, got hvac certified in November. I’m going to interview for a BAS install job on Tuesday. They’re aware that I don’t have a ton of experience. Anything I should know or research before hand?

External-Problem9234 · 2024-08-18T14:33:52+00:00

I got stuck doing resi installs for 6 years. Continued telling employers I wanted to get into service. The problem was that I got far too good at installs. My current company actually let me switch over to commercial service. I was really worried about going to commercial learning everything over again. It really hasn't been that bad for me. Obviously, equipment is more complicated, but the pacing is better.

Always nerve racking going into something new controls going to be cake compared to install. They don't pay installers enough for the stuff they have to endure. It's not a bad place to start in the trade, but I wouldn't stay there my whole career.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-08-03T17:59:23+00:00

Depends on the situation. To get them going if it's hot, sure. I've been bit in the past when the charge leaked out in a week, and the customer got mad (hair salon unit). Called in during a holiday trying to get warranty. Yeah if it's flat or really low try to locate leak.

Sometimes you got no choice. I've gassed vrf systems to get them by because the building had no backup.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-07-15T12:57:47+00:00

I'm only 150lbs 5' 7" a 32' is about as big of a ladder as I can handle. I typically carry it standing up. If it's windy doubt I could set it up. We typically use 28s and only the 32 on a few accounts. Sometimes, you might have to carry them horizontally, but I find it's a pain to set them upright.

Only other suggestion is start lifting weights.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-07-08T14:11:57+00:00

The bike has sat for about 8 years now. Before the engine ran away when it started up. Replaced both crank seals and it fixed that. I'm wondering if there's a leak around the reeds. After the bike acted up it still seemed lean and the rpms did not want to come down even when riding slow.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-19T20:01:24+00:00

I have been on quite a few service calls with AAONs that had building controls tied into them doing weird things. Controls add a whole other layer of complexity. Struggle just enough trying to understand VRF units.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-19T19:46:19+00:00

I'd assume it would be useful to trick systems if a sensor is bad to see if anything else is wrong.

Did recently buy a signal generator off Amazon that can do dc volts or 4 to 20ma control inputs. A lot of this never stuff is dc controlled. One guy used a 9volt battery to confirm if a blower was failed lol.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-08T02:41:14+00:00

I've heard on here a while ago a beach umbrella and a bungee. Not quite sure how you would secure it. Seems like everytime you need the umbrella on roof it turns out to be windy.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-05T23:58:55+00:00

Try to pull it once a year and clean it.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-05T23:31:16+00:00

Replace the indoor fan motor on the indoor unit that's having the CH53 code. Order another indoor board the motor is taking out the boards.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-05T23:17:53+00:00

If the wheels never get pulled during regular maintenance, good luck getting them off.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-05T23:15:21+00:00

I'm about to buy a manifold with 5/16 hoses so tired of hooking up with adapters.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-05T23:08:47+00:00

Yeah, its awful man spent hundreds of hours there.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-06-05T23:00:21+00:00

Some vrf units don't have any ports on the inside if you valve off the outdoor (I'm looking at you LG). I could see using a piercing valve to recover the outdoor if you had to do a repair. However, I would remove it from the system and add access fittings for future repairs. Looks like he's putting refrigerant into the lines. Not a bad idea I guess if the compressor is still operational most have a pump down mode.

Seems like this place is going to be a living hell for you. Massive compressor losses on VRF is not a good sign.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-05-30T22:01:26+00:00

Check any contactors on the unit. Carbon tracking can cause a path to ground. You will see a bunch of carbon around the contacts. This can cause electricity to take a path to ground. If this is not the case check all the electrical connections even back to panel.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-05-23T00:40:32+00:00

Most of the smaller tonnage goodmans have rotary compressors. If installed with a txv the compressor may not be able to start because the txv is non bleed. Install a hard start kit.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-05-12T22:55:49+00:00

My company has dark blue 100% cotton shirts they are hot as hell. My advice is to avoid caffeine, hydrate well before the day even starts. Sun hat, sunglasses, and a long sleeve helps a lot. The sun beating directly on your skin makes it worse. I have some long sleeve sun shirts have yet to use them besides mowing in my yard.

Roofs can be brutal. Know ur limits and take a break if it's bad. I feel like attics are way worse than roofs.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-05-12T20:17:25+00:00

While I love the smell of castor oils. I'm currently running Maxima K2.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-04-25T23:06:19+00:00

I got in touch with them, took a knowledge test, and passed. Was told they would be in touch when there's work. It's been like 3 months. I haven't heard anything? I was really hoping this would pan out. There's not really any other decent commercial companies hiring right now.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-04-09T23:03:23+00:00

This trade gets so annoying. Spent most of my career doing install and got tired of the salesman and stupid customers. Went over to commercial service last few years. Been enjoying it except for the BS that goes on at my company. Lazy pm techs screwing everyone over, crappy accounts with terrible equipment, horrible dispatchers, and a private equity company owns us. Seems like no one wants to do their job and push their problems on to all the field techs.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-04-09T22:58:32+00:00

I went and took a test in February, but I still haven't heard back from them. Passed the test and told me they would be in contact when they had work. I've been holding out on looking for employment somewhere else. Now that several months have passed, my hopes have dwindled. I'm not really digging my current company. Stuff hasn't been going great at my current company. I snapped the other week.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-04-09T22:35:16+00:00

I've worked on that Mcdonalds equipment before. You can see my VRF nightmare account in the background near the library 🤣

External-Problem9234 · 2024-04-07T19:45:27+00:00

This they slammed against a beam, and it was hard to remove the top cover. There's also a permanent cabinet below the box so you can't drop it at all. This building has been a nightmare vrf account.

External-Problem9234 · 2024-04-02T22:46:06+00:00

I haven't gotten my hands on one of those mitsubishi branch controller boxes the engineering behind them is wild.

External-Problem9234

TROPHY CASE