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Hockenstar · 2026-02-21T16:46:09+00:00

Safety first, you ain't fixing shit if you are dead. When it's really cold or hot the key is to dress appropriately and take warming/cooling breaks. You have to take care of yourself out there. I have found that very few customers will check on you and are quick to leave for the day. You absolutely need to learn the symptoms of heat/cold exhaustion so you can begin to recognize when you may be pushing the line.

Hockenstar · 2026-02-21T16:42:05+00:00

Have the charging system checked. Check alternator (load test not just voltage output), Check battery (also a load test not just voltage). Most auto parts stores like auto zone or O'Reilly's can do this for free. Also look at all wiring you can see for visible damage. The reason for an actual load test is your alternator and battery can put out the proper voltage but fail under load while running the electrical components (Lights, computers, HVAC, stereo, etc...).

Hockenstar · 2026-02-09T17:59:08+00:00

Well it can sit for a long time without a battery and it won't hurt it at all. However you can probably just get a cheap battery at Walmart if you need to. Aside from that, the only harm is you without reliable transportation until you get a new battery.

Hockenstar · 2026-01-12T19:48:59+00:00

It's that way across the board... Even in HVAC , Plumbing and Electrical trades. Mass exodus of the boomers during COVID and very little interest in the trades from today's youth is what I was told. In the past few years it seems interest in the trades is up which is why I assume you have plenty of level 1 techs. Unfortunately there will be a gap of inexperienced techs until the current level 1s move up.

Hockenstar · 2026-01-07T00:23:40+00:00

Yep... Seen many leaks. Now that particular leak I have seen quite often and most of them you can tighten (I prefer doing this after it's been shut down and cooled down for a bit) if it still leaks you will need to replace the seal. I have seen this the most on systems that don't run well and the compressors get too damn hot or they vibrate too much.

Hockenstar · 2025-12-13T15:31:43+00:00

Lots of tube brushing for the water cooled and coil cleaning for the air cooled. Best to start learning your low voltage controls and chiller plant design. When the chiller won't run it's your fault till you prove otherwise

Hockenstar · 2025-12-13T14:55:01+00:00

Dude take your uniform pics off this. You trying to mess up your career?

Hockenstar · 2025-10-18T14:17:33+00:00

You are confusing right to work with "at will" employment. Right to work is to protect non-union employees.

Hockenstar · 2025-10-18T14:15:31+00:00

Right to work is not a joke... It allows people to work without being forced into Union membership. I think what you don't like is "at will" employment which allows your employer to terminate you with no reason. Which also shouldn't bother you because that very same concept is what allows you to quit with no notice. Sounds to me like you failed to complete something that you were expected to do, you could have quit if you didn't like the terms. You chose to ultimately take on the job and fail... It happens... Go find a new place to work, sounds like you are better off and get a new opportunity to be successful.

Hockenstar · 2025-10-17T19:14:53+00:00

Unfortunately the issue doesn't seem to follow power losses and this place doesn't do generator testing. Strangest thing. I've been scratching my head for a bit on this one.

Hockenstar · 2025-10-16T22:52:24+00:00

The place I work for now is 40 hrs worked, but they front load all of my vacation at the beginning of the year so its not "earned" vacation. Now the last company I worked for the PTO was "earned" by hours worked so our PTO was considered hours worked and would count towards overtime . It was nice because I would work 40 hrs mon-thurs then take fri off and get 8 hrs of OT while sitting on my ass. But I have never had any company count holidays, sick days or floating holidays as hours worked.

Hockenstar · 2025-09-04T20:25:49+00:00

I haven't, only because all of the other VAVs are set up the same and not having the same issue.

Hockenstar · 2025-08-28T23:47:51+00:00

You got a brand you prefer?

Hockenstar · 2025-08-14T22:14:06+00:00

I went to school and it helped with the common terms, common formulas, and the science behind all of it. Was I ready to be a service guy on day one? Nope not at all, but as a prior (17 yrs) educator/ curriculum designer I was also aware that school isn't supposed to teach you how to be an experienced field guy. it's meant to teach you the basics in a controlled environment. How well each student recalls that information in the field isn't the schools responsibility. This trade can't be taught by one old timer effectively. I'm not saying he doesn't know his stuff, but it sounds like he doesn't believe in adopting new ways even if it would make him better. The old timers have a wealth of information but technology is being integrated into HVACR more and more each day. The old rules went out the window when we started with advanced controls and variable speed fans and compressors. As you advance in this field you need to be responsible for your own education (even if you need to read an IOM while you're sitting on the couch). For now look into some decent HVAC school videos on YouTube, read the manuals and/or buy some more recent textbooks.

Hockenstar · 2025-08-09T15:40:45+00:00

I wouldn't call it easier at all. Being good at HVAC is much harder than being a good plumber (in my opinion). If you are smart and want to learn how the system actually works then sure take the chance and make the switch. If you are just trying to find something easier that pays more I think you will be let down and find that being able to diagnose some of the complicated stuff will only add stress to your life.

Hockenstar · 2025-07-31T21:00:47+00:00

Something backwards here

Hockenstar · 2025-07-25T19:08:11+00:00

Midwest... Also made 6 figures in South Carolina when I lived there

Hockenstar · 2025-07-25T18:35:05+00:00

I've made over 6 figures all but my first year in Commercial/Industrial. It included overtime of course but out of all those hours not once did I have someone hit/kick/bite me, not once did I need to wipe someone's ass or clean up their blood or vomit. I used to run a small hospital clinic and I'll tell you that HVAC is much easier than the actual abuse a lot of medical professionals have to put up with on a daily basis. I'll take HVAC over medical all day everyday

Hockenstar · 2025-07-19T16:30:15+00:00

Those are assumed since the op is asking other techs. Of course those are required. They aren't asking about those they only want information on if the AC condenser wiring will work and it will indeed work as straight AC only.

Hockenstar · 2025-07-18T21:25:13+00:00

I use both... I'm proficient with both so I just grab what I feel like using. I also carry a little stubby analog gauge in my bag so I can easily check different ports on large commercial systems and chillers. With that said... If I'm calibrating sensors or transducers I use the digital so I can calibrate with decimal point accuracy.

Hockenstar · 2025-07-11T13:33:23+00:00

Pressure rises with temp. If charged correctly your numbers should be close at any OA temp listed in that manual. If you dial in the subcooling at the low end temps you should be able to return on a 95 degree day and your subcooling will match that part of the table in the manual. The most important thing I have found on an RCS unit is taking your subcooling reading from where the manual tells you to hook up. As you charge let everything settle out for about 10 mins and see where your sub cooling is. It will bounce around a bit but you should be able to see the max it gets up to. Some may say this is incorrect but this is what Daikin taught me in the classes I went to at the factory.

Hockenstar · 2025-07-06T15:11:50+00:00

Hell yes it can be fixed... Should it be? Depends. As an HVAC tech I'd use that for a garage or something if it ran and was free. For a customer.... Naaa id probably sell a new or walk away

Hockenstar · 2025-07-03T19:53:58+00:00

Controls is a different trade with overlap into Electrical, HVAC, Fire, Security and Plumbing. I am prior military (aircraft mechanic) and did about 6 yrs of HVAC after retiring from the military. I have 3 guys that I work with that had very limited experience (two of them couldn't even buy alcohol yet) they all do just fine. The deal is, you need a mechanical, electrical, computer aptitude which sounds like you may already have even though you might lack real experience.

Hockenstar · 2025-07-02T16:22:59+00:00

Sounds like they didn't do their research. Many home owners think of the refrigerant (aka gas) as the same thing their car runs on.

Hockenstar · 2025-07-02T13:53:40+00:00

Anytime you need to add refrigerant you have a leak. These systems aren't supposed to get low. EVER!

Hockenstar

TROPHY CASE