I am a general in california and am so tired of all the flakey HVAC guys around here. Just seeing if there are any self taught guys out there and the pit falls they have had. I will be going for my C soon and I will not do any freon myself. Thanks
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You "need" to do freon/refrigerant if you are going for your C-20 license. Mentor with some established companies first. Take advantage of free classes: http://seminars.socalgas.com/iebms/coe/coe_p1_all.aspx?classid=ERS&categoryid=EB;EE;EF;EG;EH;EI;EK&cc=COE&oc=01
Get periodic training: http://www.caphcc.org/education.htm because new requirements are making HVAC tech jobs more difficult: Letter to Homeowners about the New Duct-Sealing Requirements
I am a full time home inspector and a semi-retired HVAC, General, Plumbing and Electrical contractor in southern California. I understand your disapointment with some tradespersons. Here's the problem in a nutshell. California does not require continuing education for licensed contractors - just money. No need to pick up a new code book. If you build it wrong, (maybe) the municipal inspector will point out the correction. California does NOT license home inspectors, but I need at least 30 hours of annual education to keep my certification (http://www.CREIA.org).
I will be starting my apprenticeship this fall, 3 years later I can take the Journeyman test for HVAC/R. I have the textbook and have been troubleshooting my own system. I definately feel the same way you do about AC techs.
EDIT: Saw this was your first post, Welcome to BT. Thought I recognized the handle on original reply , did Prospero dump you and you had to re-register??
self taught guys out there and the pit falls they have had
First DIY GSHP design in the 70s - made own exchangers, etc. even. Had eng. degree so knew all the theory, but not some of the practical aspects.
What I did not know was oil flow relative to ref. line sizes.
After running great for 2 months, the homebuilt 3 T unit drove a rod thru a piston head due to an oil slug. Very specific education on that topic and ref. line slopes/inverts.
Most embarrasing to myself -- installed a 3T HP/AC at sons house 5 years ago. Needed to put the outside unit within 12 " of the house, so installed a shroud to route the outside air flow beyond the overhang above.
DIL calls a week later in August and says no cool.
Just barely hit a coil with a sheet metal screw that held the sheet metal shroud to the case, dumb, dumb, dumb, had to drag the N2, vac pump, etc over again and braze it up and recharge.
Edited 3/31/2007 1:06 am ET by junkhound
Edited 3/31/2007 1:07 am ET by junkhound