[pafieldtech]

I'm in the market for a good combustion analyzer. I need one with a printer and can handle oil and gas. I'm ashamed to say it's been a while since I've done any testing as the companies I've been working for have never supplied a tester and there has never been any emphasis on doing them. I've been in NC for about 2 years. In PA, I used one 7-9 times a day. That was a testo, 310 I think. I've been really getting back to basics lately and trying to focus on doing things most thoroughly as I can, especially now when I have the time to practice and have time to do so. I do mostly residential but am planning on taking my NC contractors exam in December and will be expanding more into commercial under 25 tons. Any recommendations? I'm planning to spend between $4-$600. I appreciate any advice you all have. Thanks and be safe.:Faint:

 

[epacertified]

I bought the bacharack and I LIKE IT!

 

[rundawg]

I'm in the market for a good combustion analyzer. I need one with a printer and can handle oil and gas. Any recommendations? I'm planning to spend between $4-$600.

You are not going to get what you want in that price range.

The basic entry level analyzer, without a printer, is almost at the top end of your price range.

Testo 320 or Bacharach Fyrite Insight, are both good, but about double what you want to spend.

Hats off to you for wanting to get back into testing. Try to take a NCI CO class to really hone your skills.

 

[epacertified]

this is the plus

 

[jtrammel]

Bacharach Intech is in that range. I copped one off eBay for like $75 during the summer with printer, case, paper, smoke spot tester, probe, triangle threaded cone thingy, extra o2 sensor smoke test strips, calibrated in January 15 and everything. I got lucky no one bid me up.

 

[pafieldtech]

You are not going to get what you want in that price range.

The basic entry level analyzer without a printer is almost at the top end of your price range.

Testo 320 or Bacharach Fyrite Insight, are both good, but about double what you want to spend.

Hats off to you for wanting to get back into testing. Try to take a NCI CO class to really hone your skills.

Thanks, I was afraid that's what I'd hear... I kinda figured I'd end up around a grand or so. I've learned the quality lesson enough that I'm finished buying cheap equipment/tools whenever possible. And an analyzer isn't something I have any intention of going cheap on. Just means I need to wait a little longer.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[jtrammel]

http://www.trutechtools.com/InTech Coupon code hvac-talk gets us 5 or 7% off, can't remember which.

 

[Sooty]

I snagged a Testo 320 off of eBay with a printer for $200. Spent another $300 to get it calibrated and checked over. The company I started with only has one machine and they only use it for boilers for some reason.

 

[pafieldtech]

how do you like the Testo? The supply house I go to has them with a $150 rebate? The only combustion analyzer I've ever used was for a summer, and it was a Testo. I think it was a 310. I had no problems with it at all, came with a printer, hard case, we could check CO in ambient with it... but most of what I remember was all the seasoned people there kept calling it a POS and just complaining about it. Could very well have been user error or lack of training for the equipment... who knows anymore? How many people here have used Testo combustion analyzers? I'd love some user feedback if possible. Thanks guys.

 

[Sooty]

The Testo doesn't have quite as many bells and whistles as some other units and it seems slower than others I've used but for residential it does all I need and for the price I paid I have no right to complain. I'd have no problem buying another one and the calibration says the results are legit and that is what really matters.

 

[rundawg]

How many people here have used Testo combustion analyzers? I'd love some user feedback if possible.

I use to have a TSI CA-6100 analyzer when I first started doing combustion testing, but these units are no longer manufactured or serviced. It was probably one of the best analyzers at that time, and would still be today, if it was available.

I now own a Testo 320, and am very happy with it’s response time, ease of use, functions, and serviceability.

The Bacharach’s probably have a slightly faster CO response time, but you can’t go wrong with either analyzer.

I think only Jim Davis or DavidR, who have tested most analyzers out there, could really notice the difference between the Testo and Bacharach response times.

The bottom line: if you are CO testing each piece of equipment you maintain, it doesn’t matter what analyzer you are using, because you are making a difference for your business, and the customers safety.

 

[riggija]

I will never give Bacharach another dime. 1 1/2 heating seasons and my o2 sensor went bad, said it wasn't warrantied under the 2yr warranty cuz it was manufactured more than two years ago but i bought it about 22mos ago. No i never let it see extreme high CO and only use on nat gas and lp. Not even two full heating seasons and i need a $200 sensor? No thanks, I am buying a UEI Eagle next

 

[pafieldtech]

I use to have a TSI CA-6100 analyzer when I first started doing combustion testing, but these units are no longer manufactured or serviced. It was probably one of the best analyzers at that time, and would still be today, if it was available.

I now own a Testo 320, and am very happy with it’s response time, ease of use, functions, and serviceability.

The Bacharach’s probably have a slightly faster CO response time, but you can’t go wrong with either analyzer.

I think only Jim Davis or DavidR, who have tested most analyzers out there, could really notice the difference between the Testo and Bacharach response times.

The bottom line: if you are CO testing each piece of equipment you maintain, it doesn’t matter what analyzer you are using, because you are making a difference for your business, and the customers safety.

I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the recommendation.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[grasshopper]

Our company has about a dozen units...... half are Testo and half are UEI. I also personally own a Testo. I think the Testo is a little higher quality for combustion testing only. It also costs more. But I do like the UEI has a built in digital manometer for setting gas pressures and taking static readings. We have a great UEI rep who comes to the shop every fall and calibrates all the units and repairs as needed. Price is good for a starter too.

 

[Andy88]

What does anyone think of the field peice combustion analyzer. Im currently eyeing those up. With camera phones today im not concerned with printers really it can be on the invoice if they demand it. I seen it does not read CO but they do have a space sensor for that, i also like the idea of a replaceable O2 sensor.

Thoughts, experiences?

 

[rundawg]

What does anyone think of the field peice combustion analyzer. Im currently eyeing those up. With camera phones today im not concerned with printers really it can be on the invoice if they demand it. I seen it does not read CO but they do have a space sensor for that, i also like the idea of a replaceable O2 sensor.

Thoughts, experiences?

How do you plan to use it?

Adjusting gas pressure by only looking at O2 is a big mistake. You have no idea what the CO is doing, and could be making the appliance even more dangerous.

I would spend the money and get a true Combustion analyzer.

 

[Andy88]

As far as the entire 100 odd page testo manual states their equipment really did not measure much differently. Being that as they explained the process of total combustion of specific materials yields a specific result of new materials equaling 100%(which is basically impossible but the start of the variables to come) combustion and the readings simply take an o2 reading and assume that the rest must be other stuff. If there are other sensors to particularly detect the NOx CO CO2 ect isnt that relatively bells and whistles? As far as every documentation Ive read you really only need an o2 sensor to gain a true combustion analysis. The CO is dependent upon from what I can find "incomplete combustion". so relatively speaking if your burning efficiently, and you have no heat exchanger leaks wouldn't CO be relatively linear to combustion? The reading of CO would give a nice feeling im sure.

I certainly could be wrong but thats why im here.

 

[Andy88]

This was my reference http://www.aikencolon.com/assets/images/Testo/HVACpdfs/CombustionGuide.pdf

 

[rundawg]

As far as every documentation Ive read you really only need an o2 sensor to gain a true combustion analysis.

Burner design, burner alignment, burner cleanliness, flame impingement can all produce unacceptable levels of CO, and your tested O2 levels can be within the normal range.

How would you detect high “light off” CO levels? This can be an indication of rough or delayed ignition, and an analyzer that only reads O2 isn’t going to show you that problem?

O2 levels can be dropping by tenths of a percent (possibly unnoticed) during the run cycle, but CO can be slowly climbing by tens of PPM. This is a situation where CO levels can rise above acceptable levels very quickly.

No where in the document you referenced does it state that a proper combustion analysis can be done by measuring O2 alone.

 

[Jim Davis]

I will never give Bacharach another dime. 1 1/2 heating seasons and my o2 sensor went bad, said it wasn't warrantied under the 2yr warranty cuz it was manufactured more than two years ago but i bought it about 22mos ago. No i never let it see extreme high CO and only use on nat gas and lp. Not even two full heating seasons and i need a $200 sensor? No thanks, I am buying a UEI Eagle next

Don't blame Bacharach because you have a bad distributor. A good distributor would have given you the warranty without any problem. Because most distributors don't even know what analyzers are used for, they just use them as lost leaders and once out the door they don't care.