The tools of the HVAC trade can include many different things including training, certification, and marketing. Some of the HVAC technician’s most important tools, however, are the ones on the truck. The proper tools can save time, promote safety, and increase profits.

After great deliberation in The NEWS’ fourth annual Dealer Design Awards’ Tools category, judges named the winners who were greatly focused on convenience, accuracy, and reliability. Winning gold, Atlantic Chemical & Equipment’s (ACE’s) Ace Power Flush Kit triumphed for its ability to flush system lines and components without leaving chemical residue.

Taking silver, The UltraCut™ Cordless Power Tubing Cutter from Superior Tool Co. crossed over industry lines to bring an energy saving tool to the HVAC industry.

Garnering bronze, JB Industries’ Atlas Refrigerant Charging Scale proved itself to be accurate and flexible.

GOLD WINNER

Atlantic Chemical & Equipment’s (ACE’s) Ace Power Flush Kit is used for chemical flushing of refrigerant lines and components without leaving a residue. Each kit contains a refillable flush tank, injection hose, injection nozzle, and one starter can of Power Flush, which is nonflammable and zero ozone depleting. It has the ability to clean away copper refrigerant line contaminants, moisture, and many other foreign substances. It can also be used for cleaning system lines and components in preparation for R-410A conversions.

“This is a great innovation in the industry,” said one judge. “Going from R-22 to R-410A is not really proven yet and to have a product that will guarantee cleanliness is an asset.”

The injection nozzle system helps save contractors time when flushing a system, and it eliminates manifold gauges and the use of separate access valves. Once purchased, contractors continue to use the same unit refilled with Power Flush cans that use dry nitrogen propellant. This also helps curb the cost. Using refills provides contractors with a dedicated hose and injection nozzle, ensuring clean flushing equipment for every use.

“This is a great idea to have a refillable tank,” commented one of the judges. “After spending as much as we do now for R-11 flush kits, I would love to try this product out. This appears to be a good product for our industry.”

Approximately 1-1/2 ounces is needed per ton of system capacity. Some systems may need more depending on configuration and the amount of contaminants. Contractors not only benefit from the cost and convenience of the Power Flush Kit, but also from the size. The tank and injection system are small enough to be kept on service trucks, and it requires no electric power for pumps.

SILVER WINNER

The UltraCut™ Cordless Power Tubing Cutter from Superior Tool Co. brings cordless tool technology to HVAC. The UltraCut cuts 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch hard copper tubing in three seconds, with minimal external burr. Because the tool makes many revolutions around the pipe in those few seconds, it operates at a much lower force, leaving virtually no burr on the outside of the tubing. It also cuts aluminum and mild steel tubing and works in tight workspaces. With the handle design, and the tool primarily doing the work, contractors are able to extend their reach and their energy, especially when cutting multiple tubes.

“There is no need for adjustments between cuts,” said Chuck Mintz, president, Superior Tool.

A quick-change button to adjust to tubing size and a lighted interior for pipe alignment also aids in the ease and quickness of tube cutting.

The rechargeable battery is AnyFuel™ Power Technology - a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery along with high-tech ultra capacitors. Each charge averages approximately 100 cuts. According to the company, using this battery allows the UltraCut to provide a final cut that is as fast and powerful as the first.

“This cutter saves time and energy versus conventional cutters,” pointed out one contractor judge. “It is more than just a gadget, it is a great investment.”

BRONZE WINNER

JB Industries’ Atlas Refrigerant Charging Scale is a 220-pound capacity refrigerant charging scale with a weighing platform constructed with a highly accurate load cell and two metal plates. It comes with the weighing platform, a handheld control device, a communications cable, a 9-V battery, and a plastic carrying case.

Atlas can also be converted into a charging station with the optional charging module, allowing a refrigerant transfer capacity of 999 pounds. The basic charging module includes the module itself, a communications cable, an ac adapter, and an oversized carrying case that fits the charging module and the scale as well as all of the components.

“We will be getting one of these for the service trucks to replace the ones we have now,” remarked one contractor judge.

Measuring refrigerant in the cylinder, Atlas’ load cell allows for an accurate reading every time, no matter where the cylinder is placed on the weighing platform. The load cell will not drift and yields the highest accuracy available at +/-0.25 ounces. The LCD on the handheld control device can be read in direct sunlight and it displays decimal pounds, pounds/ounces, and kilograms/grams.

“What a great compact unit,” said another contractor judge. “This looks to be a very useful tool. I like the modular approach and the accuracy.”

The charging module features a display indicating target charge and total refrigerant transferred. The charge/hold key allows for interruption of the charging process.

HONOREES: TOOLS

GOLD
Atlantic Chemical & Equipment (ACE)
www.atlanticchemical.com
Ace Power Flush Kit

SILVER
Superior Tool Co.
www.superiortool.com
UltraCut™ Cordless Power Tubing Cutter

BRONZE
JB Industries
www.jbind.com
Atlas Refrigerant Charging Scale

HONORABLE MENTIONS
BMP Inc.
www.bmp-us.com
The Lift Dolly

SPX Corp.
www.promaxrecovery.com
Promax

Publication Date: 07/16/2007