Fieldpiece SM480V SMAN Digital Manifold Wireless Data Logging

Works great. Upgrading my entire AC setup so I'm ready to go into business when the time comes. This manifold I paired with the Fieldpiece Joblink set which includes the wireless air temperature sensors for return/supply, pressure sensors for suction/liquid, and temperature clamps for suction/liquid.One issue I had initially was on system vacuuming, and I almost returned these for the 3 port SM382v, but decided against the return. The issue is present when using hoses and manifolds that have had refrigerant ran through them. When pulling a vacuum, refrigerant will start to evaporate at inconsistent times. This leaves you wondering if that 5 micron delta/min on a decay test is a leak or not. Most of the time, it did a great job of pulling down to 200 microns (manifold side) then on closing the manifolds vacuum port, we'd shoot up to about 350 or 400 while it equalized. After equalizing, we'd see a constant ~2 to 5 micron rise per minute.Other times, I'd get down to 400 microns and pop back up to 520, and it would pump back down to 390 and pop back to 510, pump down to 380 and pop back to 500. This cycle repeats itself and I can't tell if it's a micron gauge fault or evaporation. It isn't a leak, because it holds solid microns, but it does pop around quite a bit. Purge with nitrogen through your manifold and lines at high pressure before starting vacuum to mitigate this.Instead of returning this manifold because of the vacuum inconsistencies, I went for the redundancy approach and got two large vacuum hoses and a wireless micron gauge, leaving the manifold for watching system charge or vacuum alternative. Although I could just use the full wireless set for that now, anyways.

good product

Only had the opportunity to use these gauges once. So far so good. Use this type of gauges with my last company and I thought it was worth the investment.

I was hesitant when purchasing these due to the price, but was truly sold after the first time using them. I do light commercial hvac/r, and used to lug around multiple pipe clamps, thermometers etc etc. This tool replaced all of them instantly. I also got the JL3RH which syncs up with this, and can leave it down in wic/wif to get live box temps while I'm at the condenser. Several colleagues laughed at me when I told them I ordered this. I laughed at them after they checked it out on a job and they were all drooling.On board vacuum gauge seems accurate as it matches my bluvac pro micron gauge. The tightness test is fantastic, and probably my favorite aspect to the gauges. It records the pressure at the time you turn the feature on then starts a time and shows "pdif" over the duration of your test very clearly revealing presence of leaks.The bag it comes with is alright, but it is not a hard case by any means. It is handy for storing the clamps and temp sensor. I found it cumbersome to put the bag on the gauges with the clamps attached so began storing them separately.I got caught on a roof in a heavy downpour the other week and the manifold got wet, but I managed to get it into the bag quickly and back into my van. The bag remained damp for awhile (once at my van I removed the manifold), and the manifold was clearly wet, so wiped it down and I turned it on and it worked and has worked fine since. I wouldn't recommend getting it wet repeatedly, but this was a concern when I purchased it given the environment hvac/r work is done in.I did notice a slight flaw in the display when I first powered it on, and I was considering returning it. It looked like a burst pixel or something, but the next day I didn't notice it anymore. I have seen it since, but only at odd angles; it isn't visible when I look at the manifold directly so shrug - I'd rather not give up the gauge sending it back and such when I don't regularly notice the flaw.Attached a photo of the manifold in use, think I have another with the JL3RH and second pipe clamp in use, but can't find it atm, will upload it if I find it later. The amp meter in the picture is the a3001 fc with iflex, and is another item I fully endorse and can ramble on about how great it is.

Perfect

Love Fieldpiece products but if you want to buy tools like this, find a local parts house or a actual online dealer that Fieldpiece recognizes. These gauges started leaking at the refrigerant knob about 4 months after entering the field and Fieldpiece did not warranty them because they were bought off of Amazon, Fieldpiece rep told me the best he could do is recommend the manifold rebuild kit.

Fine

Excellent. I am not a pro (anymore, was in the field 30 years ago). But I have a lot of HVAC projects on cars and my buildings. I was tired of the old style in accurate steam gauges. I admit this has more features and some are for the advanced user and over my head. BUT, I used this one on a split unit, a conventional home HVAC and vehicles. ( R-410A, R22, R134-A). I usually always prefer charging units by weight. But there are occassions its not practical, i.e. minor top off. The superheat and subcooling read outs are so easy to do and automatically calculated. Not cheap but it paid for itself already.