Tools I Use

Fieldpiece SC680 Wireless Power Clamp Meter

This is my go-to meter. I bought it specifically for the inverter testing capabilities — I'm working on VFD-driven equipment constantly and I need a meter that can handle that. The phase rotation check with just two leads is huge when you're wiring up three-phase equipment and don't want to carry extra test leads. Microamps for flame sensors, capacitance for motors — it does everything I need in one meter.

Supco M500 Insulation Tester / Megohmmeter

When a compressor or motor is acting up, megohming the windings tells you immediately if you've got a ground fault or insulation breakdown. The Supco M500 is simple, reliable, and does one thing well. I keep it in the bag at all times — it's saved me from condemning good compressors more than once.

Testo 557s Smart Digital Manifold

The accuracy on these Testo gauges is hard to beat. The 557s with the wireless probes gives me data I can trust when I'm dialing in a system. The app is clean and the Bluetooth range is solid. When precision matters, this is what I grab.

Testo Smart Probes (115i, 549i, 552i)

These little probes are incredibly accurate for their size. I can throw a few in my pocket and have a full diagnostic setup anywhere. The 552i vacuum probe is especially good — I trust it more than most standalone micron gauges.

AccuTools BluVac+ Pro Digital Micron Gauge

This is the micron gauge I trust. The accuracy is unmatched — when I'm pulling vacuum on a VRF system or chiller, I need to know my readings are real. The Bluetooth connection to MeasureQuick means I can monitor vacuum from across the mechanical room and have a logged record of the entire evacuation.

AccuTools DS-220R Refrigerant Scale

Solid, accurate, and reliable. I've used a lot of scales over the years and the AccuTools holds up. The 220 lb capacity handles commercial recovery tanks without maxing out, and the resolution is tight enough for precision charging.

TruBlu Evacuation Kit with BluVac+ Micro

The TruBlu hoses make a real difference — larger ID means faster evacuation and fewer restrictions. Having the whole kit matched together eliminates the weak links in the vacuum path. I switched to this setup and my evacuation times dropped noticeably.

NAVAC NRP8Di Smart Vacuum Pump

The built-in micron gauge is what sold me. No separate gauge to set up, no extra connections to leak-check. It pulls deep vacuum fast, the inverter drive is quieter than traditional pumps, and at 28 lbs it's noticeably lighter to haul up to a rooftop.

Appion G5Twin Recovery Machine

When I need to recover refrigerant, this is what comes out. At 24 lbs it's the lightest machine in its class but it recovers like something twice its size. The twin-cylinder design keeps it from bogging down on large commercial systems. I've used it on everything from VRF to centrifugal chillers.

Testo 872s Thermal Imaging Camera

A thermal imager has paid for itself many times over in this line of work. I use it for finding hot bearings on pumps, checking electrical connections, verifying insulation integrity, and showing customers exactly where their building is losing energy. The Testo 872s ties into the same Smart App ecosystem as my gauges, which keeps everything in one place.