RT-389 Rechargeable Refrigerant Leak Detector, HVAC Freon Leak Detector with 3 Sensitivity Modes & 3 Alarm Types, Air Conditioning Detection for CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs, HCs - Blue

Nice little sniffer, i just don't like the Rechargeable battery as its unlikly a casual user will need it that often to keep it charged up.

I'm an automotive tech that repairs car AC. I got this refrigerant sniffer to pinpoint leaks in AC lines in cars. This sniffer works great as I was able to eventually find the source of an AC leak. I still use the oil dye method, but this sniffer will get me in the vicinity of leak so I don't have to waste time looking everywhere.The long neck allows me to get into tight spaces. This sniffer reacts pretty quickly once is detect refrigerant. The LCD screen is nice as it shows the level of refrigerant and it also has visual and audible alerts.

Past summer I had a fee;ing that my AC is not cutting it any more and during this winter after I saw monumental amount of snow and ice falling on unit as well on vital hoses and valves my concerns increased if I might experience coolant leakage, therefore I took this unit just to keep it handy for inspection purposes.When I received this package I was shocked by its size but after opening it it made more sense. Instrument is carefully placed in a cover case which is larger so it can fit the inspection probe. Therefore the instrument itself is not that big. Probe is flexible and can bend freely, but as such it needs some space.I’ve run a few tests in the kitchen checking the refrigerator as well as outer AC unit’s but (luckily) didn’t got any leakage alerts. This instrument can sense a variety of different coolant gases and as such is very practical to have an all-in-one unit.My AC is a standard 3T Goodman unit with R-410A coolant. This instrument support detection of this and many other gases like R11, R22, R404a, R410a (like mine), R600a, R1234yf, alongside with gases like R50 (Methane), R170 (Ethane), R290 (Propane), and R600a (Isobutane) which is great as you can check also heating gases as well.Instrument has a standard USB-C port for charging, so no battery is needed. User interface is simple and the display clearly shows menu options and reading values.Conclusion: Though it's not cheap (129.99$ at a time of order), this instrument covers everything you might need for home gas leakage inspection.Final verdict: 5 stars

This teview is for the TopTes RT-389 Rechargeable Refrigerant Leak Detector. This battery operated detector comes in a very nice padded zippered case to protect the instrument and keep it clean. It is designed to detect CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs, and HCs used in automotive, home and industrial refrigeration units. It gives off aural, visual and vibration warnings when a refrigerant is detected. After turning it on, it takes about 25 seconds to self-test and warm up. It should only be turned on in a gas free environment, including not being too close to your mouth or nose as CO2 will upset it's calibration. It has 3 sensitivity settings of low, medium, and high. High would be more effective finding very small leaks. Low would be for larger leaks. It is capable of finding leaks as low as 3 grams per year with it's Japanese made semiconductor sensor. A semiconductor sensor has faster response times, higher accuracy and is able to detect a wider range of refrigerant types than corona or heated diode sensors. The TFT colour display is clear and the backlight is adjustable. Visual, audible, and vibration warnings can be toggled on and off as desired. It's 5 language manual gives not only operating instructions, but also tips on areas where to find commonly occuring refrigerant leaks. When on the home screen, pushing the light button illuminates a light in the top of the unit which helps one see what you are doing in dark areas, or at night. A flashing green light indicates that the sensor is working and looking for refrigerant. It comes with a USB-A to USB-C charging cable for it's 2000 mah lipo, which should last up to 8 hours. It's rugged case should protect it from minor mishaps. I have included a few images of it responding to a slight wiff of R410a.I like the 14.5" gooseneck, because it is rigid and holds its position which mackes it easy to probe hard to reach areas. I found it very useful when troubleshooting my geothermal furnace. I knew it had a leak as the pressures were low. I called a repair man who topped it up and added a sealant. Unfortunately the sealant didn’t work. He told me it is so hard to find leaks and so much labour that I should just replace the whole furnace! After a short time with the RT-389, I was able to find the leak and verify it with some HVAC blue bubble liquid. Rather than evacuate the system and re-braze the tiny joint leak, I thought I'd try some epoxy putty which thankfully sealed it for now. Again I verified it was no longer leaking with the RT-389. This is not a permanent fix, but at least the leak was stopped for now.I have been very pleased with it’s functionality and I was able to save a considerable bit of cash. This unit can also be used to check propane and natural gas fittings for peace of mind. It comes with a 3 year warranty. If you are looking to find refrigerant leaks, I can definitely recommend this product.

I ordered this refrigerant leak detector to assist with the A/C system repair on my daughter’s 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, which unfortunately sustained damage from a metal pipe on the road that affected the condenser coil. After replacing the condenser and the receiver/dryer, I was aware of the possibility of leaks due to the replacement of multiple seals.During the reassembly phase, I found the detector to be impressively effective in identifying leaks. By introducing a small charge of refrigerant, I was able to quickly pinpoint areas where the seals had not seated properly—issues that might have been easily overlooked with a standard visual inspection.Once I addressed the problematic seals, I evacuated the system and conducted another leak check, utilizing both my gauges and the detector. I am pleased to share that there were no further leaks, which indicated that the repairs had been successful.My overall experience with this refrigerant leak detector has been quite positive. While I can't speak to its effectiveness with all types of refrigerants, it performed exceptionally well with R134a. For anyone interested in taking a proactive approach to A/C system repairs and possibly saving on costs, I highly recommend considering this tool. It can significantly enhance your ability to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently. Investing in your own skills in this area can be quite rewarding.

This is just a fantastic refrigerant leak detector. Let's go down the list...it's USB C rechargeable, so no alkaline batteries to replace (yay!), and has fantastic battery life. It has a brilliant color screen which is easy to read and tells you everything you need to know. It's made really well, the overall quality of the detector is extremely good. It comes in a very nice semi-rigid case which does an excellent job of keeping it safe and sound. The UI is extremely easy to navigate, and the device itself is overall very easy to use. And to top it all off, it comes with a manual which is more of a small pocket novel than a manual, it's a very thick little book that has excellent instructions that you can actually read and understand, with few or no errors in translation.It is a tool which I wouldn't hesitate to use either has a home user OR a professional in a work environment. It's that good, and I don't often say that about tools, I'm very picky about the things I say "Yeah, a pro could use this" about. But this would be right at home in a professional's tool bag.In all, I really have no complaints about this whatsoever. It works great, and it's made well enough that I have no worries or concerns about longevity or performance. I own a few other TOPTES detectors (a natural gas detector and an oxygen detector), and I'm starting to see a pattern with their equipment. They make excellent gear at fantastic prices, and this detector deserves its well-earned 5-star rating from me.

The TOPTES RT-389 Rechargeable Refrigerant Leak Detector is a versatile and reliable tool designed to detect refrigerant leaks in HVAC systems, vehicles, and industrial settings. The detector is compatible with multiple refrigerants, including CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs, and HCs, making it suitable for a variety of applications, from air conditioning systems to automotive repairs. Unlike many leak detectors that rely on disposable batteries, the RT-389 features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This not only makes it more eco-friendly but also reduces the long-term operational costs of needing to replace batteries regularly. The RT-389 offers three adjustable sensitivity levels, allowing users to fine-tune the device to detect leaks at different intensities. This is especially useful in different scenarios where small or large leaks are a concern. The three modes enhance the versatility of the tool across different refrigerant types and concentrations. This leak detector has three distinct alarm types: visual, audible, and vibration alerts. The audible alarm is loud enough for both quiet and noisy environments, while the visual alarm can be especially useful in dark or visually challenging areas. The vibration alarm is handy for situations where hands-free use is necessary or when the user is moving around the area being tested. It features an advanced sensor that provides accurate and sensitive detection of refrigerant leaks, even in low concentrations. The tool is designed to detect leaks as low as 0.15 oz/yr (4g/yr), which is excellent for identifying even minor leaks in HVAC and refrigeration systems. The detector is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and use in confined spaces. Whether you're working in a car, at home, or in an industrial setting, its portability ensures it won’t be a hassle to transport. The build quality of the TOPTES RT-389 is robust, making it suitable for use in harsh conditions, such as industrial environments or auto shops. The unit is designed to be durable and withstand the occasional drop or bump. The TOPTES RT-389 Rechargeable Refrigerant Leak Detector is an excellent tool for professionals and DIYers alike. With its wide refrigerant compatibility, multiple sensitivity settings, and various alarm options, it provides a comprehensive solution for detecting refrigerant leaks in a variety of environments. Its rechargeable battery and portable design further enhance its appeal.

This rechargeable refrigerant leak detector is excellent. It came well-packaged with a handy carrying case, and the build quality is excellent and professional. The display is clear and the user manual is very useful. I recently used it to check for leaks in my car's AC system as I suspected a leak and it performed exactly as described and easy to operate. It is priced at £119.99 at the time of review, which I think is reasonable considering the performance and build quality. I would highly recommend it for professionals.

Took this blue gadget for checking leaks in my old AC unit, and it's surprisingly easy to use. Figuring out where that tiny leak was took no time at all, which saved me a headache and probably some money on a repair guy. The different sensitivity settings are pretty neat, helped me really pinpoint the problem. When it actually found something, the beeping and lights made it super obvious. Used it again to double-check after a friend helped me try a fix, and it confirmed everything was sealed up.

I am by no means a professional mechanic, but I have had quite a few occasions where I have needed to work on our (and our kids') car a/c issues. The UV die method is definitely not my favorite for discovering links, so when I saw this TOPTES Leak Detector, you didn't have as ask me twice! Unit is actually pretty good size. Build quality is good. It definitely has a higher quality feel that I had expected. The case is nice - even the zipper meets my standards. Charges easily. Use is relatively easy to figure out. This tool does a really good quick job locating the leak - definitely helps you hone in on the general area a lot faster, then pinpoint it from there. Overall, if you have to deal with aging vehicles and their eventual a/c coolant leak, this should save you a ton of time. Highly recommend.