I Just Got a Halogen Leak Detector!
 

Picked one up at Harbor Freight for $59. I can't imagine how many times I have needed/wanted one, when the UV dye trick didn't work so well. Of course, at this point in time, I don't actually NEED it. But I'm sure the time will come. In particular, I think this thing might be most useful when checking out used cars.

Anyone have any anecdotes to share from using one of these? Any tips?

I can't wait to get home. I'm gonna crack open my manifold gauges just a hair to see what it detects...

A friend bought one of those. Total junk. He swapped it for another one which was just as bad. Total junk.

Thanks for the input - I was a little leery due to the price. However, when I got home, I popped my manifold gauges apart (which still had traces of refrigerant in them) and sniffed them, and it appeard to work just fine.

Can you provide a basis for your "junk" assessment?

Come on over and we will see how junky it is:pleased:

I'd also like to hear more of an explanation... I bought an electronic leak detector around 5 years ago. I've used it to find/fix leaks in A/C systems (mobile and stationary units) at least 10 times. The one I have is incredibly sensitive and, to date, it has never failed to find the leakage point in a system I've been troubleshooting. I consider it one of the most effective tools in my tool chest.

I also have 2 leak detectors. They work great. However that one from Harbor Freight is junk. I compared it side by side with quality instruments two times. The first instrument was so bad we thought it was defective. We exchanged it for another one. Same results. They are junk. Sure it will detect the large leaks like a manifold hose with freon in it. Good GOD it should. But where it really counts is when the leak is small. Like a fraction of a pound of freon per year size leak. Try that with the HF special. It won't see it. I was able to get the HF unit to register a leak by simply breathing on it. Now maybe that says something about my breath. But I think it says something more about the detector itself. Try the "breath test" and see if it responds.

Bottom line is if you are happy with it - thats cool.

Tinfreeh - I am not saying all electronic detectors are junk just the HF ones IMHO.

Just relating my experiences with it just like you asked.

You are right. I did the breath test first thing when I opened it (I don't know why). At the hightest and second-highest sensitivity settings, my breath would make it beep. I thought it was weird, but didn't think too much of it. What you are saying now makes sense.

It's going back tomorrow.