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Thread: Testo 550/557

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    Testo 550/557



    Thinking about buying a Testo 550/557 and unable to see online how good the Vac reading is and what scale it uses.
    Does anyone use either of these for evacuation? Or is a stand alone vacuum gauge advised?



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    Re: Testo 550/557

    Looks liker a separate gauge for the 550.... resolution 1 inHg

    http://www.testo.us/online/embedded/...Guide_2010.pdf

    and the 557 does provide some measurement but with a resolution of 500 microns.

    http://www.testousa.com/refrigeratio...ories/docs/557 quickstart-lores.pdf
    Last edited by Brian_UK; 12-08-2012 at 11:15 PM.
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    Re: Testo 550/557

    Thanks Brian. Looks like a stand alone vac gauge would be needed with the 557.

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    Quote Originally Posted by itstony View Post
    Thanks Brian. Looks like a stand alone vac gauge would be needed with the 557.
    Would need one with the 550 too as it only has a coarse vac gauge, equivalent to a standard compound gauge.

    I have heard that lots of these manifolds with inbuilt vac gauges (various makes) can suffer from contamination (just think of all the oil etc that goes through a manifold in normal use) so imho a separate gauge would be a good idea.
    Mostly found in Oxfordshire, UK :)

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    torr gauges are meant to be fitted at the furthest point from the vac pump- im finally sold.im treating meself to the 550's with case,probes- sick of them refco's with leakin sight glasses and crap cases- 2yr warranty-climate ctr are gonna hate me when they come back in 729 days smashed to bits!! haha

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    The 550 only reads a negative pressure, but the 557 does specifically read vacuum.
    I do feel a stand alone vac gauge is a good idea. Still not clear on what the lowest micron scale is, believe it may only be 500?

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    My electronic vacuum meter reads down to 25 micron, CPS VG100

    http://www.cpsproducts.com/site/Prod...GgsMeters.html
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  8. #8
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    Re: Testo 550/557

    i was looking at the 557, and reading on other forums. it said they didn't suffer from contamination? re vacuum gauge, how can this be?? also said they adjust them selves to atmospheric pressure. as the 550 doesn't.
    I like the idea of having a 4 way manifold too. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Cheers Dan

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    If vacuum sensor read pressure directly (piezoelectric) than it cannot be contaminated with oil.

    http://www.teledyne-hi.com/products/thps760.htm

    Usualy high vacumm gauge are thermal conuctivity sensor which measure heat disipation. If that sensor is contaminated with oil or simmilar, heat disipation is afected and you have false reading.

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    update- had me testo 550's 2 months- didnt use em for first few weeks, now after a bit of manchester sunshine(torrential downpours) now the buggers wont zero, currently low side in a 12 inch vac nd hi side at 25 psi!!!- i did pressure test a 410a system to 40 bar- note it is stamped on the back of the sight glass 40 bar!- so theyve been returned to testo, as even removing the batterys doesnt reset it!!- still got 22 month warranty though!
    Quote Originally Posted by install monkey View Post
    torr gauges are meant to be fitted at the furthest point from the vac pump- im finally sold.im treating meself to the 550's with case,probes- sick of them refco's with leakin sight glasses and crap cases- 2yr warranty-climate ctr are gonna hate me when they come back in 729 days smashed to bits!! haha

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    Re: Testo 550/557


    Hate to say it, but I did tell you.HAHA
    Cheers
    Stu
    Tool's ? check ! Condom's ? check !
    If you can't fix it , f*ck it !!!

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    Just did a system evacuation, yes it measure the level of vacuum in "Hg but after that my 550 doen't measure the probe temperature anymore. So I don't have any means of checking the sub-cooling and superheat anymore...

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    the uk ones temp is based on pressure- to use the pipe probes turn it off, hold the top left and right buttons (set and mode-i think) then turn it on, keeping the set and mode pressed until fact off is displayed then you can scroll through for superheat/subcool
    Quote Originally Posted by robertniez1961 View Post
    Just did a system evacuation, yes it measure the level of vacuum in "Hg but after that my 550 doen't measure the probe temperature anymore. So I don't have any means of checking the sub-cooling and superheat anymore...

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    Re: Testo 550/557

    Quote Originally Posted by install monkey View Post
    update- had me testo 550's 2 months- didnt use em for first few weeks, now after a bit of manchester sunshine(torrential downpours) now the buggers wont zero, currently low side in a 12 inch vac nd hi side at 25 psi!!!- i did pressure test a 410a system to 40 bar- note it is stamped on the back of the sight glass 40 bar!- so theyve been returned to testo, as even removing the batterys doesnt reset it!!- still got 22 month warranty though!
    And I am gonna Blame the Monkey if my set f**k up too

    You got me buying testo's instead of taking the advice from our baraclava clad friend

    I'm listening to the tin man in future

    R's Chillerman
    If the World did not Suck, We would all fall off !

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