Copper press systems have become commonplace on the job but the piping systems have expanded recently to include stainless steel piping and fittings along with fittings engineered specifically for iron pipe. As the systems have expanded so have the tool offerings by multiple manufacturers. Milwaukee entered the press tool market in 2013 with the first Read more
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Copper press systems have become commonplace on the job but the piping systems have expanded recently to include stainless steel piping and fittings along with fittings engineered specifically for iron pipe. As the systems have expanded so have the tool offerings by multiple manufacturers.
Milwaukee entered the press tool market in 2013 with the first generation of M12 and M18 Force Logic press tools. 12v & 18v offering the first inline design by a major tool manufacturer available at the time. Others would soon follow with similar designs. I have owned both corded and cordless models from Ridgid and Milwaukee. My first press tools were the pistol grip type and my most recent purchase (2014) was the M12 inline design.
Last week I took delivery of the newest press tool available. The Milwaukee M18 Force Logic press tool kit [2773-22] is the first tool available with a brushless motor system.
The significance of brushless design for a press tool is high. As we’ve experienced with multiple tools already built with brushless technology smaller physical designs and faster, more powerful performance ratings are now the norm. The case here is very much the same. The new M18 press tool is not only smaller and lighter but the performance ratings published by Milwaukee are faster and longer [presses per battery charge cycle]. From using it now on two boiler change-outs its been my opinion that this is the fastest cordless press tool I’ve ever used. I’ve likely pressed 50-75 joints and have been running the new 9ah battery pack from an initial full charge and have not had to recharge. The current battery charge, according to the indicator lights is about 50% or more.
The new brushless M18 tool is capable of handling up to and including 4” on Viega’s stainless system (ProPress XL-S), and up to and including 1” on Grinnell’s stainless system (Stainless Steel G-Press). Up to and including 2” on MegaPress. The 2773-22 kit will require additional jaw sets for stainless and MegaPress. As mentioned, the kit includes copper jaws up to 2″.
When asked if competitor press jaws are compatible with the M18 tool a Milwaukee design engineer responded with a “Yes, you can use competitive jaws with the tool”.
The new FLEXVOLT system from Dewalt has opened up a whole new line of tools and possibilities for the pro contractor looking to get more done in less time. We’ve had a few of the FLEXVOLT tools at work in our shop and in the hands of the ProStaff team for a couple months now Read more
The new FLEXVOLT system from Dewalt has opened up a whole new line of tools and possibilities for the pro contractor looking to get more done in less time. We’ve had a few of the FLEXVOLT tools at work in our shop and in the hands of the ProStaff team for a couple months now and continue to be impressed. The latest is the DCB1800 Portable Power Station.
The power station is a combination 4-bank parallel battery charger and DC power inverter capable of providing 1800 watts continuous power at 15A with a peak power rating of 3600 watts 120v. That’s some serious power, this thing is sick.
There are a still a lot of tools on the job that haven’t lent well to cordless technology yet. Core drills, large demo hammers, compressors and various saws. Add to that the many contractors still using corded tools where upgrades either haven’t been in the budget or replacement of a perfectly good tool is unwarranted and you’ve got the need for portable power.
The DCB1800 power station is a portable generator running off (4) 20v MAX batteries, not a gas engine so indoor use is not a problem. The inverter is silent in comparison to any other portable power solution as well making it a non-factor where noise is a obstacle to getting the job done. This is a gamechanger for those looking to knock out some punch list items at the end of the job or quickly get in and out to complete a task with a corded tool when cordless isn’t available.
I wanted to get an idea of how much power this thing has so I loaded it up with (1) FLEXVOLT 20/60v MAX pack and (3) 20v MAX batteries, all new and fully charged and plugged my DW734 thickness planer in to it. I ran (14) 2×8 Fir boards thru the planer before losing power supply. The low power indicator lights started flashing after 10 boards, giving me four more complete before shutting down. That’s 112 feet of planing 2×8’s! I’d imagine ripping some plywood for backing or chipping with a rotary hammer for 20-30 minutes is within reach with a power supply like that. I’ll be putting this to the test on the job soon so stay tuned, for now check out video proof of my test:
https://youtu.be/bHT9eJi9cvM
TOOL: FLIR CM174 Imaging 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter With IGM (Infrared Guided Measurement) Mechanical Hub asked me to test out the FLIR CM174 Clamp Meter with the integrated IR Camera. I was excited yet skeptical to try out a new meter. In my line of electrical work I have my ‘go to’ meters and current Read more
TOOL: FLIR CM174 Imaging 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter With IGM (Infrared Guided Measurement)
Mechanical Hub asked me to test out the FLIR CM174 Clamp Meter with the integrated IR Camera. I was excited yet skeptical to try out a new meter. In my line of electrical work I have my ‘go to’ meters and current clamps that I know every in and out of. These have shared the same long days, weekends, overnights, and holiday emergency calls, so why look at product other than what I’ve carried for years? Well after I familiarized myself with the FLIR CM174, I was impressed by the added functionality that this meter provided.
Let’s be honest, in the electrical world there is voltage and current and you don’t need much of a complex device to tell you what these readings are; however, I didn’t realize what all I was missing without FLIR’s IGM technology (Infrared Guided Measurement). The IR function of this compact meter gave me an advantage and more importantly a safety aspect to my job that was not their previously. Not only can I easily troubleshoot hot spots and imminent failures with this meter, but when going through my procedures to test for ‘zero’ voltage or absence of voltage, I am also able to take a look at the thermal properties of the equipment. The old mentality is that I need to get to work and get this job done as quick as possible, so I only care about voltage – am I going to get shocked or not. Getting hit by a stiff 480V in the morning is not how I like to start my day, but the reality is I’m stuck in a time crunch and the customer is standing behind me tapping his feet because his plant is shut down and costing him big dollars every second it is down. So I hurry up and grab my ‘new’ meter, and as expected, the voltage is zero, but what about the temperature? Do I really have time to check this, and why would I care to even look at this, I have never done this in the past. So I have the meter in my hand and it is only 1 quick click away from telling me the temperature. To my surprise there is a section of the equipment that was extremely hot due to a loose connection. My heart takes off and I get a little clammy thinking about how bad I could have been burnt when I would have grabbed onto the equipment to get this repair completed while trying to get the customer back online. 
The silent killer, known as electricity, is not the only silent danger that I should be worried about. I thank the FLIR CM174 for identifying other safety aspects of my job and preventing me from being injured. The safety aspect alone is worth having the meter, but the ability to troubleshoot using the IR functionality of this meter is a huge step above what the industry is used to. At the end of day, the customer has the lights back on and was thoroughly impressed by the equipment not only to solve their problems, but to identify and resolve other pending issues that were not identified before. This customer is now loyal to us and continues to use us for their service needs.
Tool feature info courtesy of flir.com
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As with all the tools we test here at The Hub we like to get a few weeks of actual jobsite use under our belt before reporting back to you. About a month ago I started using the FLIR C2 Compact Thermal Imager with MSX patented multi-spectral technology. Here are the facts and my findings Read more
As with all the tools we test here at The Hub we like to get a few weeks of actual jobsite use under our belt before reporting back to you. About a month ago I started using the FLIR C2 Compact Thermal Imager with MSX patented multi-spectral technology. Here are the facts and my findings.
It hasn’t been that long since I used to hire local inspection agency to come out to my jobs to do thermal imaging. At the time I would pay few hundred dollars for a couple hours of work which roughly equates to about half of what it costs to own a thermal imaging device today. The technology has advanced to a point where productions of more compact, very capable hard and software has brought these devices/cameras well below $1K. Wait, what?! Yeah, my first camera was a little over two thousand dollars and I went half in with a contractor friend to share the costs; not really knowing if the investment would ever pay off.
The FLIR C2 retails for $699 making it an excellent buy for any contractor looking to add the benefits a thermal imaging device brings to the ever-growing tool bag. After having owned a couple thermal imagers now I cannot imagine not having one available. Challenges such as locating radiant tubing embedded in a slab or below a floor and hot spots on heat exchangers are often effortless tasks when you’re armed with these devices.
Using the FLIR C2 Thermal Imaging Camera
Right out of the box the FLIR C2 is intuitive and extremely easy to use; producing excellent images straight away. Similar to any compact automatic camera the C2 captures digital image of a scene but simultaneously captures a thermal image with a simple push of one button. The C2 is auto-focusing.
Above are both the digital photo and the thermal image I captured of a radiant manifold in a client’s garage. Both images are captured simultaneously and can be compiled side by side with the free FLIR Tools software.
Hardware
The rugged rubber like body cover of the C2 not only provides some level of protection but also makes holding on to the camera a little easier. The backbone of the C2 is the FLIR Lepton thermal core, which it shares with other recent products including the FLIR ONE for smart phones, and the FLIR TG165 Imaging Thermometer.
The resolution of the Lepton in the C2 is 80 x 60, for a total of 4800 pixels. Each pixel is sensitive to 0.10 °C temperature variations–that’s excellent thermal sensitivity for a camera that fits in your pocket. The overall imaging and measurement range for the FLIR C2 is from 14 to 302 °F (–10 to 150 °C). Most users will find this fits well within the needs encountered on the jobsite, whether diagnosing electrical or mechanical equipment.
The wide-angle lens on the C2 allows larger imaging of a scene at in one shot; most users will find this an asset because of the fixed lens [think smart phone camera] on the C2. The wide, fixed lens will produce a clear image of any object over 6” away. The C2 features a 3” capacitive touchscreen.
MSX
The C2 uses the visible light camera to create FLIR’s excellent MSX blending technology. MSX mines a visible image for edges, writing, and patterns, then etches these details onto the thermal image. The thermal image retains all of its coloration and information, while the subtle grayscale of the MSX details aid significantly in object identification. To ensure that MSX works even in dark conditions, the C2 includes a bright LED flash which doubles as a spotlight.
Software
All thermal images on the C2 contain full radiometric data holding a ton of potential information. When downloaded to the FLIR Tools software [included free for both PC & MAC], each pixel in an image can deliver temperature data using multiple measurement options. You can add multiple spot meters, area boxes with min/max/avg and more. I’d be wrong not to emphasize how impressive it is for a thermal imager at this price point to offer radiometric data and full software support. Creating professional reports and organizing images is easily accomplished with FLIR Tools. Although I have yet to try it a surprising feature of the FLIR C2 is its ability to stream live video to a computer running FLIR Tools. This may be helpful when analyzing a problem across multiple load conditions. Video streaming from the C2 is not radiometric.
Image Storage
The FLIR C2 thermal camera can store 500 full sets of images (thermal, visible, MSX) to internal flash memory. A conveniently large button on the top of the camera, making one-handed use of the C2 quite simple, captures images. Images can be reviewed directly on the camera, easily toggling between the various versions of any image. All images are stored as JPEG files, giving users great flexibility in how and where to use the pictures. Download of the stored files is accomplished through a micro USB cable connected to any MAC or PC.
Wrap up
Overall the C2 is more than just a novelty and a huge step forward for thermal imaging devices priced below $1K. If you have been shopping for a portable, versatile camera and want it loaded with features offered by much higher cost models then take the time to check the C2 out. If you have anything to add to this review please do not hesitate to leave a comment below or email us at info@mechanical-hub.com.
Review: Carrier Côr Thermostat an IoT device As with all the products and tools I review here on The Hub I like to put them to use for a while before posting my experience, good or bad. Early in February I installed a Carrier Côr thermostat. Côr is a “smart” thermostat with the ability to Read more
Review: Carrier Côr Thermostat an IoT device
As with all the products and tools I review here on The Hub I like to put them to use for a while before posting my experience, good or bad. Early in February I installed a Carrier Côr thermostat. Côr is a “smart” thermostat with the ability to monitor the runtimes and cycles of a heating or cooling system for monthly analysis and energy saving measures but it’s more than that.
As with nearly all modern thermostats on the market today, Côr connects to any 802.11 b/g/n wireless routers, allowing remote access from virtually anywhere via simple wifi connectivity.
Guided programming options allow homeowners to maintain control of their home comfort system manually, or simply let the Côr thermostat do all the work for them. To maximize energy efficiency, the Côr thermostat offers advanced features like smart setback, which automatically determines the optimal temperature for home comfort and energy savings based on user input during setup.
The Côr thermostat provides in-depth energy reports, with detailed system performance data available back to the installation date. Each report includes interactive energy-efficiency tips, providing homeowners the ability to instantly modify settings for maximum savings.
Monthly runtime/cycle data reporting via online web portal
Monthly runtime/cycle data reporting via online web portal
This, to my knowledge, may be the only Carrier product packaged and sold through the retail supply chain. But like all other thermostats on the market direct to consumer sales have proven to be a profitable marketing strategy for such devices. Be it that contractors simply refuse to adopt the latest technology in large numbers or not, a “professional” version of the Côr is not offered.
Facts & Thoughts-
– My Côr stat is operating a high efficiency boiler and forced air furnace. Both are natural gas.
– Installation was a breeze but it’s also not the first thermostat I’ve installed so nothing of note here is something to consider I guess.
– Styling closely represents the look and feel of a smart phone or tablet, color touch screen interface.
– Heating/Cooling “Smart Setback” monitors outdoor/indoor temp along with occupancy to anticipate and maintain comfort while being efficient.
– Modes: Heat/Cool/Auto (Heat & Cool Settings)
– Super dehumidification, cool to dehumidify
– Outdoor/Indoor temperature & Indoor humidity display
– Optional wall-plate/ bezel included covering existing widespread holes from former stats.
I have to say the Côr is impressive. I have just recently passed the required minimum wait time to compile enough monitored data to access the runtime/cycle reports. Although I’m not surprised at how little my heating system has ran over the last month, I have noticed less cycles per hour [compared to the previous t-stat] probably due to the smart programming.
Add yet another device to the IoT (Internet of Things) as the Côr definitely fits within the space of smart devices engineered to save energy and “automate” home operations. A standalone mobile app is available for remote connectivity thru either Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store for Android devices making integration with existing Z-wave or Zigby platform hub systems incompatible as the Côr operates within its own proprietary network.
Mobile App Screenshot
Mobile App Screenshot
Mobile App Screenshot