Infrared
Refrigerant
Leak Detector
Model: SRL2
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Description
The SRL2 uses infrared optics to create a
portable refrigerant leak detector technology that
has a superior combination of sensitivity, speed,
sensor life, battery life, portability, and ease of use.
Gas is pumped through the tip of the wand into
the sensor within the SRL2 body. The sensor
detects changes in concentration, not absolute con-
centration, making it easy to detect leaks even in
areas with refrigerant in the air.
The SRL2 detects leaks as small as 0.1 oz/year,
which exceeds the toughest SAE J1627 standards.
The SRL2 comes with wall and car charger for its
ultra-compact Lithium-ion battery which powers the
SRL2 for 8hrs of continuous operation before a
recharge is needed. That’s long enough to last your
entire workday.
Unlike many leak detectors, oil vapor does not
trigger the SRL2.
The SRL2 has vari-
able sensitivity set-
tings, keeping ‘nui-
sance tripping’ to a
minimum. A quick and
automatic 30 second self-calibration upon power-up
ensures optimal performance. A built in replaceable
filter blocks moisture and harmful particulates. The
SRL2 also has a mute button and a peak hold func-
tion.
Quick Tips
1.
Keep the wand tip moving past suspected leak
locations.
2. Once a leak is detected, sweep the wand back
over to pinpoint.
3. To pinpoint larger leaks adjust sensitivity.
Filter Assessment & Replacement
The filter blocks moisture and other contaminants
from the sensor. When it gets wet, it constricts flow
of air and it will have to be replaced. Unscrew the
sensor tip and replace the white filter so that the
rounded end is closest to the tip of the wand. Use
only the Fieldpiece supplied filter.
You can order from a distributor extra bags of
replacement parts (model RFL2) are available from
Fieldpiece. Model RFL2 contains 10 filters and 5 O-
rings.
Comparing Leak Detectors
Fieldpiece has two leak detectors.
The SRL2 uses an infrared (IR) sensor. It detects
a CHANGE in concentration, so the wand
must keep moving. The main advantages of the
Fieldpiece IR sensor are that its sensitivity will
remain the same over the life of the instrument,
the sensor will last the lifetime of the instru
ment, it will not trigger on humidity or on oil,
and it has nearly the same sensitivity to most
refrigerants.The main disadvantage of infrared
sensors is their sensitivity to mechanical
disturbances.
The SRL8 uses a heated diode sensor.
The heated diode'sadvantage is that it detects
absolute concentration levels so it can be held on
a leak and will continue to beep. It is also initially
very sensitive. Its disadvantages are that the
sensor becomes less sensitive over life, eventually
needing replacement and it is more sensitive to
some refrigerants than others.
Operation
ON/OFF Protection
To turn on/off the SRL2 press and hold the
ON/OFF button for one second. This slight delay
protects against inadvertent pressing. If you forget
to turn it off, it will automatically go off in 10 minutes.
LED Bar Graph Display
The eight segment LED display indicates the
degree of change in refrigerant concentration. As
the concentration of refrigerant in the air increases,
so does the number of lit bars on the display.
L/M/H Button (Sensitivity)
Set the sensitivity level by pressing the L/M/H but-
ton. Low(L), medium(M), or high(H) sensitivity will
be indicated by their respective LED.
The higher the concentration of refrigerant in the
ambient air, the lower the sensitivity setting should
be to minimize false trips.
Mute Button and Battery Check
Pressing the MUTE button toggles the sound of
the SRL2 on and off. In addition, holding the MUTE
button down for one second will display the remain-
ing percent of battery charge on the LED bar graph.
Peak Button
The PEAK function holds the highest change in
concentration achieved while continuing to detect
leaks. Press PEAK to toggle this function on and off.
Turning the PEAK function off will clear the peak
change. The PEAK LED will light when PEAK func-
tion is on.
Turbo Mode
The TURBO function is an additional 4th sensitiv-
ity that pushes the SRL2 to it highest possible sen-
sitivity. This feature is activated by pressing the
PEAK button four times in succession, and can only
be activated while on the high(H) sensitivity level.
When in the TURBO mode the first green LED on
SRL2 will strobe, and the audio detection sound will
be a solid tone.
To exit the TURBO mode, press the PEAK button
again four times in succession, or switch from
high(H) to one of the other sensitivities levels.
Beware: While in TURBO mode the SRL2 is
extremely sensitive and will more easily trigger on
abrupt or violent motions as well as very small
changes in refrigerant levels. Handle with care
when in TURBO mode.
Leak Detection Procedure
Keep the SRL2 away from any areas of potential
refrigerant leakage until the warm-up and calibration
period is over. The warm-up and calibration
sequence lasts about 30 seconds after ON/OFF is
pressed. Allow the SRL2 to fully warm-up before
using to avoid false triggering. On startup, meter
defaults to high sensitivity.
The most likely points for refrigerant leaks are at
the soldered joints in refrigerant lines and changes
in cross section or direction of these lines.
The SRL2 detects changes
in concentration of
refrigerant, not the absolute concentration of refrig-
erant. This lets the user easily detect leaks in places
that may have refrigerant in the air, such as a refrig-
erator leaking into an enclosed space. Because the
SRL2 detects change, there is a specific “double-
pass” method used to find leaks.
1. The tip of the wand should be fairly close to the
line. You may need to be within 1/4” (0.63cm) of
a small leak to detect it. In this case, using a
second hand to guide the tip along refrigerant
lines may be helpful.
2. Keep the tip moving along refrigerant lines at a
rate of 1-3 inches per second.
3. Once the SRL2 indicates a change in concentra-
tion, note the spot on the line and keep the tip
moving past the potential leak to refresh the air
space within the SRL2 with clean air. (Note: If
the SRL2 wand moves through a very high con-
centration of refrigerant, you may need to use in
fresh air for 4 seconds before moving to step 4
in order to clear the refrigerant within the SRL2.)
4. Return the tip back to, and past, the spot first
indicated. When the SRL2 indicates a second
change, note the spot on the line. The source of
the leak will be near the midpoint between the
two noted spots of indication.
5. Very high concentrations of refrigerant can
cause an overload which can take a few sec-
onds to clear.
SRL2 testing an A-coil in an evaporator, 1/4” from the line.
1/4”
(
0
.
6
3cm
)
WARNING
DO NOT use the SRL2 without the proper fil-
ter correctly installed.
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