Automotive air conditioning industry training
For many years, OEX has worked in conjunction with other industry leaders to provide the most upto-date training course to the Australasian air conditioning industry. This year hasn’t been any different, with New Zealand professionals successfully completing another annual Automotive Air Conditioning Industry Training programme.
This programme has quickly become a benchmark of training for the air conditioning industry. Conducted by Grant Hand, Australasia’s leading automotive trainer, it offers a threepart course that runs during August/ September in both the North and South Islands.
The first part of the course starts with the basic fundamentals of automotive air conditioning. It is a crucial course for all automotive technicians, whether you are new to the industry or just haven’t had the opportunity to undertake comprehensive system pressure or temperature diagnostic training before. With the large variation of systems currently on the market, gauge recognition alone can no longer be relied upon to analyse charge rates or perform system diagnostics.
Not only does this course cover the emerging refrigerants such as 1234yf, the content includes: Componentry and system layout Full pressure and temperature analysis of the system Reading and analysing gauges correctly (both pressure and temperature) Basic fault diagnosis of systems Full servicing procedures Servicing equipment, recommendations and guidelines Critical charging of systems (when the charge quantity is not known) Analysing charge rates by pressure/ temperature analysis and pipe ‘feel’ Overviews of system types – TX valves, expansion tube, variable pumps and full electronic clutch less systems. The second module is advanced diagnostics in analysis of automotive air conditioning systems - an extension of the basic fundamentals course. It covers full diagnostic techniques for all automotive and air conditioning systems currently fitted to road vehicles and is essential for anybody involved in the service and repair of automotive air conditioning systems.
Comprehensive diagnostic manuals are provided, which will specifically address TX valves, expansion (orifice) tube systems and variable displacement compressors. This course evolves each year as technology and industry practices change, and utilises a considerable amount of supervised practical and group work.
The second module content includes: A review of pressure and temperature analysis of systems Detailed operation of the cycling clutch thermostatic expansion valve system Detailed operation of the expansion/ orifice tube systems (there are three variations of the basic system) Detailed operation of the mechanical and electronic variable displacement compressor systems Full diagnosis of all three systems including system (component) faults, charge analysis and performance analysis Special attention is given to the correct analysis of variable displacement compressor failures (a large number of compressors are replaced unnecessarily due to other system faults). The final module is based around earth moving and agricultural air conditioning systems. Attendees of this course should have completed the two previous modules and it is dedicated to the diagnosis and evaluation of mobile air conditioning systems that are used in off-road applications.
These systems differ greatly from ordinary automotive systems, as they can often suffer from pressure drops, flow restrictions, incorrect pipe sizing and/or poor design that limits capacity, especially in high humidity conditions. This course specifically addresses diagnostic procedures, pressure/temperature analysis, performance evaluation, capacity and efficiency analysis.
The content will help if you have systems that lack performance, or suffer from low capacity that you cannot repair without component replacement/modifications. It also includes: A review of pressure/temperature analysis of systems Capacity, efficiency, performance evaluation and diagnosis Flow analysis, pressure drop analysis, hose sizing Gauge analysis to identify excessive pressure drops, incorrect hose size etc. Data logging of performance Correct pump sizing TX valve, superheat and correct system matching Identifying condenser limitations, correct sizing, sub-cool and pressure analysis Identifying evaporator limitations, and flow analysis. The information shared across these courses has been tailored to ensure that you and your team are receiving the most up to date and cutting edge information available at the time.
If you missed out this year don’t panic, it will come around again next year. For more information, contact your local Ashdown-Ingram branch. Phone: 0800 445 889
Auckland: 22 Sylvia Park Road, Mt Wellington 1060
Christchurch: 48 Wordsworth St, Sydenham 8023
Hamilton: 126 Ellis St, Frankton 3204
Palmerston North: Corner Tremaine Ave and North St, Palmerston North 4410