ChokDee4213

8 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

When the refrigerant starts to get low, the evaporator coil should start frosting/freezing over. Is this happening? 

 

Air-conditioners do not "use" refrigerant, if it is low, it is leaking.

 

Leaks that are not relatively obvious can be hard to find and are often difficult to fix. 

 

Is the coil aluminum or copper? 

 

 

Difficult to say, I haven't checked it directly and it's too late now that the technician just added refrigerant. I am hoping the coils are not the issue given that they were just recently replaced less than a year ago. There was no condensation coming from the unit inside the house itself if that's an indicator. The coil is copper.

The return line was noticeably warmer prior to the technician's visit as well if that helps, but I didn't record exact temperature change.

Someone above said that I cannot check if there is a leak by purging the system, taking it to 100PSI and measuring any drop off, is that true? If so, I think the best I can do is spray soapy water on the connection manifold and copper lines external to the compressor, but it could be a wild-goose chase. I imagine checking the coils specifically involves removing and submerging them and I might be better off just contacting the guy that recently replaced it.

Just now, sometimewoodworker said:

You already know that they are not competent AC mechanics so why should they be correct that your refrigerant is low?

I didn't know that and was asking for confirmation on that point. 3 for 3 are pretty incredible odds for incompetency.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone here have experience with HVAC that can comment on the situation with a little less conjecture? If not, that fine, thanks for your time.

1 minute ago, bankruatsteve said:

"Quitter-talk forum"?  Interesting observation.

Some jobs should not be attempted with DIY.  Finding and fixing an HVAC leak is one of them.  The fact that you have hired 3 different non-professional repair guys with the same result should tell you something.

OK, what should it tell me? What would cause a reduction in refrigerant other than a leak that they are refusing to check for? Please enlighten me, so far your response is just not useful, I'm sorry.

5 minutes ago, bbko said:

A mini unit that runs everyday, how many BTUs for how big of a room?

Not 100% on exact measurements, but around 10,000BTU for a 3x3x3m room

12 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

Not the kind of thing you want to take on yourself especially if you don't have the proper equipment.  I suggest calling the service center for the brand and get their qualified technician to check it out.

I thought this was the DIY forum, not the quitter-talk forum. ???? kidding

Really doesn't seem that hard or expensive though when the same tools and skills can be used over a lifetime.

Hey guys, after a few months, the refrigerant in our mini split unit reduces and the air gets warm. From what I understand, the only cause of this is a leak. We've had 3 different AC repair guys come, they do a routine clean and add refrigerant for around ฿500. Each time we ask them to check for a leak and each time, they plug in a pressure gauge, confirm the refrigerant is low, take a cursory look at the copper tubing, then inform me that there isn't a leak. The last one even charged us ฿200 for this 2 minute facade assessment. They aren't charging the system to 100+PSI and measuring input and return pressure over time. They are not spraying the tubing with soapy water. They claim that a dirty filter, blocked exhaust, etc., is the culprit, but I understand these wouldn't typically cause a drop in refrigerant pressure.

So my questions are these: Is my (admittedly limited) understanding about HVAC misinterpreting the situation(s)? Could they deliberately be facilitating a slow leak for repeat business? Or are they lazy and/or incompetent (3 for 3 though, surely this is unlikely)?

And finally, anyone ever test for leaks themselves? If so, any areas I should check first other than the brazed joints throughout the line? General estimate on cost of tools? Can I just use a friend's air compressor and spare gauges, or will I need nitrogen specifically? I'd probably want an empty refrigerant tank to collect the refrigerant, then a full one to replace the refrigerant in the purged system right? Thanks, appreciate any advice anyone may have!

The unit in question is probably about 4-5 years old and is in use every day. At this use rate, it needs servicing every 6 months(ish). This is an ongoing issue with all of our AC units depending on frequency of use since they were first installed.

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

brazing will work and is readily available.

 

What kind of torch do you have?

Just a simple butane one. I previously tried the copper-phosphorus brazing rod that's available in all the AC repair shops with the appropriate (and ample) flux. It worked great for smaller joints with thicker metals, but the larger joint I'm working on with thinner metals keeps peeling off. It could be my methods though, and I heard silver solder is easier to work with.

@crossy, thank you, I didn't see that forum! As I understand it, Silver solder is what it's called, but it is a misnomer as it is used at brazing temps, so uhh... take your pick, lol.

I and wife searched in Thai and English, but import only on our end. Does anyone know where to get a hold on some silver solder (brazing rod)? I want to join stainless steel to copper and keep things food grade.

You guys are amazing, thank you very much for your time and knowledge!

I'm about 60 days off from needing to renew my marriage extension in Buriram. Last year did an embassy affidavit (American), so just wanted to check if I understand the changes correctly:

I should get my bank statement a day or two prior to going to immigration, which should denote 40000 baht per month average? Does anyone know the Thai name of this document by chance?

Do I need to visit immigration 30+ days prior to extension expiration, 30 or less days prior to expiration?

I assume I need to prepare all the same documents: wife's ID, marriage document, my pasport, etc. etc.?

What fees should I expect with this process? Immigration here likes to extort tips from foreigners, so I need to know the exact price.

Thank you!

Lol, father of the year making your kid into a mule.

Quick question: if I transfer 480,000฿ in one month does this equate to the 12 month average of 40,000฿? So if ,my income averages 0-39,999.99฿/month, in the final months I can just transfer the difference from 480,000฿?

As usual, I'm sure a few 1,000฿ notes forgoes any real scrutiny anyway.

When I came to Thailand 3 years ago, I brought a 1m*.750cm*750cm box full of spices, dried fruits, chilies, specialty nuts, grandma's canned harvests, and hot sauces from back home. Can't wait to go home and restock this year.

Every time I go to Bangkok, I make sure to load up on BBQ sauce, wood chips, cereal, and decaff coffee.

As mentioned, talk to the head of your village. Encourage all parties involved to do the same (though many may decline to do so). The heads are the ones that handle matters like this.

If you have not already, start recording her behavior with your phone (in public areas, or from your private property) because if you make damning claims about this individual without any evidence, it could be construed as defamation, if I'm not mistaken. Can you set up and camouflage a wide-angle camera on your property to record any potential damages or assault?

5 hours ago, elviajero said:

A letter from the bank confirming 12 foreign transfers of the 40K or 65K. And the bank book showing the 12 transfers.  Seems clear and straightforward.

 

4 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

...It's pretty well clear at this point that 12 monthly transfers from a foreign bank account into one's Thai bank account in the required amount -- either 40K or 65K per month -- is going to satisfy Immigration, provided you bring along your Thai bank book that shows that activity and a bank letter that confirms you had the required foreign source deposits.

Nothing in the OP talks about bank books or letters from banks. It does talk about income tax documents. Did I overlook something in the last 49 pages? Can you show how this is not conjecture?

If People just need monthly foreign transfers, what's to stop someone from just moving the same 45k/65k back and forth between a foreign account and local account every month to meet the requirements? Doesn't sound much more credible than waving your hand in the air at your embassy, and saying that you really and truly have income (cross my heart). Tax statements seem far more credible and that's what's written in the OP.

There are a lot of people saying that proof of income can be had from using your bankbook and a letter from your bank verifying monthly transfers of 40,000 baht. Can anyone direct me to confirmation or evidence of this, or is this just preferred interpretation at this point? Forgive me, 37 pages is a lot to sift through.

The way I see it, this method would do nothing to confirm the source of the "income" in this way. Someone could easily use a foreign account to cycle 40k per month to and fro to achieve the same effect, no?

If it is up to individual immigrations, I'm screwed, because the one in my province would happily eliminate the income route altogether to further extort tea money from applicants without the requisite seasoned 400k.

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

That is because the Immigration Bureau has not done an announcement about it yet saying what will be accepted.

As far as the local offices know income proof from an embassy is still required.

Thank you very much! I'll check back on this thread in about a year to see if anything changes ????

I apologize, but there are 190 pages with countless topics surrounding this issue and I don't want to sift through everything. By chance, could someone privy on these matters and active in this thread reward my laziness with a bit of information:

Is there a verdict on how we will prove the ฿40,000 monthly income for extensions based on marriage (or ฿65,000 for retirement)?

Buriram Immigration office informed me they will only accept proof of ฿400,000 (฿800,000) via bank statements and updated passbooks, but will not accept the same form of evidence for the income. These guys are scamming everyone that walks in for "service fees", so it'd be nice if it weren't left up to their discretion and there was some kind of official statement. Not holding my breath. Thanks and sorry to interrupt the current discussions