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Air Conditioning Fundamentals
Modern A/C stations do most of the work, but diagnosing a fault still takes a real understanding of how the system behaves. This course takes R-134a and R-1234yf systems from the physics up to real trouble cases.
How the system works
- The refrigeration cycle: compress, condense, meter, evaporate
- Pressure and temperature, relative versus absolute pressure, and latent heat
- TXV and orifice tube systems, and what the gauges should read
Refrigerants and safety
- R-134a, R-1234yf, CO₂ (R-744) and the newer blends
- What GWP, ODP, glide and A2L flammability mean on the job
- PPE and cryogenic burn risk, reading safety data sheets, recovery and NZ compliance
Components and oils
- Compressors and clutches, condensers, expansion valves, switches and transducers, evaporators, driers and IHX pipes
- PAG versus POE oils, matching oil to compressor, and why PAG never goes into a high-voltage compressor
Servicing and diagnosis
- Pre-repair scans and service port care
- Leak testing before charging, including the R-1234yf evaporator check
- Testing for stop-leak and contaminated refrigerant to protect your station
- Leak detection methods and when to flush or replace
- The six fault patterns, worked through with gauges and scan tool live data
Hands-on
- Reading good, undercharged and overcharged systems on gauges and live data
Your trainer
Hamish
Trainer · Auckland
Hamish is no stranger to the Automotive industry having 35+ years of industry experience, specialising in diagnostics. He has provided training across NZ for several years with independent and franchise operations. He was involved in the roll out of NZ Electric vehicle technician training, Auto electrical diagnosis, Automotive HVAC, Oscilloscope and scan tool analysis and diagnosing.
