AccuTools eL-520 User guide

eL

-

520

Refrigerant Gas Leak

Detector

User’s Guide

eL-520 User’s Guide

Congratulations on the purchase of the AccuTools™ eL-520
Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector, the most technologically

advanced of its kind. The eL-520’s low power requirements,
small size and high sensitivity combine to create a tool which is
easy to handle and ultra effective at locating even the most
difficult-to-find leaks.

Fully SAE J1627 compliant, the eL-520 will detect leaks as small
as 0.1 oz/yr (3g/year) in R12, R22, R134a and other halogen
refrigerant systems.

The eL-520 should not be used on systems that contain
flammable refrigerants such as Propane, Isobutane, etc.

TECHNICAL DATA

Dimensions 7.25” x 2.25” x 1.5” (19 cm x 5.7 cm x 3.8 cm)
Weight 7 oz. (190 grams)
Batteries 2 x 1.5V 'AA' Alkaline Batteries (3 VDC)
Battery Life 40 hours
Sensitivity < 3g/year (0.1 oz/yr)
Sensor lifetime approx. 30 hours
Operating temperature 32 – 122°F (0 – 50°C)
Warm up time < 2 sec.
Response time instantaneous
Reset time instantaneous
Probe length 12” (30 cm)

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eL-520 User’s Guide

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Press the button to turn the unit on.

2. The LED will flash orange for a short moment to indicate
auto-reset, afterwards the unit will begin beeping and
flashing green.

3. To reset the unit to the existing level of ambient refrigerant,
press and release the button. The LED will flash orange
briefly to indicate the reset. All levels of refrigerant less than
the reset level will be ignored.

4. Unit turns on in the low sensitivity level, which is adequate
for most leaks. Press the button twice (double-click like a
computer mouse). The LED will fade from red to green and a
sweeping sound effect of low to high pitch will be heard. The
sensitivity is now set for 3g/year (0.1oz/yr). This mode
should only be used for looking for leaks of less than
14g/year (0.5 oz/yr).

5. Double click again to change back to low sensitivity.

6. Move the probe towards a suspected refrigerant leak at a
rate of less than 2 inches (50 mm) per second, no more than
¼ inch (5 mm) away from the suspected source.

7. If a leak exists, the sound will increase in rate and pitch and
the LED will start flashing rapidly.

8. To turn the eL-520 off, press and hold the button for 3
seconds.

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eL-520 User’s Guide

FEATURES

Ÿ If the sensor is damaged, a sweeping alarm and a red-green

flash will indicate the problem.

Ÿ A flashing LED during normal operation also reflects the

battery level:

Green: batteries are fresh
Orange: batteries should be changed

• If the batteries are nearly empty, the LED will turn solid red
and a two-tone alarm will be noted for 5 seconds, before the
eL-520 will power itself off.

Ÿ If the unit is left on unattended, it will automatically turn off

after about 5 minutes to conserve batteries.

BATTERY INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT

1. Turn the power off.

2. Remove the battery cover from the back of the instrument by
loosening the battery cover screw and lifting the battery
cover off. Be careful not to lose the extra sensor stored in the
battery compartment.

3. Insert 2 size ‘AA’ alkaline batteries, observing proper battery
polarity.

4. Replace battery cover and tighten battery cover screw.

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eL-520 User’s Guide

SENSOR

An eL-520 sensor will last between 25 and 30 hours of
continuous use. A failed or failing sensor will be indicated in one
of the following ways:

1. Unstable or erratic operation of the unit and many false
alarms, even in pure air.

2. A continuous “siren” sound.

SENSOR REPLACEMENT

In either case, replacement of the sensor is necessary:

1. Turn the power off.

2. Locate the replacement sensor in the battery compartment.

3. Unscrew (turn counter clockwise) the old sensor from the

4. end of the probe.

5. Screw (turn clockwise) the new sensor into place.

Replacement sensors
Part Number ELS-5 (pack of 2)

MAINTENANCE

The eL-520 should provide years of service with little
maintenance aside from changing batteries and sensors. The
case may be cleaned with a shop towel moistened with water
and a mild detergent. Do not use solvent of any kind.

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eL-520 User’s Guide

SAE J1628 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES

For the purpose of Automotive A/C Testing with respect to the
SAE J1627 standard, the following leak testing procedure
applies:

1. Operate the eL-520 in high sensitivity mode.

2. Leak test with the engine not in operation.

3. The air conditioning system shall be charged with sufficient
refrigerant to have a gauge pressure of at least 340 kPa
when not in operation. At temperatures below 15°C, leaks
may not be measurable, since this pressure may not be
reached.

4. Take care not to contaminate the detector probe tip. If the
part is particularly dirty, it should be wiped off with a dry shop
towel or blown off with shop air. No cleaners or solvents shall
be used, since many electronic detectors are sensitive to
their ingredients.

5. Visually trace the entire refrigerant system, and look for
signs of air-conditioning lubricant leakage, damage, and
corrosion on all lines, hoses, and components. Each
questionable area shall be carefully checked with the
detector probe, as well as all fittings, hose to line couplings,
refrigerant controls, service ports with caps in place, brazed
or welded areas, and areas around attachment points and
hold-downs on lines and components.

6. Always follow the refrigerant system around in a continuous
path so that no areas of potential leaks are missed. If a leak
is found, always continue to test the remainder of the
system.

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eL-520 User’s Guide

7. At each area checked, the probe shall be moved around the
location, at a rate no more than 25-50 mm/s and no more
than 5 mm from the surface completely around the position.
Slower and closer movement of the probe often helps locate
the exact position of the leak.

8. An apparent leak shall be verified at least once by blowing
shop air into the area of the suspected leak, if necessary,
and repeating the check of the area. In cases of very large
leaks, blowing out the area with shop air often helps locate
the exact position of the leak.

9. Leak testing of the evaporator core while in the air
conditioning module shall be accomplished by turning the air
conditioning blower on high for a period of 15 sec. minimum,
shutting it off, then waiting for the refrigerant to accumulate
in the case for time specified by paragraph 10, then inserting
the leak detector probe into the blower resistor block or
condensate drain hold if no water is present, or into the
closest opening in the heating/ventilation/air conditioning
case to the evaporator, such as the heater duct or a vent
duct. If the detector alarms, a leak apparently has been
found.

10. The accumulation time shall be 10 minutes.

11. Following any service to the refrigerant system of the
vehicle, and any other service which disturbs the refrigerant
system, a leak test of the repair and of the service ports of
the refrigerant system shall be done.

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NOTES

eL-520 User’s Guide

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eL-520 User’s Guide

NOTES

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eL-520 User’s Guide

Warranty and Repair

1 Year Limited Warranty

Core Enterprises, Inc. warrants that this AccuTools™ product conforms to Core Enterprises, Inc.
published specifications and will be free from defects in material and workmanship. The duration is for a
period of one year from the date of purchase. Core Enterprises, Inc., at its option, will repair or replace this
product or any component of the product found to be defective during the warranty period. Replacement will
be made with a new or remanufactured product or component. This is your exclusive warranty.

This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchase and is not
transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance.
Core Enterprises, Inc. dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling Core Enterprises, Inc. products do not
have the right to alter, modify or any way change the terms and conditions of this warranty.

This warranty does not cover batteries or any other normal wear of parts or damage resulting from any of
the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, damage caused by use of the product for purposes
other than those for which was designed, use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, repair or
alteration by anyone other than Core Enterprises, Inc. or an authorized Core Enterprises, Inc. service center.
Further, the warranty does not cover: Acts of God, such as fire, flood, lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes.

THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS OR
REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITTNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE

Core Enterprises, Inc. shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused by the
breach of any express, implied or statutory warranty or condition.

Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty or condition of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration of the above warranty.

Core Enterprises, Inc. shall not be liable for any damages of any kind resulting from the purchase, use or
misuse of, or inability to use the product including incidental, special, consequential or similar damages or
loss of profits, or for any breach of contract, fundamental or otherwise, or for any claim brought against
purchaser by any other party.

Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusion may not
apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to
state or jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

How to Obtain Warranty and Repair Service

To obtain warranty or repair service, please call [phone] to obtain a RMA number. For warranty
service, a legible copy of the original receipt must be sent along with the RMA Form. Any package received
without this RMA number will be refused. The returned product must be properly packaged and insured
against shipping damage. Any shipping damage resulting from improper packaging shall be the
responsibility of the Purchaser. The repaired or replaced product will be returned to Purchaser, freight
prepaid via UPS ground only. Repaired or replaced units carry an additional 90 days warranty.

© 2005 Core Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. AccuTools™ is a trademark of Core Enterprises, Inc.

9

3650 Coral Ridge Drive, Suite 101

Ph: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Coral Springs, FL 33065

www.accutools.com

P/N 10220 Rev. A