Datasheet Content
eL-520
3G-CBM-01082
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)
It detects all HFC, CFC and HCFC refrigerants including R134A, R12, R22,
R32, R1234yf as well as blends such as R404A, R408A, R 409A, R 410A, and
others.
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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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Declaration of Conformity
in accordance with European Standard EN 14624:2005
It is hereby certified that AccuTools model number eL-520 Refrigerant Leak Detector has been tested
and is declared in conformance to European Standard EN 14624:2005 Performance Of Mobile Leak
Detectors Of Halogenated Refrigerants.
Testing has been conducted using test equipment as defined by relevant standards, using an NIST
traceable leak source. The unit met the sensitivity, accuracy and performance requirements defined by the
standard as described below:
Stationary Test Threshold < 3 g/yr
Moving Test Threshold < 3 g/yr
Signed: Dated: April 14, 2009
Declaration of Conformity
im accordance with Council Directive 89/336 EEC, 92/3L/EEC
We, Manufacturer/Importer
Company Name: CORE ENTERPRISES, INC.
Company Address: 3650 CORAL RIDGE DR., SUITE 101
CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33065 U.S.A.
Trade Name: ACCUTOOLS
declare that the product
Product Name: REFRIGERANT GAS LEAK DETECTOR
Model Number: eL-520
Comment Issues: --
is in conformity with EMC requirements on the basis of
EN 61326: 1998/A2:2002
EN 55011: 1998/A1:2000 (Class B)
TEC 61000-4-2:1995/A1:1998/A2:2000
IEC 61000-4-3:1995/A1:1998/A2:2000
Manufacturer/Importer
Signature: C . f aa
Date: January 5, 2007 Name: Cornel Opris
