Knowledge

[ectofix]

THANKS for posting that.

Within those categories, one must not JUST have some general idea of each, but ESPECIALLY to have an understand the DETAILS of their basics all the way down to atomic theory. Then, once you have THAT stuff, NEVER forget it.

Moving on to skim through some stuff, there’s:

Ohm’s Law Boyle’s, Bernoulli’s Charles’, Dalton’s…and many OTHER Laws Facts and formulas Definitions Newer concepts & innovations DETAILED equipment theory of operation And the other stuff I don’t know any better to mention…

So, a VIRTUALLY a glossary of technical info must be carried around in their BRAINS

THEN…we find that we must STILL keep on learning as things change. For instance, after my twenty-two years in THIS field…and forty-two of my years having what I think is a well-founded understanding of electricity/electronics, I’m still working to KEEP UP with just THAT!

Then, as if the aforementioned topics aren’t enough, you must learn OTHER stuff affecting our endeavors or overlapped with OTHER trades:

Local codes Federal standards such as the NEC, NEMA, NSF, NFPA Mechanical knowledge HACCP and other HEALTH codes Tools/techniques and how they’re used/what they’re used for SAFETY And (for ME), welding

It just goes ON and ON and ON.

That’s what’s fascinating about our trade in servicing commercial food equipment. There’s NO one school for it all. Your employer (or YOU) must seek out that additional stuff so YOU can become a better technician. THEN…just when you think you got it down, something ELSE challenges you with something NEW.

While we certainly have these challenges in our restaurant repair trade, the TRUE HVAC/R side of it all is the TRUE-er challenge. THOSE folks in HVAC/R must become field ENGINEERS on-the-fly to be the best at their game.

Sadly, many techs DON’T seek out what they don’t know. That’s the imminent FACT of it all. YOU…don’t know what you don’t know.

[ectofix]

YET, I can’t figure out how what I’d wanted to be a post a fluidly put statement in this forum’s format, but I hope you get it.

[fixbear]

Ectofix; You nailed it very well. I also like to think a bit of metallurgy and machinist experience helps. RSES was a big help for me with there monthly meetings and classes. Tight bonds with distributors that have training rooms was a Godsend.

[beef]

For those who can’t make it to school and classes, pick up a book, write down what you learn, practice it several times and then repeat. Even if it’s not a book there are several resources out there to learn from, like this forum. One I like a lot is https://www.hvacrschool.com/ and another I enjoy reading https://www.achrnews.com/

[isitfridayyet]

And there’s always knowing how to talk and deal with people (and the fine are of B.S.) I’ve found if you tell someone there’s nothing wrong with the equipment, they then keep complaining about it, trying to prove their right. But tell them you made some “adjustments “ to it, and they shake your hand telling you it’s never worked better, despite the fact you did nothing 😂

[ShawnF]

For someone needing basic knowledge, this is a good set of books to have. They are a little pricey, but I think they are worth the cost.

https://www.techtrainmanuals.com/

[ectofix]

The earlier editions of those manuals are what I studied to prepare for CFESA certification tests some twenty years ago. Working in-house now, I’d talked my supervisor into buying the whole set some years ago. There’s a WEALTH of information in them for those in this field who want to sharpen their skills.

It’s good to see they’re out on the open market now.

[ShawnF]

I used the electrical book as study material for my CFESA certification as well. Looking to get gas or steam next.

[beef]

Noice. I’ve actually got all four books and certs 2 years ago. Some difficult tests I tell ya what!

[ectofix]

TWO BRIEF STORIES:

1. Back in 1999, I guess Mr. Barasch hadn’t yet finished his GAS book. Therefore, CFESA required studying a stack of four binders (about ten inches thick total) to take their gas certification test.

My boss had determined that I was book smart (back THEN), so made me the guinea pig by being the first tech to study that stack of books, take the test, then share with our other dozen techs what exactly they needed to study for that test.

I was overwhelmed by my assignment and, to be honest – after I’d studied the material, taken & passed the test, I wasn’t much help to the other guys. There was just TOO much superfluous info in those binders that wasn’t actually on the test to give them accurate insight on what they should focus on.

2. Somehow I came to possess Mr. Barasch’s first edition of the GAS book (2002). I don’t know how that happened, but I still have it (I just looked at it).

Fast forward to 2015-ish when I’d convinced my current in-house boss to buy the full set of four CFESA books – mainly to help our OTHER guys get some learning. None of them had ever worked as a field service tech as I had. The books also proved to be GREAT reference material for ALLOT of detailed info that I’d forgotten about.

So, our new books were…NEWER. Newer than what I’d studied so many years ago. So, it was a MUST DO that peruse ALL of them ESPECIALLY for that reason – due their NEWER information on more modern topics, their NOW colorized graphics, etc.

As I was thumbing through the GAS book, I got slapped in the face!

“WHAT? I MADE a picture on the internet that’s NOW in his BOOK!”

It was an on-line photo of a BJ thermostat that I’d modified in Windows Paint some years prior. I had helped a guy at another forum (before TechTown existed) on commercial cooking equipment. I was merely explaining the metering screws for PILOT and BYPASS in the body of those thermostats. Using the “Paint” program (app), I’d circled and labeled those screws.

That’s all…

I was extremely honored to discover that Mr. Barasch had apparently found it on the internet and added it into his newest GAS book.

WHY I should feel HONORED? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because…

Mr. Barasch (through his curriculum being the basis for CFESA training) was instrumental in setting the higher standards in our business that are recognized by virtually every equipment manufacturer out there. And… It’s just fascinating that I’d spent a mere five minutes mocking up a graphic for a 2013 post at that other forum, THEN to find it ends up being published within a hardcover book that sells for $200.

The attached photo is snapshot of that 2013 post at that OTHER forum.

My autographs are $5 each. PM me for an address on where to send the money….

[AlexB]

I completely agree regarding the CFESA tests! I have taken 3 so far and I must say for those tests only having 100 questions….the book covers a lot more!

[fixbear]

He should have tracked the pic down and paid you for it’s rights.