4th yr refrigeration apprentice here at a small union shop. I did non-union commercial HVAC for 2yrs up to like 15 ton units before I crossed into refrigeration a year ago.
I direct entered into the union apprenticeship as a 3rd year, last year.
Was the PM bitch for around 9 months before they cut me loose on service a couple months ago.
They trust me enough for solo service on walk-ins, reach-ins, IMs, etc. no supermarket rack calls yet.
Today it took me 3 hours to do the following:
- 1/2hr to job, 1/2hr to next call
- 30min driving to supply house to get a 25mfd run cap, yeah I could’ve combined a 20 & a 5 but the supply house was a 10min drive.
- diagnose failed compressor due to run cap failure and short cycling on internal overload prematurely due to compressor overload failure. Internal overload kept prematurely tripping and compressor was cold.
- old Hoshizaki KM500MAJ series self contained air cooled
- ruled out everything that could stop my compressor from running
- condemned & quoted a head unit due to evap grid separation & compressor failure
Customer wanted to play 50 questions on why I’m opting for a new ice machine head unit, that ate 1/2hr.
Owner says I’m slow but I only started learning refrigeration a year ago, dude doesn’t even let me take the van home. I only had 2yrs of RTU / split system service experience before I joined up.