John Dirks Jr

I know FRP was used in common break walls. Was it also regularly used as sheathing across the entire roof?

Current in the GEC? Not good. Can you list some conditions that would cause that? Would one be damaged wire insulation due to staples hammered in too tight? Any others?

I stand corrected. 7.9amps unchoked... 6.4amps choked... I know if you choke it too long the motor will overheat. Thats why I assumed it was extra amperage that would heat the motor up. So in re-thinking that, is it the lack of air flowing through that makes the motor overheat?

Ok I will do the choked vacuum test and report back. You have a good point on the fewer longer cycles attributing longevity of the AC unit. I suspect that over all it uses less energy than a larger unit even though it may run longer.

If you choke the vacuum suction hose you will increase the load on the motor and the amp draw will increase. Why? By doing this you are preventing the motor from doing what it wants to do, move air. With the sorce of incomming air blocked the impeller will be creating a significant low pressure on the suction side which actually has an effect of wanting to pull the impeller the otherway. The motor is working very hard to try and reverse the effect since it is designed to rotate at a fixed rate. Is that technical enough for you? The rating on the tag is about 15.6 amps compressor and fan combined. My Dad put this AC unit in at least 30 years ago. Its a Sears unit. I replaced a capacitor in it once and thats it. Last year I cleaned the condenser core for the first time. That really increased its output. This little unit is slightly too small for this house. It cranks its little heart out and has been doing it for 30+ years. This thing is friggin awsome. Heres a pic of it http://home.comcast.net/~mailmanusa/AC.JPG

More questions. Since the wires inside a main panel can be close together it can sometimes be difficult to get the clamp tester around a particular wire. Rather than sticking ones fingers in there, what is a safer way to spread the wires to provide clearance for the clamp? Shutting off the main I am sure is one way. What other safe ways are there without shutting off the main, if any? Is there a suitable tool available or something else makeshift?

I will enhance the comments. I will write as if I were talking to a person directly. Keeping that in mind I can see how it can produce a better result in writing. I am glad I started this thread as it has been very helpful to me. My goal is to succeed in business by providing an accurate and useful service for a fair compensation in return. My intentions are to do nothing less.

Yes, the 1 2 3 approach. I read about that in my training materials. With all of the styles and opinions its easy to see how a bit of attention paid in the right areas will make one report look that much better than another.

When adding a step for sump pump in software, what catagory would you put it in? Plumbing? Foundation? Grounds & Drainage?

Thanks Jim, Without performing any tests you mention I understand the different levels of draw that will occur under different circumstances. A long extinsion cord will cause a higher draw due to energy loss in the length of transfer. The appliance at the end of the line will still be demanding a certian load. So that load combined with whatever amps are needed to make up the loss in the line would give a higher reading. Correct? Many other types of electrical items require a greater load at startup then settle down to an operating load. Obviousley a free wheeling saw is going to draw fewer amps than one under load. I am glad that this cheapo clamp tester will at least get me started. My goal in this thread was to determine if I could trust its readings. At least you think it will serve me well so thats good. Now just curious about this question. My central AC unit was drawing just under 12amps at 220v. Does that sound like an energy hogging unit? Thats just the AC unit outside though. That reading does not include the blower in the furnace portion inside.

I will take some of the advice form those who participated in this thread. I will make some changes and try something different maybe. I will construct another report and post the link here for review. A few of the changes I need to do before I post is adjusting my desktop software to allow me to convert the RTF to PDF and then I can insert pics without a ridiculous file size and hopefully get rid of the grid lines. BTW those grid lines do not show up on hardcopy printout. I am going to edit out exclamation points and any "all caps" typing. Maybe I will try a narrative approach. I am not looking for a perfect report. With so many opinions involved I could never expect that. I am looking for improvements, and that is what I will strive for. A general consensus of those on this forum, that improvements were made. Thanks to everyone for your time. One question. Suppose I do identify what I truely believe is a hazard. Lets say a fire hazard. Is it really unprofessional to use the words "fire hazard" to identify a fire hazard? Wouldnt anyone having a stake in the property, either seller or buyer want to know that? It might take a while for me to get my next sample up. For now I need to put down the PDA and pick up the training materials and books to prepare for upcomming classes.

Ok great, I would rather hear that answer. I mean, I know this particular tester is a cheapo ($49) one. Do you think it will serve me ok?

Brandon, earlier someone stated and error in that I listed modified bitumen in conjunction with a hip roof. Does the modified bitumen have a 15 yr life expectancy? That might be where that comment came from. In error combined with the modified bitumen. I need to add asphalt shingles to the step list and tag a default comment of 20-25 yrs life expectancy. Another good catch. another good example showing that I have yet to learn, an while software can simplify my report writing, I should not always trust it.

I got a clamp tester today at home depot. I clamped it on a line in my main box that runs a dedicated service to an appliance that is listed to draw 14 amps. The tester read 11.6 amps. Where does the variance come from. The appliance rating or the tester or both? The tester is a Sperry DSA500.

Many of the responses I understand are based on opinion. Mine are as well. So I see this discussion as an contructive debate, nothing more. I still have yet to attend my formal training as required by my state. I m sure I will learn there something that contradict with my opinions as well as others opinions. We will have to wait and see. Swamp, Lots of great advice, much I will use. About the red text. It does draw attention, thats the point. Same reason for bold right? I will remove caps and exclaimation points. The red text I plan to retain. To me it sort of inserts a summary report inside of the full report. So much of the stuff people will just glance over anyway. They want to know what you think is wrong. The red text leads them like a beacon. Because of this I have learned from you and others on here that what I say and how I say in red text is very important. I have not had to rely on the boiler plate yet. I am not even licensed yet. I will saythis, the boiler plate is actually teaching me in its own way. I understand your concern to that respect however. Les, Is this like the gang initiation where I have to get beat up before I earn my worthiness? hausdok, You made me think, the move to post here is a proving ground. If I cant handle the punches while shielded behind my computor screen here, how will I survive in the real world. chicago, The software is totally adaptable. I have much to learn about setting it to my style. inserting "not present" is no different than marking n/a on a check list type form. Yes the steps can be edited. I assume and hope I can edit the steps from job to job without returning to a desktop or laptop. Good point anyway. Scottpat, I thought modified bitumen in general meant an asphalt product. I will edit that material comment to read "asphalt shingles". The house does have continuous soffit vents with full ridge vent. My mistake was saying "attic fan" which I selected from the pick list. The house actually has a "whole house fan". I need to add "whole house fan" to my pick list in that catagory. Thanks for nabbing that. BTW, is whole house fan compatable with soffit vents and ridge vents? ghentjr, The software drops in specific comments based on previous selection of facts. The first paragraph you copied was dropped in because I selected that the house was "occupied". Had I selected "vaccant a specific comment regarding vaccant properties would have been inserted. The rest of your comments I believe are subject to your opinion. Nothing wrong with that at all. No way could I ever expect to please everyone. As much as you think its wrong, I suspect some will copy the texts and use them in thier own reporting.

Wow..ok well what better place to get gauge on things but from the ones in the field. I will respond further. Right now the kid is tugging on my leg to help get the model started. Ill be back....

I came here expecting some criticism. It will be used in a constructive manner. Thank you everyone for contributing.

OK, on step 26 in the Attic catagory I will remove "Hazardous" and "FIRE HAZARD!!!" and replace them with "Needs Repair" and add a statement about the importance of containing arcs and sparks within the junction box and the recommendation to contact a qualified electrictian for review. Would that look better?

Thanks Randy. Being knocked down a few rungs is part of learning. Regaining one feels good too.

Point well taken Chris. I think what you have said is kind of along the same lines as Les did. Partially anyway. I am learning here so bear with me. So, tone it down on the HAZARD comments and be more descriptive right? The software I am using can put out summary reports as well. I can print either full or summary or both right on sight directly from the PDA. Perhaps the client would have a preference and I could meet whatever the request. Thanks for your input. I can eventualy edit this report and I intend to. This is the one I will reproduce to hand out as hardcopy samples and perhaps a link for a sample. Just curious here and the critisism helps, but can anyone find anything good about it?

Bob, The software is set up to export from the PDA as rtf so that was not my choice. I am working looking into how to convert the rtf to pdf once I get the report on the desktop. Les, no hard feelings at all. Opposing opinions help me look deeper at presentation and perhaps see something I might have missed. Now to say that the report is "quite poor" because of legal text content I disagree. This is an extreemly litigious society we live in. The statements are probably in line with most inspection agreements that are signed by clients arent they? Having the statements in the report helps tie the report and agreement togeather. What does it say in the inspection agreements that you use? The NEC is mentioned maybe twice in the report. Do you believe that is over bearing? In my opinion the legal text shows awareness on my part and only encourages me to do the best I can in supplying an accurate report. Isnt that what the client is expecting? Again I appreciate you opinion and welcome criticism.

I put togeather this sample report. The original printout has pics inserted but I took them out to keep this online version downsized. If you have some time check it out and tell me what you think. BTY the hardcopy printout with pics inserted doesnt have the grid and looks much better then this rtf version. But I but this up to show basic content and layout.