ACtion Magazine - March 2013 - (Page 42)

Last Watch Good news, bad news Elvis Hoffpauir W e usually want to hear the bad news first, in hopes that the good news will provide a soothing balm, so here goes… First, if you have been keeping close tabs on the A/C jobs coming through your shop in recent years, the bad news may not actually be “news” to you. Due to the pressure of environmental regulations, vehicle manufacturers have significantly reduced system refrigerant charge and tightened up A/C systems to reduce refrigerant emissions. Less refrigerant loss reduces compressor failures. In short, vehicle OEs are engineering away (or at least reducing) some of the service jobs that are the bread and butter of our service shops, and further, the demand for parts needed for service. I’m reminded of a meeting many years ago when a shop owner stood up and railed at an OE engineer about the frequent failure of a particular compressor model. Well, beginning with the transition from R-12 to R-134a, the OEs have taken care of that little compressor problem, and a whole lot more besides. Be careful what you ask for! 2013 MACS Field Service Survey Just how substantial is the impact on our shops? We have only individual observations and anecdotal information to date, and in our own shops, it can be tough to see the forest for the trees. That’s why MACS will be launching a 2013 Field Service Survey to compile good data on how A/C service jobs are changing in type and volume. The more shops that participate, and the more jobs recorded, the better will be MACS’ assessment of the playing field. We believe that assessment is important to everyone in the industry, so that they have a better feel for where the industry is going and what changes they may need to make to stay competitive. Please participate in the survey, which will be distributed in the next few weeks. Where does this industry need to go? In his State of the Industry address at the MACS annual Training Event and Trade Show in Orlando, FL, on Feb. 7, MACS technical advisor Ward Atkinson had some suggestions for A/C service specialists who intend to grow their business and remain profitable in the years ahead. “Expand service to include total vehicle environment management,” Atkinson counseled. He explained that would include such things as thermal management of battery packs for hybrid, electric vehicles and onboard electronic devices. He also noted that engineering challenges to reduce vehicle weight (for increased mpg) may result in shrinking the passenger cabin of vehicles, leading to the necessity for new electronic control systems to ensure comfort of occupants and inclement weather visibility. Beyond that, engine cooling system management may require the recovery of waste heat, and the advent of heat pumps. Future A/C refrigerants may require secondary loop systems. The good news! No technology is bullet-proof, and with the new technology comes additional opportunities for the service sector. Taking advantage of these opportunities, however, will require continuing training, new tools and the right attitude. Goodbye, Hello A final note: Jim Taylor, who has been editor of ACTION™ for the last decade, retired at the end of 2012. Please welcome our new editor, Jacques Gordon, who introduces himself on page 10 in this month’s issue. ❆ 42 ACTION • March 2013 Elvis Hoffpauir, Editor -in-Chief You can reach Elvis at elvis@macsw.org Advertiser Index 1-800-Radiator & A/C................................2 Air Parts, Inc. ..........................................12 Arizona Mobile Air ....................................8 Behr-Hella ...............................................11 BVA Oils .................................................36 CSF ..........................................................17 DENSO ...................................................43 Eden Pure ..............................................20 Ford Motorcraft .....................................13 Four Seasons .........................................44 HeaterTreater ..........................................18 Johnson Manufacturing Company .......32 Kysor/Bergstrom, Inc ............................30 MACS Worldwide .......................10, 27, 33 MEI Corporation .......................................9 Omega .......................................................5 Polar Mobility Research ........................38 Pro Source Heater Cores.......................15 Ranshu .............................................center RTI Technologies ...................................21 Schrader..................................................14 T/CCI/Que ................................................41 Trans/Air Mfg. .........................................16 TSI Inc./SuperCool ...................................3 TYC / Genera ..........................................35 Universal Air Conditioner ........................7 VDO Replacement Parts .......................26 To request information from our advertisers visit www.macsw.org and click on the ACTION Reader Reply button. Connect with MACS and the digital edition of ACTION™ http://www.macsw.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - March 2013

ACtion Magazine - March 2013
Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Freeze Frame
Under the Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
Virtual View
News & Updates
Managing the Heat
Delphi Restores 1954 Pontiac Star Chief With First ‘Front Mounted A/C System’
Replacement Actuator Motor Cautions From HeaterTreater
Association News
In Memorium
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - March 2013