service van parts stock list?

[grizzly]

Would any of the master appliantoligists here care to share with me the service parts list they use to stock their service van? Or is such a list availible anywhere online?

I asked the local parts only store if they had a list of thier top 100 parts, and they said they don't track them anymore. The other two places in town that you can get parts at are both service companies as well. I asked one of them for a list, but they seemed reluctant to provide it and said they'd call me back. Haven't heard anything from them yet.

I'm looking just for a general type list of the most common parts. Without having actaully started the business yet, I'm just going to try to keep it simple with nothing even remotely exotic until I can get a better idea of what types of machines are more common around here. I realize this is vague, but I gotta start somewhere, I figure I can start accumulating parts a little bit at a time until I'm ready to start my business and pull the trigger on a yellow pages ad.

On a somewhat related note, what type of racks/bins work best in your vans? I bought a Ford Econoline cargo, but it has no bulkhead or bins in it yet. I get catalogs in the mail from when I had my painting business from a company called American Van, and they seem to have really good prices on cargo van equipment, but I know that there are some others out there like Adrian Steel and America's Body Company that outfit cargo vans as well. I know, I should have bought a van with bins already in it, but this one I got was way to good of a deal to pass up, I'll still come out ahead even buying bins later on.

I'm thinking that the racks and bins package that is geared for electrical contractors would be good, but I just don't know.

Any help anyone can provide could be gretly appreciated!

[AccApp]

Find a new supplier. Marcone had at one time a guarnteed parts program, still might. They would sell you a certain amount of inventory and if you didn't use it in a year they took it back. Try the big mail-order places, a local shop cannot provide you the prices and service you deserve. Check out Marcone, AP Wagner, Applliance Parts Depot and anyone else you can think of. Appliance parts is a very competitive business and they will bend over backwards for you. That Guy writes of a place out in Denver, Co. You want someone close to you if possible.

I'd never leave home without this:

WP direct drive couplers

WP Lid switches (All three styles)

flat oven ignitors (ex:5303935066)

Round oven ignitors

Dryer ignitors (flat and round(torpedo))

FG washer belt

WP and Fg I/m

WP dual and single I/M water valve

Dryer gas valve coils

It depends on what you find yourself working on, experience will tell you what you need.

[Poobah]

Bins are nice if you can afford the space, my service vehicle is a Ford Eco. Club Style. I have all the room in the world, but  I use the white plastic crates that you would buy at a Big Lots (Odd lots) with the blue lids. Each one is labeled  Ref. / Ranges / Dryers / Washers / etc.  Then take each appliance and break it down by brand and parts that each one use, you can put them all together or seperate into  individual sub boxes.....for instance

Whirlpool dryer......therm. kits  (279769....279816) / elements..(4391960...279838...3387747)  drum rollers, motor fuses, cycling thermostat, door switch, door latch, belt, idler,  with this you can run about any call. Only special order timers too many and to much overhead, maybe keep one basic motor 279827 (I think thats it)  didn't want to go into such length but you get the idea.  Just the basics with each one...

After you learn your area then you will know what machines to stock for......I am blessed enough to be in a Sears area so I am largely Kenmore/ Whirlpool, my rent to own places are Maytag (performa, Crosley) and Frigidaire, then my Lowes sells mainly GE, and some Whirlpool

[grizzly]

Thanks guys, this is great stuff to know in helping me generate a gneral stock list. I think I will just start out with the plastic crates too.

Now, I have a question about the EPA 608 type 1 certification. It seems that all the big parts wholesalers require it on their applications. I think most manufacturers require it too to become authorised.

But, it seems that not many folks actually do sealed system work. What is the point in requiring certification if it isn't going to actually be performed?

This line in the EPA rules is confusing:

"Effective October 18, 1994, all persons opening appliances except for small appliances and MVACs for maintenance, service, or repair and all persons disposing of appliances except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances must have at least one piece of certified, self-contained recovery or recycling equipment available at their place of business. Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of only appliances that they own and that contain pump-out units are exempt from this requirement. This exemption does not relieve such persons from other applicable requirements of §82.156."

I wonder if by "opening appliances" it refers to opening the sealed system, or just to opening the appliance cabinet in some fashion?

Do you gys "have at least one piece of certified, self-contained recovery or recycling equipment available" at your place of business?

Geesh, the government sure can be confusing when they want to!

[AccApp]

[user=19408]grizzly[/user] wrote:

Now, I have a question about the EPA 608 type 1 certification.

But, it seems that not many folks actually do sealed system work. What is the point in requiring certification if it isn't going to actually be performed?

I wonder if by "opening appliances" it refers to opening the sealed system, or just to opening the appliance cabinet in some fashion?

Do you gys "have at least one piece of certified, self-contained recovery or recycling equipment available" at your place of business?

I have a Chevy Astro with the full Adrian steel package, got it for an amazing price and it ahs made me a fortune. It is packed to the gunwales with all kinds of fun stuff. I use the flip open bins by Orbis, a bit pricy but if they're good enough for GM etc. I have red (currently sun-faded pink), blue, one oddball GM light blue I took out of a trash pile and gray. Makes it easier to find a box in the pile.

You can get EPA 608 type I certified online for ~$75, it is an open book test, pretty scary, non? You can easily make this back by unloading two R-22 30lb-ers to huffers. (Under no circumstances should you ever do this)

Why do SWAT teams train constantly? Just in case. I have found that I am the only indie EHP servicer in the area who does SS repair and as such can charge a premium for a customer who is not willing to wait the three weeks for A&E to return with the wrong compressor. You don't want to start by reading how to do SS work, much better to be taught in person on a job.

Opening appliances refers only to unsealing a sealed system, not just taking off the evaporator cover.

Yes, I maintain a large assortment of recovery equipment. Not just the recovery unit  (Ritchie R60) itself but I have a basic manifold gauge set I use just for recovery and a tank and scale to measure what comes out.

[Poobah]

I called NARDA and got my certification. As AccApp said they are open book take it at your own pace and send it in.  As far as sealed system work goes I only do it for Whirlpool and only on what new applainces I sell.  Most customers in my area won't put in a compressor, they will buy new first. With a new comp. only having a 90 warranty from the manufactuer It embarrasses me to even offer it for the money.  However there is money to be made it reclamation of refrigerant for units being disposed, alot of scrap yards are starting to get compliant and only take units that have been reclaimed and have the appropriate sticker, you can make service call and pretty good labor on this.

[BrntToast]

well i do have a frigidaire recomonended parts list but the ppl there must think we drive 5 ton trucks and wipe with 100 dollar bills

there are a few things like the drive couplers mentioned and the frigidaire,whirlpool,maytag thermal fuses, all the common pumps(free tip the frigidaire front load drain pump can also be used on the top loads by reversing the front of the pump so only stock the front load one

havn't been in my van in a week so after the day today i'll post a better list

another tip, save your back and have 2 tool boxes, one for the light commonly used tools, the other for the socket sets and wrenches you use once a day, you'll thank me for that one after the first few 3rd floor apartments

[grizzly]

Thanks everyone for the insight. I've ordered some drive couplers and belts, thermometers (oven, fridge x 2), and some other stuff from Repair Clinic. I'm working on getting a Marcone account so I can get servicer prices instead of full retail. Marcone is also going to try to get me a list of their top 100 moving parts.

Like AccApp said, sealed system is not something I think can be learned from a book, but is there such a book even? Something that covers brazing, how to recover refregerant, how to use those fancy meters with the colored hoses, etc. I can't seem to find one on Amazon (or anywhere else). Maybe a trade school text book? I'd like to read up on it before finding someone to teach me hands on so I'm not totally clueless going in.

Closest I've come so far is finding an excellent video on brazing technique on servicematters, but it doesn't get into anything other than the actual brazing.

[AccApp]

LG actually sent me a really great book on the subject a while back. Some of it is obviously translated directly from Korean but it is a great first step. I'd be happy to loan it to you. Send me a PM with your shipping address and your solemn promise I won't ever see it on eBay.

[grizzly]

Solemn promise and shipping address have both been PM'd.

Thanks a ton in advance! The members of this forum should get some kind of lifetime achievement award for the best community on the whole 'net.

[grizzly]

[user=5883]Poobah[/user] wrote:

I use the white plastic crates that you would buy at a Big Lots (Odd lots) with the blue lids. Each one is labeled  Ref. / Ranges / Dryers / Washers / etc.  Then take each appliance and break it down by brand and parts that each one use, you can put them all together or seperate into  individual sub boxes.....for instance

Poobah, what do you do to keep your bins from shifting around in your van? I too have seen those bins at Big Lots and use them to store household stuff. Might save a lot of wieght in my van since its only a half ton I can't load it up the way plumbers do with tons of heavy stuff.

[Poobah]

 I have a rack / shef 19 inches wide and goes to the roof of my van. It sets just inside my back doors beside the spare. very minimal space loss

[grizzly]

On the Whirlpool thermal fuses, which one is more common: (3390719 - tear drop shape) or  (3392519 - bullet shape)?

[AccApp]

Definitely the latter.  I consider them to be "coat pocket" or "toolbox" stock, never visit a dryer without one. The first ones you list are mostly for the DOTT dryers and I have seen them on some Maytags. The "bullets" are only used on the rear-fused WP's and WP KM's but I go through a lot of them.

[grizzly]

Attached is my stock list as it sits today. These are the parts I've already purchased, hopefully these are all fairly fast moving parts. This list is almost all Whirlpool. Any glaring omissions here?

Anyone got any ideas of some more stuff to add? Fast moving Frigidaire? Maytag? Whirlpool stuff I'm missing?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Just trying to build up a parts inventory to get started, after time I'll get a little better idea of what I'll need.

Anyone have any ideas for pumps and fill valves? Is there a fairly standard WP washer fill valve on the direct drive machines? How about pumps?

[AccApp]

You've got a good basic list there. I don't bother with the pieces for the WP dryer, I only stock the kit. You might want to get the longer flat oven ignitors like the 5303935067 and 5303935068.

There seems to be two styles of WP DD pump, the regular one and the big port one. Worth keeping both on hand. There is also two basic fill valves, get them as well. They also cross to other brands. The WP ref dual inlet water valve kit is a good part to stock.

I'd also keep the 5303918283 control box for FG sxs's and the 5303937139 and 5303281153 dryer drum bearings. GE front slides WE1M481 are a must.

As you make money you can increase your truck stock. Don't expect to be efficient the first 6 months.

[BrntToast]

stock the speed board for the frigidaire front loads(forget part #) the one for the gltf1240as0

hate to sound like a part changing monkey on this one but you can change it through the access panel in a few minutes to test if its the problem(and quite often is) or you can move machine remove the hoses,30 screws on back panel to check those damn pins etc...

and if it wasn't the prob put old back in once you remove back panel and check all those cursed pins

[grizzly]

That new avatar is fantastic brnttoast!