Airconditioner, refrigerator, pumps basics

[Ray.Charles]

My wife would like to learn the basics of air-conditioner/refrigerator/pump maintenance and repair. She is not looking for a job in that area. She only wants to be able to deal with the mechanics with some confidence. She found a one-week training course for 7,500 baht that she thinks is what she needs; unfortunately, it is in Bangkok. Can you suggest an alternative like working as an assistant to a good mechanic in Udon Thani.

[thighlander]

LG offers some free online courses. Also, search youtube. I saw one that isn't free but very thorough for about 1200, that covers all aspects of minisplit, which is the only thing used here. Some Indian professor does a free 45 hour course covering theory and evolution of AC....More and more, this stuff is ECB, or electronic controller boards..so it is a big of a racket. If you need links, let me know.

[bluejets]

All of the subjects listed involve working in and around mains supply. It is not something one does a 10 day course to do "basics" and then cut loose on an unsuspecting public.
To give you some idea, electrical alone for me was a five year apprentiship with constant upgrades over the past 40 years.
Refrigeration was a further 3 years study and air conditioning tagged on the end for another 2 years.
Electronics , which cannot be neglected in this day and age, was a 3 year add on with computer hardware and programming following up for another 3.
As I said , nothing is basic if it is the intention to apply it in the public domain.

[thighlander]

that is kind of overkill, and is more than anyone in the mini split business has here. If you didn't bother with the old systems, or commercial, you could become very knowledgeable about a few brands. I had a new install in a thirty year old condo..they simply extended an existing circuit. Today's equipment doesn't need the high amps of the multi ton heat pumps. They are made to be serviced by a technician, with proprietary parts; not an engineer. DIY folks do need to know their limits. Start with free electrical studies courses, online....Irish company....https://alison.com/courses/electrical