Imagine our excitement when we learned that one of our favorite phx21s, phx21-1071, was coming back to see us! (Actually, it was coming in for a repair, but it had been soooo long since we had seen it (and it was only a minor repair) it was more like a homecoming celebration.)

Imagine, too, how delighted we were when we figured out that the man who actually built phx21-1071, Steve Magnan, was still here. That meant that we were in for a very special reunion.

phx21-1071 wanted to have its photo taken with the original phx21 team from way back then. After, it was time for a quiet visit between Steve and phx21-1071, out by Lake LDAR. It was a beautiful day and a very special time. We were able to listen in on the conversation.

Steve: Dude, 1071, it is sooo good to see you.

1071: I know Steve. I thought maybe I would never see you again.

Steve: It has been a long time.

1071: Just like yesterday when you put me in that pelican case and shipped me out to California.

Steve: How do you like California?

1071: California is cool. Weather is great. But, well, you know. It’s not Texas.

Steve: What have you been up to out there?

1071: Steve, chill out, man. You KNOW what I have been up to. LDAR, man! 24-7! Monitoring, finding leaks, getting calibrated, on-site repairs, pump-throttling, firing up that glow plug—you know the drill: what you made me for.

Steve: *Chuckle*

1071: Steve, level with me. After the work you guys did on me, why do I feel so, so, so… Invigorated? You know?

Steve: It’s because we have updated you, my friend. You have been upgraded.

1071: Updated? What’s up with that?

Steve: Since you were made, the LDARtools R&D team has learned some new stuff and made some improvements. Sort of like a makeover. You’ve got a bigger, more stable regulator and a completely new set of internal Teflon tubing which is much more resistant to chemical breakdown.

1071: Cool. Thank you. Now… it’s time, isn’t?

Steve: Time for what?

1071: Time for the pelican case thing and back to California.

Steve: Right. Going to miss you, dude. Sure you want to go back?

1071: Steve. Seriously? I was made for Method 21. California is Method 21 Nation. How can I NOT go back?

Steve Magnan, one of our Production Technicians, has a collection of interesting occupations:

• Starbucks Barista
• Combat Engineer with the Army National Guard
• Certified Firefighter
• LDAR Field Equipment Technician

Clearly, he can do anything he sets his mind to. So what made him join the LDAR Think Tank? “LDARtools is one of the best companies I’ve worked for,” says Steve. “We’re innovative and spearheading the LDAR field. Who doesn’t want to be a part of ‘the tip of the spear’?”

He now builds phx21s and is looking forward to LDARtools’ next project: “I know it’ll be spectacular because we’re the best in the business,” he says.

On his off days, Steve is at his favorite and most important job yet: a father.

Do NOT attach the H2 Fill Adapter to the Probe Port! This will lead to a costly repair.

To avoid this scenario, follow these precautions:

Keep a Probe connected to the device at all times.	Keep the H2 Fill Cap in place at all times (Except, of course, when you’re filling the phx21 with Hydrogen).

For information on the proper use of your phx21, please refer to the phx21 User Manual.

You can download a copy of the phx21 User Manual from our website or request a physical copy by sending an email to sales@ldartools.com or calling 1-877-788-1110 x6.

Everyone in LDARtools is integral to how we do things.

Occasionally, however, we have to say good-bye to a beloved member of our small family.

Derrick Mauk is a veteran of the LDAR industry. He’s been with us for 2 years. Before joining LDARtools, he had 18+ years of experience spinning tags and monitoring components. He’s now the Director of Quality Control and Training for Summit Inspections and we wish him all the best.

Our once Special Projects Manager, Derrick recalls that the best souvenirs he’s taking with him are the memories (that and a small “Sriracha 2 Go” bottle from Jeremy):

“The best story I can remember is the one where we had a bobcat wandering around and reducing the Chateau’s chicken population. That or being LDARtools’ official bodyguard during the tradeshows we go to.”

It’s been a great several years, Derrick, and though we’re sad to see you go, we’re happy for you.

Our experiences have shaped who we are today. We’d like to share some of LDARtools’ great memories of our nearly-a-decade long service to you:

1. June 2007 – FECrystal receives Class 1 Division 2 certification (ensuring it’s intrinsically-safe) in as little as 8 months and installed for the first customer 3 months later.
   
2. September 2008 – The phx21 makes its grand debut at ISA in San Antonio. It took a short 11 months for the phx21 intrinsic safety certification and 3 months for its first installation.
   
3. January 2011 – Environmental Analytics is sold. LDARtools becomes a real company.
4. February 2014 – LDARtools releases LTI Mobile, the lightning-fast Windows Mobile LDAR application.
   
5. Oct 2014 – Chateau is conceived from the LTIFramework design that had been started earlier in January.

There are a lot more interesting moments in LDARtools’ history.

Here’s to many more milestones throughout the coming years!