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dunkybones
How did you handle the install as far as vacuuming the refigerant lines, did you go diy, hire an HVAC Tech, or buy the units with precharged lines?
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dunkybones
So was doing your own install super easy with the right tools, or is it just as likely to screw things up?
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dunkybones
I'm a little more selective about the tools I spend money on.
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bipotato
More expensive tools won't necessarily get you better performance, your A/C won't know the difference.
I've used Friedrich, Klimaire, Shinco. In the past year+, none that I installed have failed, but I did hear about another grower who had his Shinco fail on him after about 6 months. I'm 95% sure that he did not vacuum his refrigerant lines, though, and the original lineset had to be replaced by another ambiguous length lineset, so who knows what happened there.
"Shinco" is just one of many companies who slaps their stickers & nameplates on bulk OEM Chinese equipment.
I've used Friedrich, Klimaire, Shinco. In the past year+, none that I installed have failed, but I did hear about another grower who had his Shinco fail on him after about 6 months. I'm 95% sure that he did not vacuum his refrigerant lines, though, and the original lineset had to be replaced by another ambiguous length lineset, so who knows what happened there.
"Shinco" is just one of many companies who slaps their stickers & nameplates on bulk OEM Chinese equipment.
cesartime
Member
So short of taking a class, where does one learn?
So short of taking a class, where does one learn?
Im about to get either a mr slim (dont know how to install, vaccum, braise, or whatever has to be done to get that one in.) Or I spend the extra coin on a grower specific item and go with the excel. Anyone who has installed their own mini-split, how did you learn? And where can I get that info?
So short of taking a class, where does one learn?
Im about to get either a mr slim (dont know how to install, vaccum, braise, or whatever has to be done to get that one in.) Or I spend the extra coin on a grower specific item and go with the excel. Anyone who has installed their own mini-split, how did you learn? And where can I get that info?
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dunkybones
cesartime, I found a couple links that add a little more info -
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=90934&highlight=install+mini+split
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=73571&highlight=install+mini+split
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=90934&highlight=install+mini+split
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=73571&highlight=install+mini+split
Duckmang
Member
My mini split system is built from a 220V window shaker. I had a hvac buddy pull the charge out. I pulled the evaporator out and hung it in the ceiling with a 465cu/ft fan on it. Ran the lines through the wall where the rest of the unit sits on a shelf. The additional copper lines were soldered in place with a new filter on the high side. I made a rubber boot to catch the condensate off of the evaporator which drains through the wall and into the fan for the condensor, helping cool it. I've got a double pole relay to switch the compressor on with a regular household t-stat controlling it. The t-stat also switches a single pole relay to turn on the evaporator fan. I used some R12 / R22 style solder on ports. They let me use my automotive gauge set to charge it up with R22. I used a small venturi style vacuum pump to evacuate the system before the charge. It only pulled about 20" vacuum but since my hvac buddy pressurize the system with Nitrogen to leak check before the charge I wasn't worried about contaminants.
I'm not jewish but this was a very cheap install as most of the parts were recycled or free from friends. I did buy a spendy 1/3 tank of R22, which represents 95% of the out of pocket cost. I had to buy propane for the torch as well as solder and crimp on wiring connectors.
If you can solder copper you could install a similar system. Unless you are very knowledgeable with refrigerants, I'd have someone trained in hvac do the evac and charge. There are safety concerns as well as ecological concerns when working with refigerants and I do not recommend someone trying something like this without proper beforehand knowledge.
I'm not jewish but this was a very cheap install as most of the parts were recycled or free from friends. I did buy a spendy 1/3 tank of R22, which represents 95% of the out of pocket cost. I had to buy propane for the torch as well as solder and crimp on wiring connectors.
If you can solder copper you could install a similar system. Unless you are very knowledgeable with refrigerants, I'd have someone trained in hvac do the evac and charge. There are safety concerns as well as ecological concerns when working with refigerants and I do not recommend someone trying something like this without proper beforehand knowledge.
Norkali
Active member
Last edited by a moderator:
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Guest 18340
It is the unit, not the lineset, that comes precharged. You can vacuum the lines yourself if you buy the pump. I'm no AC tech but their seems to be diferent size pumps that can pull a lot of vacuum so you'll have to look into which one you need. OR..
you can do what I did and empty the room an call a tech. He charged me $100 and he was in/out in 15 minutes.
Other than a pump and a drill bit for a 3"hole for your lines, their are no specialized tools required. Screw drivers and wire cutters is all. They come with directions and wiring schematics.
Most all minsplits available come with linesets that have all the brass threaded fittings brazed on already. Wiring them is super easy because everything is labeled and color coated, and schematics are widely available.
Imo, Mitsubishi Mr.Slim are thee best units available today.
Excel are WAY over priced. So much so that HTG here in Florida won't carry them. Theirs nothing "grower specific" about Excel. Unless you were taking about their DIY unit. Grunaire makes them as well...
When my minisplit finally craps out or when I upgrade, I am definitely getting a Mr.Slim!
redheadfreakin
Member
My lines were precharged with refrigerant.
Plugged them in and released the valve thingy.
Easy as can be.
Running about 5 years so far.
Plugged them in and released the valve thingy.
Easy as can be.
Running about 5 years so far.
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bipotato
I seriously doubt it. Sure it wasn't more like the outdoor unit was pre-charged with refrigerant, as evlme2 correctly mentioned? Or that the lineset was pre-charged with nitrogen gas? (Again 99.999% of the likely case.)
If you didn't actually evacuate the lines, chances are your unit is not running as efficiently as possible and the compressor is compressing a lot of air (and possibly trying to compress some condensed water).
Even on the Excel Air systems (the 1 or 2 possible "exceptions"), I have a sneaking suspicion that their "pre-charged lineset" is just vacuum'd and pre-charged with nitrogen and not actually with dangerous high-pressure refrigerant. Just doesn't make sense that they'd ship it like that, or ask a customer to install it in that condition. I could be wrong, though.
What do you need?
- R410A adapter ($10)
- Vacuum pump ($75 - $500 depending on where you shop)
- Manifold gauge [and included hoses] ($50 - $200 depending on where you shop)
- Teflon tape
- Soapy water
- Pair of channel locks
- Slotted screw driver for electrical (maybe Philips too for cover, etc)
- Something to punch a hole for the lineset (drill, chisel, etc)
The R22/R134A manifold gauge from Harbor Freight is perfectly fine, as long as you don't plan on doing anything but vacuum (i.e., adding or removing refrigerant, or otherwise using the gauge to read values.)
evlme2, why'd you delete my post with the peg & hammer game picture, and request for $39.99?
redheadfreakin
Member
No, they were actually charged with refrigerant.
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bipotato
Can you elaborate? How did you determine the lineset actually came shipped with refrigerant in it?No, they were actually charged with refrigerant.
I've always wondered this. Is it even legal / safe to ship a high-pressure pipe like that (how well-protected does it come?), or whether it's safe to bend or otherwise work with a pressurized pipe.
redheadfreakin
Member
The big warning sticker that said "contains refrigerant" was the biggest giveaway.
They were also advertised as such.
I have also had success with the standard kits you can find at places like AC World.
They have no refrigerant in the lines, but no air gets in:
The condensing units are over charged enough to compensate for the line set and the cooling coil, The cooling coil inside coil is cleaned, polished, evacuated, and decontaminated, the line connections are sealed with self tapping ports.
The line set is cleaned, polished, evacuated, decontaminated and sealed with self piercing fittings. the condensing unit is sealed with self piercing ports.
When you connect the line set to the condenser the self tapping ports open the connection between the two, when you connect the line set to the cooling coil the self tapping ports open the connection.
The connections are threaded and screw together in such a way that the refrigerant and inside of the system is not exposed to the atmosphere.
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bipotato
I've asked this question a bunch of times and this is the first time I've gotten a satisfactory answer. Thanks for clarifying.
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Guest 18340
I'm not a Mod in this forum so it was not I who deleted any of your posts, sorry.
Can you shoot me a link to the AC you bought? Or at least a name and model#, thanks.No, they were actually charged with refrigerant.
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bipotato
FREEEEEZERBOYYYY!!!!! Stop the censorship!!
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dunkybones
redhead - post up, you gots a "pre-charged" unit and it runs like a champ? Make and model# please. You got time for more details?
