Posted on 06/18/2022 9:30:32 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
DYI Mini Split Heat Pump, I did it! And it works very well!
My existing Trane AC sadly died an early death at a very young 27 years.; RIP. I did have the need R-290(Not the old Texas R-1bbq refrigerant, real R290, no water vapor) to revive it, but then the fan solenoid gave out. And we said our goodbyes.
Our daughter and HVAC guy S.I.L. put on an addition and went with a Mitsubishi/Trane mini split system, the Cadillac of heat pumps $$$. They love it! And last year my brother an MIS, installed his own Pioneer mini split purchased from Home Depot. I purchased directly from Park-Davis because I had many questions and they were VERY helpful. Also a 5% veterans/senior discount, same product. IMO, Pioneer might be more like a Chevy or Oldsmobile??? He loves it!
Most of the compressor units come from China even some Mitsubishi. Mrcool says made in the USA, the compressor is a Tecumseh and has a good reputation among the few I ask that were familiar.
Good stuff! The old unit SEER 12 guzzled about 4,000 watts; I have watt meters on both incoming power lines. The new unit SEER 21.5 with both systems in Turbo mode with a HOT, 98F Outside ~1,600 Watts; I did not shut the rest of the house off for an exact reading. The 100-year-old house is 2,800 sq ft plus an UNcondutioned basement. We have added the maximum possible insulation and all new windows.
Being a split I did the second floor first with hot weather on the way. With ONLY the second-floor unit running the upstairs was fine at 76F, 50% humidity and the first floor Was OK at 82 F, 55% humidity; drawing 800 Watts max, the load varies with solar gain. The big old trees HELP! The unit runs constantly by design, slowing down as needed; lower energy use, and better humidity management. Plus few stops/starts.
Installation
With a bit of luck to have the studs in the right place...EASY PEASY. But the manuals are a bit sketchy on a few details, like how to take the wall unit down after it is hanging??? I hung the unit without any connections to check it out? HOW TO TAKE IT DOWN? A call to my brother and he ran into the same issue and made some claws to release the unit and sent photos.
The biggest help was the EasyBend Lineset Bender, which takes the worry out of kinking a $200 line set.
I did above and beyond standard testing ( basically the Mitsubutsi test schedule) Pressure testing staged up to 300 PSI nitrogen overnight then 500 PSI for one hour. Vacuum testing sub 100 Micron hold for 30 minutes.
My brother did his with a cheap <$100 vacuum pump and the $40 vacuum gauge set from Pioneer. Works fine. Pioneer also sells a $40 flush kit, no vacuum is needed?
The unit is shipped with additional refrigerant, no additional is needed for standard length line sets.
Open the valves, and turn it on.
I own an ancient refrigeration gauge set that goes with my even older Welch 1400 vacuum pump. From 27 years ago... The hose set was not up to the sub 500 Micron vacuum, I used 1/4 inch copper lines.
https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/products/dual-zone-outdoor-section-230v-21-seer-multi-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump
Plus one 12,000 Btu wall mount and one 12,000Btu floor mount plus line sets. $2,143.00 delivered. I have add ons above home depot.
Plus a $65 set of : https://www.supplyhouse.com/Easybend-84381-1-4-to-5-8-EasyBend-Lineset-Bender-Minisplit-Kit-w-13-Mandrels
A used micron vacuum meter from a friend; $40.
Vacuum pump oil $20, needs replacement with each use.
A whole house surge suppressor, $65, Outside disconnect and whip, $10+$10, additional condensate hose, $10 from a big box.
Two stalks of conduit and wire from a friend, now I owe.
Additional labor from my wife; happy (AC cooled) wife= good life...
“Were you having a problem with your system before he found air in it?”
Vague memory. Maybe I thought the cooled air wasn’t as cool as it should be.
If you do new installs you don’t need to change oil. I rarely work on burnouts where I would change the oil. I chang my pump oil once a year that usually coincides with Evacuation Pump Days at my local supplier during May. My pump has lasted 15 years.
My son-in-law told me I was too old to the work at full pace!
He says it is a young guys game...
A quick bit of fun, 3 min video about AC repairmen:
This is The Room Temperature Room
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