Mini split repair - Page 2

pinballlooking · 06-07-16, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJKeenan

your getting frost on the small line?

Yes it is completely white with frost.
I turned it back off for now.

I did some internet research and this seems like a common issue for a mini split if you have a low Freon charge.
It looks like I should just keep it off until my Freon comes. My Freon was shipped today. My system takes 45.9 oz. Freon.

Xringer · 06-07-16, 02:36 PM

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/geothe...project-3.html

"Got some chill testing done. I found the 4-Way valve default in T-Run mode is heating.
After seeing some high power use in heating, I decided to disconnect the 4-way valve,
and do my testing today in chill-out mode.
Note: The 4-Way valve is marked 230vac."

Maybe try disconnecting the 4-way valve.. Just to see if it has voltage on the connector.. If it has voltage, try leaving it disconnected and check the cooling.?.
If there is no voltage, change to heat mode to see if the voltage is there.?.

pinballlooking · 06-08-16, 04:07 PM

I have a good flare tool, Freon and a leak detector coming.

Luckily my LG units are working very well so I have a directional fan blowing the cool air down the hall into my room.

pinballlooking · 06-14-16, 12:13 PM

I cut off the bad flare and made a good flare connection. I pressure tested my system overnight with 150 psi. nitrogen. No leaks.
The approach I took was to vacuum it down with the 2 way and 3 way valves open to about 600 microns.

For about one hour. Then I closed the 2 way and 3 way valves and vacuum it down to 400 microns.
(Was this the right approach?)

I purged the Freon hose opened 2 way and 3 way valves and charged it by weight.

I rechecked the flare fittings for leaks all good.
It is now putting out very cold air again!!!

We are having a heat wave 95 yesterday 95 today. It is so welcome to be cooling again.

Day two.
I was so nice to wake up in a cool room with lower humidity.

I ended up with this flaring tool.
Mastercool 70058 Eccentric Flaring Tool Kit
It takes the guess work out of how tight to make the tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEYkfTA75tw

Day three and AC still doing really well. It is 97 degrees F today.
The 9,000 BTU AC is keeping up really well. I was starting to think it was not big enough for this room. But it must just been getting low on Freon because now it is keeping fine.

pinballlooking · 06-21-16, 09:21 PM

I was 98 degrees today and one week since the mini split repair. I am happy to say it kept up today nice and cool.

jeff5may · 06-21-16, 10:39 PM

Awesome! I would imagine this is a much better solution than spending $600 or more for "the guy" to come to you and do it.

pinballlooking · 06-21-16, 10:50 PM

Thanks!
So much better to be in control of the fix. I learn a little more each time.
It peeks my interest to learn even more.
I have over 20 pounds of 410A left over for future issues/projects.

Xringer · 06-22-16, 08:31 AM

You better hope you don't get a power spike into your main control board!
Invest in protection for your 230vac source.. (Of course mine didn't work)..

I was just reading a couple of depressing reviews at HomeDepot..
One buyer couldn't get an installer.. The other buyer may have gotten a bad install..
Seems like most nothing is ever 'easy' in this life.
GREE Multi-21 Zone 18,000 BTU 1.5 Ton Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat, Inverter, Remote - 208-230-Volt/60Hz-MULTI18HP200 - The Home Depot

pinballlooking · 06-22-16, 08:59 AM

I have lighting suppressors on main load center and the panel where the solar comes in. For whatever that is worth.

When I bought my first Mini split I got a quote from a HVAC guy that has done work for me in the past.
He wanted to buy the equipment because they make money on the hardware. He said since I did not buy the hardware from him he would have to charge more for the install. The install was going to cost just a little more than the mini split did. He is installing Gree mini splits and has had good luck with them.

It also seems that there is not a lot of experience with mini splits yet.

That did not work for me so I took all your advice and bought the equipment and did it myself.
I am glad I did.
I think if you buy the more reasonable priced models you should buy their top of their line equipment.
Most of the time you will have better luck with it. I know this is not true 100% of the time but it has worked pretty well so far.

jeff5may · 06-22-16, 10:59 PM

Another good thing about buying premier products is the support you get. If something does go wrong, most manufacturers stock more parts for the premier products than the "plain" products. They also offer a longer warranty and more comprehensive tech support in many cases. If you are doing a self-install, it makes sense to spend a little of what you are saving on an upgrade.

06-07-16, 02:36 PM	#12
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	http://ecorenovator.org/forum/geothe...project-3.html "Got some chill testing done. I found the 4-Way valve default in T-Run mode is heating. After seeing some high power use in heating, I decided to disconnect the 4-way valve, and do my testing today in chill-out mode. Note: The 4-Way valve is marked 230vac." Maybe try disconnecting the 4-way valve.. Just to see if it has voltage on the connector.. If it has voltage, try leaving it disconnected and check the cooling.?. If there is no voltage, change to heat mode to see if the voltage is there.?. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

06-08-16, 04:07 PM	#13
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I have a good flare tool, Freon and a leak detector coming. Luckily my LG units are working very well so I have a directional fan blowing the cool air down the hall into my room. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-21-16, 09:21 PM	#15
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I was 98 degrees today and one week since the mini split repair. I am happy to say it kept up today nice and cool. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-21-16, 10:50 PM	#17
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Thanks! So much better to be in control of the fix. I learn a little more each time. It peeks my interest to learn even more. I have over 20 pounds of 410A left over for future issues/projects. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-22-16, 08:31 AM	#18
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	You better hope you don't get a power spike into your main control board! Invest in protection for your 230vac source.. (Of course mine didn't work).. I was just reading a couple of depressing reviews at HomeDepot.. One buyer couldn't get an installer.. The other buyer may have gotten a bad install.. Seems like most nothing is ever 'easy' in this life. GREE Multi-21 Zone 18,000 BTU 1.5 Ton Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat, Inverter, Remote - 208-230-Volt/60Hz-MULTI18HP200 - The Home Depot __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

06-21-16, 10:39 PM	#16
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Awesome! I would imagine this is a much better solution than spending $600 or more for "the guy" to come to you and do it.

06-22-16, 08:59 AM	#19
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I have lighting suppressors on main load center and the panel where the solar comes in. For whatever that is worth. When I bought my first Mini split I got a quote from a HVAC guy that has done work for me in the past. He wanted to buy the equipment because they make money on the hardware. He said since I did not buy the hardware from him he would have to charge more for the install. The install was going to cost just a little more than the mini split did. He is installing Gree mini splits and has had good luck with them. It also seems that there is not a lot of experience with mini splits yet. That did not work for me so I took all your advice and bought the equipment and did it myself. I am glad I did. I think if you buy the more reasonable priced models you should buy their top of their line equipment. Most of the time you will have better luck with it. I know this is not true 100% of the time but it has worked pretty well so far. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-22-16, 10:59 PM	#20
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Another good thing about buying premier products is the support you get. If something does go wrong, most manufacturers stock more parts for the premier products than the "plain" products. They also offer a longer warranty and more comprehensive tech support in many cases. If you are doing a self-install, it makes sense to spend a little of what you are saving on an upgrade.