[Thepprof]

Originally Posted by Xringer

Propane (R-290) for heat pumps? It seems to work!

Anyhow, one of the comments on YouTube was from AlumaFX
asking about using Propane to re-fill a 14,000 btu R410A air conditioner..

I've been in contact with Aluma and he did the Mod!
It's the first DIY R410A conversion to R290 that I've been able to find..

In a PM, he told me, he used R290 all summer with great results.
8-9 amps got a 20F drop (from input to output) verses 13-14 amps
for an 18F drop using the old R410A.

He saved money on his electric bill, and it ran quieter..

It sounds like his system was designed for Propane!

Anyways, I'm really starting to think about repairing the leak in my
spare 24,000 BTU Sanyo, buying a new Sanyo indoor unit ($500), a new line-set etc,
and loading it up with deadly Propane gas!

I used R290 in a Kilmaire minisplit last year to test a unit that I thought was shot. I ended up with a 25-30 degree change at the air handler on a 95 degree day with the unit set up in my shop. Once I determined that the unit was good, since it was to go in a rental property, i purged, vacuumed and added R410 and once the unit was working in the shop properly i reinstalled it in the apartment and so far it has been doing fine..