Mini Split install - Page 9

brogsie · 11-10-13, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I have good attic access and there is a very big laminated beam the whole way across that area.
But I am doing this install by myself I and running the line set from the outside unit under the deck through a hole in the deck up through the soffit by myself was quite the workout it took many trips for this all to work out. Where I put it on the wall was determined by how far the 25’ line set would reach.
I almost made a mistake mounting it to low on the wall. That would have made the water from the unit have to run up hill over a 2 by 6 to run outside. Thankfully is saw that issue and moved the unit up higher on the wall.
I am going to tighten up the line sets, run flexible conduit, pressure test and run the 240v power today. That is the plan anyway.

How long do you need to pressure test for? Last time I did I overnight but how long is long enough?

Running those line sets by yourself must have been tough. I had my son to help me. Made it real easy especially bending the lines.

NiHaoMike · 11-10-13, 07:19 PM

On bending the lines, they make a ratcheting tubing bender that apparently works really well even for larger suction lines. Also tape up (or cap) the ends before pushing it through the wall so dirt doesn't get inside.

Xringer · 11-10-13, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiHaoMike

Nitrogen will not condense at those temperatures. It changes pressure due to thermal expansion.

Not talking about expansion in this case. Just the opposite.

con·dense
verb
1. make (something) denser or more concentrated.

pinballlooking · 11-10-13, 07:37 PM

The line came capped off so this made it so I would not get dirt in the lines when running them.

The good
The pressure test went well. I have installed the disconnect and the breaker is in all the wiring is done.
I vacuumed down one side to 143 the other side to 119.

The bad.
But when the Freon was released I heard nothing.

I thought maybe it was because the vacuum pump was running. The second one I turned off the pump and I still heard no Freon going into the lines.

WyrTwister · 11-10-13, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

The good
The pressure test went well. I have installed the disconnect and the breaker is in all the wiring is done.
I vacuumed down one side to 143 the other side to 119.

The bad.
But when the Freon was released I heard nothing.

I thought maybe it was because the vacuum pump was running. The second one I turned off the pump and I still heard no Freon going into the lines.

So at this point I guess I should put the gauges on it and see if there is any pressure. How much pressure should I see? Any suggestions would be good thanks.
Mark

Depending on how the hoses and vacuum pump were hooked up , and the setting ( open or closed ) the manifold valves were in , you should have seen a pressure indication on the gauge ?

Are you implying , the condenser / compressor had no R410a in it ? That would not be good . :-(

I dumbed up and caused a leak at the small flare nut , at the service valve . :-(

I was finishing up , insulating the last few inches of lines , at the service valves . And the service valves them selves . I wiggled the small line , causing the leak . :-(

This resulted in my having to buy a 25 lb jug of R410a and gassing it back up .

At least I still have almost a full jug of R410a .

God bless
Wyr

WyrTwister · 11-10-13, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

The good
The pressure test went well. I have installed the disconnect and the breaker is in all the wiring is done.
I vacuumed down one side to 143 the other side to 119.

The bad.
But when the Freon was released I heard nothing.

I thought maybe it was because the vacuum pump was running. The second one I turned off the pump and I still heard no Freon going into the lines.

So at this point I guess I should put the gauges on it and see if there is any pressure. How much pressure should I see? Any suggestions would be good thanks.
Mark

Best I remember , after I vacuumed mine down and weighed in the R410a ( with the R410a jug upside down ) , I was showing something like 120 - 130 psi . On the large service valve .

But that was in cooling mode , on a late ( HOT ) summer afternoon .

Maybe , some one that knows more than I can supply you with better info ?

Best of luck ! :-)

God bless
Wyr

Have no idea of the pressures in cold weather and / or in HP mode ?

pinballlooking · 11-10-13, 07:56 PM

I am really wondering if the unit had any R410A in it. When I installed the smaller MS unit I heard the Freon release. I did this step exactly same way I did the first MS but I had to do it twice on this unit. When I took off the vacuum line there was pressure there.
I have not put the gauges back on it yet but I guess I need to do that. This is new to me now.
Do I close off the gas side connect the gauges open the one side on the gauges then open the gas valve again?
I bought some valves with two inches hose the will help me with this.
I do not want to turn it on until I know the Freon is good.

Xringer · 11-10-13, 08:51 PM

When I cracked the Allen wrench and hit the cut-off for the vac line,
there was still pressure in the schrader valve/cut-off fitting.
Because, the pin was still pushed in..

After doing the soap bubble test, I very quickly unscrewed the fitting,
which released a small amount of R410A into earth's fragile biosphere.. (Sorry).

If you want to see if there is R410A in a system, take off the cap, and push
in on the schrader valve pin.. If it's charged, your finger tips will get frost bite.
If it's not charged, nothing will happen..
Maybe an inrush of air.. So don't hold it open too long, in either case..

pinballlooking · 11-10-13, 09:03 PM

I shut off the valve and was going to hook up the inline value and my gauges but as you said just starting to do that cold Freon came out just a touch so I just stopped. I closed it all back up and fired up the system. It is working nicely right now 120 deg heat very nice. Maybe I did not hear the freon when I released it because it is colder out I am not sure but it all seems good right now.

Xringer · 11-10-13, 10:19 PM

I really doesn't make much noise, unless you really crank open the valve quickly..
If you still had your vac pump running, you might not be able to hear the gas hissing..

120F sounds like it's working okay! Get those caps on nice and snug and sit back
and enjoy the warmth..

11-10-13, 07:19 PM	#82
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	On bending the lines, they make a ratcheting tubing bender that apparently works really well even for larger suction lines. Also tape up (or cap) the ends before pushing it through the wall so dirt doesn't get inside. __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...

11-10-13, 07:37 PM	#84
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	The line came capped off so this made it so I would not get dirt in the lines when running them. The good The pressure test went well. I have installed the disconnect and the breaker is in all the wiring is done. I vacuumed down one side to 143 the other side to 119. The bad. But when the Freon was released I heard nothing. I thought maybe it was because the vacuum pump was running. The second one I turned off the pump and I still heard no Freon going into the lines. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pinballlooking; 11-13-13 at 09:11 AM..

11-10-13, 08:51 PM	#88
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	When I cracked the Allen wrench and hit the cut-off for the vac line, there was still pressure in the schrader valve/cut-off fitting. Because, the pin was still pushed in.. After doing the soap bubble test, I very quickly unscrewed the fitting, which released a small amount of R410A into earth's fragile biosphere.. (Sorry). If you want to see if there is R410A in a system, take off the cap, and push in on the schrader valve pin.. If it's charged, your finger tips will get frost bite. If it's not charged, nothing will happen.. Maybe an inrush of air.. So don't hold it open too long, in either case.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

11-10-13, 09:03 PM	#89
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I shut off the valve and was going to hook up the inline value and my gauges but as you said just starting to do that cold Freon came out just a touch so I just stopped. I closed it all back up and fired up the system. It is working nicely right now 120 deg heat very nice. Maybe I did not hear the freon when I released it because it is colder out I am not sure but it all seems good right now. Last edited by pinballlooking; 12-03-13 at 04:36 PM..

11-10-13, 10:19 PM	#90
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I really doesn't make much noise, unless you really crank open the valve quickly.. If you still had your vac pump running, you might not be able to hear the gas hissing.. 120F sounds like it's working okay! Get those caps on nice and snug and sit back and enjoy the warmth.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

11-10-13, 07:56 PM	#87
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I am really wondering if the unit had any R410A in it. When I installed the smaller MS unit I heard the Freon release. I did this step exactly same way I did the first MS but I had to do it twice on this unit. When I took off the vacuum line there was pressure there. I have not put the gauges back on it yet but I guess I need to do that. This is new to me now. Do I close off the gas side connect the gauges open the one side on the gauges then open the gas valve again? I bought some valves with two inches hose the will help me with this. I do not want to turn it on until I know the Freon is good.