Mini Split install - Page 17

pinballlooking · 06-11-14, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctgottapee

If trying to keep the cost down on the install

I was trying to document how I did my install. I can't help if some HVAC techs don’t us the proper equipment. Please start your own post on how to do a Mini split on the cheap. This post is how I did my install and we a lucky to have a few very experience people that helped me along the way and post here regularly. I am grateful these people in the know help us out. I would like to keep the information consistent in my post.

evolv3 · 07-15-14, 07:18 AM

Just wanted to stop back and say thanks to you all! Xringer and Pinball your posts were very very helpful! That tool list was very nice as well Pinball!

I have got my system installed pretty much.

I did a quick vacuum on the line set...got down to around 220. Ran nitrogen at 150 psi, wasn't really confortable with this so I took it easy till I figured it out a little better. Had weather issues which didn't allow me to keep it in lines as long as I wanted and I had to pack it up. I released the nitrogen and pulled another vacuum before calling it a day.....got down to 100 microns in about 15 mins. It took about an hr to get back up to 1000 microns.

I didn't release refrigerant yet as I couldn't see very well with nitrogen so im probably going to do one more test with a little more psi to double check for leaks and such with more daylight

Xringer · 07-15-14, 09:02 AM

100 is great. Means your pump is working fine..

You might want to try repeating the vacuum process a few times,
to see if it still takes an hour to get back up to 1000.
If it takes less time, that means a little moisture is still being sucked out of the system.
If it stays at one hour, that is likely your hose set slowly letting in air..

If you want to test those hoses, try connecting them up to a dead-end and
check how long a vacuum holds..

BMR · 08-07-14, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I used this wire to go between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.
Yes I would use it again good price and heavy enough
15-ft 14-3 Indoor Non-Metallic Wire $11.97
Shop 15-ft 14-3 Indoor Non-Metallic Wire (By-The-Roll) at Lowes.com

Can you use this in damp locations in your jurisdiction? I had to use wire rated for wet service.

pinballlooking · 08-26-14, 09:44 AM

About a year ago I bought and installed a Gree 9,000 BTU 27 SEER Terra Ductless Heat Pump Air Conditioner System

Terra Series - Ductless Wall Mount Heating and Cooling | Gree Comfort
http://www.greecomfort.com/our-products/terra-series/

We really like this unit. It heats very good even in very cold weather. You can adjust the temp one degree at a time I really like this and it has an auto fan setting. It cools even better than it heats.

The outside unit is very quiet. It is 27 seer with a COP 3.8. (Very close to some Geothermal systems)

I just ordered two more they will be delivered tomorrow. They were on sale and came with line sets and power cable that goes between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

These will go in my boy’s rooms.
I have made enough extra solar power to carry over into the winter 3,600 kwh so far.
This should be enough to heat my house with all the mini splits I have. I should only have to use the natural gas heat on the very coldest nights. Since I am in SC that should be very few nights this winter.

It is kind of funny having this extra solar power. It is like put these in and heat for free. It is hard to not sign up for heating for free. That extra power just gets given back to the power company march 1 if I don’t use it. The zero out date.

This will put me that much closer to net zero. Including driving 20-25,000 EV miles a year on solar power.
I will be doing the installs in the next couple weeks so I will post some pictures.

WyrTwister · 08-26-14, 12:10 PM

Best of luck with the installs .

You said they were on sale , how much , including S&H ?

God bless
Wyr

pinballlooking · 08-26-14, 01:39 PM

They were $1,916 shipped this is total for both units. That includes 2 25' line sets,2 28' power cables from indoor unit to outdoor unit. 20' drain hose that is enough for both units. I ordered them from comfortUp.com

http://www.comfortup.com/gree-terra-...5-line-set-kit

Ac wholesale could not or would not match the price.

Here is a couple home depot reviews
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GREE-Ultr...stomer_reviews

Xringer · 08-26-14, 04:32 PM

Those look like dang nice units. Thanks for posting..

If one of my Sanyo units fails and can't be repaired for under $500, I would put one of those units in my Den and use the remaining Sanyo for the main house.

WyrTwister · 08-26-14, 05:03 PM

Not a bad price for 27 SEER with the line set . :-)

Please keep us updated

God bless
Wyr

pinballlooking · 08-27-14, 10:44 AM

Yes I pay some extra for a very high efficiency but I originally I was looking at putting a DIY Geothermal system and came here asking for advice.” XRinger “ suggested Mini Splits would work well in my mild climate. I did some research and he was exactly right. My COP numbers are not that far off Geothermal it helps being in a milder climate.

We have been pleased with the Mini Split choice we keep it cooler in the summer than before and warmer in the winter and still saved a lot of power. One of the biggest benefits has been we have more zones. I can keep my office at the temp I want and not make the whole house this temp.

We did not have to dig up our horse pasture this would have made me do extra fencing so the horses did not break a leg. My neighbor has a compact track hoe he would rent it to me dig the trench. But I still would have had more than double the cost in the system.

I like having the natural gas heat as a backup for below zero heating and my 4 ton AC unit is there just in case I would need it. I did exercise it twice this year.

07-15-14, 09:02 AM	#163
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	100 is great. Means your pump is working fine.. You might want to try repeating the vacuum process a few times, to see if it still takes an hour to get back up to 1000. If it takes less time, that means a little moisture is still being sucked out of the system. If it stays at one hour, that is likely your hose set slowly letting in air.. If you want to test those hoses, try connecting them up to a dead-end and check how long a vacuum holds.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

08-26-14, 09:44 AM	#165
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	About a year ago I bought and installed a Gree 9,000 BTU 27 SEER Terra Ductless Heat Pump Air Conditioner System Terra Series - Ductless Wall Mount Heating and Cooling \| Gree Comfort http://www.greecomfort.com/our-products/terra-series/ We really like this unit. It heats very good even in very cold weather. You can adjust the temp one degree at a time I really like this and it has an auto fan setting. It cools even better than it heats. The outside unit is very quiet. It is 27 seer with a COP 3.8. (Very close to some Geothermal systems) I just ordered two more they will be delivered tomorrow. They were on sale and came with line sets and power cable that goes between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. These will go in my boy’s rooms. I have made enough extra solar power to carry over into the winter 3,600 kwh so far. This should be enough to heat my house with all the mini splits I have. I should only have to use the natural gas heat on the very coldest nights. Since I am in SC that should be very few nights this winter. It is kind of funny having this extra solar power. It is like put these in and heat for free. It is hard to not sign up for heating for free. That extra power just gets given back to the power company march 1 if I don’t use it. The zero out date. This will put me that much closer to net zero. Including driving 20-25,000 EV miles a year on solar power. I will be doing the installs in the next couple weeks so I will post some pictures. Last edited by pinballlooking; 08-26-14 at 06:21 PM..

08-26-14, 01:39 PM	#167
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	They were $1,916 shipped this is total for both units. That includes 2 25' line sets,2 28' power cables from indoor unit to outdoor unit. 20' drain hose that is enough for both units. I ordered them from comfortUp.com http://www.comfortup.com/gree-terra-...5-line-set-kit Ac wholesale could not or would not match the price. Here is a couple home depot reviews http://www.homedepot.com/p/GREE-Ultr...stomer_reviews Last edited by pinballlooking; 08-27-14 at 09:28 AM..

08-26-14, 04:32 PM	#168
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Those look like dang nice units. Thanks for posting.. If one of my Sanyo units fails and can't be repaired for under $500, I would put one of those units in my Den and use the remaining Sanyo for the main house. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-15-14, 07:18 AM	#162
evolv3 Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: FL Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just wanted to stop back and say thanks to you all! Xringer and Pinball your posts were very very helpful! That tool list was very nice as well Pinball! I have got my system installed pretty much. I did a quick vacuum on the line set...got down to around 220. Ran nitrogen at 150 psi, wasn't really confortable with this so I took it easy till I figured it out a little better. Had weather issues which didn't allow me to keep it in lines as long as I wanted and I had to pack it up. I released the nitrogen and pulled another vacuum before calling it a day.....got down to 100 microns in about 15 mins. It took about an hr to get back up to 1000 microns. I didn't release refrigerant yet as I couldn't see very well with nitrogen so im probably going to do one more test with a little more psi to double check for leaks and such with more daylight

08-26-14, 12:10 PM	#166
WyrTwister Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 6 Thanked 44 Times in 38 Posts	Best of luck with the installs . You said they were on sale , how much , including S&H ? God bless Wyr

08-26-14, 05:03 PM	#169
WyrTwister Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 6 Thanked 44 Times in 38 Posts	Not a bad price for 27 SEER with the line set . :-) Please keep us updated God bless Wyr

08-27-14, 10:44 AM	#170
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Yes I pay some extra for a very high efficiency but I originally I was looking at putting a DIY Geothermal system and came here asking for advice.” XRinger “ suggested Mini Splits would work well in my mild climate. I did some research and he was exactly right. My COP numbers are not that far off Geothermal it helps being in a milder climate. We have been pleased with the Mini Split choice we keep it cooler in the summer than before and warmer in the winter and still saved a lot of power. One of the biggest benefits has been we have more zones. I can keep my office at the temp I want and not make the whole house this temp. We did not have to dig up our horse pasture this would have made me do extra fencing so the horses did not break a leg. My neighbor has a compact track hoe he would rent it to me dig the trench. But I still would have had more than double the cost in the system. I like having the natural gas heat as a backup for below zero heating and my 4 ton AC unit is there just in case I would need it. I did exercise it twice this year.