Inverter Type MiniSplit heating & air conditioning

[Big smo]

The only way to check for correct charge is to pull it out and weight it. Do you have a digital thermometer? If so and you can run it in heating mode with out damage to plants, see what the supply air temp is and will the fan go to high. If you can get high fan speed and a temp over 110 you are probably fine.

It's running on both settings heat and cooling I was just nervous. It's for my house mainly and plants secondary

 

[Budley Doright]

i sat here for a minute and thought why the hell did I even read this thread. Oh mini split yeah I got one. The drama seems to be the entertaining part though. I was gonna install mine myself also but Amazon was out of thermal reactor conductor gauges. I hired a pro. Then got fucked. Leaking all sorts of shit down the lines. He then told me he was coming back to smash my walk out and said if it was a nail that I sent through it to cause the leak he was charging me a 500$ service call. The cock didn't tighten the nut up enough. Another patch, paint and 4 hours of my life I'll never get back.

Reason for posting this is you guys seem to know your stuff. He said he checked the refrigerant level but I know he didn't. Should I call someone else to make sure? Will it hurt the system?

Yes you should and that's the whole point, get someone that knows what he's doing. And the worst thing to do is do it wrong. Sorry you got ripped and unfortunately it happens lots. Been doing this for a very long time and I've seen my share of guys like guess who, who obviously don't give a flying fuck, and yup, probably would work ok but who knows lol. You don't tell someone to do it themselves when dealing with refrigerants and electrical, that in it self is wrong.

 

[Budley Doright]

Or as your man merkin said earlier the suave digital manifolds are an option at (£400+vat)
& they'll show possitive & negative pressures.
Still need that OfN regulator tho (£180) proper pressure test remember.

Oh & a vacuum pump @ (£200)

Sterling advice lads.

Better off just inviting a random A/C guy into the grow room. Cheaper.

It's usually not to hard to locate a ref mechanic that will do the work if you do a bit of networking, but the biggest issue I have with all this is a guy is trying to explain how to do it properly, and your shitting on him because he pointed out how many things you said were wrong. If I need to school you about the need for a deep vacuume or having a proper set of quick connect/ball valve gauges then I will but PM me so as not to bore people lol. And if I need to school you in any other HVAC queries again glad to do it, that's what I do is teach but I typically get paid real well to do it lol. I'm not saying run out and buy the shit, what I'm saying is try if at all possible to get a person that is licensed to do it, or at the very least someone with the proper equipment. And fuck off telling people to purge, if u are licensed, u shouldn't be just for that!!!!

 

[Merkin Donor]

It's running on both settings heat and cooling I was just nervous. It's for my house mainly and plants secondary

If it seems to be heating and cooling then just keep an eye on your supply temps. Like I had mentioned, most systems will only allow low fan speed in heating mode if they are low on refrigerant so that will help clue you in if things are going south. PM me if you want.

 

[Budley Doright]

Oh and if you want to buy a vac pump, you'll have it to purge some great extract when your done lol. That's what I use mine for lol.

 

[Budley Doright]

If it seems to be heating and cooling then just keep an eye on your supply temps. Like I had mentioned, most systems will only allow low fan speed in heating mode if they are low on refrigerant so that will help clue you in if things are going south. PM me if you want.

Also a 20+ F delta t of in versus out air in cooling is a good indicator things are working. I get 110 out of my LG at -6c and it sucks balls lol.

 

[Merkin Donor]

Oh and if you want to buy a vac pump, you'll have it to purge some great extract when your done lol. That's what I use mine for lol.

Exactly, $111.00 US will buy you a 3cfm pump off amazon that will be perfect for mini splits and with a few more dollars spent you won't be sitting in the middle of summer with your flowers wilting because someone who knew better gave bad advice. The real shame is that he could be using his technical skills to help make the industry look and function better at a time when we are under the microscope for everything. Oh well , there was a reason the dinosaurs went extinct.

 

[HvacMiniSplitPro]

Thanks for the post Jeff, I am looking for some help.

I just ordered a Pioneer, Seer 22, 1 ton mini split. My flower room is 14x14 and I use strictly LED. I use CO2 and currently keep the temps about 85-86. I have a temporary room air conditioner installed until the mini split arrives and gets hooked up. The current unit only runs 10 minutes an hour and is rated at 12K btu, but is terribly inefficient. The new unit should be a lot more efficient and I'll lower the room temp to 82. Without the temp AC installed, the room can hit 90.

I have never done an install but am pretty handy. I have a sub panel already installed with a 30 amp 220V breaker for the mini split. The unit comes precharged with 16' of line. I will have to drill the access hole in the basement concrete wall. The instructions calls for a 2.5" hole. I will add a cement pad for the outside unit to sit on and will install a disconnect at the unit.

Do you have any tips or areas of concern that I should watch for? If you need any more info, just let me know. I just want a safe reliable system. Thanks!

The most important thing to watch out for is to install the line set with no leaks. If you can, borrow a torque wrench for tightening the flare nuts to the specified torque. By far freon leaks are the number one problem.
More to come ...

 

[ttystikk]

High voltage = 1000vac and over, there is no high voltage in a residential home. Max in a home is 220/240 and some cases 208.

His point is that 240V single phase is plenty high enough to kill the uninitiated. I agree. So rather than nitpick in apparent defense of the suicidally stupid, why don't you contribute more useful commentary?

He's trying to save lives, and I think that's a message that doesn't need a bunch of potentially confusing crosstalk, clear enough?

 

[ttystikk]

The most important thing to watch out for is to install the line set with no leaks. If you can, borrow a torque wrench for tightening the flare nuts to the specified torque. By far freon leaks are the number one problem.
More to come ...

When a compressor loses the refrigerant, what are the symptoms?

 

[HvacMiniSplitPro]

Thanks for the post Jeff, I am looking for some help.

I just ordered a Pioneer, Seer 22, 1 ton mini split. My flower room is 14x14 and I use strictly LED. I use CO2 and currently keep the temps about 85-86. I have a temporary room air conditioner installed until the mini split arrives and gets hooked up. The current unit only runs 10 minutes an hour and is rated at 12K btu, but is terribly inefficient. The new unit should be a lot more efficient and I'll lower the room temp to 82. Without the temp AC installed, the room can hit 90.

I have never done an install but am pretty handy. I have a sub panel already installed with a 30 amp 220V breaker for the mini split. The unit comes precharged with 16' of line. I will have to drill the access hole in the basement concrete wall. The instructions calls for a 2.5" hole. I will add a cement pad for the outside unit to sit on and will install a disconnect at the unit.

Do you have any tips or areas of concern that I should watch for? If you need any more info, just let me know. I just want a safe reliable system. Thanks!

What are you thoughts on multi zone mini splits with inverters for indoor grow rooms?

Multi zone systems work well. Stick to the quad system for the most air handlers per condenser. Some Hybrid systems claim they can connect up to eight heads on one condenser but it gets very complicated . Branch boxes add a lot to the cost.

Stick to the systems that have the freon manifold right at the condenser, no branch boxes.

TIP: "MIDEA" a more or less unknown brand of mini split, because they don't spend any money on advertising , is basically the same product as the much more expensive CARRIER systems. They are made in the same factory. I like MIDEA brand. Best bang for your buck..

 

[HvacMiniSplitPro]

His point is that 240V single phase is plenty high enough to kill the uninitiated. I agree. So rather than nitpick in apparent defense of the suicidally stupid, why don't you contribute more useful commentary?

He's trying to save lives, and I think that's a message that doesn't need a bunch of potentially confusing crosstalk, clear enough?

 

[HvacMiniSplitPro]

Anything above low voltage, 24vac, is high enough to fry you or any other unsuspecting victim. Have you ever been shocked with 120 while barefoot standing in water ?
No you haven't, because you would be dead.
120 volts is what you feel from a 208-230 volt source, the voltage between either hot, L2 or L1, to ground is 120 volts. Between the two jots you get 230 but you seldom get shocked from both hots . High voltage is 1000v and up huh? Ever sees 460 volt panel explode? No you have not because you would be vaporized . If it's not 24 vac, you can die.

 

[Budley Doright]

When a compressor loses the refrigerant, what are the symptoms?

They stop if your lucky enough to have a low pressure switch lol. My first LG didn't and I was away for a week and my daughter (the engineer lol) kept turning it lower . I got home to a seized compressor and lime green oil. Yup toast lol.

 

[Budley Doright]

Multi zone systems work well. Stick to the quad system for the most air handlers per condenser. Some Hybrid systems claim they can connect up to eight heads on one condenser but it gets very complicated . Branch boxes add a lot to the cost.

Stick to the systems that have the freon manifold right at the condenser, no branch boxes.

TIP: "MIDEA" a more or less unknown brand of mini split, because they don't spend any money on advertising , is basically the same product as the much more expensive CARRIER systems. They are made in the same factory. I like MIDEA brand. Best bang for your buck..

We are having great luck with Samsung and Fujitsu units, the boards are a bit of an issue with the Fujitsu if you have voltage spikes though. Only seen one Carrier in my life lol.

 

[bottletoke]

Anything above low voltage, 24vac, is high enough to fry you or any other unsuspecting victim. Have you ever been shocked with 120 while barefoot standing in water ?
No you haven't, because you would be dead.
120 volts is what you feel from a 208-230 volt source, the voltage between either hot, L2 or L1, to ground is 120 volts. Between the two jots you get 230 but you seldom get shocked from both hots . High voltage is 1000v and up huh? Ever sees 460 volt panel explode? No you have not because you would be vaporized . If it's not 24 vac, you can die.

The voltage doesn't kill you its the current, sorry but my primary trade is electricity. I'm a certified electrician aND did that after a degree in electrical technology. Vaporize? Witnessed lots of stupid stuff and vaporizing wasnt one of them because it isnt what happens.
After the high voltage comment I said no offense, again sorry but making corrections is what I do for a living and sometimes after going over procedures for 14 hours and typing up corrections for safety protocols I tend to forget to leave work at work.

 

[Budley Doright]

The voltage doesn't kill you its the current, sorry but my primary trade is electricity. I'm a certified electrician aND did that after a degree in electrical technology. Vaporize? Witnessed lots of stupid stuff and vaporizing wasnt one of them because it isnt what happens.
After the high voltage comment I said no offense, again sorry but making corrections is what I do for a living and sometimes after going over procedures for 14 hours and typing up corrections for safety protocols I tend to forget to leave work at work.

I was troubleshooting a heat pump last week and inadvertently touched the contactor with my hand and my fucking arm hurt for like a day but nope didn't vaporize . In my 35 years doing this I've been hit a few times but my saving grace is I only use one hand and keep the other off the equipment lol. The trick is to not get in its way lol. Just looking into arc/flash gloves for the team . Fucking pricey things that I know will sit in the truck and never get used . Next it's gonna be shirts and pants that'll be like wearing a snow suit in August, can't wait lol,

 

[Merkin Donor]

TIP: "MIDEA" a more or less unknown brand of mini split, because they don't spend any money on advertising , is basically the same product as the much more expensive CARRIER systems. They are made in the same factory. I like MIDEA brand. Best bang for your buck..

Midea also has excellent customer service, the only downside is that they only have East coast hours for right now (USA). Good product that will run at least a grand less for a multi split when compared to Daikin, Fujitsu etc.

 

[Budley Doright]

Midea also has excellent customer service, the only downside is that they only have East coast hours for right now (USA). Good product that will run at least a grand less for a multi split when compared to Daikin, Fujitsu etc.

And Midea is a Carrier? Never seen em. I'll have to look at em, were about to lose our Carrier line probably for lack of sales

 

[Merkin Donor]

And Midea is a Carrier? Never seen em. I'll have to look at em, were about to lose our Carrier line probably for lack of sales

As far as I know Midea is Midea.
https://www.mideausainc.com