Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners

[txdon]

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with these AC systems. It seems to be just the kind I need in my dogtrot Cabin - two 16'X16' rooms with a breeze way in between. It is getting close to summertime (March) and I'm wanting to move away from noisy window units. These AC systems seem to fit the bill.

Which brand should I go with? How many BTUs would I need? Where is the best place to buy it?

The cabin's has wood interior and exterior walls with 2" of styrofoam in the walls and 2" in the cathedral ceiling. The pier and beam wood floors are not insulated.
Thanks.

 

[PineRidge]

Don they do a nice job but they aren't inexpensive.

I installed a Sanyo in the last apartment that we lived in. The place was all electric with baseboard resistance heat so I didn't have much choice. Mounted the blower coil upstairs above the steps and naturally the condensing section sits outside on a composite pad. Most of the time you only need to bore about an 1-1/2" hole through the side of the house for the refrigerant lines, the electric, and the condensate drain to make the hook-up. Plus they are a lot quieter than a sleeved unit since the compressor sits on the ground. You also have the ability to add heat to a split system as an option.

Anyway the unit did a good job of cooling the second floor and an excellent job of cooling the 1st floor. Cold air is heavier than warm air so it finds its way to the stairs and spills down to the 1st floor, if you plan your installation well.

 

[jinman]

Don, do you have a particular brand in mind or just the type? I'm considering putting a window unit in my third floor bedroom. I think I'll use the kind that completely shuts off between cycles. It's that continuous fan and vibration of the compressor that causes most of the noise. If the ductless mini AC you have in mind would work, that might be a better idea, even quieter. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I'm gonna be watchin' this thread...

 

[txdon]

Thanks for the info Pineridge.
Jim, I started looking on the internet yesterday and realized that there were so many brand names out there that make the AC system. Mr. Slim is advertised the most. In another forum the Bonair Depot e-bay store out of Florida was recommended. The Bonair has freon in it already and has flare connections so I might be able to do the installation myself. It also boast of auto louvers of various patterns, remote control, power diffuser with Artificial intelligence, sleep function That automatically adjusts the temperature while you sleep with the quit fan speed to be sure not to wake you, auto restart and reset etc. So many option so many models.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I don't know yet if I an going to buy one for each side or one with two coils and use as a split system.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

TXDon,

Here's James Dulley's article on the systems you're looking at. He has a supplemental report available for abotu $3, but I don't know how often they get updated.

 

[mwechtal]

txdon,
We have 2 Mitsubishi (Mr. Slim) units. They also come charged, and with flare fittings. I didn't install ours, but I watched. With the charged systems, you still might have to add some refrigerant, depending on how far away the compressor is from the inside unit. One of ours had only about 8' of lines, the other was about 25' and needed a booster charge. The 2 unitscool the house up here in NY pretty well. What I really like is the dehumidify mode that runs for about 1 min. and shuts off for about 3. The water runs out the drain in almost a steady stream.

Mike

 

[PineRidge]

Don unless the refrigerant lines are precharged themselves (most are not these days) You will still need to either purge (a no-no) or pull a vacuum on the flared refrigerant line-set prior to opening the service valves. Most good tool rentals offer vacuum pumps and compound gauges.

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Don unless the refrigerant lines are precharged themselves (most are not these days) You will still need to either purge (a no-no) or pull a vacuum on the flared refrigerant line-set prior to opening the service valves. Most good tool rentals offer vacuum pumps and compound gauges. )</font>


Mike,

Some of the Mini Splits are a pre-charged line. They have the connects on them that open as you close them down on the fitting. You have to order the line set to length.

As far as Brands the Mr Slim is a good one, Goodman makes a nice one and Carrier has come out with some good ones. Sanyo also makes one. Because they have refrigerant in them you may have trouble buying one straight out without a license for handling refrigerants.

murph

 

[mikim]

Don - I was searching for the same thing for the room I'm going to build in the barn that isn't built yet......... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.... but on paper it's a 600' room. I wanted the split heat/cool 'cause I don't plan on running gas in the barn. I'll be watching here too for what you find.

 

[DCRC]

I installed a Fujitsu mini spit in my garage. Pretty straigth forward. I had to add to the line set flare the ends. I ran a vacuum and checked for leaks, and added Freon according to the instructions.

I word on pulling a vacuum.

You cannot go off the gauge on the pump itself, or your gauge set. You need a micron gauge. Guages are just not accurate enough to pull a proper vacuum. Just consider that 29 inches of Mecury is 15,000 microns and 30 inches of mecury is 0 microns. You cannot tell the difference between 500 and 1500 microns on a mechanical guage.

You pull a vacuum to 500 microns and seal of the system and let it sit for an hour or two. If it climbs to 1200-1500 microns Your most likely OK. Any higher and you either have a leak, or to much moisture in the system.

check out HVACtalk.com for some good info.