Are these diy split a/c systems really that easy to install as the ads claim? Is repairing your own central a/c or installing your own heat pump really that hard? Has anyone without any hvac training installed one of these systems before?
>>2869784>re these diy split a/c systems really that easy to install as the ads claim?No.>Is repairing your own central a/c or installing your own heat pump really that hard?Depends what is broken>Has anyone without any hvac training installed one of these systems before?I'm sure they have.
I plan to fit my own heat pump on a new build, but it's a simple system with a monobloc running just a domestic hot water tank and underfloor heating, so one ventil and one sensor has to be wired, plus some prefab straight steel pipes through the wall and maybe PEX-Al on the inside. Having done various electric stuff /diy/, it's really just the pipework that'll be new for me.Precharged minisplit probably wouldn't be horrible if you have some relevant experience, but if you've never wired a single AC appliance then this probably shouldn't be your debut.
>>2869784I'm fucking malding at mine right now because some dipshit thought it was a good idea to put this flange of white plastic directly in the way of the drip tray drain hole, so I can't access the hole to see if there's a clog and clean it out. It's integrated into the main housing of the unit, so the only way I can actually do this is cutting off that flange, so I'm currently assessing if it serves any real purpose before I get the dremel.
>>2869784I've watched I think 2 youtubers install these. They're not complicated, just takes a bit of bravery drilling a bigass hole in your building.
I keep seeing ads for these MRCOOL mini splits. They claim you can install them yourself without any hvac expertise and that the lines already have refrigerant in them, all you have to do is connect them to activate it. Wondering if they're worth it or a meme. Can't be any different than doing plumbing can it?
>>2869832Buddy. Go fucking vacuum it out from where the drain terminates. If you cannot access the termination, lift the mounting plate off the screw holding it to the wall just on that side and hopefully you have enough play to pull it out from the wall. Rest the unit on your shoulder, disconnect hose from drain and vacuum it out.You need to make sure you’re vacuuming out all the debris from the drain. No use in punching the nasty shit down the drain just for it to clog when you least expect it…
>>2869889>>2869832>that wiringcheck your condensate pump, bro
>>2869784I work for an HVAC manufacturer as a lab engineer AMA.I specifically work on airsystems and psychrometrics for traditional split system units, but mini splits are functionally similar so I can give you generalized answers.
>>2869889>>2869892There is no pump. I did end up printing an adapter for the drain pipe outdoors and sucked out a bunch of gunk with that adapter, a bit of aquarium tube, and a bigass syringe.Before doing that I cut off that flange (which appears totally useless) and tried snaking the line but couldn't get very far into it. The line now flows freely, I can dump a jug of water into the condensate tray and it empties immediately.
These guys are builders but have no HVAC experience, you can see some of the hiccups they run into installing a Mr Cool system:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRZ5tAMXxwo
>>2869784>Are these diy split a/c systems really that easy to install as the ads claim? Took me 2 days to do a central unit, 4-5h for a mini. Worst was getting in the airhandler to the attic by myself, ended up strapping a come-along to the rafters and pulling it in.>Is repairing your own central a/c or installing your own heat pump really that hard? Central unit died and they sent me a new one on warranty, took an afternoon to replace. Used HF car gauges with aliexpress adapters and my epa certified minecraft avatar did all the work.It's a compressor and some tubes. Just talk to a HVAC tech and it will take you 3s to figure out what IQ is needed for this work.
>>2869784its simple. The manual will tell you everything relevant. If you get scarred YouTube.
I've done an install myself that was 3-head pre-charged external unit with fixed lengths of pipe. Still working after 5 years.I found the manual that came with it pretty vague, meant for a professional. Fortunately I'd skimmed through some training materials before I bought the unit so this wasn't that big of a problem, so I would definitely recommend doing some srs research.
Is it worth shortening the precharged lines when possible, and if I wanted to put a pool heat exchanger in the loop where should it be spliced in?
>Are these diy split a/c systems really that easy to install as the ads claim?How easy do they claim it to be? Its easy to anyone who knows anything about anything.>Is repairing your own central a/c or installing your own heat pump really that hard?Repairing can be hard and you didnt specify if installing a central heat pump system is hard, so I'm going to assume that is the question since if you were asking about the split systems the answer to the first question would suffice. Yes it can be hard if you dont know what youre doing.>Has anyone without any hvac training installed one of these systems before?I have, but as someone with a masters in mechanical engineering I hardly count as "No HVAC training". Nothing on the pragmatic side of things though, just a bunch of theory on how these systems work. Its pretty much a self-contained system though, besides the vacuum you should pull for efficiency before releasing the coolant to the inner unit.
>>2869883>>2869784they are worth it if you need to install ONE (1) mini split system in your lifetime. for two or more, you should buy a much cheaper normal mini split system without the special pre-filled lines and crap, and the tools to install it. In order to install one of these, you will need a special valve core remover tool, a hose gauge set, and you will hopefully rent a vacuum pump from an auto parts store. the tools minus the rental should run you like $250, which is about how much more the pre filled line kits cost.
>>2870893Not sure where you're getting your prices, but precharged mini-splits are like $350 on the low end, and non-DIY friendly ones go for $800+ simply because the it's part of the whole "professional" install bullshit.
>>2870924>Not sure where you're getting your pricesfrom real life. the mrcool ones in the OP pic run ~1500 for the 9k, 1700 for the 12k btua decent minisplit that doesnt have fancy linesets is $700ish. All mini splits are precharged, but almost all do not have precharged lines and inside unit, so you have to vacuum all that air out before opening the valves on the outside unit to let the charge free into the whole system. you show me a precharged lines system for $350 retard.
