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Any experience with mini-split ductless AC systems?

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    #1

    Any experience with mini-split ductless AC systems?

    I need to add AC to my man cave, which is a converted 2 car garage. The existing central ac system is barely big enough for the main house, so running ducts to the man cave from that system is out of the question. We don't want a window unit, nor a portable unit, so that leaves the mini-split or hotel style systems. My preference is mini-split due to size, efficiency etc, but having zero experience with them, I wanted to get opinions. My AC guy that normally fires my work doesn't really like them. He says he doesn't trust the electronics.

    I've found several precharged DIY systems that claim you can hook them up yourself, and I'm really leaning that direction, but would like opinions from others who may have hooked them up before.

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    #2
    You are right behind me amigo...tag here.


    AC gurus...talk to me about these mini-split systems. - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums
    http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603769
    Main Discussion Forum

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      #3
      i have one in my man cave, its broke right now and I cant find anyone who knows how to work on them. have had 3 a/c guys out to look at it and cant seem to figure out the problem. none of the guys like them, and was told this on the phone before I got them out. the heat pump does still work but it will not cool. this is my .02 and appearently your a/c guy thinks the same. I wouldn't do it if I were you. im going to a window unit in mine.

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        #4
        I'm an AC guy and will be installing one in my garage. I like them.

        Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

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          #5
          Originally posted by Artos View Post
          You are right behind me amigo...tag here.


          http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...d.php?t=603769
          Well I'll be danged! I was looking on Amazon at some pre-charged systems that are supposed to be plug and play, but I'm not sure I trust it, mainly because my knowledge of AC is very limited.

          Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

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            #6
            I have installed quit a few, I have not repaired any. I have installed Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, and LG. They are basically the same. It's best to hang on an out side wall, as you will have condensate drain, electrical, and Line set to get in to the back of the unit. They do make a pump for the condensate but it's a pain in the ***. All the fittings are flare fittings, so you will probably have to cut the line set and re-flare it. And getting the flares and other stuff behind the unit is the hardest part. One side , and I am trying to remember, I think it the left side. You can bend them and go straight out and make your connections out side, it's much easier. Then you will want to put a vacuumed pump on it and pull it to about 300 microns. Before you release the charge. You may have already known this but if not.

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              #7
              I have a Daiken in my living room.....Works great......
              And I don't have to AC the rooms I don't use.....

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                #8
                We put a pioneer 2 ton unit in our rent house to heat and cool the kitchen, living and dining rooms. I think it's great, and I know that she keeps it at 73 in a single pane windowed, very poorly insulated house and her bill for July was $48.

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by LivinADream View Post
                  i have one in my man cave, its broke right now and I cant find anyone who knows how to work on them. have had 3 a/c guys out to look at it and cant seem to figure out the problem. none of the guys like them, and was told this on the phone before I got them out. the heat pump does still work but it will not cool. this is my .02 and appearently your a/c guy thinks the same. I wouldn't do it if I were you. im going to a window unit in mine.
                  What's wrong with the unit. Problems. Have worked on mini splits many times

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                    #10
                    It just won't cool, everything else seems to work fine. Heat, blower, etc. 2 of the 3 said they thought it was probably circuit board?

                    I will say that when it was working, I loved it. Just scares me that the 3 a/c guys here all hate them.

                    Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
                    Last edited by LivinADream; 08-12-2016, 08:27 PM.

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by critter69 View Post
                      I have installed quit a few, I have not repaired any. I have installed Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, and LG. They are basically the same. It's best to hang on an out side wall, as you will have condensate drain, electrical, and Line set to get in to the back of the unit. They do make a pump for the condensate but it's a pain in the ***. All the fittings are flare fittings, so you will probably have to cut the line set and re-flare it. And getting the flares and other stuff behind the unit is the hardest part. One side , and I am trying to remember, I think it the left side. You can bend them and go straight out and make your connections out side, it's much easier. Then you will want to put a vacuumed pump on it and pull it to about 300 microns. Before you release the charge. You may have already known this but if not.
                      The one I was considering supposedly has a precharged line set that you just hook up on each end and go. A YouTube video appeared to confirm that, but I still have my doubts. It's called a Mr. Cool DIY Mini-split AC system. In the video, it appeared that the lines were flexible with solid copper only on the ends.

                      As far as the vacuum pump stuff....yeah, I don't have one, and wouldn't know how to hook it up if I did. I assume I'd also need a set of gauges. By the time I spent the money to buy that stuff, I might as well pay my AC guy to come out and do it. Are you saying that ask I would need to do is pull the vacuum on the lines and open a valve?

                      I don't understand why AC guys don't care for them. It seems to me that they would be tons easier to install, and the labor rate is the same whether you're working hard or hardly working. System installs would seem to be faster since there is no duct work to bother with, and the less time I can spend in an attic, the better. There must be something I'm missing, but it just seems to me like a miniature central system, minus the central air handler....but maybe I'm dumb.

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by txfireguy2003 View Post
                        Well I'll be danged! I was looking on Amazon at some pre-charged systems that are supposed to be plug and play, but I'm not sure I trust it, mainly because my knowledge of AC is very limited.

                        Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

                        I shopped them hard for my camp but every pre-charged system I found required a licensed AC guy to install or void the warranty.

                        That with 3X the price I went with window units

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by bboswell View Post
                          I shopped them hard for my camp but every pre-charged system I found required a licensed AC guy to install or void the warranty.

                          That with 3X the price I went with window units
                          For deer camp, I'd go window units too...In fact, I have. But for my house, and more importantly my wife's house, that's not a viable option. Curb appeal is important, plus a permanent hvac adds value whereas window units seem to deduct value from the home.

                          Now, for my detached buildings, if I need to climate control them at some point, they'll get good old window units.

                          Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

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                            #14
                            Originally posted by LivinADream View Post
                            i have one in my man cave, its broke right now and I cant find anyone who knows how to work on them. have had 3 a/c guys out to look at it and cant seem to figure out the problem. none of the guys like them, and was told this on the phone before I got them out. the heat pump does still work but it will not cool. this is my .02 and appearently your a/c guy thinks the same. I wouldn't do it if I were you. im going to a window unit in mine.


                            Ductless minis are great...... I bet the reason that the 3 AC guys don't like them and can't fix them is because they lack experience.....

                            OP...... I recommend paying a professional to install it, or at least evacuate and trim the charge after you install


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                              #15
                              You may have a stuck reversing valve if you have heat but no a/c

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