MrCool DIY Mini Split Install

Installing my DIY Mr. Cool Mini Split heat pump. This unit will run off solar power and provide both heating and cooling year round. By running it off solar I can reduce my heating and cooling bills all year. It also makes an excellent backup system in the event that the grid goes down.
Stuff I used:

[eddyparker]

I purchased a 4-zone unit 8 months ago and I dont regret it buying it. Here in Minnesota we get crazy cold weather and this thing did the job pretty good. Since my house is not that big, the air handlers dont do much work to heat the rooms or the living room. (I got the 9kBTU, 9kBTU, 12kBTU, 18kBTU configuration) All Im waiting is for summer so I can experience how it handles in hot weather!

[jerryanderson]

Nothing so soothing on the ears like moving concrete on a video using earbuds 😀

[USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

I just started an Ameristar, pro-installed, 12000 btu, 15 SEER, mini split hp. Full speed in heat mode, ODB= 40F, IDB= 65F. Total Amps= 4.4 @ 245VAC. Seal around indoor unit perimeter with silicone as they all pull dirt into unit and blower wheel. Keep hp off of slab at least 1.5” for proper drainage during defrost cycle. Use 12 ga THHN stranded wires between your disconnect and hp, with ring or fork terminals. Try 20 hours or two full days if it’s your first one.

[kenormsby]

I installed one of these on the weekend, the 36k model. Even with drinking we managed to do it. But man, not as elegant and as professional as this. but she works! and I saved $4k!

[brendonla]

Great idea using a garden hose holder for the extra lineset you have to curl up! Great video overall - thx!

[lvlikeyV]

Did not know it had the soft start feature, but I am a huge fan. I don't have solar, but I can see that being very beneficial to protect that equipment. It should also increase the longevity of the compressor motor. My current AC system doesn't have that as it sounds like a freight train kicking on. Great video. Nice seeing the electric draw

[johnburgin]

Thought about one of these when we got the dryer . Going to get in the attic now that it’s cooled off and run a trunk line from one of the distribution boxes I had Ron put in with the new unit. Neat system though . Have a great day

[wernerjones]

I may be wrong but the extra line set should be coiled up horizontals not vertical to allow the oil to get back to the compressor and not get trapped in the loops. Great looking install!

[kiddfamilyfarmllc]

We have been looking at these for the Kitchen

[geraldschilli]

Leaving all those loops of refrigeration piping; really good. You have to be kidding me.

[biglon]

Note: New Mr. Cool DIY units come with white foamed line which are UV resistant. The older units with black foam required a UV line set shield which was a white cover.

[randylinn]

They need to make a window A/C that is portable and where the main unit sits outside and the cooling unit can fit in a vertical sliding window (that side left to right or vice versa) or even in a patio sliding door. so the hot part of the unit is not in the house, this will only work on the ground floor where the main unit sits outside on the ground and the main unit is still outside. And make it affordable so renters can afford one... I like the concept of the portable type units, but the problem with those, is that tube going out to the window is so hot it heats the room as much as the unit cools it off...

[av]

i have the 4 zone model with multiple heads. It works pretty good. It uses max 2100 watts. Most the time it is 1200. The fans use 100ish all going full tilt. If you want to get a cool gizmo. The Sense monitor is really neat.

[TheBlindSwordsman]

Nice video, I'm glad you used Nylog 10:52 although it's not mentioned in the installation instructions its imperative you use this for a garunteed seal for line sets and the unit's fitting.

[irlsparky]

I am in the process of installing my unit as we speak. On page 27 of my manual absolutely states that that the extra coils of lineset must be kept horizontally

[jeffbloch]

Thanks for sharing. Installing mine now. Your video helped

[edsmith]

Nice neat cover for the refrigerant lines....then a hose reel at the bottom to hold all that excess line not A recipe for getting damaged lines.

I like mini-splits. Have 3 of them. Installed two 3 head units for a neighbor's new house. But NOT "Mr Cool" for that exact reason. They send you pre-charged, fixed length line set and let you deal with the 'leftovers'.

Just buy a regular mini-split, cut/flare (use a Rigid flaring tool, not the cheap hardware store variety) the lines to the length you need, and have a Heat/air guy come out and vac down the lines and turn the gas loose.

OR...if you want it done do what I did after the first a vacuum pump, and a manifold gauge set, AND a micron measuring gauge and a bottle of nitrogen/regulator and do it yourself. The heat/air guys want to run the pump about 20 minutes and call it 'good IF it holds for a few minutes, it will last a while even if you have a tiny leak. In a year, you can call them back to add gas. And the year after, and so on. Until you figure out they LOVE repeat business, and make one of them do it

The PROPER way to do it is vac down, then fill with nitrogen to 100psi or so. (Using a manifold gauge). Let that sit 24hrs to see if it holds 100 or pretty close. THAT tells you no major leak.

Then vacuum to down to 500 microns, (NOT possible to read on a standard HVAC manifold gauge set) and it's gotta hold to 300 or below for 5 minutes with the pump stopped. THAT tells you no teeny-tiny leak.

Then turn the gas loose from the compressor unit and do the normal startup procedure.

[jacobbuttitta]

Did you not have to use a vacuum pump on line set before opening up compressor valves?

[phillaskowski]

ELECTRICIANS: Does the signal cable not have to be in conduit? Will have my 24k signal cable and lines (under eaves) permitted and inspected.

[ianship]

The pipes should be coiled horizontally vertical coils can cause an oil trap. and you used the adjustable spanners incorrectly which will strain the jaw .otherwise not a bad job