Final update page 2. Thanks again SigForum. you guys are the best.

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UPDATE on page 2.

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EDIT - Quick question -

Another quick question - I'm wondering about the condensate lines. I have to do an immediate horizontal turn out one of the access holes, and then two of the bedrooms are making immediate vertical turns (up) into the soffit. Should I just drill a hole into the line set cover at the turn and drain right there, essentially where the line set leaves the house? Should I put anything on the end of the drain? Some kind of a cover, etc? Do bugs not try to enter the system, etc?

Thanks guys. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your insight.

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Does anyone have a recommendation as to what I should use to hang the linesets in the attic? I'm running a few lines through the attic, but they're not terribly long runs. I think the longest run is 8ft or so, but I want to make sure I'm not just laying them on the joists.

Does anyone have experience with something like this?

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I have a mini-split system coming tomorrow. a 45-48,000 BTU outdoor unit and an 18,000 btu indoor unit for the main floor, along with three 9,000 btu units for 3 of the bedrooms.

Any tricks or tips outside of the usual stuff that's online for mini-split install?

I'm planning on an HVAC professional to do the final hook up since he/she'll have to add coolant on top of the pre-charged amount, since my runs are all over 25'.

Thanks in advance. You guys rule.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Veeper,

Have a plan for all of the condensate?
I would add a condensate safety switch specific to mini splits, there are several out there.

Who sized the unit?

quote:

Originally posted by ElKabong:
Have a plan for all of the condensate?
I would add a condensate safety switch specific to mini splits, there are several out there.

I was planning on running the runoff out of the cover where the line-set exits each room its installed in.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Who sized the unit?

Well.

I went based off of 3 quotes we received from various local installers. We have a garrison colonial that's about 1100sq/ft on the main floor and 4 bedrooms on the 2nd floor, with a door at the top of the steps to the 2nd floor. When we moved in, we opened up the SW corner dining room header into the North side LR that runs along the front, and opened up the (former pocket door) into the kitchen creating a bar and large opening to the back half of the house. It's essentially "open".

The local installers all recommended a bigger unit for the main floor, and smaller units upstairs. Their quotes ranged from 3 to 5 head units. We have a boiler and baseboard heat, so our options are like a space-pak type unit, mini-split, or window units. Space-pak seems like a nice idea, but it's really expensive and seems less efficient than mini-split, even though you don't see the little holes as easily as the mini-split units, plus you need to go through the 2nd floor to get to main floor typically. (I think)

I have to tell you, I suspected you would reply to this and know you know your shit so this makes me nervous. For what it's worth, thanks for always being willing to share your experience and knowledge on SF, and to tell it like it is.

Here's wishing you good luck on your install, Veeper, and I echo your sentiments on Excam-Man's always informative posts. Nothing like getting advice from someone who knows their business.

What brand?

Pioneer from http://www.HighSeer.com. I'm sure they're not anywhere near top of the line, but if I get a number of years out of it, everything is in place to replace it if need be down the road. They're listed as 20-23 (or so) seer rating, which is arguably better than the 15-year-old window units we were using.

Thanks again.

This one? YN040GMFI22M4D

quote:

YN040GMFI22M4D

That's the one.

 
Given their size, mini-splits are sensitive to proper air flow. Keep the filters clean!

When mounting the indoor units try to hit a stud or two. If you can't hit studs for the given area, use EZ Anchors for fastening the plate to the wall.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/e-z-a...4EAQYAiABEgLYzfD_BwE

I've used these for years on drywall and they work great. Just mark the spot, drill a 1/4" hole and screw them into the wall.

Mitsubishi line hide is easy to install and leaves a very professional look. You can cut it with a chop saw, if you reverse the blade so it is installed backwards and cut slowly.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/docum...i-line-hide-lskair/3

How much are you savings by doing the install yourself?

I had a guy, last minute, do an install of a mini-split, on the SAME DAMN day I asked him to. When he told me his price, I about fell over (cheap!) Low price (way less than other quotes) plus same day install? The aggravation and headaches wouldn't be worth it to me... personally. And I've always been a DIY kind of guy.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
When mounting the indoor units try to hit a stud or two. If you can't hit studs for the given area, use EZ Anchors for fastening the plate to the wall.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/e-z-a...4EAQYAiABEgLYzfD_BwE

I've used these for years on drywall and they work great. Just mark the spot, drill a 1/4" hole and screw them into the wall.

Mitsubishi line hide is easy to install and leaves a very professional look. You can cut it with a chop saw, if you reverse the blade so it is installed backwards and cut slowly.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/docum...i-line-hide-lskair/3

Thanks for the info! I bought the line hide kit from HighSeer, but that's only going to work for where the single runs come out of the house, and then go back into the attic. The 4 line-set bunch that goes up the back and into the soffit will definitely need a larger cover.

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:
How much are you savings by doing the install yourself?

I had a guy, last minute, do an install of a mini-split, on the SAME DAMN day I asked him to. When he told me his price, I about fell over (cheap!) Low price (way less than other quotes) plus same day install? The aggravation and headaches wouldn't be worth it to me... personally. And I've always been a DIY kind of guy.

I'm planning on doing everything except the final hookup. The lines need to be vacuumed and I'm pretty sure they'll need to add coolant to the system too, since the lines are longer than 25ft per leg.

Other than that, piece of cake. (Ha. I hate ladders.)

Thanks so much guys!

First we love our mini-splits... we have 5 with two outside compressors...

But a few things to note... they are not as good at removing humidity from the home... seems the cooling is too efficient... or something like that. But most, or at least ours, have a dry setting....that will suck the water out of the air.. the only problem is there is not low temp on this setting.

2nd issue.... these things, the wall units, need to be dismantled and the blower cleaned at least once a year... the filters don't get it all and the blower will clog up after a while. The first and second time you do this it is a real pain. Kind of like dissembling a Ruger Mark II or III pistol.

Finally, I would suggest installing the wall unit at a slight angle to all the condensate drain to completely drain... when installed perfectly level some water will remain in this.

quote:

Originally posted by Veeper:
The 4 line-set bunch that goes up the back and into the soffit will definitely need a larger cover.

Run a larger hide and multiples, so it doesn't stick out as far from the side of the house.

Whelp. I officially have a project.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:

quote:

Originally posted by Veeper:
The 4 line-set bunch that goes up the back and into the soffit will definitely need a larger cover.

Run a larger hide and multiples, so it doesn't stick out as far from the side of the house.

I'm not sure what you mean. That stuff you linked looks awesome though. I'm thinking i'll probably put the 3 that are going up into the soffit through it and the one that's going up and around the downspout, and then back down around the corner, by itself in it's own cover unless 4 fit easily in the one I order for the other 3.

If that makes sense.

Quick question -

Does anyone have a recommendation as to what I should use to hang the linesets in the attic? I'm running a few lines through the attic, but they're not terribly long runs. I think the longest run is 8ft or so, but I want to make sure I'm not just laying them on the joists.

Does anyone have experience with something like this?

Plastic strapping, looks like band iron, should be fine. Why not lay the lineset on the joists? Future traffic pattern?

quote:

Originally posted by Woodman:
Plastic strapping, looks like band iron, should be fine. Why not lay the lineset on the joists? Future traffic pattern?

No reason I guess. The attic is exposed joists and blown-in insulation. I just figured there's probably a law or code or reason to not just lay them across the joists, even if they're near where the joists and roof joists meet.

Thanks!

If they can lay flat, I'd do that. If you have plenty of lineset, I'd definitely arrange it so that if someone put pressure on the lineset it would not put stress on the equipment.