Problem: I am pretty handy around the house and after getting several quotes from ductless installers. I will probably install the units myself. I was told that Panasonic is affiliated with the company that makes the Mr Slim units and they are the best. Is this true. Also, the Panasonic condensor that I priced has the old type freon. The discounted price is 2199 and supplies (2) inside units with free shipping and includes the installation kit.

Solution:  Mitsubishi makes the line of Mr. Slim air conditioners.  Panasonic is a pretty popular compressor for most mini split air conditioner lines, so there is a good chance that the system you are looking at has a Panasonic compressor.  If you are looking for a good deal on a dual mini split air conditioner with the new R410 refrigerant and an inverter compressor check out this unit:  AmericAire ACDE12HP220I.

This unit has a Sanyo inverter compressor and qualifies for a 30% tax credit.

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• June 16, 2010 — Mini Split Air Conditioner Leaking from the Indoor Unit. (1)

Last Initial:  B

Equipment:  Mitsubishi Mini Split Air Conditioner

Problem:

The mini split AC unit cools beautifully.  However, anytime we set the temperature below 70 degrees, we will get water dripping from the inside unit.  This is not condensation water dripping from the vents - it is water coming out from the unit.  This unit does have a drain tube to the outside and it does work properly.  Could this water problem simply be a result of the drainage tube freezing?  If so, is there a solution.  It defeats the purpose of the AC unit if you cannot make it cool in the house.  Any responses are appreciated.

Solution:

There are two possible solutions to prevent leaking from a mini split air conditioner indoor unit.  One:  There is a blockage in the drain line or the drain line is not installed properly and gravity cannot rid the system of the condensation build up.  Two:  The drain pan inside the indoor unit is level and water cannot drain, via gravity, out the back of the system and down the drain line.  Most units will need to be installed with a slight declination towards the drain line side.  This lets the water flow downward and out of your conditioned area.  People see leaking indoor units on very humid days when the drain pan fills more quickly and cannot terminate the water fast enough because of the drain pan being level.  I tell my customers to tilt the indoor system 1/8″ down towards the drain line at the time of installation.

RELATED ARTICLES

• July 21, 2010 — Mitsubishi Mr. Slim Mini Split (1)

Last Initial:  L

Problem: It’s a mini-split A/C.  Has worked perfectly for seven years.  This week I noticed that the brass coupling or valve cap that attaches the tubing to the outside unit is developing frost, and while the unit cools the house fine, it runs constantly; that is, the fan (which appears to run slower than it used to) never turns off.  Had it checked and the freon topped off, but the problem is still there.

Solution:  Most mini split air conditioner evaporators run constantly.   They are designed that way to continually bring in air through the indoor unit to monitor the air temperature for the thermostat.  Freezing of components in mini split air conditioners is usually contributed to a leak at the connection point or too low of refrigerant.  Make sure the proper amount of refrigerant is in the system.  Most manuals will tell you the amount needed for proper pressure settings.  Make sure to use a R22 or R410 gauge to monitor this pressure.  Pressures get low and air conditioners show freezing.

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Problem: Hello I’m looking to invest in an mini split to help cool a data / server room that will require ~24000 BTU of cooling year round.  The climate here can be below zero degrees F here at points in the winter.   I’m wondering about the potential of keeping the “outside” portion of the mini split in a basement room below the server room, and using a combination of a ducted blower fan / high velocity floor  fan to exchange the air in this space, which is ~ 8′ X 7′.  Would this keep the condenser / compressor cool enough to run the a/c ?   At what temperatures do the condenser and compressor function most efficiently?   thanks for your advice! Max

Solution:  Some new mini split air conditioners have inverter compressors that can operate to temperatures around -5 degrees Fahrenheit.  The only issue is that they start to lose efficiency when temperatures drop below freezing.  I have had customers who have placed their outdoor condenser in a warehouse or other large open area.  The only concern for the condenser is to not be installed in an area with very limited airflow or where dirt or debris can enter the unit.

Here is a link to some inverter mini split air conditioners.

http://www.clearanceac.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=1

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Problem: With the sheet rock removed can the line sets be installed in the 2×4 walls near floor level and travel up to the attic to the wall units?  The line set would then drop out of the attic to the upper wall and not go outside. Is that doable or a bad idea? Thanks GT

Solution:  There shouldn’t be a problem with running the line set within a wall.  Make sure that the line set is insulated properly because they will sweat from the internal refrigerant gases.  Use 3/8″ or 1/2″ foam liner around the copper lines.  Make sure you install the condensation line properly at the top as well.  The condensation line uses gravity to expel water.  If you cannot expel the water downward, purchase a condensation pump to move the water to an appropriate outside area.

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Here is a link to the new wiring guide for the AmericAire DIY air conditioner:

http://www.clearanceac.com/PDF/diy_wiring_guide.pdf

For more information on the AmericAire DIY mini split air conditioner please follow this link:

http://www.clearanceac.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=96

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Last Initial:  M

Problem: Our split system is controlled by a remote. Every time the power goes out the system has to be manually turned on.This is a problem because our power goes out quite frequently and we have pets and are not always home to turn the unit back on.Can a thermostat be hard wired or is there some other solution?  Thanks

Solution:  Most mini split air conditioners have an “auto restart” function that turns the evaporator back on after a power failure.  When power returns the indoor evaporator’s electric circuit board will restart the system to the last setting before the power failure.  If you had the unit set at 77 degrees before the power failure it will return to 77 degrees at restart.  Make sure your equipment has the “auto restart” feature.  If it does you probably need the indoor evaporator circuit board replaced.

Mini split air conditioners are not built to have an external thermostat.  In order to attach a thermostat they would need to have an extra wire built into the circuit board.  They do not, therefore it is not possible..

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Problem:  Hi. Is it possible to add indoor units to a compressor initially set up for only one indoor unit? Or put a different way: Could I install a compressor with the capacity for more indoor units than initially installed? Thanks.

Solution:  I get asked this question on a weekly basis so it is probably a good idea to address it to the public.  Mini split air conditioner are manufactured as either a singe (1 evaporator to 1 condenser) or multi-head systems (1-4 evaporators to one condenser).  When a multi-head system is manufactured it is built with a larger compressor that can handle multiple evaporators.  Trying to add a second evaporator to a single condenser would drastically effect the output size.  An even larger problem with trying to add an extra evaporator is that all the wiring and circuit boards are only installed for a single system.  There is no place to wire in a second evaporator.  And lastly, you would have to add two more copper line sets into the condenser which it is not set up for.  In short, there is no way to add more evaporators to an existing single mini split air conditioner.

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Last Initial:  B

Equipment Type:  Samsung AM18B109 KCV

Problem:  The remote control will not operate the unit.  The battery has been checked and the unit was shut off to try and reset.  I suspect lightning.  Can the sensor in the unit react this way and can it be reset?

Solution:  Usually with remote control problems it stems from a broken controller.  The mini split remotes just don’t hold up to a lot of abuse.  I would think that a new remote would be the first step in problem solving.  If that does not work than I would have the sensor replaced.  The sensor is the device that receives the remote control signal.  Also, make sure that all the wires are connected to the control board (circuit board).  Evaporator circuit boards are usually located under the cover below the temperature display.  Sometimes they are behind a separate panel.  Check this first.

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The AmericAire ACEDIY12HP110/ACCDIY12HP110 has a pre-charged compressor and line set that is already connected to the indoor evaporator.  The system is vacuumed and charged at the warehouse and built with special quick-lock connecting fittings.  This fitting locks into place at the outdoor condenser and charges the entire unit for 25 feet of stainless steel line set.  The special stainless steel line set is made special to help prevent leaks that can occur with copper lines.  If you need to have a line set longer than 25 feet, the AmericAire DIY system is not recommended.  It is a great system and you can check out its specifications at this link.

http://www.clearanceac.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=23

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