Air Conditioning with Solar using MrCool
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- We gave this off grid home some nice cold air using a MrCool 12k BTU condensor.
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*Love this unit! Using upstairs in my sons bedroom **Fastly.Cool** and he’s finally able to be comfortable upstairs without me freezing downstairs. Works for more sqft than expected!*
Line set coiled up like that creates oil traps. Loops in a line set should be left horizontal so the oil returns to the compressor.
I installed my mini split in 2010. Coiled up like that and still works perfectly.
This is a High pressure system.
Vs a low pressure system that has that problem
@@JR.inverter R410 is a high pressure refrigerant, but that does not mean you can ignore refrigerant piping rules. Inverted trap should be used when condensing unit is 30ft or more above evaporator to help prevent refrigerant migration. Otherwise it is recommended to have a downhill slope in refrigerant line in the direction of flow. I am aware that these products are working with looped lines but it is not correct. Example: If you put the wrong oil in your car it will still run but it is not good for it.
Velocity will return oil just fine as long as there is correct refrigerant charge .
Mr.Cool installation instruction specifically state that the line be coiled as shown in the video.
It's been amazing and we love it!Our main unit doesn't even run during the day! Great job Scott!!
We bought a similar unit by Fujitsu and has been great running on pure sunshine.
on sunny days i run my mini split on solar and crack the heat up as high as it will go in the winter and get my house as hot as i can for free
Good product and install etc. 2 things
If you have a 240 volt inverter I would favor a 240 volt mini split so the power drawn from inverter is balanced or at least make sure the load center is as balanced as possible with the larger loads likely to run at same time
I would also favor either a dual powered direct dc/ac powered mini split to run direct from solar OR when and their SEER s are generally in the same ballpark. If not that then I would go with a higher seer product when available in sizes you need such as in 12,000 but there are at least 31 seer quality products available . Over time this will save quite a bit of energy about 30 %. Granted its 30% of a pretty small amount but its still 30% . You can still self install these without brazing though you will need a couple hundred dollars worth of tools ( vacuum pump and HVAC gauges etc). If you dont want to do this it would likely make sense to get the DIY MR COOL units.
Remember EVERY INVERTER COMPRESSOR AND FAN based unit prevents any Surge load on your inverter.
Expected technical specs for a specific BTU system - panel requirement, controller , battery and inverter sizing !
We run four individual 240 volt inverter mini splits in our home & 2vacation rental units (all on solar) using a radian 8048 inverter and 8800 watts of PV panels on roof.
They've been performing perfectly for years and require little maintainance.
We do have above average sunshie in the U.S.V.I. so we are able to produce an average 50 KWh per day to power everything.
Grid tied with 20 KWh of lithium storage. Units will all run for 4 hours during a complete grid outage with our limited storage capacity however its rare to have all units on all at once, and our common (almost daily) grid outages usually only last an hour or two. Most days we push an excess of 20 KWh back to grid.
We keep our personal ac unit running 24-7 about 300 days per year. Solar/lithium mini split are a
Perfect combination. No regrets on our investment at all.
The only regret I have is not spending more for a larger battery storage bank initially when we bought our system after hurricane Irma. Budget was tight back then due to alot of necessary repair/reconstruction work. We are planning to upgrade to a new 50 KWh battery bank this year as prices are now 50% vs what we paid in 2017. Lithium and AC mini split tech have come a long way in a few short years.
Why do you lose the power every day there?
These system have worked great at our homes in Guangxi since 2004. Whenever, you need a new unit; you go to your big box store... buy it and take it home. The next day 2 younger men stop by to install the unit within a hour. They attach a rope inside your home and out the window they go; we're only 6 floors up. You can watch them on any 30 + story apt building, working away. It pays to have a service contract to clean it/ tune up; on our 5 units for peak production when it hits those 40'c days!
I'll be using it to finish our container home this summer.
The unit you installed was just a straight 110, nothing special for solar, correct?
There's also a U-shaped window version of the minisplit where all the gas lines are internal and the bottom sash slides down
between the internal and external sections. The most popular brand is Mydea and it's cheaper than a conventional minisplit.
What size inverter & battery bank would be the minimum to run this 12k unit?
@@shanelovley4776 1500w inverter, 1kw battery.
Thanks for the reminder. I do want to try one of those.
What size solar system would be needed to run this unit?
Ideally you size your solar for over the rated consumption of the unit at maximum. 12k btu usually runs at 800 watts so 1kw solar at minimum.
As a solar user,, I did my own system, I'd love to know more about the specific stats and conection to the solar system... All off-grid mountain country. Northern California... Thanks
Would have been great to see you connect the lines
I would like to see an amp meter on those mani splits to see start current and running load cooling to see the amps go up and down as this is different then typical Air Conditioning compressors that run full load all the time
and only reduce amp load very little.
Better protect that line from varmints Squirrels will chew through anything they’re not the only ones better put that in a box or put that in some kind of protective enclosure.I mean the extra on the ground.
Love to have this in my mobile home...
Thing to bear in mind with motors etc is startup current which can be significant, not all Inverters can handle that overshoot.
5:22
@@williamwilson6499 Thanks, that's the benefit of Inverter style air cons, as E775 said, current starts at zero then ramps up, as opposed to the more conventional supply powered induction motors (that are either on or off) that take a big pulse of in-rush or start-up current, although one solution to that is a current limiter, but i have seen lots of mains inverter issues in that sense, like with water pumps. If running current was the issue, you could go for the 220V option if you had that on your inverter and halve the current. I think the rest of the world runs as 220/230V single phase as mains supply anyway, beside a few, like Japan 100V wtf. Inverter type aircons do come at premium though, maybe this point could have been elaborated.
You seriously aren't leaving that lineset like that. 🤣
I seriously did.
@@engineer775 Won’t oil return to the compressor will be a problem? I’ve installed around 30 mini split systems and it usually says If you must leave the extra length lay the coil horizontally.
Makes no sense not cutting the line set to size
Why didnt you just get a shorter lineset,,? You probably have double what you needed there they offer 15 25 and 30 feet i believe
How many solar panels do you need to run this mini split...?
Solar panels charge batteries, they don't power appliances.
@@M5tworude lol uh what? Solar can power appliances.
They need to improve the efficiency of these for folks who can’t get solar
FYI if you have shorter runs you can order the Mr Cool with 16 foot line sets instead of 25 feet that way you do not have to coil as much behind the condenser.
According to Mr. Cool the only pre-charged line set length is 25'. Other line set lengths are available but they are not pre-charged. Anyone heard otherwise?
@@sammygeorge7122 I bought a 16 foot here is the link iwae.com/shop/12k-18k-btu-mrcool-diy-ductless-split-system-line-set-ha20975.html then you can choose either 16 or 25
@@Pappy-1 I think there may be some confusion. The DIY unit comes pre-charged with refrigerant but only in 25' length. Other line sets are available hower they are not pre-charged wifth refrigerant according to Ingram's. The unit being installed in this video is a 12K DIY and according to Ingrams all DIY units are pre-charged and only come in one length, 25'. I've installed the same unit in my shed and if a 16' pre-charged lineset were avilable I would have bought it.
@@sammygeorge7122 well I lucked out apparently because both my 16 foot linesets were precharged and it heats and cools the two rooms I have the wall units in. I emailed Ingram to see if Mr cool has changed this from last year.
@@sammygeorge7122 just got an email back from Ingrams and here is what they said "Hey this is Wes. We have both pre-charged and non pre-charged. The pre-charged goes for the DIY units and non-charged goes to the Advantage system
Wesley Kilcoyne
Customer Service
Very cool, I'll definitely be considering this
Love this option
What if you used an ACDC Solar/Hybrid Mini Split that accepts direct connection from solar panels (no need for any Intermediary devices)???
Did you guys block the hole where the termination end is because a squirrel or mouse can get in.
A lot of people might like a solar-to-AC or -swampc package that doesn't draw in all the careful inveigling
Are you insinuating that I am inveigling?
Wow I had to look that word up and I have a decent vocabulary !
What's the difference between a precharged line set and a standard line said I guess and when you say pre-charge are you saying that the line set is under pressure with refrigerant ?? I'm confused about what people mean by that if the line isn't a pre-charged line set then what ?
Really good video! Thank you very much. Could you mention please how big the SolArk Inverter is please?
It should be raised higher for snow!
2 5/8 hole is smaller and I think better. For reasons I can't think of atm. But I asked before...
Remember ALL units installed in Cold climate areas will draw more power when its pretty cold outside . Its simply physics. Say desired inside temp is 70 and outside summer its 100 F thats a 30 degree difference to cool off compared to 10 F outside in winter thats a 60 degree difference so your power will be roughly twice as much. This is of course true of ALL HVAC units.
Good point. So how do you think this would perform in extreme climate differences like FLORIDA?
@@Bonniemish Personally if the non DIY mini splits were more than 7 SEER or 25 % more efficient than the Mr. Cool I would use them and still DIY them. Direct solar DC mini splits are a good idea with ac power backup which can be also from your batteries etc but they are generally about 22 seer and cost more so I would favor the normal units. You have to also ask who would service the direct dc units other than freon etc.
I would choose a split inverter compressor and fan unit with air handler AND ductwork in the conditioned space This could also be geothermal and possibly zones if needed OR however many single high efficiency Mini splits 30 or higher so about 12,000 but or less units or maybe mixed multihued unit with single units. With this choice you also have redundancy if one unit goes out.
Since you have mainly cooling needs and relatively long sun hours and cooling takes place mainly during sun hours you can get by with much less battery capacity . With DIY batteries LifePo being near $100 per Kw I would use straight electric for the more efficient units and buy more batteries if needed.
The only thing I don't like is that excess tubing.
Scott I've wondered if the lineset can be hidden in the wall if insulation doesn't bunch up -- goes in where you did it here, then pops out down low by the unit.
Normally see these with condensate pumps, but looks like gravity just brings this out to the flower bed. Thanks for an awesome YT channel!
You could at least bury the lineset if you're not gonna cut it and reflare it.
Hmm....hadn't thought of that. It's one reason I was looking to get the tools and vacuum setup so I didn't have a crap ton of line laying there. I wonder what the long term bad would be with buying it.
@@wadebrewer7212 always vaccum your lineset. Removing air and particulates allows your system to run longer because the compressor is clean (only pushes refrigerant).
Burying the lineset is common practice for most HVAC technicians that try to reduce noise from a unit.
However in this application burying it is more so to prevent damage and hide the extra lineset if you choose to not cut the excess. I would always suggest cutting the excess.
@@AJ-ox8xy right. Going with what the original post was, he said to bury the line set. I hadn't thought if that with the diy precharged line sets. It was turning me toward buying the tools including the vacuum pump to be able to cut lines to length. You can't cut the diy precharged lines....well....I mean you could but that would be dumb and you would have to re fit with the special fittings and STILL draw it down anyway. Youbwould be better off buying line sets not precharged (drawn down) and just build yourself.
The diy systems that don't require you to draw down are typically 25 to 40 percent more expensive.
Keep it going
We have used the czcams.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
Add that cord grip to your description please. I want to add that to mine! Thanks
How much for the whole system ?
WHY NOT PUT THE EXCESS COIL IN THE ATTIC?
Nice oil trap
Everyone is a skeptic until proven wrong.
This is the most affordable air conditioner but will it generate water? How much water does this make in a day?
Does the company do regular maintenance on the solar and air conditioner units? Do the units need Winter and Summer Checkups?
What do you do at night for power any back up ...? What do you recomme ...?
Battery storage.
How many solar watts do you need to run on solar?
Amazing.
Looking to do this for my garage. How much solar/battery did you need to be able to run that unit consistently?
I installed the ACDC12 hybrid unit from Hotspot energy last year in my garage, and it’s been great. It’s connected to 6-380W panels and also tied to my garage AC 220v panel for use at night if needed. I self installed so had to buy some tools (vac pump, gauges, and a flare tool because I kinked a line🤦♂️) but the install was not too bad if you are fairly handy.
Really like this very interesting...!
please tell me you are going to use an acdcx from hotspot. That will be so cool!
So If my inverter is almost max out already then this would be the best options right? This ties into my existing solar system at my house?
So no vacuuming? How's that work with air at your connection to your head unit?
The linesets are pre-charged and the connections are designed not to leak when connected. No Vacuum.
@marthale7 If you pull a vacuum on this setup it mean you made a mistake.
@marthale7 If you pull a vacuum on a precharged lineset, you would need a collection bottle and have to recharge the system I think. The do it yourself units eliminate the vacuum pump. Use soapy water.
My understanding was that the refrigerant was in the outdoor unit, but it was best to vacuum down the line set and indoor unit to get all moisture out. Unless there are shutoff valves on both ends of the line set connections then air, and therefore moisture, is present in the system... Maybe I misunderstand or have just researched a slightly different style DIY system.
How many watts does that unit use when running at full blast? And does it have an inverter?
Do you have any preference to solar panels?
Not really. Just as long as they are a tier 1 premium monocrystaline panel. ON most of our installations we cannot justify the LGs or Sunpower panels.
@@engineer775 what does that mean you can't justify them?
@@JM-yx1lm the cost of them. Sorry
Hello ! I'm just getting in to your video series - very impressive! Do you have any information on practical / usable wind turbine solutions to generate electricity for residential? I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior. During the winter sun is limited at best and the wind is ever present and abundant!! I'm hoping to find a wind turbine solution (vertical access may be preferred?) that can be used in a residential setting on a city / town street without being obtrusive. I'm not seeing as much information on the web for turbines as I do for solar. What I do see for turbines leads me to believe wind power is just not there yet. Was hoping someone had done work adding a stepped gear system whereby the turbine drives a set of gears to a ratio where by the generator would spin fast enough to make usable power. Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences !
Wind turbines get more efficient the bigger that they get. Thats why they continue breaking records for size every year. As a consequence, wind power will favour big companies that can get the capital to invest in big towers.
If you're in Michigan, I would use a combination of solar, a rocket stove like The Liberator, and a mass battery of dirt to hold heat from the rocket stove.
Are there DC air conditioner units that don’t require the inverter?
Yes we have a 48-volt version that doesn't require any inversion but it does require batteries. So the system is solar charge controller and batteries and then it's a direct DC hookup but it is 48 volts
How many batteries and panels in the array?
what's the model number of the unit
They don't make the lineguard in brown???
Spray paint will work fine, we painted ours with valspar exterior house paint 3 years ago.
Still looks great and blends in as much as possible.
What system can you use for the southwest?
That seems like a big waste of refrigerant and LINESET that is being left there
Every install is different but 6' of extra lineset is a small price to pay for the convenience.
@@engineer775 And you don't have to train the installer on brazing etc.
You should avoid vertical loops when coiling the line set because compressor oil will eventually settle in the bottom of the loops causing a restriction that could damage the compressor. Better to have purchased a length of tubing closer to what was required, maybe even move the outdoor unit a bit farther away to avoid loops.
@@georgeian3243 Couldn't you just twist the loop until it's horizontal?
@@cellocovers3982 True enough, you could create a space behind the unit to fabricate a horizontal loop thus eliminating oil traps.
there ok for a few years If that, the boards die in them, all circuit board failures cheaply made
What is the average running watts/amps of one of these? I was considering getting one of the new 33 seer models, I think they run at around 300 watts but I cant get a definite answer
It would de[end on the load and size of unit in BTU s, SEER rating . The maximum would be in the units specs . Typically it may ramp up toward maximum to get the room to the thermostat setting then it would ramp back down and of course that would depend on the heating /cooling load of the space it is conditioning ( how well air sealed and insulated it is). Typically I would say for a 12,000 BTU unit it may consume around 500 watts once the set point is reached or a little less.
Whatever it is you cannot change (except not use any emergency heat strip etc) and its the lowest draw you can get on that size unit unless you get a very efficient water source unit so live with whatever it is, I assume you are either curious or planning on how much solar/ battery backup you may need. GOOD LUCK with your project !!
@@teekay1785 Thanks for the info! I have been off grid for years. I have 5kw of panels and 20kw of batteries. I guess battery storage wouldnt really mater because i would only be running it on sunny days anyway. My batteries are at float by like 9AM
@@GeeCeeAte I have 12,600 watts panels and 70 Kw of batteries. Hope their will be many more of us in the coming years.
imgur.com/0pkZC0F
leaf cellsimgur.com/PdTcuFp
boldt cwlls 6kw
imgur.com/q2ig7Xq
Wowww
How much did Mr Cool pay you for all the advertising?
What all that coast?$
Why SO MUCH extra line?! 😳 Mr Cool offers various lengths and this is the least amount of extra? "Engineer 775"? Is that your graduation rank🤔
Landed here to see how solar AC would work,...smh
I've seen a lot of bad reviews about Mr. Cool. Most of them say Mr. Cool does not stand behind their product. If it stops working, you are out of luck.
OH doesn't that snake hanging outside look GREAT NOT look like crap💩💩💩
Who knows how much solar to run this. Clickbait
😁👌👍🖖✌😎
Yeah, really unwise idea for nearly everybody. Solar just makes air conditioning hideously expensive and short-lived. Much better to keep cool using techniques that were used in the same place a hundred years earlier; those techniques would be sustainable.
ummm, you go ahead and do that. at 100f plus 85% humidity I'll run these mini splits. You can easily run these mini splits (and your entire home load) off of solar & battery. let google be your friend.
"prepper". Ugh.