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Old 02-20-2021, 03:40 PM   #1
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Mini split install

My 1992 Coleman AC bit the dust and after researching I decided to install a 12k btu 17seer 120 volt mini split heat pump. It took me a couple of days but was not that bad, yes I lost some storage. I have not had dash AC for years so it was critical that I get on it. It is super quiet and low power consumption. $520 delivered from ebay. If one is not enough, I will add another unit in the rear as my 4k genny will easily run both. Here are some pics and if you have questions, let it rip.






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Old 02-21-2021, 08:09 AM   #2
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Very nice job. Do you have a vented door to put on the outside storage compartment?

You also have a nice new bright skylight to boot.
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:12 PM   #3
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Very nice job. Do you have a vented door to put on the outside storage compartment?

You also have a nice new bright skylight to boot.


Still contemplating the door issue. I have reinstalled it for now. taking a trip this week and will secure it open when in use. I feel it is a good idea to have as much airflow as possible. I have many 4" holes in the bottom of the compartment. I might just put expanded metal over the whole opening but.....it would be nice to close it when not in use to cut down on dust etc. I mostly boondock in cooler climates so this will be used primarily during traveling.
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Old 02-21-2021, 08:08 PM   #4
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A couple of installs of these have caught my eye but I like this one the best. The unit in the storage compartment seems very sensible. Not sure how to vent it at the rear but if it were me I would have a second "generator" door. I'm sure you'd have to customize the door yourself for adequate venting.

One thing to watch out for is reversion on the outside unit. In a box like that fans tend to blow air out the back and instead of going out the holes, the air makes U-turn back into the front. Basically recirculating over and over. The only way you will even suspect it's happening is that cooling performance is down. It's not a really obvious thing.

To have it not be a problem, insulate or block off the area around the outside unit. If you had a door with a screened opening like I was thinking of then all you would need would be run only with the door closed and have strips of soft rubber weatherstrip sealing the unit to the door and it's opening.
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Old 02-22-2021, 07:11 AM   #5
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Thanks for your comments. The compartment is well vented from the rear. I am going to use the existing door leaving it open while the ac is in use. I installed a secure latch to hold it open while flying down the road. It might not look the best but that does not bother me.
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Old 02-22-2021, 07:29 AM   #6
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As a side-bar, recently installed a larger mini-split [240v] in my brother-in-law's rent house. Cant believe how well it performed during the recent severe cold weather here in Texas. Suppose it varies by model and brand--still not sure what the limit is but it performed well below 30 degrees--amazing!!!
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Old 03-01-2021, 08:07 AM   #7
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600 mile shakedown trip this past week. Ran great in both cool and heat. It was down to mid 20's at night. ran it on my honda 2000 genny with no problems. I had to drive down a washboarded road for 5 miles to camp with no adverse affect on mini split.
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Old 03-01-2021, 09:37 AM   #8
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Looks like a nice job. For your info, an infrared temp gun cannot read air temperature. If reads the radiated hear from a solid service. It your case, the plastic outlet. To read air temperature you need to use a regular thermometer or a thermocouple.

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Old 03-05-2021, 04:25 AM   #9
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I have 3 self installed minis in my house. If I had room in the RV for the evaporator I would have put one in there a few years ago!
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Old 03-05-2021, 04:53 AM   #10
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As a side-bar, recently installed a larger mini-split [240v] in my brother-in-law's rent house. Cant believe how well it performed during the recent severe cold weather here in Texas. Suppose it varies by model and brand--still not sure what the limit is but it performed well below 30 degrees--amazing!!!

Morning, Old Scout,
Yes they are amazing. I have installed many hundreds of the the Fujitsu brand which are rated to 14f below zero. I have four in my house and this winter the temp has been below zero several times and they have performed very well.

Hope the temp is back to more reasonable levels now in your area.
I'm an old scouter myself.
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Old 03-05-2021, 04:56 AM   #11
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Looks like a nice job. For your info, an infrared temp gun cannot read air temperature. If reads the radiated hear from a solid service. It your case, the plastic outlet. To read air temperature you need to use a regular thermometer or a thermocouple.

Ken
Agreed. Also they do not read accurately on a shiny surface. Ask me how I know. Still have the scars.
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Old 03-05-2021, 05:01 AM   #12
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Looks like a great install. Particularly liked the pipe chase. I had to look at the pictures twice to see what you had done.
There are several styles of plastic covers for this and I found the Slim Duct brand to be best.
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Old 03-05-2021, 08:16 AM   #13
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Very well done! You found an outdoor unit that would fit in that cargo space! I like it. If I have a failure on mine I’ve also planned to install a mini-split. The noise of the existing units are atrocious.

I actually built and installed a return duct made out of ductboard with a right angle turn to reduce the noise on my bedroom unit. It is tolerable now but not as quiet as I’d like.

In 2005, when mini-splits were just taking off, I installed one in a radio station studio I owned. It was unbelievably quiet.
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Old 03-05-2021, 08:29 AM   #14
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Thanks for your comments. The compartment is well vented from the rear. I am going to use the existing door leaving it open while the ac is in use. I installed a secure latch to hold it open while flying down the road. It might not look the best but that does not bother me.
Do you happen to have the dimensions of that outdoor unit?
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