Re: Install ductless mini-split
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 11:27 am
I have convinced myself, possibly wrongly, that the great room mini-split has a low charge. Some guy on youtube put together these kits which make it about as easy as charging your car with a can and a simple low side gauge. My mini-split doesn't even have a high side test port so...
Anyway, I bought a kit (for $200) and I am anxious to see what the pressure is. He claims you really can look at the color bands on the gauge. He recommends shooting for the middle of the blue zone. Green is a low charge. We shall see.
As for symptoms, it just doesn't seem like it has the A/C capacity I would expect for 18k BTU. I also feel like the speed the condenser runs compared to the amount of cold air produced is the wrong ratio. It IS still functioning though. I did spray some soapy water on the condenser fittings and didn't see anything. I may want to pull back the foam insulation and really get in there. I also used Ed's sniffer in there and didn't find anything. I did get a few odd hits coming off the inside unit airflow so maybe the inside coil is leaking???
First step is determine if the charge is even low.
Anyway, I bought a kit (for $200) and I am anxious to see what the pressure is. He claims you really can look at the color bands on the gauge. He recommends shooting for the middle of the blue zone. Green is a low charge. We shall see.
As for symptoms, it just doesn't seem like it has the A/C capacity I would expect for 18k BTU. I also feel like the speed the condenser runs compared to the amount of cold air produced is the wrong ratio. It IS still functioning though. I did spray some soapy water on the condenser fittings and didn't see anything. I may want to pull back the foam insulation and really get in there. I also used Ed's sniffer in there and didn't find anything. I did get a few odd hits coming off the inside unit airflow so maybe the inside coil is leaking???
First step is determine if the charge is even low.