I actually did this install June 19th 2023 -- just over a year ago with a 9k BTU Pioneer Diamante Ultra. I purchased a lot of good tools to get the job done. Went back and forth on the vacuum pump but ended up with the Harbor Freight unit. Had electrician do all the wiring except the final wire to the unit which I did.
Can anybody confirm I did everything well? Its been a year and it appears to be performing phenomenally, but I actually never got around to post it up. I followed Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech on youtube), did my 608 level 1 license so I could do it DIY legally.
Since I am very self critical, would you have considered this a "good" install? Anything I should have done differently? I am considering adding another unit to a different room and hence should I repeat what I did before, or change anything?
Steps took:
1) 300psi nitrogen test, held overnight, with no drop in pressure at same ambient temps. (should I have done higher in hindsight?)
2) Triple evacuated with nitrogen, third vacuum down to 220 microns which took about 5/10mins I think, closed the valves off and micron reader increased to 280. Left it for a few hours, came back and hadnt moved at all. Should this be clear that my flare fitting was done well? I decreased line size but a few feet.
3) Started the vacuum pump again, let it run for probably 30-40mins. Ended up at 120 microns. Closed off the valves, rose to 140 microns and stayed put.
4) Closed valve on micron gauge - Released refrigerant from mini split.
5) Purged the valve core removal tool with refrigerant briefly, closed again. Installed valve core back in. Done.
6) That day per historical data at 6pm, it was 100F ambient, 19% humidity, Photo below shows with the unit running at lowest temp highest fan speed, it was outputting 42F (79F interior, so about a 37F delta T!!)
Can anybody confirm I did everything well? Its been a year and it appears to be performing phenomenally, but I actually never got around to post it up. I followed Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech on youtube), did my 608 level 1 license so I could do it DIY legally.
Since I am very self critical, would you have considered this a "good" install? Anything I should have done differently? I am considering adding another unit to a different room and hence should I repeat what I did before, or change anything?
Steps took:
1) 300psi nitrogen test, held overnight, with no drop in pressure at same ambient temps. (should I have done higher in hindsight?)
2) Triple evacuated with nitrogen, third vacuum down to 220 microns which took about 5/10mins I think, closed the valves off and micron reader increased to 280. Left it for a few hours, came back and hadnt moved at all. Should this be clear that my flare fitting was done well? I decreased line size but a few feet.
3) Started the vacuum pump again, let it run for probably 30-40mins. Ended up at 120 microns. Closed off the valves, rose to 140 microns and stayed put.
4) Closed valve on micron gauge - Released refrigerant from mini split.
5) Purged the valve core removal tool with refrigerant briefly, closed again. Installed valve core back in. Done.
6) That day per historical data at 6pm, it was 100F ambient, 19% humidity, Photo below shows with the unit running at lowest temp highest fan speed, it was outputting 42F (79F interior, so about a 37F delta T!!)
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