Condensate line/pump options for Mini-Split

[Slowbra]

I’m installing a mini-split soon and want to likely route the condensate line (and lineset) out from the side of the unit and up into my attic then out the soffit.

I am curious what condensate pump options people have found to be useful with a mini-split and if this is even possible to do.

If this is a royal PIA or bad idea then I’ll skip the idea. My goal was to avoid any drilling through bricks/drywall and instead follow a route I am taking with my lineset.

 

[brewchief]

I ran across this one last week, great idea and way easier then the ones that fit inside the mini split.

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[mike93lx]

Interesting. I've been looking at adding minisplits where I would have this same issue. Assumed I would have to plub down to my basement then pump out or feed into my septic.

How loud is that pump?

 

[fitter30]

Having two wall units with pumps in a quiet room you can hear them. Also they have to be serviced twice a year at least. Most come in two pieces. Float assembly and pump. Float needs to taken apart and cleaned. Mine get scumed up on the entering screen and magnetic float. Have the pump piped to a 1/2" pvc line to gravity drain then it can be cleaned with a shop vac pulling a cleaning solution through it.

 

[Slowbra]

I ran across this one last week, great idea and way easier then the ones that fit inside the mini split.

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Can you share the post this came from?

 

[brewchief]

That's just a pic from the job I did last week, we didn't do the install. I was there to redo every single flare as there were leaks outside due to poor flares and we had no idea if the inside was the same. Had to pull two heads mostly off the wall to be able to redo the fittings.

No idea on the noise level of the pump, it didn't run when I was in the room, both heads were in a master bedroom/bathroom and the customer didn't complain about them being loud.

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[dogdog]

Interesting. I've been looking at adding minisplits where I would have this same issue. Assumed I would have to plub down to my basement then pump out or feed into my septic.

How loud is that pump?

those pumps are pretty quiet, it's a little hum if you have very quiet room like those fish tank aerator pumps ... just don't get the Little Giant EC400 series one... that one is Loud and **** (I still have it, I think it was defective..but the seller says otherwise)... I had to research one for my FIL's water cooled AC... end up with the ASPEN orange one... my use was not for mini split but same pump... they are not that powerful at all most are same rating which is about a gallon per hours or something...



Just search mini condensate pumps...

 

[mike93lx]

those pumps are pretty quiet, it's a little hum if you have very quiet room like those fish tank aerator pumps ... just don't get the Little Giant EC400 series one... that one is Loud and **** (I still have it, I think it was defective..but the seller says otherwise)... I had to research one for my FIL's water cooled AC... end up with the ASPEN orange one... my use was not for mini split but same pump... they are not that powerful at all most are same rating which is about a gallon per hours or something...



Just search mini condensate pumps...

Thanks. Thinking about it, I'd rather drain into the basement and pump from there. In that case, a pump failure won't result in wall damage.

 

[Slowbra]

those pumps are pretty quiet, it's a little hum if you have very quiet room like those fish tank aerator pumps ... just don't get the Little Giant EC400 series one... that one is Loud and **** (I still have it, I think it was defective..but the seller says otherwise)... I had to research one for my FIL's water cooled AC... end up with the ASPEN orange one... my use was not for mini split but same pump... they are not that powerful at all most are same rating which is about a gallon per hours or something...



Just search mini condensate pumps...

I searched online to learn more about the pump shown in the picture above. That company makes quite a few, but the reviews are all over the map.

I wouldn’t mind having the pump remote in the attic (where I can also put a water sensor for safety) to cut back on the noise. Looks like a few operate by having a float attached directly at the mini to monitor the condensation and others attach directly to the mini. I’ll spend some more time on it.

For simplicity I’m still considering just coming down the wall and drilling the drain line through the brick. It is certainly an option that is relatively fool proof.

 

[dogdog]

I searched online to learn more about the pump shown in the picture above. That company makes quite a few, but the reviews are all over the map.

I wouldn’t mind having the pump remote in the attic (where I can also put a water sensor for safety) to cut back on the noise. Looks like a few operate by having a float attached directly at the mini to monitor the condensation and others attach directly to the mini. I’ll spend some more time on it.

For simplicity I’m still considering just coming down the wall and drilling the drain line through the brick. It is certainly an option that is relatively fool proof.

It's actually a pretty quiet pump... not design to be far away from the AC drain pan... you just have to consider the header or lift of that pump output line (I think that is the term)... there is a limit... means if the pump have a 5' lift before it goes over the hole to outside(down hill) , the efficiency of that pump might degrade , doing more work lifting the water than just pump it horizontally... you'll have to see what's acceptable for your situation.... I think all of the drain pan hole size are same... at least the ones I bought... have the same size hose... for the pump input... yes it have a float inside the unit...

At least the aspen and the ec400 that I bought have 5 terminals... 2 for alarm, 3 for a relay like (NO,NC,Common) to allow you to shut off the ac unit in case the float goes high.... the differences is the Aspen and the EC400 have the pump and the float unit separate as oppose to the one show in this post everything build in...
It should have enough capacity for most mini splits..


EC400 ***** because it was loud, and only have a duty cycle of 3 minutes... supposedly to auto reset when it cools down... but the one I have never resets...it only re-sets when I unplug it from the AC power... and has no warning at this point... that is the reason I had to go get the aspen orange... the one shown in this thread subrasomething brand was not available then...

 

[Jackfre]

Years ago I was the Saurmann Rep in New England. They were the first of the mini-pumps. They are "quiet" and very good. I have had good experience using Aspen minis as well. I have not followed the condensate pump business the last six or so years, so info is dated. I assume everyone has them now. The pumps are quiet, but you will hear them. Personally, I'd open the wall and drain to the foundation before installing a condensate pump. I did that on the unit here in my kitchen. PITN, but I don't have to worry about a damned pump.