Recent content by b-nasty

My trick for doing this is to connect the vac to the high side of the manifold and tank of 410 to the service (yellow line) After the pressure and vac decay tests are done with the VCRT valve closed, attach the low side of the mani to it, open all mani valves and run the vac. This pulls all the...

If you have the micron gauge and Appion core tool, you can do quick tests of decay to see when you're getting close. Run the pump until it drops to around 200-250m, close the valve and see how fast it rises. If it holds steady, you're done. The recent install I did, with 45' of lineset (that I...

In theory, you should have the micron gauge and a decent vac for any install new or used. So, assuming you buy those, I'd probably hook the indoor and outdoor units together with a short bit of scrap pipe and do a standard vac down and decay test. If you can get it to sub 300 microns (run the...

True, but for many areas (like PA where I live), there's nothing special about an 'HVAC Contractor'. So, besides the 608 Type 1 (open book test, $25) or at worst, the Type 2 (easy with a little study, free/<$100), you technically have all the same permit/insurance issues that a 'handyman'...

Don't get me started on R-410a vs R-22. The higher pressures of 410 means a leak is almost inevitable, given the thin coil materials and often sloppy install procedures for brazing/flares. So, we 'save the planet' from 8 lbs of R-22 by ensuring the entire unit needs to be scrapped within 15...

Their brand (from the picture) isn't a super-common one, but it's likely just a rebadged Gree (probably) or Midea, like most are. I'm honestly surprised there aren't more mini-only installers that charge reasonable rates for the simple, wall hung units. A big HVAC company has high rates and...

Problem is, it's not just the Asian mini splits. Almost all of the big, traditional split systems now have (or will, with new efficiency mandates next year) all the same high-tech computer boards, brushless DC fan motors and sophisticated compressors and electronic expansion devices. The days of...

Anything is possible, but depending on the failure, it probably won't be easy/cheap. Most of the boards on these high-efficiency units like minis are basically a modern computer motherboard. Multi-layer traces, surface mount components, and proprietary microchips. Often, a failure will burn up a...

Yep. Most of the common 'non-name-brand' units are just rebadged units from Midea (one of, if not the, largest mini manufacturers in the world.) They also make most of the common parts for the big name guys (Mitsu, Fuji) as well. Even Japan gets their stuff from China. Unfortunately, if there's...