Can you coil line sets?

[raco232]

I’m putting in 2 Pioneer 24,000btu mini splits. My line sets are 10’ long. In reality, they only need to be probably 5’. I’ve read and saw on YouTube, not to coil up the line sets, as the oil will not flow properly. Is that true or false? And, would I have to reduce the refrigerant charge if I cut the lines down to 5’ long?
The condensers are being wall mounted up high and pretty much behind the evaporator on the inside of my shop.

 

[rlitman]

Read the instructions. They generally allow the line sets to be shortened without changing the charge.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Read the instructions. They generally allow the line sets to be shortened without changing the charge.

But beware, some mini splits specify a minimum lineset length.

 

[Kaizen]

I coiled about 5-10 feet on my mr cool because the lineset was precharged. If it was not I would have shortened it. The loop is about two feet across and works fine three years running


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[raco232]

Read the instructions. They generally allow the line sets to be shortened without changing the charge.

From what I have read, Pioneer only mentioned 10' as the shortest line set available to order. I have not seen anywhere in their instructions on cutting it shorter. I will try to make a phone call to them tomorrow and see if I can make it shorter or not.

I am glad to hear that coiling the lines will be ok, but, I will also ask that question as well when I speak to them.

 

[Jackfre]

It is true. Lay excess line set in a sepentine fashion

 

[mrpizza]

How do you use a pre charged lineset? Are the evap and condensing coils under vaccuum from the factory?

 

[raco232]

How do you use a pre charged lineset? Are the evap and condensing coils under vaccuum from the factory?

I'm not sure if you are thinking Pioneer line sets are pre charged, but Pioneer's line set and evaporator are not pre charged and are not under a vacuum when the unit is shipped. Only the condenser is charged with refrigerant. Mr Cool DIY model, mini split, is the only manufacture that I know of that is shipped with pre charged line sets, but I am sure that there are probably other manufactures that offer pre charged line sets as well.

 

[Kaizen]

How do you use a pre charged lineset? Are the evap and condensing coils under vaccuum from the factory?

Yes and filled with refrigerant. You just tighten them onto the condenser and open the shut offs. So they cannot be shortened and must be coiled.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AA7483]

If you must coil do it in a serpantine fashion. As stated above to avoid and oil trap and be mindful vof a mnimim lineset length. Fujitsu is 16 feet on most of their stuff.

 

[raco232]

I just got off the phone with Highseer.com. Tech support said I could make just 1 coil(circle) of the excess line set and I can’t cut off 5’.

I might just do a serpentine fashion with the excess. I’m planning to start the install this evening, as I am ready to go to sleep for the day.

 

[rlitman]

You do realize the bend radius on this stuff, right?. You may end up with your 5' all in one circle.

 

[Jackfre]

I just got off the phone with Highseer.com. Tech support said I could make just 1 coil(circle) of the excess line set and I can’t cut off 5’.

I might just do a serpentine fashion with the excess. I’m planning to start the install this evening, as I am ready to go to sleep for the day.

Inverter mini-splits all have the expansion valves in the condensing unit. We still call the refrigerant lines liquid and suction lines, but in fact they are both gas lines due to the exp. valve location. Highseer is giving you bad advice on this. The thing is that this does not show as a problem right away. It takes time. You are then on the line for warranty support and the guy who told you that is no longer there and the new guy says...., and you are not happy. Do not coil the pipe.

 

[raco232]

Inverter mini-splits all have the expansion valves in the condensing unit. We still call the refrigerant lines liquid and suction lines, but in fact they are both gas lines due to the exp. valve location. Highseer is giving you bad advice on this. The thing is that this does not show as a problem right away. It takes time. You are then on the line for warranty support and the guy who told you that is no longer there and the new guy says...., and you are not happy. Do not coil the pipe.

What is your suggestion of what to do with the excess line? I got the condenser mounted & it looks like I’ll have plenty of line left to deal with. I also need to duplicate this setup at the other end of shop. The line set is coming out of the wall, just above the ladder.

 

[Kaizen]

Bring it down five feet or over. Use a lineset cover if worried about aesthetics


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[raco232]

I know what you are talking about and wish I had room to move it, but due to storage constraints, I need to have it up high. I am thinking of doing a horizontal serpentine/zig zag approach to the lineset installation. I plan on running it horizontal against the siding and running it back to the condenser and hook it up. I will post a pic later on this week after I get it ran. I still need to run the electrical, so this install might take a couple of weeks, as I am doing what I can, when I have time.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If you lay your coiled line set out horizontally, you should not have any oil flow issues.

Tommy

 

[ncboat]

Can the line set not be higher than the wall unit.? I planned on coming out of my Mr. Cool 36k and up into the attic, long loop and then out the soffit to the outside unit. The line set would be about 18 inches higher than the wall unit.

 

[Kaizen]

Can the line set not be higher than the wall unit.? I planned on coming out of my Mr. Cool 36k and up into the attic, long loop and then out the soffit to the outside unit. The line set would be about 18 inches higher than the wall unit.

Always has to be lower at least for the drain tube


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[edwardBe]

I’m putting in 2 Pioneer 24,000btu mini splits. My line sets are 10’ long. In reality, they only need to be probably 5’. I’ve read and saw on YouTube, not to coil up the line sets, as the oil will not flow properly. Is that true or false? And, would I have to reduce the refrigerant charge if I cut the lines down to 5’ long?
The condensers are being wall mounted up high and pretty much behind the evaporator on the inside of my shop.

Sorry for the noob question, but what oil is in the lines and where does it come from? Thanks!

 

[mike93lx]

Sorry for the noob question, but what oil is in the lines and where does it come from? Thanks!

The oil that is in the system to lubricate the compressor.

 

[edwardBe]

Always has to be lower at least for the drain tube


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I also have this question. I'm running the drain tube down inside the wall to the crawl space, but I would like to run the line set up through the attic if possible.

 

[mike93lx]

I also have this question. I'm running the drain tube down inside the wall to the crawl space, but I would like to run the line set up through the attic if possible.

You need a pump to go up with condensate. So you'll have to split the drain from the lineset

 

[edwardBe]

Thanks!

 

[rlitman]

I also have this question. I'm running the drain tube down inside the wall to the crawl space, but I would like to run the line set up through the attic if possible.

You need a pump to go up with condensate. So you'll have to split the drain from the lineset

If you have a drain path down and out, use it. There's no reason the drain line has to follow the lineset.