Help me select a 2ton (24k BTU) mini split

[ptt49er]

I have a 30' x 40' shop with 12' ceilings.

I'm in the market for a mini split.

My only experience with mini splits is the 18k BTU MrCool unit I installed in our bonus room and have been extremely happy with it.

It's time to prep the shop for the coming Carolina summer.

I have a buddy who can procure the refrigerant and assist in finishing the line set connections and charging the unit. I'm not sure how much a bottle of refrigerant would be, but can get him to find out. Figure $100-200 for his time.

I'm guessing I'd still come out cheaper to get a non-precharged unit, but I don't know what brand to look for.

What say you, the great brain trust of Garage Journal?

Thanks!
Phillip

 

[kaymccampbell]

So buy another Mr Cool, if you like the one you got. You're not going to save significant money buying a dry unit. Not in that tiny size. I'm not sure that they make non-precharged residential compressor units anymore.

 

[gizardlizard]

I installed a 24k Mr. Cool unit in my 1000 square foot shop 3 years ago. It’s been bulletproof. They offered two models. Both of which came pre charged. The more expensive one had pre charged line sets with quick connects. The cheaper one which is the one I bought, did not come with the pre charged line sets. I plumbed everything, pulled a vacuum on the system for an hour to dry it, shut the valves on my gauges and left it alone for two hours. The gauges didn’t move, so I was convinced I didn’t have any leaks. Using an all wrench, you then slowly release the charge. Been working great. I got my 24k unit for $999.00.

 

[gizardlizard]

Forgot to mention: if you want the best, Mitsubishi leads the league in ductless mini splits and the price reflects it. We put five units in at work at they were almost 7 grand each.

 

[vpd66]

I installed a 24k Mr. Cool unit in my 1000 square foot shop 3 years ago. It’s been bulletproof. They offered two models. Both of which came pre charged. The more expensive one had pre charged line sets with quick connects. The cheaper one which is the one I bought, did not come with the pre charged line sets. I plumbed everything, pulled a vacuum on the system for an hour to dry it, shut the valves on my gauges and left it alone for two hours. The gauges didn’t move, so I was convinced I didn’t have any leaks. Using an all wrench, you then slowly release the charge. Been working great. I got my 24k unit for $999.00.

What temp do you keep your shop at during the winter and does it keep up in below zero winters of Wisconsin? I live about 200 miles north of you and have a 1200 square foot shop that is heated with a 90% efficient force air propane furnace. I keep my shop at 50 degrees and and turn it up to 60 when I'm working in it. Just wondering if a mini split would keep up in this climate?

 

[ptt49er]

I installed a 24k Mr. Cool unit in my 1000 square foot shop 3 years ago. It’s been bulletproof. They offered two models. Both of which came pre charged. The more expensive one had pre charged line sets with quick connects. The cheaper one which is the one I bought, did not come with the pre charged line sets. I plumbed everything, pulled a vacuum on the system for an hour to dry it, shut the valves on my gauges and left it alone for two hours. The gauges didn’t move, so I was convinced I didn’t have any leaks. Using an all wrench, you then slowly release the charge. Been working great. I got my 24k unit for $999.00.

What height is your ceiling? Has the 24k proven to be sized appropriately?

Thanks for the reply! I'm pretty excited to not be sweating my rear off this summer!

 

[kbuhagiar]

Thanks for the reply! I'm pretty excited to not be sweating my rear off this summer!

You will love it. Next to my 4-post lift it was the best personal comfort investment ever.

My garage is 1664SF (52 x 32) with 14 foot ceilings; we installed two 24K units evenly spaced on one wall. It's probably overkill, but on most hot days I can start with both units on and then turn one off (depending on which end of the garage I am working in).

I think one 24K in your garage will be more than enough.

Good luck!

 

[justinjoyal]

All mini-splits come pre-charged.

Not all mini-split *linesets* do (only the ones with "quick connect" fittings do.)

 

[WildBill]

I installed a 24k Mr.Cool diy in my shop a couple of years ago, works great and I love it. If you are planning on heating with it too I would look for a hyper-heat model, they work fine even in below zero weather. This place has really good after sale and warranty support and sells a bunch of different brands. https://iwae.com

 

[gizardlizard]

What temp do you keep your shop at during the winter and does it keep up in below zero winters of Wisconsin? I live about 200 miles north of you and have a 1200 square foot shop that is heated with a 90% efficient force air propane furnace. I keep my shop at 50 degrees and and turn it up to 60 when I'm working in it. Just wondering if a mini split would keep up in this climate?

I keep my garage at 40 degrees. Would this unit keep up with the cold? Maybe once it actually got up to temp it could maintain temperature. Too small and slow for me. I installed a 125,000 BTU forced air furnace for winter. Goes from 40 degrees to 70 in 15 minutes. Never tried to maintain that temperature with the mini split. I just use it for cooling and it’s fast for that.

 

[gizardlizard]

What height is your ceiling? Has the 24k proven to be sized appropriately?

Thanks for the reply! I'm pretty excited to not be sweating my rear off this summer!

I have a 12 foot ceiling in my garage. The mini split is fast to cool. It’s awesome. I think they came up in price though since I did mine. I remember using Nylog on the threaded fittings and even a dab of it on the flares to prevent leaks. Mine has been flawless since I installed it. I just clean the condenser once each spring along with the filters.

 

[ptt49er]

Found a 24k mrcool for $1,400 and ordered it!

Now to get the ceiling insulated and covered.

Reckon the misses will expect those new kitchen cabs even sooner now.

 

[ToolsRCool]

I second others. Buy a second of what you are happy with. Only recommendations would be to mount the outdoor unit at the same level as the indoor unit. Keeps it from getting hit my mowers, string trimmers, animal urine rotting it, people stealing it, etc.... Love mine being up off the floor. Also, plan to do a gravity drain for the indoor unit condensate. If you have to use a pump, use an external pump made for a full size furnace. They are built like tanks and work with zero maintenance. The mini pumps that fit in the indoor unit are junk. I have tried all of them, and none last more than a few seasons.

I have a 4 channel Mitsubishi system. It works well. Did have a thermocouple fail on the outdoor unit, it diagnosed itself and the part was very easy to purchase and replace. So, they are not bullet-proof, but are good.