Looking for a thread with links on mini-splits

[Will S.]

Which 2-3T mini-splits are the more reliable?

Have a friend who built a 1200sf attached shop, back in 2010. He installed an LG mini-split, and it has done the job, but has proved to be unreliable; 2 bad logic/control circuit board failures, and now a compressor failure. All covered under the 5 year warranty, except for labor. But this time, the tech wants $1000 in labor charge to replace the compressor, evac and recharge. He thinks that's way too high (so do I), and doesn't want to throw any more money at it.

So he wants to install another (hopefully more reliable) mini-split; no open-flame heat sources, and is asking for some help. Want to do the install himself, and I'd say he's competent.

I remember reading here, where someone posted links for less expensive mini-splits, which were off-brand, but used quality parts; (Mitsubitshi?) compressor and copper coils, etc., and worked in heat-mode to below 32*.

Anyone here provide those links?

 

[LB-1911]

Give this one a look

Rebel Pioneer Mini Split Install
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247895


https://www.google.com/#q=mini+split++clones++garage+journal

 

[Will S.]

Thanks for the reply, LB. Not the link I was looking for, but I did pass your info along.

I should have chosen a different title to my thread, to something like "Which mini-splits are most reliable?"

Thanks again.

 

[dr bob]

I have a Daiken mini-split in my very well insulated attached garage/workshop (~1200SF), with a second smaller head in my ~800SF office/bath adjacent. This was a massive whole-house remodel so I let the HVAC contractor do the installation. So far (one summer and one-plus winters) it's been flawless. Last winter, when temps dropped to -15ºF for a few days, it ran out of heat to pump from outside. I had also installed a Reznor natural gas-fired space heater (45K BTU) in the garage/workshop, but it wasn't quite ready until yesterday for thermostat duty. The contractors had installed an on-off switch for it, so the area was nice and warm for them to work as they finished the whole project. In the rest of the not-yet-insulated house they used electric $pace heater$, to the tune of over $1k in electric bill for that cold month; they didn't want to fill the new in-house HVAC system with construction dust, a Good Thing.

Anyway, the Daiken has worked fine, adding AC to the workbay when needed in the heat of summer, and easily keeping up with shop and office heating needs in any winter temps over about 0ºF so far.

The Reznor gas-fired unit has a low-temp garage thermostat set at 40ºF for freeze protection, and can be pressed into service to get things warmed in a big hurry if there's some sudden and unexpected need for heat. Otherwise it hangs up there idle and out of the way. It's sealed-combustion, has an outside exhaust vent, and gets a cover for all but a few months in the winter to keep dust from out.

----

I looked at Sanyo and Mitsubishi systems prior to going with the local HVAC contractor's recommendation on the Daiken. They stock service parts locally, and guaranteed the performance in this service. I've used Mitsubishi units in commercial installations with great success, and gravitate towards those whenever there's a need. I haven't actually installed one myself, but there doesn't seem to be any magic beyond what we have for automotive systems as far as tools and techniques. Looking at a Mitsubishi for my pervious home workshop, I planned to do that install myself. K decided that she'd rather just have another house, so it was all rolled together into one big project. I feel fortunate that I get to adjust the garage thermostats.