Musing this over. 8 years ago at age 70 I DIY installed 3 Daikin mini splits in the house, 2 9K and a 12K. At 4 years the 12k evaporator coil leaked and I diy replaced, at the same time a 9K pcb failed and had to be replaced by me of course.
Now 4 years later the pcb board in the same 9K unit has failed again, same as last time code L5. Due to being baffled I called in a tech who confirmed a bad board. Seems odd 2 boards. The board is custom order from Daikin and tech wants $830 to replace. Board is in the $600 for me to order, if Daikin will sell to me. I do not see me spending $830 on an 8 year old unit I paid $900 for that has already cooked one board. I suspect something damaging the boards but above my pay grade, yes I have surge protection.
2 of my units are up high 10'. They require deep cleaning once a year and at 78 I do not envision climbing ladders to clean for many more years. If I croak the wife will be unable to maintain the units and have to pay as I might have too also. Inter net search looks like a deep clean is in the $250 range per unit, 3 @ $250 is $750 a year.
So I could replace and relocate the 9K to where it is easier to service, new 9K Daikin about $1200 or 2 Whofungpoo china units for far less and have one for parts. If the 12k unit fails I could put the evaporator in a more serviceable place.
Or I could replace the central AC, 8 years ago the bid to replace the central and duct work was $6K I guess it would be over $10K today. In my experience central does not require the maintenance a mini does and there are far more techs that work on central than minis. The local Daikin dealer is a gas and go specialist who does not want to look for leaks! The air handler is in a labyrinth of trusses that is like a jungle gym getting to.
If I replace the mini I think I should replace the O rings in my tools as they have had no use and will have to check if they are compatible with the new gas's. What to do?
Now 4 years later the pcb board in the same 9K unit has failed again, same as last time code L5. Due to being baffled I called in a tech who confirmed a bad board. Seems odd 2 boards. The board is custom order from Daikin and tech wants $830 to replace. Board is in the $600 for me to order, if Daikin will sell to me. I do not see me spending $830 on an 8 year old unit I paid $900 for that has already cooked one board. I suspect something damaging the boards but above my pay grade, yes I have surge protection.
2 of my units are up high 10'. They require deep cleaning once a year and at 78 I do not envision climbing ladders to clean for many more years. If I croak the wife will be unable to maintain the units and have to pay as I might have too also. Inter net search looks like a deep clean is in the $250 range per unit, 3 @ $250 is $750 a year.
So I could replace and relocate the 9K to where it is easier to service, new 9K Daikin about $1200 or 2 Whofungpoo china units for far less and have one for parts. If the 12k unit fails I could put the evaporator in a more serviceable place.
Or I could replace the central AC, 8 years ago the bid to replace the central and duct work was $6K I guess it would be over $10K today. In my experience central does not require the maintenance a mini does and there are far more techs that work on central than minis. The local Daikin dealer is a gas and go specialist who does not want to look for leaks! The air handler is in a labyrinth of trusses that is like a jungle gym getting to.
If I replace the mini I think I should replace the O rings in my tools as they have had no use and will have to check if they are compatible with the new gas's. What to do?