Mini split help

[alex2929]

I have a 12k pioneer mini split. It heats and cools. However, if I make it work very hard to cool the head unit freezes up. It’s 3 or 4 years old and worked fine up until the last month or two. Any suggestions?

 

[aggie113]

When was the last time you cleaned it? Any dirt or build up on the blower wheel? Have you foamed/rinsed off the coils on the head unit or the compressor? I know my head unit benefits from a good pressure wash on the blower wheel once a year (using a small electric pressure washer, relax). Not familiar with the Pioneer units, but have you tried manually controlling the blower speed? Both my Gree and Mitsubishi units seem to value silence more then efficiency so I have to crank them up when I want to quickly cool (or heat) things. And or course, if you have the equipment you could try checking the charge. If you don't try everything else and then call out a pro to see if it needs some coolant.

LMGTFY

Reasons mini split systems freeze on the inside air handler

Understand why Pioneer ductless mini split systems freeze on the inside air handler. Use the list of potential reasons to find out why the system freezes.

help.pioneerminisplit.com

 

[American Locomotive]

Diagnosing minisplits is a bit more difficult compared to traditional units.

Even with a dirty coil or reduced fan speed, I don't think it should freeze up. Immediately, I would suspect the indoor coil temperature sensor is faulty.

Traditionally, a low charge can make a conventional system freeze up, not so sure with a mini that senses coil temp.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Clean it. The slightest air flow blockage causes them to freeze and/or overflow.

 

[PWC Repair]

Clean it. The slightest air flow blockage causes them to freeze and/or overflow.

Even a filter only dirty over 1/4 of it will cause this.

 

[fitter30]

Use only evaporator cleaner not condenser coil cleaner. Evap cleaner on the coils will rinse off with condensate. Also if the outside coil ( condenser ) hasn't bee cleaned pull top and sides with power off hose the coil. Look at the top of the coil if there is two coil sandwich together it will have to be split. The opposite end of the piping there will either be clips or plastic wire ties holding the two coils together. Pull the coils apart gently wear gloves fins are sharp. Coil will split about 80% don't force them any more. Water hose with medium spray fins start to bend use less pressure.

 

[alex2929]

I did clean the blower the best I could tonight and the coils with some cleaner from the hardware. I just turned it back on to see what happens. I feel they were pretty darn clean though. The smaller coolant line gets frosty as soon as I turn it on….picture attached. The other two show what it looked like after a few hours this afternoon. Any other thoughts would be great. I just really don’t think it was dirty enough for that to be an issue.

 

[alex2929]

It’s only been on for 15 minutes…..

 

[shade]

Bet you have a low coolant situation. May need to check for leaks

 

[bornbadbob]

Put a set of gauges on it or you don’t have a set, call some one in. Clean everything you can and look for evidence of leaks first though. Even if you don’t see anything that looks like a leak still get a set of gauges on it

 

[justinjoyal]

Low charge, you got a leak.

 

[American Locomotive]

With the small line frosting up immediately, it's either low on charge or the electronic expansion valve (EEV) is stuck.