Mini-split install and a brick wall

[sammm]

Hey all...getting ready to install my mini-split heat pump (Daikin), and have a couple questions.

I'll have to go thru an exterior brick wall to run the lines/electric/drain to the outside unit. What's the best way to make the 3" opening I'll need? Is it better to drill from the inside going out, or the outside coming in?

From the inside to the outside the wall is OSB|insulation|zip-wall|brick.

I'm also going to mount the outside unit to the brick wall using L-brackets to get it off the ground. What's the recommended way to mount those to the brick? Tapcon?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jackfre]

You need to look at how you intend to trim the line set. Cut the hole to a size you can cover securely. Unless you intend to braze the joint going through the wall you will likely have to soften the edge of the hole to make the radius of the bend. You can either go to your local rental center and rent a roto-hammer with the right bit or drill a series of small holes and pound the center out.

Good idea on the wall bracket. Many good ways to secure it. I through bolted my wall mounts.

 

[JackDiddly]

Spotter bit to get your center and start the same size hole on both sides meet in the middle and you won't have any unsightly blow out on the brick or inside. As posted above you can core drill or get a small bit make lots of little holes and hammer/chisel. I like lag-bolt shields for mounting L-brackets like that so long as its not soft brick

 

[Slednut]

These can hide imperfections.

https://www.acwholesalers.com/hvac/pdf/fortress/DH-1615-br.pdf

Amazon has the kits.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...e+set+cover&sprefix=fortress+line+set,aps,429

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Id sleeve it in a piece of pvc through the wall,then seal it with thumb gum when youre done.

 

[sammm]

Thanks for all the info y'all, I appreciate it!

I do plan to use a sleeve to run from the inside to outside. I'll take some pictures once I start the install.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Drill from inside through the osb with suitably sized hole saw, then pilot drill the center to the outside with masonry bit, then drill from outside in with dry diamond core drill, 65mm is usually big enough and the hole will be covered with line hide/trunking if you decide to use it.

Brackets usually fixed with m6 sleeve anchors, or similar sized plugs and coach screws, the ones we get here have the fitting in the bracket kit.

 

[ambenz]

I actually took out a whole brick with a grinder and then drilled the hole to the inside.
Add the sleeve and use the play in the whole brick opening to align the sleeve and connections.
After it was all connected and pressure tested, I cut the brick and tuck pointed the pieces into place...having that play allowed me to avoid missing the mark.

 

[sammm]

Thanks monkeyspanners, that makes sense...I do think it's best to start on the inside after I decide where the blower unit bracket will mount.

ambenz...happen to have a picture of what you did? Did you end up cutting the brick down the middle, or cut an end off?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Spotter bit ...

Start from the inside. Drill until you hit the brick, using a masonry bit. You might need an extension.

 

[JimD1]

I had to make a large hole for a dryer vent though the single layer brick on our crawl space. I used a 10A HF hammer drill with small bits to nibble a larger hole. It goes pretty fast but you definitely want to go from the outside in. There will be blow out and the inside of the hole won't look pretty. But the outside looks fine. The trim of the vent hood hid the nibbled edges.

I use tapcons sometimes but in brick you would want to put them into the mortar, not the brick. A lead anchor will hold a lot more weight. Even a plastic sleeve will probably hold as much as a tapcon.

 

[jad3675]

When I installed my condenser on the exterior brick wall of my house, I was concerned that any sort of expanding fastener would crack the brick. A little bit of internet research backed up that up. In the end, I used 3/8 all-thread with a chemical anchor to attach the 150lb condenser 12 feet up the wall - though I went overkill and used all 12 mounting holes in the bracket.

I used quickcrete's anchoring product - I was able to source it locally at Lowe's. It's a two part epoxy that comes in a caulk-gun style tube. It mixes in the tip and is pretty easy to apply.

As for making the hole in the brick wall for the lineset - I used an SDS drill and made about a dozen small holes in the outline of the bigger hole, then knocked out the rest with a chisel. It took about 30 minutes for each hole.

John

 

[sammm]

Thanks again everyone for the help. I'll keep y'all posted.

 

[ilateapex]

FYI, when I did mine I used a plastic dryer vent minus the flapper as the outside rain shield and then a piece of plastic gutter against the wall to hide the line sets.

Michael

 

[sammm]

Got started...barely. Cut an access door in the ceiling so I can fish the electrical across the garage. Breaker box on south wall, HVAC going on north wall...poor planning on my part!

 

[MushCreek]

Luckily, you won't need very heavy wire for that unit.

I didn't plan far enough ahead building my ICF house, and had to drill through 6" of concrete! I spent half a day, and destroyed three grit hole saws, but I got it done.

 

[sammm]

Finally made some good progress this weekend. Go the electrical finished, and mounted the inside and outside units. Next step is the get the HVAC guy out to do his thing and finish the copper pipe connections.

 

[Ben Buck]

Sammm, could you give us ( inquiring minds want to know ) a ball park dollar amount of your install ?

U be chillin soon!

 

[sammm]

^With the unit itself, mounting brackets, wire, breaker, misc hardware....I'm probably all-in around $1200 or so.

Not sure how much the HVAC is going to charge, I need to call him today. Hopefully around $100 or so.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Id sleeve it in a piece of pvc through the wall,then seal it with thumb gum when youre done.

I think I know what you are talking about but can you list a "preferred" brand ?

 

[ambenz]

Hanging it high on the wall away from the ground is very nice.
You got the eves sorta protecting it and less wiring needed to connect it all.
Looks like the hole in the brick work can be just mortared in or caulked...good job so far!

 

[sammm]

^Thanks. I wanted it up off the ground...figured it would help keep some of the critters and debris out of it. I can run the mower and weed-eater under it too.

 

[squarles67]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the unit? I'm looking at installing one soon.

 

[sammm]

^http://www.thermospace.com/ductless_split/daikin-rxn09kevju5.php

 

[squarles67]

Thanks

 

[sammm]

Called the company who installed our Trane home system 9 years ago, and found out they are also a Daikin dealer. Guy came out today, finished the connections and got me up and running. I'm very happy with how it turned out, and amazed by how quiet it is!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread...