My Mr. Cool DIY Arrived Today!

[Jakemedic]

Howdy!
I am excited! My Mr. Cool DIY mini split arrived undamaged via UPS today! Still a few days away from being able to install it, but it is nice that it is in my possession. Ingrams took 10 days to ship after ordering. Shipping only took 3 days, although the line set cover will arrive tomorrow. Am just putting up my horizontal nailers up and will be putting 3/4” BCX on the walls ahead of installing the unit. The top 2’ will be metal. Haven’t ordered it yet. I will post a how to off this post for the install. The dedicated 20 amp circuit with external disconnect is already in place. Cooling my new shop is right around the corner!

 

[dogdog]

In for some Info.

 

[nadogail]

May you get many years of service from your new AC as you enjoy good health.

 

[Monte406SS]

Congrats!!! Ordered mine Sunday night, cannot wait for it to show up. Good luck

 

[Bull]

I just learned about these things the other night via a YouTube video. I had no idea DIY mini splits were out there. Looking forward to seeing how it goes for you. I got an estimate to install one to heat and cool both levels of my 24x32 garage. Yikes on the price.

 

[My Old Tools]

I installed my 36k over two days last week. It works great. You'll love it.

 

[Jakemedic]

Thanks for all the kind words. The line set cover came today. Going tomorrow to get some plywood for the walls so hopefully this weekend I can get that part done. The temps have been in the 90’s for days. I am so looking forward to ac. I do know I won’t get the whole benefit till I get my insulation and ceiling in.

 

[Black Oak]

Tell us a little about your shop , and the type work you do . What size Mini Split did you choose ? There has been a lot of stuff on back order , no matter where you look . I'd be excited too .

 

[Monte406SS]

Can't wait to see. Mine came yesterday, so Costco is turning these around within a week, at least the 12k units. Still waiting on my Lineguard from Ingrams, not sure when that is coming. Would prefer to have it before I did the install so I could do it all at once. Busy weekend, will install next weekend.

Good luck with your install

 

[Jakemedic]

Can't wait to see. Mine came yesterday, so Costco is turning these around within a week, at least the 12k units. Still waiting on my Lineguard from Ingrams, not sure when that is coming. Would prefer to have it before I did the install so I could do it all at once. Busy weekend, will install next weekend.

Good luck with your install

You too Greg! My retirement job got in the way a bit, along with crappy plywood at Menards. Was all ready to buy 26 sheets and when the first three were bad, I gave up and walked. May try Home Depot this week, but they are 60 miles away.

 

[Jakemedic]

Tell us a little about your shop , and the type work you do . What size Mini Split did you choose ? There has been a lot of stuff on back order , no matter where you look . I'd be excited too .

I got a 18k DIY unit. It is a new woodworking shop build, 24x32 with 10’ walls. A sort of retirement present to myself. Included a couple of older pics, haven’t taken any recently but will. One corner left to put up my horizontal wood and then the 2x12 I bought to hang the mini split on inside. That is the wall where the mini split will go. I have the electric run outside already.

 

[Monte406SS]

Nice shop!

 

[yeldogt]

what is the insulation ?

 

[Jakemedic]

Anco Products TextraFINE® insulation Google them and find a local dealer. Cheaper than Menards post frame insulation and very nice to work with.

 

[yeldogt]

Anco Products TextraFINE® insulation Google them and find a local dealer. Cheaper than Menards post frame insulation and very nice to work with.

I have never seen it ---- seems like they only make it sized for a pole building. I have no experience with pole buildings ... It looked like a rockwool type product in your picture

 

[Black Oak]

I got a 18k DIY unit. It is a new woodworking shop build, 24x32 with 10’ walls. A sort of retirement present to myself. Included a couple of older pics, haven’t taken any recently but will. One corner left to put up my horizontal wood and then the 2x12 I bought to hang the mini split on inside. That is the wall where the mini split will go. I have the electric run outside already.

My shop is 100% woodworking also . The critical thing to me was keeping "dust" out of the air handler . I built a filter inspired by what Jay Bates built . Mine uses 2 12 x 24 filters placed end to end , roughly 12" x 48" . I find the inner filter of the air handler stays clean . I do think dust collection must be part of the plan if you use a Mini Split . Otherwise , you've got a mess in that air handler - quick .

 

[purediesel]

Anco Products TextraFINE® insulation Google them and find a local dealer. Cheaper than Menards post frame insulation and very nice to work with.

What is the price comparison to other products? Also did you have a local dealer or did they ship it to you?

 

[Jakemedic]

What is the price comparison to other products? Also did you have a local dealer or did they ship it to you?

I emailed the company on Memorial Day weekend for a local vendor. The guy actually got back to me during the weekend. Turned out there was a vendor within 60 miles of me. I called, ensured that they had the product and my bride and I drove down to Amish Country and purchased it. Price wise, I did the entire 24x32 shop with 10’ walls for less than 600.00. Menards price was a grand. Wish they had a product for the ceiling. It was very easy to work with.

 

[Jakemedic]

I have never seen it ---- seems like they only make it sized for a pole building. I have no experience with pole buildings ... It looked like a rockwool type product in your picture

It is a blend of fiberglass with a stiffness. Was not floppy at all and has something mixed in that resists mold. I have zero experience with post frame construction. I was surely not going to build a wall within a wall to insulate. That takes the value out of this type of construction. The lack of thermal breaks should make a huge difference, at least I’d like to believe anyhow. Wiring was really simple, lots of staples, not many 5/8” holes to drill. I didn’t want to surface mount my electric, due to the woodworking nature of the building.

 

[Jakemedic]

My shop is 100% woodworking also . The critical thing to me was keeping "dust" out of the air handler . I built a filter inspired by what Jay Bates built . Mine uses 2 12 x 24 filters placed end to end , roughly 12" x 48" . I find the inner filter of the air handler stays clean . I do think dust collection must be part of the plan if you use a Mini Split . Otherwise , you've got a mess in that air handler - quick .

I would love to see pictures of your shop, and especially the air handler filter. I remember seeing Jay Bates video a while ago. Will need to revisit that and actually build something for that. Dust collection is planned. I have a 240v Jet collector waiting to be installed. I should bring it out and use it now, the miter saw makes a ton of dust. I couldn’t decide which side of the shop to put it, so I ran dedicated circuit to both sides of the building. With the building being post frame and the full foundation, I am going to run the ducts for it along the bottom of the walls I believe anyhow. I will have 2 1/4 inch overhang from the walls to the foundation.

I also bought an overhead furnace running on natural gas for heating. I was spooked with the electric heat option. It gets mighty cold here in the cornfields of Iowa!

I remember listening to Black Oak Arkansas when I was a kid. Your user name brought a smile this morning, thanks!

 

[impalatom]

Jakemedic, we moved from Fairfield Iowa to Florida a little over a year ago. Sounds like we came from the same neck of the woods. I want to install a mini split down here too. It gets at least as hot and humid hear as it does in Iowa

 

[Jakemedic]

Jakemedic, we moved from Fairfield Iowa to Florida a little over a year ago. Sounds like we came from the same neck of the woods. I want to install a mini split down here too. It gets at least as hot and humid hear as it does in Iowa

It is all the corn here that makes it so darn humid! It’s been very nice for a few days here, low humidity and reasonable temps!

 

[Jakemedic]

Got the unit installed and cooling. Will post details after I gloat for a little while and get ny line set cover installed.

 

[Monte406SS]

Congrats

 

[jeremybarnes]

I installed mine about 3 months ago. 36k unit in a 35x40 foot shop, 14' to the rafters and 19' to the peak. It's a pole barn, using bubble-wrap insulation (R13, I believe) on the walls and ceiling. Two 10'x12' heavily insulated roll-up doors and 2 insulated walk-doors, plus three double-pane windows. The roof is a dark grey, so I've not helped the unit in any way there, though the building is shielded from a lot of sun as it's tucked among some trees and cut into a hillside.

We're in middle Tennessee, near Nashville, so no real temp extremes, but it has no issue keeping a steady 74 degrees and 35-50% humidity in the space when it's a solid 90 and 90 outside. Winter plans will call for thermostat settings in the mid- to high-60s, which, based on the cooling performance, I assume won't be an issue either.

Electrical costs are approx $40/month so far.

It's a brilliant machine, took me about 1/2 a day to install. Cannot recommend it or the Ingrams customer service highly enough.

Jeremy.

 

[Black Oak]

jakemedic :There's not much to see in my filter box that Jay did different . They slide in on the rt. side , small cleats hold them in place . Black Oak's singer , Jim Dandy lives about 4 doors away . He's a friend .

 

[Jakemedic]

jakemedic :There's not much to see in my filter box that Jay did different . They slide in on the rt. side , small cleats hold them in place . Black Oak's singer , Jim Dandy lives about 4 doors away . He's a friend .

Now that is REALLY cool! Black Oak was a favorite during the blur that was my teens and early 20's. I have something in mind for a filter, will look at it more in the next couple of days. I have not put anything in place for the top 2' of walls. I am planning on using steel for that, but nothing is set in stone. The head unit sits exactly at the 8' level. Maybe will use plywood for above the unit, makes adding a filter easier. Will post more pics in the coming day of so.

It is amazing to get rid of the humidity and lower the temp........ even without a ceiling. That will come next, along with installing the lighting that is siting in my garage. I have power pulled, just nothing to connect multiple lights. Should not be too much of an issue...... Do need to put attic access in place.

Take care !!!
Jake

 

[thirdgoat]

Jeremy, I live in Huntsville and I'm looking to install a 36k unit in my 30x50 shop/garage. It is pretty much for hobby use, restoring and working on my old cars. I have a spray foamed ceiling that is covered with OSB. It is about 18/19' high to the center of the ceiling, with storage trusses that are 13' deep on the gable ends, so only the center 24' is that high. The walls are R13 batts covered with OSB, insulated doors, etc. The ceiling height under the storage truss area is right about 10.5 feet, so approximately half the space has a 10.5 ' ceiling. I also have provisions for two ceiling fans in the center area, just have not installed any as of yet. Based on your description, you are just slightly under mine in square footage, but with a greater overall "space" Anything you would have done different? Did you even consider a 24k unit?
Thanks!

 

[3rdgendslmech]

Dude you'll love it!!! I got a 24K November of 19 and had it hooked up and running by Christmas. Same deal as you sort of. No ceiling what so ever. All but 1 wall insulated with R19 and osb. It kept the temps about 50 degrees in there when it was about 28 outside in the winter. I really got the most use out of it this summer between putting an addition on my deck, removing a skid steer power pack, and then removing and replacing flooring in my house. Soooo nice to be able to keep the temps below 80 and no humidity.

 

[komobu]

Looked at a couple of install videos. It surprised me that no evacuated their lineset with vacuum before opening up the ports. Any idea why? A whole line set of non combustables are being added to the system.

While overseas, I saw a company install one without using a vacuum pump on the lineset. He used a purge method. He tightened three fittings, leaving the fourth at the condenser high side loose. Then he just cracked the low side port on the condenser. He waited a couple seconds for the refrigerant to go through the low side pushing the air out of the loose fitting. As the refrigerant went through the line to the air handler, then through the high side line back to the condenser; all the way the refrigerant was pushing the air out through the loose 4th fitting. As soon as refrigerant started to escape through the loose fitting, he tightened the fitting.

If I was installing I would try to use a vacuum pump first. If I absolutely had to, I may try the purge method. I sure wouldnt allow the air in the lineset to mix with my refrigerant.

 

[jeremybarnes]

Thirdgoat: Frankly, I was lazy when it came to insulation... I bought the best insulation package the company that built my shop offered, and I've stopped there (by the way, if anyone's in the Tennessee/Kentucky area and looking for a wonderful company to build their post-frame building, consider Keystone Construction out of southern Kentucky!).

Long-term, I'm considering properly insulating the ceiling as I know that's where most of my heat-gain is coming from (especially with the darker roof), and I assume where my winter heat-loss will go, but I really like the airy look of the open rafters at the moment. I'll leave it until I can't live with it, but at the moment it's really not an issue.

In all honesty, when I was wiring and hanging my lights, it was at least 10 degrees warmer at 14' than at ground level, but that hasn't apparently been an issue for the unit as the condenser fan outside generally spins quite slowly and sometimes -- mornings until about noon-ish -- doesn't spin at all as it's not needed. As I noted, I've been able to hold an easy 74 degrees and 35-50% humidity at ground level, and just to see what it'd do, I've had it as cool as 65 when it was 90 outside, so I can't complain. It does pump out quite a lot of condensate, so I know it's doing its job.

I didn't consider a smaller unit, mostly because I was worried about all that uninsulated space above the rafters making the shop hot and humid. Like you, my space is used for car storage and is a hobby shop, so humidity control was critical for me - my old cars are all English, and I swear I can just about hear them rusting if it's too humid!

Anyway, it's possible a smaller unit would have worked, but the cost really wasn't that different up-front, and other than the indoor air-handler being heavier than a smaller unit and thus harder to hang on my own, I wouldn't do it differently if I had it to do again. My delivery was delayed b/c of COVID, but Ingram's was amazing and called me as soon as shipping was ready. The truck driver who delivered it couldn't have been nicer or more friendly either.

Hope this helps you and any one else, happy to provide any other thoughts on what and why I did what I did if it'll be of any use.

Jeremy.

 

[SALIV8]

Looked at a couple of install videos. It surprised me that no evacuated their lineset with vacuum before opening up the ports. Any idea why? A whole line set of non combustables are being added to the system.

While overseas, I saw a company install one without using a vacuum pump on the lineset. He used a purge method. He tightened three fittings, leaving the fourth at the condenser high side loose. Then he just cracked the low side port on the condenser. He waited a couple seconds for the refrigerant to go through the low side pushing the air out of the loose fitting. As the refrigerant went through the line to the air handler, then through the high side line back to the condenser; all the way the refrigerant was pushing the air out through the loose 4th fitting. As soon as refrigerant started to escape through the loose fitting, he tightened the fitting.

If I was installing I would try to use a vacuum pump first. If I absolutely had to, I may try the purge method. I sure wouldnt allow the air in the lineset to mix with my refrigerant.

The mr cool diy has precharged linesets. They do not require anything. Just tighten the proprietary fittings and youre done.

 

[OneOfEm]

I ordered a 36K DIY a few weeks ago while they were on backorder, and it shipped via carrier yesterday via freight carrier (Averitt).

Looks like I need to change direction and run the power for the unit.

 

[Jakemedic]

I ordered a 36K DIY a few weeks ago while they were on backorder, and it shipped via carrier yesterday via freight carrier (Averitt).

Looks like I need to change direction and run the power for the unit.

Power for my 18k unit wasn’t too difficult to accomplish. I have pics but haven’t taken the time to post them yet.

 

[OneOfEm]

Well, the shipping company arrived today with two condensers and no air handlers.

Thankfully the address for another shipment (local) was on the second condenser, and the driver verified that there are two air handlers sitting at the dock in their warehouse to have been loaded for a delivery tomorrow.

I should have it Thursday.

 

[turtleman321]

hopefully they remembered you lineset box.

I received my 36k setup last thursday. started the install only to realize I was missing the lineset, wall sleeve and insulation tape.


Going on a week now of trying to figure it out. meanwhile have a nice 3 inch hole in the side of my garage and get knee surgery tomorrow.

 

[OneOfEm]

I didn't hear from the trucking company this morning so I called them. They said that they were delivering the air handler tomorrow. Good thing I'm not planning on installing it this weekend.

 

[OneOfEm]

hopefully they remembered you lineset box.

I received my 36k setup last thursday. started the install only to realize I was missing the lineset, wall sleeve and insulation tape.

You were correct. I got an email from Ingrams saying that the lineset shipped today.

The driver delivered the air handler a bit ago.

 

[yeldogt]

Looked at a couple of install videos. It surprised me that no evacuated their lineset with vacuum before opening up the ports. Any idea why? A whole line set of non combustables are being added to the system.

While overseas, I saw a company install one without using a vacuum pump on the lineset. He used a purge method. He tightened three fittings, leaving the fourth at the condenser high side loose. Then he just cracked the low side port on the condenser. He waited a couple seconds for the refrigerant to go through the low side pushing the air out of the loose fitting. As the refrigerant went through the line to the air handler, then through the high side line back to the condenser; all the way the refrigerant was pushing the air out through the loose 4th fitting. As soon as refrigerant started to escape through the loose fitting, he tightened the fitting.

If I was installing I would try to use a vacuum pump first. If I absolutely had to, I may try the purge method. I sure wouldnt allow the air in the lineset to mix with my refrigerant.

This is common all over the world .... see this all the time in Asia and Africa. No pump down. When I was in Singapore one time years ago they were retrofitting them in the recently rebuilt part of of a 1st class hotel ... I spoke to one of the guys in charge and he told me the secret .... we only do the connections and startup on days that are dry and not raining!

It was a hotel I stayed at quite often ...