New Mitsubishi/Trane mini split failed after 4 months. Total garbage.

[H2R]

Nothing can stop a Trane except for shoddy construction and some lightly inclement weather. So frustrated. Paid 9K for a Mitsubishi/Trane split system for the garage. Noticed that once ambient temps started dipping below 40 the unit more or less quit heating. Went and looked at main unit and the thing was a block of ice top to bottom inside and out. It was definitely going into defrost mode so figured it was a low charge. Called the guys who installed it and they tell me the heating pad is inop and had to order a part. Week 3, still no parts.

I realize that 'sh*t happens' but the entire point of spending almost 10K on a new mini split was to keep the garage above freezing. I've got a metric ton of stuff in there that ain't supposed to be below 40F that is now on it's way to 7F. If I had known that parts were unobtanium and it was going to take all winter to fix the thing I'd have sorted it out while the temps were still decent - or at least brought everything in the house. The installer kept telling me 'Wednesday', 'thursday' 'tomorrow' on parts so I figured it wasn't worth the hassle. Still no parts. Kicked that can all the way to the snowpocalypse. Found plenty of temporary heating solutions but none I'd want to leave unattended for weeks in a garage full of cars and flammable materials.

Lesson learned Trane. Never again.

/rant off

 

[PugetDude]

My experience was exactly the opposite.

 

[Jackfre]

Is the condensing unit sitting on a pad or is it elevated off the pad? Do you have the Hyper-heat model? It has the based pan heater built in. Mini-splits show poor heating usually due to low refrigerant charge. i would have that checked and I’d be bird-dogging the tech while he is doing so. A picture of the condensing unit would be helpful.

 

[yeldogt]

If it was installed correctly ... you were just unlucky

 

[danski0224]

Improper installation usually isn't the fault of the manufacturer....

 

[H2R]

Is the condensing unit sitting on a pad or is it elevated off the pad? Do you have the Hyper-heat model? It has the based pan heater built in. Mini-splits show poor heating usually due to low refrigerant charge. i would have that checked and I’d be bird-dogging the tech while he is doing so. A picture of the condensing unit would be helpful.

It's slightly elevated. I'll take pics the next time I'm out there. How far off the pad should it be?

Improper installation usually isn't the fault of the manufacturer....

Yeah, but parts availability is.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

It should be about 2 feet off the ground.

 

[American Locomotive]

I don't think the unit should be turning into a block of ice with a 40 degree ambient. It should hardly need to defrost at all, if ever at those temperatures. Sounds like a bad install.

 

[fitter30]

Unit needs to elevated over the snow line. Unit parts under warranty doesn't matter if its a mits or trane the other manufacturer will not give the other the part under warranty they would sell them the part no different than any other. Anything mechanical can and will break. As for parts availability even the few that are made in usa are just assembled here. The contractor and installation crew is more important that that equipment manufacture.

 

[Jackfre]

What happens when the unit is close to the pad is that as the unit does defrost the condensate must be allowed to drain out of the bottom of the unit freely. If the unit is on or to close to the pad an icicle will bridge the gap. That will grow until it fills the drain hole. It then builds internal to the condensing unit and can freeze the condenser fan, or the fan will turn and get a bit shorter.

 

[H2R]

What happens when the unit is close to the pad is that as the unit does defrost the condensate must be allowed to drain out of the bottom of the unit freely. If the unit is on or to close to the pad an icicle will bridge the gap. That will grow until it fills the drain hole. It then builds internal to the condensing unit and can freeze the condenser fan, or the fan will turn and get a bit shorter.

Pretty sure this is exactly what's happening.

 

[PoorUB]

It should be about 2 feet off the ground.

Only if you get measurable snow.

Many areas a foot or so is plenty if it is unusual to get snow.

 

[PoorUB]

Pretty sure this is exactly what's happening.

Take this advice with a bit of caution!!

Toss a tarp, old seeping bag, some blankets, what ever you can find to cover up the outdoor unit. Stick a 120 volt electric heater under the blanket and try thaw the unit. Fire is the danger here, you need room for air to circulate under the tarp and the tarp needs to be away from the heater. Once the unit is thawed, careful lift it and set a brick or two or a 4x4 under each end so it has a bit more clearance for water to run off, and start it up!
Remember, this is a bit risky, so be careful!!

My buddy has a mini split for his shop. It is mounted on a wall bracket, but no base heater. It froze up pretty bad a couple years ago. He got it thawed out with a bucket of burning charcoal in an old steel bucket and a tarp. He checked and found he could order a base pan heater and got it installed.

Also, if you haven't been paying attention, all kinds of **** is on back order and hard to get. It is surprising the weird stuff people can not find. Their was a post on here a while back and a guy was looking for 3/4" PVC elbows and nobody had any. That would be like McDonalds out of hamburger!

 

[danski0224]

Yeah, but parts availability is.

Lots of stuff can be in short supply or difficult to get these days, for some strange reason...

Is it a Trane part? Or a Mitsubishi part?

In any event, I'd be searching for it on my own.

It's also possible that the installer is making excuses.

 

[justinjoyal]

Nothing can stop a Trane except for shoddy construction and some lightly inclement weather. So frustrated. Paid 9K for a Mitsubishi/Trane split system for the garage. Noticed that once ambient temps started dipping below 40 the unit more or less quit heating. Went and looked at main unit and the thing was a block of ice top to bottom inside and out. It was definitely going into defrost mode so figured it was a low charge. Called the guys who installed it and they tell me the heating pad is inop and had to order a part. Week 3, still no parts.

I realize that 'sh*t happens' but the entire point of spending almost 10K on a new mini split was to keep the garage above freezing. I've got a metric ton of stuff in there that ain't supposed to be below 40F that is now on it's way to 7F. If I had known that parts were unobtanium and it was going to take all winter to fix the thing I'd have sorted it out while the temps were still decent - or at least brought everything in the house. The installer kept telling me 'Wednesday', 'thursday' 'tomorrow' on parts so I figured it wasn't worth the hassle. Still no parts. Kicked that can all the way to the snowpocalypse. Found plenty of temporary heating solutions but none I'd want to leave unattended for weeks in a garage full of cars and flammable materials.

Lesson learned Trane. Never again.

/rant off

Joins GJ only to rant about a product that failed most likely because of a bad install job. Hummm..

1. I've never had a pan heater go bad (but it could happen) and that would not make the thing turn into a block of ice.

2. Getting parts is tricky these days it appears. Maybe not the contractor's fault.

3. Heatpumps should NOT be the only heating source. I always advise my customers to have backup heat and if they choose otherwise, it's on them.

The lesson to learn here is to choose your contractor wisely. Oh, and 9k ? Must be one hell of a unit/install job because that's awfully expensive.

 

[H2R]

Joins GJ only to rant about a product that failed most likely because of a bad install job. Hummm..

1. I've never had a pan heater go bad (but it could happen) and that would not make the thing turn into a block of ice.

2. Getting parts is tricky these days it appears. Maybe not the contractor's fault.

3. Heatpumps should NOT be the only heating source. I always advise my customers to have backup heat and if they choose otherwise, it's on them.

The lesson to learn here is to choose your contractor wisely. Oh, and 9k ? Must be one hell of a unit/install job because that's awfully expensive.

Let me guess, you're French Canadian?

 

[toyotadriver]

I guess you CAN stop a Trane.......

Maybe you can't START a Trane!

Sorry to hear your troubles OP. Every company makes a lemon from time to time. To make matters worse, parts for almost everything are very hard to get right now.

 

[PWC Repair]

We have a smallish Trane dealer in my little town. Wins state awards and spots in the HVAC news for highest Trane sales in the state!! I guarantee you, he would have swapped out the unit or taken a new one apart to fix you up the next day! Sounds like the dealer has poor customer service. Several times through the years when I worked behind the counter, we would have to rob a part off a new unit. It takes care of your customer.......CUSTOMER SERVICE.....severely lacking everywhere these days!

 

[ace10]

Let me guess, you're French Canadian?

Let me guess, you've not tried to buy anything over the past two years?

 

[Jackfre]

As this thread has developed I have to say, I’m with Justin, French Canadian or just “a” Canadian, with a hell of a lot of knowledge on these things and willing to share it. Thanks Justin! I think you have a leak. They show themselves in the heating mode as the pressures are so high. It is why they reference “critical charge”. Your contractor needs to recover the remaining 410a, do a nitrogen pressure test at about 600#, find/fix the leak and recharge. He can then install the part when it arrives.

 

[H2R]

The pan heater is on backorder until March 2nd.

Thank God I don't have one of these things heating my house.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I work for a large financial institution. We use Mitsu minisplit systems for all the atm rooms. Hundreds of them. That’s all we spec. Must be a reason.

And i agree with justin ... even in canuck dollars, $9k is excessive, eh. :}

So between your high purchase price and poor service, you should be upset with the local company, not the manufacturer.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Improper installation usually isn't the fault of the manufacturer....

Nor are the current supply chain issues.

Trane and Mitsu are two of the best manufacturers I've dealt with over the course of my career.

Tommy

 

[H2R]

Anybody have a recommendation on an alternative to Trane?

 

[PugetDude]

Any of these company make fine happy unit to bring joyous satisfaction to your much comfort.
Buy one, I'll subscribe for the updates.

 

[PoorUB]

The pan heater is on backorder until March 2nd.

Thank God I don't have one of these things heating my house.

Have you gotten the part number and searched for the pan heater on the internet, eBay perhaps?

I can understand your aggravation, but you bought one of the best brands out there. **** happens, it was just your turn. Get the part, get it fixed and move on.

I certainly would not replace it at this point! it could have happened to any brand. some items are simply hard to get right now.

 

[PWC Repair]

Anybody have a recommendation on an alternative to Trane?

I can't say I have any experience at all with mini splits. BUT, I can tell you that one of the biggest commercial HVAC outfits in Arkansas switched from Trane to Daikin several years back. I used to deal with their local commercial tech almost every week, super nice and knowledgeable guy.

 

[FredWanaker]

I think I'd at least try to get the tech out. It doesn't sound like that has happened yet. That said, can't one just aim a torpedo heater at it far enough away to just heat the air around it to 70F - 80F for a couple hours to melt the ice and then make sure the drain works as designed? Once it is thawed out the techs should be able to verify the charge.

 

[justinjoyal]

Let me guess, you're French Canadian?

I am. Does it matter ?

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I am. Does it matter ?

Apparently it matters to him, but i fail to see a reason for the comment.

 

[H2R]

Apparently it matters to him, but i fail to see a reason for the comment.

Canadians are normally nice but his comments were abrasive and condescending with a touch of French arrogance. I was curious.

Nailed it.

 

[FredWanaker]

Canadians are normally nice but his comments were abrasive and condescending with a touch of French arrogance. I was curious.

Nailed it.

Had an ex-brother in law who was Acadiens. Always an interesting experience when he was involved.

 

[justinjoyal]

Canadians are normally nice but his comments were abrasive and condescending with a touch of French arrogance. I was curious.

Nailed it.

Actually, I simply adapted my comment to your initial post. I guess the taste of your own medicine wasn’t so nice.

I have a tendency to get irritated when I see people join a forum only to randomly complain about stuff that makes no sense to me. I didn’t mean to offend you.

Btw, « nailing it » must be quite easy considering it says « Quebec » in my location.

Good evening to you.

 

[EngineerNate]

My local Lowe's had zero old work boxes of any sort for like three months.

The local car dealerships... Ghost towns.

Your parts are probably stuck on a boat in a harbor somewhere.

 

[Jackfre]

Having 35 yrs in the Manuf Rep industry in HVAC & PH, and 20 working with the tools in the business this has been an interesting thread. I’ve been out of it for about 4 yrs now. The Trane/Mitsu equipment confused me somewhat. Is it a Trane labeled Mitsu or a straight Mitsu unit? It matters to me as I represented Fujitsu for 15 yrs and recall that Fujitsu private labeled product for Friedrich for several years in the early ‘00’s. As the Fujitsu Reps, across the country, we were pissed. We felt better when informed that the top of the line product offering was not available to Friedrich. They were at least one series behind the prime line so we had the line to sell and support. The reason I bring this up is that I always questioned dealers who were willing to support the private labeled products over the original manuf when both were in the market. I always felt that the dealers were buying points for a trip or whatever the distributor had as a promotion over dealing with the original manufacturer. Over the years this private labeling has been common on mini-splits. If you go to the big HVAC show (AHR which was just in Vegas last week) You will see dozens of Asian manuf & you will then see Mitsu, Fujitsu, Daikin, Gree and maybe a couple other big direct sellers. Toshiba comes to mind for me as they are the supplier of Carrier mini’s. They over the last 30 yrs have private labeled many known American brands for short periods. The problem that arises here is support as our OP is finding, perhaps. I welcome you to try buying parts for a Burnham boiler labeled Toshiba. Why would a manuf who is also in the market in their own name/brand offer their top products to another top competing brand? Why would an “informed” consumer support that branded product? To the OP, you are like a dog on a bone on blaming T/M. That may seem and may be a bit harsh, but from what you are describing you probably have at least a couple contractor mistakes. One the mounting of the unit and two I strongly suspect a leak. I have to say that I have make the same leak mistake so I am really familiar with its characteristics. Does your unit have the base pan heater or is it a 5*f model. They do not have a base pan heater. Only the -20*f rated units have the BPH. What do you have? I previously said that I agreed with Justin. Justin has several years here offering help to many. He is a pro and has been a gentleman for all of the years taht I have followed his posts, and I always look for them, offering his knowledge and experience. Your cheap shot Canadian comment is totally out of line and just low. You are a newbie, have pretty much acknowledged almost none of the technical help and held dearly to the Trane Bit*h which gets you nowhere. I wish you the best but you owe Justin an apology. Just my opinion, but Justin is a hand! You? We’ll see.

 

[gmcgeo]

Things happen, With product being backorder and no one can get anything in the time we use to. at some point something will fell with a new product to someone, unfortunately it was you. Over come it. move forward.

Looks like you have burned your bridges here, just like you did with Trane.

Its time to rant elsewhere.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Why would a manuf who is also in the market in their own name/brand offer their top products to another top competing brand?

To keep the factory at full production. Cash flow.

 

[yeldogt]

Trying to figure all the mini-split stuff out makes ones head spin .... all the USA based companies are way way behind the curve. I have never understood it ..... I encountered my first Mini back in the late 60's in Japan. We lived there in for about 18months around 1970 when I was not quite 10 years old. They were kind of rare then -- but, my mother was not about to live in a house w/o AC or enough heat. Having lived and traveled all over -- this is all you ever saw going in outside of the USA. Even in the 00's when they all started to go variable speed there was this idea that hey would never take hold .. it's crazy. In many older homes they are the solution -- in many new builds they are they best way to AC.

Carrier partnered with Midea --- huge and based in China. They may be the biggest maker in the world. The Trane Mitsubishi is an interesting fit and I know it pissed off Mitsubshi dealers ..... especially since in my neck of the woods they are all Carrier dealers. Trane was still putting two reciprocating compressors in the best split system they sold way after that type were dead ....

Toshiba makes the compressors for Mitsiubshi ..... and many others. They also make the compressors for the best line of split Carrier systems. You see Toshiba listed on many makes -- they have a huge factory in China.

It does not surprise me that parts are hard to get ..... although one would think the defrost coil on the pan would not be a hard thing to get since they don't make many styles

 

[jjrbus]

The bulk of mini failures are due to improper installation.

 

[yeldogt]

The bulk of mini failures are due to improper installation.

They can leak as they work at high pressures ..... there was some bad tubing out there as well.

Agree the fittings are a weak point and IMO -- that's install -- the flare should be ditched.