Mini Split Icing Over

[Grateful D]

Anybody know anything about Mini Splits? I installed a Mr.Cool 24,000BTU mini split about a month ago, and all the sudden i went in my room yesterday, and it was only blowing moderately cold air, instead of the really cold air it usually blows, and the low pressure line was pretty iced over.... I turned it off for several hours to defrost it, but it still ices over whenever I turn the temp down. Im assuming this is possibly from a leak and lack of Freon... anybody else ever have this happen? and if so what was the cause? thanks

 

[DemonTrich]

Subbd

Otherwise, how do you like the mr cool? I'm about to buy then same one.

 

[Speed of green]

Whats your ambient outdoor temp? Other than that you're right on the low refrigerant, whoever installed it should have vacuumed the lines for some time to make sure there weren't any leaks.

I have a 36k Mr.slim and it works flawlessly, damn near silent operation. I don't have experience with other brands so I'm somewhat bias.

 

[DemonTrich]

What's the lowest outside temp you've had yours running? It can get to 0* here sometimes.

 

[n_d_ledz]

low on freon or your room is pretty nasty and the coils have clogged up in a very short time period.

 

[queequeg152]

under charge can cause icing, but so can a bunch of other shit.

check your coil, increase fan speed and check low side pressure.

is this thing a VRF unit? does it hav EEV's? if so it should be throwing codes for low refrigerant pressure/ low high side pressure.

 

[NEW ENGLAND]

Have you tried cleaning the filters in the head

 

[OldPhart]

I don't know the specific unit you are running, but with *most* mini splits, there is no such thing as a low/high or liquid/vapor line. the entire line set and indoor air handler are on the "low" side. This means that there is no such thing as being able to check the charge. Only way to set the charge *properly* is to evacuate the system, fix the leaks, then weigh the charge back into it. I would make sure of all the silly stuff first, like checking filters and coils for obstructions. If you could get your hands on a Freon leak detector, that would be handy. If this is an inverter based system, it is possible that the variable metering valve is f'n up. If you can rule out any leaks, this is probably going to turn into a royal pain, they are not built for serviceability. At any rate, it sucks that it is jacking up so soon, these things are suppose to be set it and forget it.

 

[queequeg152]

no there is a high side on all ac equipment.
its just that many minisplits will not have an instrument port/ service valve on the high side.

most manufacturers these days want you to weigh in charges, its not just the minisplit manufacturers.

its just a better way to charge a system, though you can do it via sub cooling and super heat... its just not especially accurate considering the house might be hot as shit, or the outside air temp might be cold as shit.

 

[Grateful D]

The Mr.Cool has been great, I got the 24000 BTU, the regular one not the DIY. I really like it so far, and it was cheap only $1000. It turned out to be low Freon, I added some to it and now its working great again. Im not sure if I have a leak (Cant find one with soapy water or freon leak sniffer) or the compressor just came with a shitty charge. The unit I have has low ambient temp, so it works down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. But i installed after the dead of winter, so I havent had a chance to try in real cold temps yet. Thats why I got it, the window unit was freezing up and making alot of noise when it got to cold out. It was a great investment, It allows me to run 4k with no fans sealed to add Co2. I actually installed the compressor in the attic and not outside, since I have an attic with alot of windows and airflow that is vented properly

 

[DemonTrich]

18k or 24k mini split
Currently 4x315cmh in ac hoods. I plan on removing the glass. I may possibly add 2 more 315cmh we glass removed as well. In an 8x12x7 sealed co2 room.

I currently rock a LG 14k btu portable.single hose with great results. The 14k I've ran for 3 yrs, so I'm sure it's on its way out.