Minisplit drain line questions

[Catatafish]

How do you guys handle the drain line on these minisplits?

Do you drain outside or inside? Im wondering if the drain condensate stinks similar to how window bangers do? Do you need to use a pump of some sort if you line set goes higher than the indoor unit?

If you drain inside is it "really" safe to use it in a rez for feeding? Wondering how pure the water is or if its contaminated.


I have the ability to do it either way just trying to get some more knowledge so i can decide how to handle it. Was thinking about just hanging the drain pipe in a shower in room behind wall hoping that my septic system will cover up the funk with a different type of funk ;-0

Sorry for so many ?'s

 

[Coconutz]

I wouldnt use it as foliar, but it should be fine for the rez

 

[flyer81]

I cut into my walls and found a drain pipe and then ran it on the exterior of the walls to where I needed it to be. I now have a drain conveniently within 7 feet of all of my reservoirs for easy changes. At the same time though I put in an RO system which also drains into this pipe. The RO water line splits off and goes to float valves in each of my reservoirs. Now I just have to maintain PH and EC! Its great!

 

[Catatafish]

i was kinda thinking about doing something similar....although im not a plumber by any means

I have a bathroom/shower on the same wall i was thinking of putting minisplit head unit.

Might have to do some learnin'

 

[flyer81]

Friend, do some learning. its worth it. The work is NOT at all that hard to do. Seriously, it was just PVC pipe, some PVC primer, and PVC glue. All of the pipe connections are slip some fittings so plan out what/how much pipe you need to get where you want to go (elbows, straight pipe, Tees, nipples, etc), and then cut to length, apply primer to 1" on the end of the pipe and also on the inside of the PVC fittings... wait a minute or two to l et it dry, then apply the pvc glue first around the inside of the fitting and then around the end of the pipe and then push them together. Hold them together tight for 30 seconds or so and then you are good to go. Be liberal with the glue.

Is not hard and a worthwhile skill. I can run PVC for water, plumbing, electrical, networking and its all the same skill.

 

[flyer81]

It sounds like you will have to do some drywall too. Thats not hard either. Learn how to do this and make everything nice and neat. Its cheap and easy to do. I put PVC through my walls but rather than using tape to close the gaps and prevent light leaks between the two rooms I used plaster and patched the gaps around the pipes. Everything looks like its supposed to be there see. even though its a room that very few people will ever Im in a state that is trending towards and I am legal under medical reccomendation so I have built everything out with longevity in mind. Make it nice and neat. Its worth the extra effort and you learn and perfect a skill that can be used throughout your whole life.

Because of my hobby I have learned:
Electrical work
Drywall
plumbing
and last but not least, gardening.

Learn how to do your own work. If something goes wrong... its your system. YOu built it. So you know exactly what its SUPPOSED to look like and what is wrong/broken pops out.

 

[zem]

errrrr.... I suggest that you either filter and sterilize that ac water or just dump it to the nearest drain. ac water contains very nasty bacteria. i have been there... as long as the ac itself is higher than the drain hose, you are fine even if the hose has to zigzag up and down. good luck

 

[the gnome]

i posted this in another thread on drainage
personally i wouldn't use the condensate runoff, as zem said there's nasties in it
use a P-trap
my AC, Co2 water gen and dehueys are on a 3/4" pvc with a premade condensate Ptrap
or you can make it using a heat gun or torch and gently bending the pipe... but they are a couple bucks at the most to buy.
the Ptrap is important, with out it there is a direct line to where ever your draining.
if its the sewer, gas and bugs will have a direct line to your garden, if outside...again bugs and smell can be vented through the pipe

here's mine
View Image

 

[ganjourno]

There are definitely nasties - the condensate is typically a milky color and I do not suggest using it in the rez.