Possible to move a DIY/quick connect mini split after install?

[Zarezhu]

Hey guys,
I'm just trying to finalize a little bit of research as I raise the last of the money to buy a mini split.

I'm looking at the 24k btu heatpump friedrich breeze unit. Almost 18 seer, comes with 25' of vacuumed and precharged lineset, for $2000. Simply connect lineset, open the valve, and its good to go.

It's an extremely easy install, while saving hundreds by not needing an HVAC pro bring out his vacuum pump and nitrogen tank and what not.

I can also chose to purchase the tools myself, and learn to flare my own lineset, vacuum it, check for leaks, etc., I'm just not sure how expensive this route would be.

However, I will not be able to use this grow room forever, it's on a friends property and I'm not naïve enough to expect it to last indefinitely. I'm expecting anywhere from 3 to 12 harvests out of it before I have to remove all my equipment and set up elsewhere.

How do I go about taking down, relocating, and restarting the Friedrich Breeze? Do I chop off the old lineset and buy a new quick connect lineset each time I move the unit? Or is there a way to unplug it, relocate, and reconnect it, without losing all the refrigerant and kinking the lineset?

I'm going to install a second mini split in the same room after a harvest and panel upgrade, and I plan to install multiple other AC split systems over the next few years. Should I just buy the nitrogen tank/vacuum pump/manifold gauge and learn to do my own systems right now? Not even worry about the DIY simplicity? This seems like it would possibly make it easier and cheaper for me for when I actually need to relocate the AC units, I just don't know HOW. Or how expensive it would be to purchase the nitrogen tank/vac pump/micron reader/ etc??

 

[TheLearningOne]

I'm no a/c guy but I was interested in the same question the other day so I called a budy who does a/c and he said it depends on the valves on the compressing unit, if it has the right valves then all you do is vacuum the system down and shut the valves then once you have it reinstalled you would have to vacuum it down to remove moisture in the line set and the reopen the valves and your good. I will post a picture of the valves mine has tomorrow and post so u can compare because he said mine were right.

 

[TheLearningOne]

PS if you have a auto zone or similar you can rent a vac pump and gauges, then remove the car fittings and hook them up. Just make shur the gauges show vacuum because some don't, harbour freight also sells vacuum pumps and gauge sets

 

[Asslover]

The pumping youre talking about is called a pump down. No vacuum pump is used.
Basically you hook up a gauge to the service port valve, turn on the unit to super cool (or set the temp real low), close the liquid side valve. When you gauge reads 0 shut the gas side valve and pull the service disconnect (or flip the breaker). Now all the gas is in the compressor, so the line set can be disconnected and the unit moved.
Now, I'm not sure though whether or not the line set has to be vacuumed when you reconnect. In a non-quick connect unit the line set has too be vacuumed if the unit is moved...

 

[queequeg152]

Hey guys,
I'm just trying to finalize a little bit of research as I raise the last of the money to buy a mini split.

I'm looking at the 24k btu heatpump friedrich breeze unit. Almost 18 seer, comes with 25' of vacuumed and precharged lineset, for $2000. Simply connect lineset, open the valve, and its good to go.

It's an extremely easy install, while saving hundreds by not needing an HVAC pro bring out his vacuum pump and nitrogen tank and what not.

I can also chose to purchase the tools myself, and learn to flare my own lineset, vacuum it, check for leaks, etc., I'm just not sure how expensive this route would be.

However, I will not be able to use this grow room forever, it's on a friends property and I'm not naïve enough to expect it to last indefinitely. I'm expecting anywhere from 3 to 12 harvests out of it before I have to remove all my equipment and set up elsewhere.

How do I go about taking down, relocating, and restarting the Friedrich Breeze? Do I chop off the old lineset and buy a new quick connect lineset each time I move the unit? Or is there a way to unplug it, relocate, and reconnect it, without losing all the refrigerant and kinking the lineset?

I'm going to install a second mini split in the same room after a harvest and panel upgrade, and I plan to install multiple other AC split systems over the next few years. Should I just buy the nitrogen tank/vacuum pump/manifold gauge and learn to do my own systems right now? Not even worry about the DIY simplicity? This seems like it would possibly make it easier and cheaper for me for when I actually need to relocate the AC units, I just don't know HOW. Or how expensive it would be to purchase the nitrogen tank/vac pump/micron reader/ etc??

your unique situations leads me to believe that you would benefit from some fairly rudimentary hvac skills and learning.

IMO you should get a refrigerant license.

I did this last summer when things were slow at my office, and i had not much to do. It took me like... maby 20-30 hours of study, and a week of reading the included study material.
half that time spent was me memorizing a table of refrigerant static pressures at like 5 different temperatures... i later learned that the same table was to be included as reference material during the test.

studying for the test will equip you with most of the skills you need to handle the issues you are asking about. its a good way to learn some basic skills, AND get a little rewarding gleeful bump of pride for doing it.

The test is absurdly easy, and after you obtain the license, you will get a little shiny card with your license number that you can offer to places like john stone, or what ever hvac supply house is in your area.

the license is needed to legally buy most refrigerants obviously, BUT it also acts as a sort of... certification, telling the hvac supply houses that you are not a moron. Most will not allow you to purchase items, or open an account without a license.

regarding your other question, about tools. on the higher end, like for those looking to work for themselves, you would be looking at like 2 grand for a decent professional setup including hand tools, scale, fancy manifold, tube bender, and all what ever else.

on the low end, used vacuum pump, used gauges, used micron gauge, collection of parts and tools, and a decent 8lb charging cylinder with heating element... you are looking at 500 600 bucks likely.

 

[queequeg152]

regarding how you should go about the relocation. as someone else pointed out, the system itself can pump down the lineset evaporator etc it self.
depending on the system it may or may not be able to vacuum down hard enough to negate the need to do a vacuum recovery of the residual refrigerant. during this pump down, the refrigerant will condense and collect in the liquid receiver.

you then shut the service valves, and break the vacuum with some nitrogen to keep moisture out of your line-set and evaporator. if you do not wish to keep the line set then you can just cut it away form the evaporator unit with some ratcheting cutting dikes. leave like 2 feet of pipe on the evaporator, and crimp shut the openings or cap them with something water tight. you can cut away the crimped ends, and what ever else you need to later during the reinstall.

please do not vent refrigerant to the atmosphere more than is necessary, ie quick connect burps etc.

a nitrogen tank will cost you a 200 dollar deposit, and about 15-25 bucks to refill. you will need a suitable pressure regulator that's going to cost like 50 bucks.