4 ms·
Was there anything beyond the extra time/effort that made you regret going with a non-DIY model? I’m considering doing the non-DIY in next year or so.
by mrexroad 4y ago
Was there anything beyond the extra time/effort that made you regret going with a non-DIY model? I’m considering doing the non-DIY in next year or so.
- thedougd 4y agoNo, not at all. I enjoyed it but my wife had a different expectation of completion date than I. My advice is to get the tools, don't shortcut, so that you have confidence at each step. Stuff I had already specific to HVAC: -R-410a manifold, gauges, and hoses. Stuff I went out and bought: -Nitrogen tank pressure regulator and hose for HVAC. -Mandrel pipe bender -Flaring tool -Micron vacuum gauge -A slightly better copper pipe cutter and deburring tool. Stuff I rented/borrowed: -Vacuum pump from Autozone. Free. It was plenty big enough for a minisplit. -Full nitrogen cylinder rental from Airgas. Things I'm glad I did: -Used a wall mount instead of a pad for the compressor unit. Unit stays clean. - Pressure testing with nitrogen. It's worth the money and effort to know up front it doesn't leak. -Followed a more thorough procedure for vacuuming/drying which involves vacuuming down several times and flushing with nitrogen. I got a much better vacuum after subsequent flushes.
- mrexroad 4y agoThanks for the follow up! I understand completely. Somehow my wife stuck with me after more than a few significant home projects with misaligned expectations around completion. Re: wall mounting vs pad. Do you find noise transmission to be a nuisance?
- thedougd 4y agoI was on the lookout for it, as it was a concern of mine. I haven't noticed an issue. It's also mounted on an exterior wall of my garage. That wall lacks insulation but has drywall. It may be more of an issue if it shared a wall with a bedroom. The mount has rubber dampeners between the unit and the arms.