Off the grid HVAC solution - Mr. Cool | Demolition Ranch HQ Build Part 21
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- We installed a Mr. Cool DIY HVAC unit in Demolition Ranch Headquarters. This unit is super easy to install and it's also extremely efficient. Check it out!
Mr. Cool
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My wife thought I was building a Demolition Ranch HQ, I was actually just building the proverbial "dog house". I spend so much time in it, I figured I might as well be comfy. :)
😂
Owning up to what the comments were calling since the first vid!
Ngl I wouldn’t mind building a “doghouse” like this for my husband, sorry not sorry🤷🏼♀️😝
lmao
As part of the core MRCOOL team, and longtime viewer of Demolition Ranch and Vet Ranch... this is awesome. Just a note, the Mini-Stat only requires WiFi when using the Phone App - it operates on IR just like the remote.
I very well may buy one of these units for the shop JUST because of this video. Talk about DIY!
Nice job Eric, I also forgot you were the guy that did the April fools day concrete poor.....lol your sense of humour is brilliant thanks for the laughs.
Here in metric Canada we sometimes need to buy separate imperial adjustable wrenches for those southern products... :)
They forgot to mention that those Metric Adjustable wrenches were also left handed ones...!!!
Metric adjustable wrenches, one of my guys spent about 5 minutes looking for one and gave up and grabbed a combination wrench. We had a good laugh about it but then bossman came in and showed me an actual metric adjustable wrench made by Irwin.
My adjustable wrench is labeled metric.
I usually hear them called "all 16ths wrenches"
I called a new boss an asshole once because he told me to go get his Duct stretcher, was brand new to HVAC new construction at the time and didn't know it was a real tool lol.
I'm reading the comments here and I was gonna ask if that was the same thing as a left handed screwdriver 😂
Darren should really have his own channel! His energy and chatter are next level!
😂😂😂
Erik- The pull out connector from the disconnect box is not a fuse- it is the "disconnect plug" for the box. As an AC guy, I have preferred the breaker style disconnect boxes, as much because they do not leave a very hot, live 220 volts in the vicinity of the condenser (outside unit) when it needs cleaning (cottonwood floss kills more AC units in Texas than most any other cause) with high pressure water and solvent solutions. As a trade preference, we, the HVAC folks, don't say "aitch vac"- but "aitch vee ay cee". As to the opinions expressed in "user and installation guides", I'll never forget the ones that came with my first Honda MC in the '60s; I'm sure whoever wrote it spoke something other than English before he tried to write it! Hilarious! I have heard a wrench set like Bryan used as a "precision metric adjustable wrench set"- I was unaware there was a specific Mexican National brand- I'll look for it next time I'm in HD! FWIW, if you had installed the condenser above the surface about four feet, you could have eliminated the line set and screwed the evaporator line set directly into the condenser. I'm greatly intrigued by these DIY AC kits- 20-25 years or so ago the US government set up extensive required certification programs for all HVAC work. Great design and engineering! It did work a treat though, didn't it!
I don't think you can eliminate the line set, because that has the bleeder valves on them. Not sure they can be put on the other lines.
I really enjoyed watching you install that Mr. Cool unit.
Oh man, just seeing that drill catching and jerking at 5:20 brought back some bad memories, I did HVAC new construction for several years and one big apartment complex we did had those plywood I beams and we had some 7" and 9" hole saws "custom" made so we could run the flexible duct lines and those things were a nightmare. They where nothing but a 3/8 thick piece of round steel with a 2" wide band saw blade welded around the edge, pair those with a milwaukee hole hog and it was pure hell, ridiculously heavy and would bind up super easy and about break your whole arm when the did, saw one guy get knocked completely off a ladder when he had it turned the wrong way and bind up an hit him in the chest.
There are so many benefits to Mini Spits. Not just for offgrid either. I recommend everyone checking into them. same with the instant water heaters.
Oh also. DeWalt has gone way downhill in the last few years. I used to be a major fanboy. I have almost all of their cordless tools. But now I am slowly replacing them with Milwaukee.
Each offer some unique as well as general abilities- but I will recommend doing some serious research before buying into either, as they are not cheap at all.
The info is great for people that aren't sure which way to go. You guys make it look easy. Thanks
Eric I use to do HVAC work and spent the extra money for the Crescent wrench set that was English and Metric!
( ; { ) )
I am really glad they made these with precharged lines. I bought a Carrier model in Hermosillo at Costco and it had the new blend of refrigerants and come to find out you have to pull a vacuume on the lines and the inside unit before releasing the precharged gas to the system. In my case the gas detiriorated and the unit stopped working. I called Carrier and reported the problem and they said they pay a company to install the unit for free. But i live 3 hours from Hermosillo and they were going to charge me really bad to recharge the gas. I returned the unit to costco and got a refund. There used to not be a problem when they used R-22 but the blend refrigerant has to maintain the portions or it breaks down. The unit i bought was both heater and ac. It was a 3/4 ton and I had installed it in my motorhome. It qorked well for about 3 days. You could set the temperature and it would keep it constant.
R-22 breaks down also when there is air and particularly condensed water in the lines. The result will be internal corrosion that greatly shortens the life of the compressor and embeds oxides into the inside walls of the condensing and evaporative coils. This unit not only has precharged lines, but the condenser (outside) and the evaporator (inside) are also evacuated and factory charged- hence no need to pull a vacuum on site. FWIW, there is much protectionism built into many American made products to prevent the homeowner from even attempting basic repairs- Carrier even uses a different type of Freon to keep most of the Carrier repair business for Carrier dealers.
One last consideration would be to add a 1" drain pipe in the slab to hide the condensate line. Otherwise its a very good looking and simple install. Nice job!
Ask Matt to show what he uses for wind protection on the mic!
I lost my dead cat. 😔
Great example. Thanks
13:10 That's a good tip, ust like topping off your blinker and speedometer fluid, & making sure your tires have Summer air in the Summer and Winter air in the Winter. 😁👍
Bad location for out door unit needs 8 inches min for wall to pull in air and zero obstruction for fan in front. Also 5 feet in all other sides for service, cleaning and best operation
Vid starts...: Oh right, Erik got LASIK!
Contacts. No lasik yet. :)
Extra line set looks like garbage definitely a professional system should of been installed. I would of done it for a handshake 🤝 from Matt
So Wrong , the line Cove you should do it before installing Not after you install and connected to the unit , it looks very lose and Not professional
This electrical system is very simple but plenty capable for that load. I'm curious what sizes are the solar, batteries and inverter?
get Matt to thinking and maybe more friendships will come of a ideal if it works .... He has to many friends , I know but still I think he needs you more than he knows right now..... I hope to see more work with you and Matt from demolition ranch ... Maybe a blueprint for a mini golf course that is really a gun range for gun games
I put one in my shop myself! Love it! Only thing I don’t like about these is the inside unit runs all the time,
How much? It does AC and heat, right?
@@Crazt yes it’s a heat pump also. Mine is a 24,0000 btu cost approx $1700
It won't heat in 28 ° and bellow
@@nicholasbrown4776 thanks not good for real winter.
@@Crazt well I live in the Houston tx area so works for me, however Mr Cool states rangs
It can heat at 100% capacity at - 5 degrees Fahrenheit, even with outdoor temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit. It can cool in outdoor temperatures as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows your home to maintain an optimal temperature without extreme energy usage causing high energy
not bad setup for like garage or something
That outside unit could use a hair more room for air flow. It’ll work like that but a couple more inches away from that wall and water tank can’t hurt. As with all air conditioning units the more free air they can move the better they do. Especially in TX.
No offense of course.
Ya definitely have to use Metric adjustable wrenchs... 🤦♂️
I recently put in a 3rd generation DIY Mr Cool system just like this but a size smaller. Instructions said NOT to coil excess line length vertically, it must be horizontal to prevent oil from collecting and not circulating properly. Instead of coiling, I simply moved the outdoor unit a few feet so the line set just fit perfectly.
FACTS💯
I was wondering if there was a reason why you didn't have the in and outs done before insulating? I may be wrong but I thought in another video you said to have those done before insulating. Im learning all this and its new to me so I may be wrong. I want to build a barndo when I retire out west.
They may not have had the unit and didn't know the layout (and how they would need to install the unit) beforehand. Sometimes you just have to work with what you have and then modify your design once you get the rest of the stuff.
my church uses those very same ac units, we have 2 in the sanctuary and 2 in the pastors offices , for the size of our sanctuary they cool it off fast. they are impressive
Simple is my window unit, jk...I have a 12,000 BTU mini split by Mirage and these units are easy to install like you mentioned.
Excess refrigerant lines should be horizontal not vertical. The vertical loops act as an oil trap and may cause lubrication problems for the compressor.
FACTS💯
thought about trying one of these units til i seen the price. probably be better off to use a window unit for my shop and section off the machine i use more frequently or get a suit i can hook up fresh and cool air to.
As someone looking for a new AC for a 900 sq foot home that's poorly insulated, I have been looking at them. Yes, the window units are by far the cheapest solutions out there. However, they are also nowhere as efficient or powerful as these units. These mini-split units compete against the larger heat pumps. (They're basically the same, just scaled down.) But it all boils down to your situation. If your shop is less than 400 sq feet, your climate is mild, you only needing supplementary heating/cooling because the room already has cooling from a main system, you're fine with the noise output from a window unit, and you live in a relatively crime free area, then a window unit makes sense. I'd say if you answered no to any one of these, but ESPECIALLY if it's the main device heating/cooling your shop, then a window unit is the wrong choice for your. But, only you can decide what your needs are and what your budget can handle. Just remember, there are trade offs when moving between price brackets.
no vacuum test? you might have leak or moisture on the system.
It's a DIY unit designed for a home owner who's not rated in HVAC system installation to install. I'm pretty sure there's regulations for how those systems are built and set up to address issues that creep up in normal installations. Remember, the pipes were already charged and had those self sealing connections. And they didn't cut them, either. So, unless they did something wrong in the installation and damaged the pipes, they don't need to do a vacuum test for leaks. I'm guessing they'd know pretty quickly if they punctured a line. (Tell tale hiss would be my guess.)
EDIT: If I remember correctly, the vacuum test is done BEFORE you charge the system. They received the system already charged.
Those lines come precharged with refrigerant to reduce the specialty tools for home owners, no evacuation required.
Code requires a electrical outlet within 25ft for servicing HVAC equipment. NEC 201.63
It’s 6 feet away.
Would you not frame in a casing in wall before hanging sheet rock ?
Imperial Adjustable Wrenches simply aren't compatible with Metric Adjustable Wrenches or any other Adjustable Wrenches for that matter.
Wow you guys should have mounted that thing up a little higher and had to condensation drain go into the water storage. Boom more water.
Attaching the coiled excess lines will preserve the connections. Want to know how I know?
Yes how.
13:15 I see that one of the wrenches you use was not only metric, but is also left handed.
Where can I buy one of those?
@Adam Williams Why would Eric joke about something of such significance?
😂😂😂
Oh god suck a cheap HVAC definitely disappointed in this fail of the build. Should of got a Mitsubishi electric by Trane only the best
Eric When you need plumbing or hvac contact me I can ship to Texas
Southern Pipe and Supply
Did you ever fasten the unit to the slab?
Where did you send the drain. And, shouldn't you install the sleeve before bending pipes?. Speaking of the sleeve. Is it cut to width of the wall or as is. And that calking, around the outside, is there a need to spray anything inside the sleeve for bugs? Guessing that was a 110v power..
Thanks
Are you guys gonna anchor the outside unit to the concrete? Just in case the big bad wolf comes along. 🐾 💨
I’m not trying to knock y’all but that line set being coiled up like that is going to trap oil and kill that compressor prematurely. Did y’all pull a vacuum on that before opening the valves?
Clean install and good idea to place a cover on the lines outside, nice job! I recommend raising the compressor off the concrete with a short stand so that leaves and other debris doesn't get sucked into the fins as much. Looks like you have enough line he could do that pretty easily.
Me cool units suck the company does not stand behind their products. I had one for six months and it stoped working called the tech center they kept guessing at the diagnoses and kept sending me parts and still no fix then they told me to hire someone to fix it what a bunch of bs this thing is six month old and under warranty they should of just sent me a hole new unit never doing business with them again
I really enjoyed this series Erik! So what was the final bill? $100k 🤔
Lmao,, “you do that and I’m gonna go,,, do nothing”. So funny
I watched a lot of Mr Cool DYI videos this one was the most useful thanks
Eric can you give me solar set up make brand and list? Please.
Did you seal the wall penetration? I'm worried about insects getting into the AC unit.
Yes
a little tip for you, open the low side a bit then close it open the high side check the lines for leaks then open the low side all the way
Also after leak checking you should definitely put a vacuum pump to take the contaminates out. Your clearance of the outside wall should be further off. These things aren't just plug and play. In NJ you have to be certified to play with refrigerant. Also putting pitch on the inside use you leave yourself potential for the condensate to leak inside. They come with pitch built in. Now that you are done go back and read the book. Have fun
@@georgewurt5183 you are so right!!!
You should have run the condensation line into the rainwater tanks. It is actually cleaner than the rain water off the roof.
Except that they would have had to drill a hole (and then seal it up afterwards) in the cover for the "the lines and tubes". Also, I don't remember if the tank was higher than the hole they made. The other way would have been to use a smaller collection tank that then pumps into a pipe to feed the main tank. And, there is no telling what kind of crap and chemicals that water is going to pick up from the inside of that unit. AC's are not designed to make the condensate potable. (Well, you MIGHT be able to find one or two that do make potable water, but those would be an exception.)
It's sad, because your idea is generally a good one, especially if Texas starts having the prolonged droughts that Arizona has. This year, per Maricopa County, Phoenix has gotten about 4.69 inches of rain this year. This is below average for us. Seen that they didn't go through the expense to add a restroom for their outdoor shack, I don't think they would even think of trying to capture the moisture from the AC unit.
@@jackielinde7568 I wonder if its possible to add a condensate pump to pump condensate into the collection tank. I'm thinking any form of condensate is not considered potable water. Not sure. Its so humid here in New York I have to empty the dehumidifier bucket almost every few days when the humidity is so high.
Ewww hell no Nate certified HVAC Technician that water can have lots of mold in it
Hell no that water would contaminate the whole water storage. It washes all the bacteria and what not off the evaporator.
SCREAMING!!!!! as a 20+ year HVAC service tech, you just made me try and chew my own ear off with frustration!!!! You'll never be able to service that unit, as well as you blocked the service plug for the water tank. Glad I don't live in Texas and wont get the service call HA!
Ok, you moved it over, Phew....freak out avoided!
@@Furnaceguy1978
😂😂😂
I was thinking the same thing. Lol
The higher the unit the better it can pull hot air out of the space
So I've been looking at extension ladders for the 2 story house I'm living in, so I can put up christmas lights. Did you know that ladder measurements are a complete scam? A 24 foot extension ladder has a 23 foot reach height and is only 21 feet fully extended. Why are measurements like this even legal? It also appears that they are all made out of super cheap materials now and most of them are damaged before they even get to the store. If you need an extension ladder or a specific length, ignore the measurements on the ladder, and extend it fully at the store and measure it. Also, examine it closely before purchasing, because not only are they damaged in shipping, but people buy them, use them and then return them in terrible condition. I really miss the days when you could expect a product to be in good working condition when you buy it.
Osha regulates that a ladder must extended 3 feet past what you need....thats why you have a 24ft ladder but can only use 21ft of it
What battery storage capacity do you have running mr cool? Is it total battery operated or grid tied? Thanks
Off grid
Does the outdoor unit have to be secured to the ground?
That is the bottom tier of the dewalt drills. I can see the yellow numbers on the plastic clutch, that version is meant for DIY/home use... Not for real work.
The biggest problem with dewalt is having too many versions of the same tool. People don't know there are differences between the tools and don't know what the differences are.
If he used the XR drill which is still cheaper than the milwaukee it would have cut through the metal.
Lol, father swears by Dewalt, we were building a storage shed and the Dewalt was acting up and I went out and got my Milwaukee and pissed everyone off, it did every job better and faster.
😂
These units are alright for a barn or shop I guess. For your house a professionally installed system from Mitsubishi or Daikin is the way to go. They have way better heat output and a real warranty for 10 to 12 years.
They're all built in the same factory
i bet this ranch will load with his guns init...
You know people will be asking for metric adjustable wrenches now right??
😂
Ive heard from some HVAC guys they are charged but cant be topped off to get colder air.
Big misconception- there is a correct charge for any HVAC or refrigeration system, dependent on the size of it's inside and outside coils, the diameters of the line set and length of same- overcharging it will cause the compressor to begin putting it's oil thickly into the gas, robbing the compressor of it's own lubrication, and creating failure. The "HVAC guys" you are listening too likely do not have a full concept of how the system actually works- be careful with such advice- as a practicing HVAC technician and installer (residential AC to commercial AC and refrigeration), one of the most common faults I would see on first inspection of a new client's unit was overcharge, which, at the least, makes the compressor work much harder and use more electricity to achieve the desired temperature.Look again at the condenser service valves at 13:30- the top valve has a cap sticking out to the left, and that cap covers a charge inlet port with a schrader valve (like a car tire inflation valve, but much stronger) to keep the port closed unless a set of charging hoses are hooked up. I wouldn't hire those "HVAC guys" to work on my AC, were I you.
you forgot to install the wall sleeve.
I installed a Mr Cool 18k DIY and two 12k DIY units in my home last spring. The 18K DIY was cooling my house during the day by itself except for the hottest days 112F+. The 12k are in the bedrooms and only run at night while the 18k is off. The 12k are 23 SEER. I will never go back to forced air cooling. The exterior units are very quiet.
Condenser is way to close to wall
18kbtu, for that small of a place, why. 20 btu per square foot.
This is Matt your talking about here 🙄🤑
I've got a24000btu unit to heat and cool my shop and so far so good. The installation was just like what you showed. My shop is 1000s.f. with a 14 ft. Ceiling and it does great. Thanks Eric
Why don’t you cut the line set..
Was this the last in the Demo series?
Erik, I'm going to apologize to you for the huge amount of "ink" I spent all over your comments section. I did find there was as much misinformation about HVAC as there seems you are finding about Concrete work. Sorry I stepped on you! And I'll forgive you the odd"H Vac" comment! Always, peace and hard work!
I put a Mr Cool in my insulated 16x36 shop last year. It's been great! Super quiet. Always moving air. Great shop accessory.
Shoulda used a Mitsubishi unit instead I've heard people have nothing but problems with the Mr. Cool brand I've Installed several of the Mitsubishis and never had a problem with them
Awesome work! Nice touch with the metal cover. Probably need to elevate the condenser/cooling unit slightly (Anchored Cinder Block or Treated 4x4) and get it screwed down. Those storage batteries are screaming for an elevated shelf to keep little fingers away from them. Not much left to do! See how fast things go when Matt Carricker isn't there?
I would have used metal or rubber baseboards so I can wash off the floors with a hose... Just my 3 cents tho
Eric horse shoe cortina ....
you should have put it above , and route the AC conduce line to the water tank.
I'm not sure the hole they drilled would have been above the tank. Also, if they went above the rain gutters, it would have given a path for some of rainfall from the roof to go outside of the rain gathering system. There's arguments to be made for both ways, but I don't feel like trying to outline all of the pros and cons. In the end, they make a design choice and technically they're the experts.
Best part of the video 18:53
That’s pretty slick
MATT IF THEY JUST INSTALLED THAT WITHOUT A VACUUM PUMP KICK THEIR ASSESSS OFF THAT PROPERTY
💓Amazing how the little things you do make such a difference💓
Eric, can you please tell us what product you used on the floor? I want to use the same stuff in my shop! Thanks.
The unit is simple but a decent installation requires a bit more than done here.
Like what?
@@guliverovi I’m no AC tech, but pulling a vacuum on lines is usually standard practice. I’m surprised they didn’t do it, even the $80 harbor freight vacuum pump would do a good enough job for this system.
@@guliverovi I stand corrected, the Mr cool units lines are sealed with a vacuum from the factory that is broken as you tighten the lines.
While most if not all mini split systems come pre-charged with refrigerant, they do not have the pre vacuum lines and still require that step. Seems Mr cool has fixed that.
@@guliverovi 1) The inside unit blows against the wall closest to it not effectively cooling the room.
2) All outside electrical connections require dielectric grease to prevent corrosion and ultimately shorts or worse a fire.
3) The outside unit needs to be mounted well above the ground to avoid excessive leaf and debris accumulation in or around the unit as there are many trees around. Proper spacing from obstacles and at least minimum as per recommendation is common sense.
4) The shorter the line set, the more efficient the system, the less power wasted -> solar panels + batteries
5) As mentioned above, a vacuum needs to be pulled regardless of manufacturers recommendations - if AC breaks sooner, the sooner you buy a new one - benefit only manufacturers so why should they mention that important step?
What type of garage door did you put on that is airtight so you can have the ac running
Should install UV light in there to kill future mold.
Did these guys seriously release the refrigerant without running a vac on the lines??
They are pre-charged.
@@TexasBarndominiums yes, all ac systems are pre charged, regardless of mini split, residential split system, package unit, etc. One would have to go out of their way to buy a dry shipped unit (non charged). My original comment was slightly cocky and rude, so I want to apologise. What I say from here on out is strictly educational. I have been doing hvac for 18 years. It is extremely important to vacuum the refrigerant lines before you release the gas, in order to remove the air and most importantly the moisture. I understand it's currently blowing cold, but the compressor will have serious problems in the near future, with the air in the lines, not to mention the expansion valve that regulates the "freon" is also compromised and being thrown out of whack. the system is definitely not running at it's full potential. It is very important for the life of the system that you release the entire charge at this point and vacuum it down to at least 400 microns and then install a new charge. The good news is that single head mini splits like this, use minimal 410a. Maybe 2 lbs or even less. A brand new 25 lb jug of 410a runs about $90.
@@SMFFL100 The lines are precharged and sealed, too. That's what makes it a DIY. Everything has been evacuated, charged and sealed.
Tinting the windows might help with keeping it cool as well
Is it good? Or good enough?
Yes.
DeWalt got owned in this video.
Thank you for posting.
Wow awesome job! Approx How much does this unit cost?
On their site they advertise $140/$160 per sq.ft. of living space... A 1500 sqft home would cost you over $200,000 of construction cost alone... crazy
Those are Engineer wrenches.
What fan did you use?
Great video! I love it.
Can't believe I am first
That was cool!!!