Garage too hot; Portacool versus mini-split A/C system? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

OM617YOTA · #31 07-16-2018, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

Mini splits can be bought on eBay. I bought mine 2 or 3 years ago and has been working flawlessly since. It was $550. It took me a full day to install, it was my first time installing a split system.

I didn't realize they were that inexpensive. That'll change some of my plans.

HuskyMan · #32 07-17-2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

Garage

That is a very nice man cave!

greazzer · #33 07-17-2018, 09:35 AM

Invest a few hours and $25 and get your EPA license so you can legally buy refrigerant. You will need a vacuum pump and a set of gauages too.

lorainfurniture · #34 07-17-2018, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greazzer

Invest a few hours and $25 and get your EPA license so you can legally buy refrigerant. You will need a vacuum pump and a set of gauages too.

Good to have the cert but not needed with a split. The unit is precharged. Vacuum pump is a must however

greazzer · #35 07-17-2018, 09:47 AM

some are and some are not. Plus, clumbsy folks like me may have a spill. Getting mine soon. Tired of sweating ...

Texasgeezer · #36 07-17-2018, 11:18 AM

I've owned two mini split Mitsubishi units. They are easy to install and provide good efficiency. Replacement parts can be expensive. Insulation and air tight sealing is the best investment long term. Our current home heating and cooling bills seldom exceed $100 a month. Our neighbors without good insulation and sealing spend up to $500 a month for about the same living space.

If it were my garage and I planned to move, I would not spend money on insulation and AC. I would use either the self contained water misting units or make my own with a misting system and fans. I could then take them with me when I moved. Misting systems appear to drop the temperature about 20 degrees. The old swamp coolers produced air that was about 15-20 degrees cooler then outside air.

The work space needing cooling can be reduced by plastic sheets or tarps. This space reduction technique is used sometimes in larger buildings that are not insulated. If I made the work space smaller with this method then the small portable ac units could be used and the heat exhausted outside with a 4" flexible hose. I've seen those discounted to less than $400.

HuskyMan · #37 07-17-2018, 08:11 PM

My current home A/C system seems to spit a lot of dust. Dust builds up on the blower fan in the garage to the point it needs to be cleaned every few years. I've read various theories about why an A/C system shoots dust all over the house but am unsure exactly what causes this phenomenon.

Do mini split A/C systems blow clean air?

Diseasel300 · #38 07-17-2018, 08:29 PM

Fix your lack of filtration. The dust comes from the return air. You either have a leaking duct or you're using really crappy filters. A/C units don't make dust. They air they supply is only as clean as the air they take in.

HuskyMan · #39 07-17-2018, 08:33 PM

Will do, thank you for the input!

Robert W. Roe · #40 07-17-2018, 10:14 PM

+1 on that.
There are filters that (used to) cost less than $1 and you can see through them, and filters that cost $15 and have ratings as to minimum particle sizes, etc.
3M Filtrete and similar are good for those of us with allergies.

vwnate1 · #41 07-17-2018, 10:44 PM

? How do you fit the cars / tools / p[arts / etc. in there ? .

I love that

.

lorainfurniture · #42 07-18-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

? How do you fit the cars / tools / p[arts / etc. in there ? .

I love that

.

All the tools are stored in my tool chest, in the cabinets, or on the peg board on the other (not pictured) wall.

I only pull a car in there for repair. I don’t park cars in there as my garage has morphed in to a bit of an outdoor living space for the family. I simply move the wicker furniture and straighten out the ever growing pile of kids toys.

I don’t really save car parts anymore, only some nos stuff that is hard to find, specifically for the 4matic part of my car.

I’ll snap some more photos later. That picture is 2 years old.

vstech · #43 07-18-2018, 06:27 PM

Ok
I am a licensed HVAC/Electrician
Get a good one unless you just want a quickie system.
Mitsubishi is best
All others are clones
Gree is cheap
I can get a 3 ton 22 seer mini condenser for $600 but the distribution head is 2K
I can get 2 ton units all day long for 1600 full systems
A garage really needs 2ton or 24,000 btuh
A far cheaper option is a PTAC
Lowe’s has a 18,000 btuh heat pump ptac for 799
Cut an 18x22 hole in the wall and run 30 amps of 220 to the outlet and you are done

vstech · #44 07-18-2018, 06:29 PM

Two nice things about minis
1. They are SILENT inside
2. They are extremely efficient, inverter drive variable capacity

Also, they only need a 2” hole in the wall to operate.

lorainfurniture · #45 07-18-2018, 09:39 PM

I effectively cool/heat my 24x24 garage with a 12,000btu unit (240v). Granted my space is insulated (r12/walls, r19 ceiling) and relatively air tight. Ceiling is around 10ft.

I agree Mitsubishi is the best but for a garage I think it’s a bit overkill. Like I said previously my unit was about $550 delivered from eBay and is called something I’ve never heard of. I think ultimately it boils down to the install whether you will have a long lasting system or not.