BajaNomad - alot cooler...

alot cooler...

Bob and Susan - 9-2-2010 at 05:15 AM

weather is alot cooler this week...

humidity down 20 points

high yesterday was 95f
low 80f this morning

really feels different

got cold inside...
pretty soon we'll have to "break-out" the comforters
and the heaters

the humidity is the BIGGEST problem in the summer :saint:

capt. mike - 9-2-2010 at 05:33 AM

nice Bob....can't wait for fall and to get south again.

Russ - 9-2-2010 at 05:36 AM

Nice over here too. At 6:20 it was 81º~67% hum & calm. Yesterday we had NW winds so it was dryer but even the 95º temps weren't so bad. Just before sunset the wind died and the humidity bounce up a bit. So I turned on the AC around 10pm and by 1am I was cold. Turned off the fan that was on low and pulled up a sheet and slept really well until just after 5. When I went to turn off the generator I may have used 2 gallons of gas. I ordered a one ton mini split but I'll be at least 3 weeks before it get installed. I'm pretty sure I can cool the whole casita, 450 sq. ft. with that.... next year.

Bob and Susan - 9-2-2010 at 05:38 AM

you'll need a bigger generator...

Russ - 9-2-2010 at 06:17 AM

The AC unit I'm looking at is the same one a few others have here and after they have it running they switch over to the eco mode on their Honda 2000's and it'll run all night on a couple of gallons of gas. They are calling it a one ton mini split but the name is deceiving. It looks like the one the hotels use. Two sections, one that is the size of my 3000 generator outside and the other in the room the size of two shoe boxes end to end.

Santiago - 9-2-2010 at 06:28 AM

Russ; if you don't mind, could you take a few photos of the installation process and give us a breakdown on the costs?
Thanks

capt. mike - 9-2-2010 at 06:30 AM

i'd have gone with a SolCool 24 or 48 V unit.

Russ - 9-2-2010 at 06:42 AM

It maybe awhile before it gets installed because I plan to be up north about the time it's scheduled for installation. Of the ones I've seen the install is easy. Provide a raised platform and power, 110v in my case, for the outside unit. The platform is my idea. I don't think having it at ground level is a good idea. and power to the inside unit. There is a line that runs between the two units so they'll need to be close to each other. Quoted price is right at $500usd. When I get out with the camera I'll add some photos.

bajajudy - 9-2-2010 at 06:44 AM

Not cooler here
82 when I woke up...usually under 80

BigWooo - 9-2-2010 at 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
Russ; if you don't mind, could you take a few photos of the installation process and give us a breakdown on the costs?
Thanks

Russ, or anyone else who has/will install a mini split: I would like to run conduit inside the walls of the house we're building.

I'd like to pre-run conduit inside the wall from where the compressor unit will be located, up to the second story where the inside wall unit will be mounted, but what I can't find (short of opening a box in a store) is what diameter, and how many conduit runs would be needed to run the compressor lines. I'm assuming there's two compressor lines, plus the AC wire?

Anyone know what diameter conduit would be needed for the compressor lines, and how many?

DENNIS - 9-2-2010 at 07:11 AM

I am fogged in at this moment.

Cypress - 9-2-2010 at 07:19 AM

It's 34 degree's with bly sky and a light frost here in the high country.

capt. mike - 9-2-2010 at 08:09 AM

look at the new line of Mitsubishi splits called metropolitan. excellent for on grid apps.

but i'd be going solar. the sun is free.

Russ - 9-2-2010 at 08:21 AM

Quote:

I'll try to get more info where I get out to take photos.
My guess would be 1 1/2" would be more than enough. Bob & Susan will know for sure. Any 90º turns make sure you use a "sweep" not an elbow.

Bob and Susan - 9-2-2010 at 09:35 AM

mine are all wall units

i've never seen a $500 mini split that
will run on a 2000w honda

mine are 12,000btu (1ton) and
take 11 amps at 120v
that would easily overload your eu2000

there's a HUGE differance i a 5000btu air conditioner
and a one tone mini split :light:

maspacifico - 9-2-2010 at 10:02 AM

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/epac/flash-rb.html

Looks like it's starting to spin?

Russ - 9-8-2010 at 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
Russ; if you don't mind, could you take a few photos of the installation process and give us a breakdown on the costs?
Thanks

I got some pix of my neighbors "1 ton mini split" today. It's a 12,000 BTU unit and can cool her whole house. She'll start the generator, then the AC, and after a few minutes switch her Honda 2000 to Eco. If it doesn't reach the set temp and try to recycle it will run on Eco. If she closes up her bedroom it reaches the low temp and tries an energy saver recycle and kicks the breaker on the generator when it restarts. I'm sure the pluming and power will fit in a 2" conduit. Not the 1/2" drain line. 3/8 tubing maybe.

Mini Split.jpg - 45kB

San Felipe is...

mcfez - 9-8-2010 at 07:00 PM

The big Boss (wify) just emailed me and quote

"It is hot and humid.
We are going to the beach every day -- the water is great to swim in.
There are actually waves and the high tide is coming all the way into the
palapa.

Bob and Susan - 9-9-2010 at 05:24 AM

russ...
my wall units are 12,000 btu
120v

they cool (not cold 20f degree change)
the 800 aq foot casita
...remember the ceiling is open

the 1ton unit was $150usa at home depot in ensenada
i bought 5

well layed #6 stranded wires to the fuse box
and #2 cable to the generator 400 feet away
we cut a little square hole in the wall
all done

11 amps total per unit

yours will take more than 8.9 amps (maybe 10.5 amps )
because you didn't include the power to the fan part inside

our wall units will be a little louder inside
because the compressor is in the unit
but the price is WAY different

i still cannot believe $500usa installed for your unit
that's a GREAT price

when i tryed a honda 2000 it "bogged" down
too much continual power for that little generator

3000w struggled but worked
5000w worked well

remember you're "movin-on-up" from a baby
5000btu 5 amp unit
BIG change

the problem with little generators is the gas tank is too small
to run all night when "under load"
and hondas are known to burn valves easily

i think your honda is too small for this AC unit
and continual daily summer use

[Edited on 9-9-2010 by Bob and Susan]

tripledigitken - 9-9-2010 at 05:39 AM

Russ,

Here's an accessory for that Honda that may interest you.

http://www.wisesales.com/DurationTanks.html

Ken

Bob and Susan - 9-9-2010 at 05:48 AM

wow that is GREAT

remember gas stinks
i NEVER get away without smelling
like gas when i fill a generator

imagine 3 days no filling the tank

the product "awsome" works to cut the smell

Russ - 9-9-2010 at 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Russ,
Here's an accessory for that Honda that may interest you.
http://www.wisesales.com/DurationTanks.html
Ken

Yes these are really handy. Two friends have them here for their honda 2000's. Haven't a cap for my 3000 but it runs all night on Eco so I'm going to keep it. And we'll see how it does with the bigger AC.
Well, one now has that set up. The other had a fire and lost her garage and everything in it. That fire was started, we believe, when she topped off both tanks & started the generator. She went inside to kick on the AC unit shown above and before she could go back and put it on "Eco" there was an explosion. We all learned a lesson the hard way. Isolate and ventilate the generator and fuel. The main cause if the explosion was a gas frig about 10' from the generator. What a tragedy! The lucky part is that she wasn't near the explosion and the fire didn't spread to the house. Here's the corner of the garage where the Honda was.
Thanks for all the info.

DSC_5448.jpg - 48kB

Russ - 9-9-2010 at 06:37 AM

Here's the in info Ken posted the URL for

Gen cap.jpg - 46kB

Pescador - 9-9-2010 at 07:18 AM

Two points.

First, that particular unit that Russ has pictured ran very well with a Honda 2000ui on economy mode once the unit was started. It would not start up in economy mode so you had to make sure that it stayed on all the time while on economy mode.

Second, after witnessing the fire, I would install a propane system to the generator. It burns much cleaner, does not require messy filling of two gas tanks (which the old unit and auxiliary tank did require) and can be run off of the propane system that is installed for house usage or could be put on a separate tank entirely with its own shut off. One of the problems experienced with Hondas in this climate is that the gas tank on the 3000's will rust after a fashion, and the propane conversion does away with that completely. The engine oil also stays much cleaner for those who forget to change as frequently as they should.