Hey thanks for tagging me, my video is on the 12k. That sounds somewhat normal for a summer of use, mini splits always have mold issues. Sounds like you may have a drain issue, 8ft of run is a long way for it to go and it could be contributing to your musty smell and mold. Check your fan blades as well, it's common for mold to grow on them.OK ... my smaller 12k unit.
Worked perfectly all summer cooling nite and day. Heats perfectly.
BUT ... unlike the two 24k units I have, about a month ago (cooling all summer since late May of 2023) it started to smell a little "Musty". Upon inspection, there was a little bit of "mold" funk on the plastic under the front cover, so suspected Mold on the coil too. I cleaned the filters, and did a little maintenance on the coil, but did not take the front off.
@SmitHVAC
I saw you had a Video on cleaning the SS / Deye AC/DC mini split. Was that the 12k or the 24k ? Is what I am describing typical after a full summer of use?
I am wondering if I might have a drain problem. It does drain, but I wonder if I do not have enough slope and it is draining too slow.
- Here is how the drain is installed- When I installed the unit, I installed the inside head unit with about a 1/16 of an inch fall on the wall toward my drain side.- Then my drain line runs 8 feet side ways with a 1 inch fall before it does a 90* and drops straight down- I get about 1 gallon of water from it in the summer in about 3-5 hours. So it is draining ... BUT maybe some water is staying in the Unit Around the Coil ???- Should the head unit be level on the wall ... or should it slope to the side of the drain? (mine is, but maybe not enough
My two 24k Units do not have any smell, have run just as hard all summer, and have no black funk on the plastic either.
Last night I did clean the 12k
- first I cleaned the filter (which was clearly NOT the problem, but they were dusty on the top as expected)- I then sprayed the coil with HOCL (Hypochlorous acid) which is used in hospitals and in covid sanitation and in room foggers and is safe for contact with fabrics, carpets, metal surfaces and even to spray on your face. HOCL is a disinfectant and cleaner- I then ran the unit for about an hour at 61F so it would "make water" and flush the coil- I turn it off, then about 30 minutes later, turned in on and set the heat- The air was warm, the smell was gone ...- BUT ... the warm / hot air felt moist ... the 24k units did not feel this moist feeling in heat- My assumption was there was still moisture on the coil ??? But maybe there was left over moisture in the bottom of the unit that did not drain ??- This morning when I got up, I turned up the heat (the fan had run all night) and the heated air did NOT feel moist any more.So ... What is the Deal? Is this "normal" with mini splits?Ideas?
Yes, I have a small funnel with a 1 foot piece of tubing attached to it. If you take the filter out and put it in right at the base of the coil it will land in the pan@SmitHVAC
Thanks for the reply
Is it possible to get some kind of dropper or baster to deliver vinegar ... OR ... physically add Mini Split Tabs to the pan without removing the front cover?
This sounds like you have a moisture issue, there's only so much a mini split can do.I had high hopes mini splits would pull so much moisture out that it would be super dry, but that’s not the case. I have to run a dehumidifier in the basement with the a/c running. My bedroom will stay at 60% normally and up to 70% if it’s raining outside.
I agree there is only so much they can do, but they also "put" moisture into the room. If I leave the unit off, it never gets to the level at with the unit on. My bedroom is small and it doesn't run that much (I knew that going into this project), the fan is always running (like all mini splits). With this, it is circulating the leftover moisture on the evap fins into the room. Also, the air from the outside that is "entering" through the condensation line and being blow around into the room doesn't help either. If the unit was always in a/c mode (calling for conditioned air and cooling the room) then I wouldn't have this issue. If I put the unit into "dry" mode (it just runs the a/c in a really cold setting and the fan on lowest setting) it drops the humidity a lot (water is powering out the line) but the room gets very cold.This sounds like you have a moisture issue, there's only so much a mini split can do.
What size unit do you have? It sounds like it is much too large for the space.I agree there is only so much they can do, but they also "put" moisture into the room. If I leave the unit off, it never gets to the level at with the unit on. My bedroom is small and it doesn't run that much (I knew that going into this project), the fan is always running (like all mini splits). With this, it is circulating the leftover moisture on the evap fins into the room. Also, the air from the outside that is "entering" through the condensation line and being blow around into the room doesn't help either. If the unit was always in a/c mode (calling for conditioned air and cooling the room) then I wouldn't have this issue. If I put the unit into "dry" mode (it just runs the a/c in a really cold setting and the fan on lowest setting) it drops the humidity a lot (water is powering out the line) but the room gets very cold.
You are supposed to have a u trap in that line to stop outside air coming in.Also, the air from the outside that is "entering" through the condensation line and being blow around into the room doesn't help either.
Not from any of the manuals I've seen. No traps and manuals were quite specific about it. It seems they will clog and you get water running out of the unit.You are supposed to have a u trap in that line to stop outside air coming in.
no trap is required. Many videos explaining and demonstrating it.You are supposed to have a u trap in that line to stop outside air coming in.
My house heat pump has pvc........I suppose if you're going to have a proper drain you wouldn't use that corrugated shit in the first place.
Yes regular PVC 3/4 inch pipe and u trap absolutely standard.My house heat pump has pvc........
So can someone explain to me why a mini split does not require a u trap but a regular split system does.
You forgot the first part.M]314.2.4.1Ductless mini-split system traps.
Ductless mini-split equipment that produces condensation shall be provided with an in-line check valve located in the drain line or a trap.
So which is it, does 314.2.4.1 trump 314.2.4 ???You forgot the first part.
[M]314.2.4Traps.
Condensate drains shall be trapped as required by the equipment or appliance manufacturer.
[M]314.2.4.1Ductless mini-split system traps.
Ductless mini-split equipment that produces condensation shall be provided with an in-line check valve located in the drain line or a trap.