Budget Minisplits

[dc1]

looking around at the budget minisplits available on amazon / ebay etc.. almost none of these say 240v, they all seem to either be 110/120v or 230v which I cannot tell is european 230v single hot + neutral or a split phase compatible wiring.

anyone with any experience with these

Id like to stay with a 240v to keep the load balanced on my 6000xp.

 

[Zwy]

Go here and purchase right from Senville. I own 4 Senville and one Pioneer and prefer the Senville. If the unit will be used to provide any heat, always get the Arctic units.

Mini Split Air Conditioners - Ductless Mini Split Systems

Mini-split systems are an affordable and efficient way to heat or cool any space. Find a selection of ductless mini split air conditioners available direct-to-consumer.

senville.com

 

[Solar Guppy]

The 230V units sold is the US are fine with 240V, I have a pair of mrcool 9k units running 240V and if you want to save even more, I would suggest scratch and dent ones which is what all my units are, no issues 3+ years now.

 

[Robbert]

On Bonaire we have 2 phase 220v and almost everyone uses the single phase 'European' mini-splits.
Actually it seems that 2*L is just as fine as L+0

 

[fmeili1]

Go here and purchase right from Senville. I own 4 Senville and one Pioneer and prefer the Senville. If the unit will be used to provide any heat, always get the Arctic units.

Mini Split Air Conditioners - Ductless Mini Split Systems

Mini-split systems are an affordable and efficient way to heat or cool any space. Find a selection of ductless mini split air conditioners available direct-to-consumer.

senville.com

I can only say the best about Senville mini splits and their service (I am not related to them, just a satisfied customer who wants to share his experience).
About 14 month ago, I've installed a 24,000BTU (SENL/24CD) with a typical wall unit to cool the RV garage and a ducted one with 9,000BTU (SENA-09HF-ID16) for active inverter cooling. I had some contact with Senville support while installing the units (about Wi-Fi, remote thermostat, etc.) and they always reacted promptly and helpful via email. Even if I told them that I've done everything DIY, they helped me without any discussions.

Over the last 14 months I had some dropouts with the OSK102 Wi-Fi sticks which I'm using for smart home integration (about every month, the loose Wi-Fi) and last week I've contacted the support and they sent me 2 replacement sticks (newer version OSK105) for free!

Both units working flawless (beside this sporadic Wi-Fi problem).

 

[Zwy]

I just saw they came out with a new wi fi stick and a better app. The Alexa app is horrendous, the temp setting slider is the biggest joke. I used an aftermarket wi fi control with my Pioneer and the app for it was so much better. I downloaded the new Senville app and will see if it works with the older wi fi sticks.

The Alexa app sucks so bad I skipped setting up wi fi on the shop mini splits.

 

[fmeili1]

I just saw they came out with a new wi fi stick and a better app. The Alexa app is horrendous, the temp setting slider is the biggest joke. I used an aftermarket wi fi control with my Pioneer and the app for it was so much better. I downloaded the new Senville app and will see if it works with the older wi fi sticks.

The Alexa app sucks so bad I skipped setting up wi fi on the shop mini splits.

They have two Wi-Fi options.

One works with Alexa (I think this is the default delivered with all indoor wall units). I've never used this Wi-Fi stick.

The other Wi-Fi stick works with iOS/Android and their specific Senville mobile App (but not directly via Alexa). Also this Wi-Fi stick could be integrated into my OpenHAB smart home system (via Midea binding, because Midea is the manufacturer of the Senville units) to control the mini splits via rules (and if required their mobile phone App could also be used in parallel). Btw. because it's integrated into the smart home, Alexa control could be implemented here, also (but I'm not a big fan of it). And for sure HomeAssistant also has a Midea binding.

 

[SplitUniverse]

I do not have any experience with Senville but have not heard anything bad about them, around here seems like whoever is specialized in Senville does pretty much just Senville.
I would recommend something that gets installed with flares, I had to remove a couple of these systems and just the looks of all those fittings makes me cringe. Plus the lineset length is "preset".

 

[fmeili1]

I do not have any experience with Senville but have not heard anything bad about them, around here seems like whoever is specialized in Senville does pretty much just Senville.
I would recommend something that gets installed with flares, I had to remove a couple of these systems and just the looks of all those fittings makes me cringe. Plus the lineset length is "preset".

Don't worry. If you are a bit handy, you can install these units DIY even with cutting the linesets to your required length. I had zero experience with A/C installations but after watching a couple of YT videos how to do it, I've tried it and it worked perfectly.
You need to buy some tools (pipe cutter, deburring/reamer tool, flaring tool, Nylog blue gasket sealant, vaccum pump kit) which are about $130 if you don't already own them. For sure a torque wrench is a must.

 

[Robbert]

I just saw they came out with a new wi fi stick and a better app. The Alexa app is horrendous, the temp setting slider is the biggest joke. I used an aftermarket wi fi control with my Pioneer and the app for it was so much better. I downloaded the new Senville app and will see if it works with the older wi fi sticks.

The Alexa app sucks so bad I skipped setting up wi fi on the shop mini splits.

I just bought a tasmota IR blaster for my mini splits and integrated that in Home Assistant. Works like a charm.
No cloud services, everything local on HA and until now pretty reliable.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

Go here and purchase right from Senville. I own 4 Senville and one Pioneer and prefer the Senville. If the unit will be used to provide any heat, always get the Arctic units.

Mini Split Air Conditioners - Ductless Mini Split Systems

Mini-split systems are an affordable and efficient way to heat or cool any space. Find a selection of ductless mini split air conditioners available direct-to-consumer.

senville.com

I'm glad I saw this. I need to put two 12k btu units in a rental property that we're going to sell. I've looked at a lot of options and this looks the best to me. My HVAC guy wants $1k each to install them, which seems a little high but yeah, he's got overhead too. And frankly I have too much going on to do it myself. Appreciate the recommendation and link.

 

[timselectric]

The 240v Della I purchased last year works great. I will be purchasing two more this year. I will also be trying out a Senville concealed ducted, this winter. Della doesn't make those.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

The 240v Della I purchased last year works great. I will be purchasing two more this year. I will also be trying out a Senville concealed ducted, this winter. Della doesn't make those.

We're very happy with the Mitsubishi ducted units we put in the house over two years ago. The MrCool I installed in the new shop seems great so far. This little house we're selling is only 1000 sq ft so a couple of the 1 ton units should be plenty. It has only ever had window units and they suck. I've looked at some of the cheap off brands and I'd rather not saddle the next owner with junk. For a few hundred more I think the Senville will be a much better option.

 

[Quattrohead]

I second the Della units, they work fantastic. I have two currently installed and another one going in soon. The 18K model keeps a large three-car garage with all of my equipment at a nice steady temperature and just sips the juice.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

I second the Della units, they work fantastic. I have two currently installed and another one going in soon. The 18K model keeps a large three-car garage with all of my equipment at a nice steady temperature and just sips the juice.

Looking at the Della units now. Very interesting. And very affordable. If you and Tim both like them they have to be pretty good. Right?

 

[ksmithaz1]

looking around at the budget minisplits available on amazon / ebay etc.. almost none of these say 240v, they all seem to either be 110/120v or 230v which I cannot tell is european 230v single hot + neutral or a split phase compatible wiring.

anyone with any experience with these

Id like to stay with a 240v to keep the load balanced on my 6000xp.

Click on it it will give you usually give you options for different models. I got the Rovsun 230v unit for this very reason. I can't think of a good reason to use 110 unless you were tapping an existing circuit. Voltage range is like 208-250 or something.

 

[Farm Boy]

I'd not spend too much if your not a licensed technician and your installing it your self. That's how they get out of their warranties. Even SS added a statement to theirs about installing theirs sense I bought one of there do it your self units. Sneaky strategy.

 

[timselectric]

I can say that my experience with Della support (through Amazon purchase) was amazing.
I installed it and tested it shortly on heating mode, just to confirm that it worked. But it was summer and I switched to cooling pretty quickly. It ran all summer perfectly. Then it was having issues when winter got very cold. I believe that the reversing valve wasn't switching all of the way.
I sent a message saying that it wasn't working in heating mode. They didn't request any additional information. And just sent a replacement unit. (6 months after purchase)
I still have the original unit, that only works in cooling. I may have the reversing valve replaced at some point, and have an almost free spare backup.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

I'd not spend too much if your not a licensed technician and your installing it your self. That's how they get out of their warranties. Even SS added a statement to theirs about installing theirs sense I bought one of there do it your self units. Sneaky strategy.

I haven't decided. My AC guy wants $1k each to install them. If I can find a helper I can do them both in a day. The Dellas are very reasonable in cost so if I do it myself there's not a lot of risk. I'd like to pass any warranty along to the buyer of the house, but I don't know that I'm willing to spend $2k in labor to do that. We always pay for a homeowners warranty policy so that would cover them for a year.

 

[Farm Boy]

I haven't decided. My AC guy wants $1k each to install them. If I can find a helper I can do them both in a day. The Dellas are very reasonable in cost so if I do it myself there's not a lot of risk. I'd like to pass any warranty along to the buyer of the house, but I don't know that I'm willing to spend $2k in labor to do that. We always pay for a homeowners warranty policy so that would cover them for a year.

Your luckier than me, no one will install around here unless you buy it from them.

 

[Supervstech]

Yeesh.
DIY units are a breeze for any tech to finish the install.
I think I charged 350 on the last one I finalized for a guy.
I had to flare his lines to get the lines right. I needed my tubing bender kit to get the bends right, as they installed a floor mount head unit.
Any company that won’t do a diy install is nuts.
Flares, torquing, nitro test, and pump down. Easy.

 

[TM48]

I've self installed two so far. It's very easy. You just need a vacuum pump if you use a uncharged line set or you want to customize the length. If you shorten the lines you will need a flairing tool as well. If you can read instructions you can do it. Even if you buy a vacuum pump and gauge set it will be cheaper than paying someone (if you can get someone). The first one I did was a 12k btu Pioneer which is still working after eight years. The latest is a 6k Cooper & Hunter installed last July. I think there is one maybe two factories in China that build all the second tier mini splits.

 

[1201]

I just bought a tasmota IR blaster for my mini splits and integrated that in Home Assistant. Works like a charm.
No cloud services, everything local on HA and until now pretty reliable.

If they are midea based you can also get the smartlight slwf01pro single for about $18 that gives full local control via wifi and relays the room indoor temp and outdoor temp to home assistant.

SLWF-01 WiFi Air Conditioners control module | ESPHome | Home Assistant | SMLIGHT Official Homepage

smlight.tech

I've self installed two so far. It's very easy. You just need a vacuum pump if you use a uncharged line set or you want to customize the length. If you shorten the lines you will need a flairing tool as well. If you can read instructions you can do it. Even if you buy a vacuum pump and gauge set it will be cheaper than paying someone (if you can get someone). The first one I did was a 12k btu Pioneer which is still working after eight years. The latest is a 6k Cooper & Hunter installed last July. I think there is one maybe two factories in China that build all the second tier mini splits.

I went this route of buying a vacuum pump and gauge set and not only did it help me install my 5 mini splits and save money but the gauge set came in handy last week when I was able to recharge the ac in my car that had stopped cooling.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

Yeesh.
DIY units are a breeze for any tech to finish the install.
I think I charged 350 on the last one I finalized for a guy.
I had to flare his lines to get the lines right. I needed my tubing bender kit to get the bends right, as they installed a floor mount head unit.
Any company that won’t do a diy install is nuts.
Flares, torquing, nitro test, and pump down. Easy.

If I'm going to do all the hard work I'm going to finish it by doing the pump down and leak test too. I don't have a way to do a nitro test but I can pull a vacuum and let it sit for a while. Soapy water is all they have you do on the MrCool instructions and of course that's after you've pressurized the system. So far everything I've ordered is still R410A and I have a couple jugs of that sitting around. Fortunately I haven't needed it yet.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

If they are midea based you can also get the smartlight slwf01pro single for about $18 that gives full local control via wifi and relays the room indoor temp and outdoor temp to home assistant.

SLWF-01 WiFi Air Conditioners control module | ESPHome | Home Assistant | SMLIGHT Official Homepage

smlight.tech

I went this route of buying a vacuum pump and gauge set and not only did it help me install my 5 mini splits and save money but the gauge set came in handy last week when I was able to recharge the ac in my car that had stopped cooling.

I have a gauge set. Will have to buy a vacuum pump because mine disappeared years ago. I've done my own AC work most of my life. Just getting lazy in my old age.