Help me Install 3 EG4 Mini Split Solar Heat Pumps

[Plum Crazy Rob]

So which is it, does 314.2.4.1 trump 314.2.4 ??

I thought the same. Totally ambiguous and open to interpretation

 

[Zwy]

So which is it, does 314.2.4.1 trump 314.2.4 ???

Gotta love regulations, they can mean anything anyone want's them to.

Manufacturer trumps all. Pretty simple, they designed it and know what it contains internally. Some units have a P trap internally. So whatever the manufacturer specifies, just like UL listed trumps NEC.

314.2.4.1 is subset of 314.2.4

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

For the record the Section 307 reference, now that I had a chance to look it up, says exactly the same thing as Section 314:

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

Well this pretty well covers it. Yet, sure as sh!t, contractors in comments saying inspectors forced them to install traps. We all know, you will do what ever Code Enforcement wants to approve it, then decide whether to change it after.

 

[Quattrohead]

Mine made its own trap when the pipe buckled slightly due to the weight of the water in it LOL

 

[Altide8]

If the array for this unit were to be installed on a house then what would be the best way to install rapid shutdown when there is no inverter? I have a 12k btu unit on the way. I'm debating on having the array ground mounted or on the roof. The roof would be idea, but I'm not entirely sure about the rapid shut down requirements.

 

[MrM1]

FYI

My DIY 24k warranty replacement is supposedly in cue for shipment. Guess SS got or is now expecting soon some stock.

 

[MrM1]

If the array for this unit were to be installed on a house then what would be the best way to install rapid shutdown when there is no inverter? I have a 12k btu unit on the way. I'm debating on having the array ground mounted or on the roof. The roof would be idea, but I'm not entirely sure about the rapid shut down requirements.

I'm curious how the answer to this plays out

 

[SmitHVAC]

So can someone explain to me why a mini split does not require a u trap but a regular split system does.

Traps are required in split systems when the evap coil is in the negative side of the systems airflow, for example an air handler with the evap coil below the fan. If the evap sits on top of the furnace or air handler (in the positive side) it does not require a trap. The reasoning behind it is because if the coil sits in the negative side, air will be pulled in through the drain port of the coils drain pan and prevent water from draining, gurgling action coming into the pan. In the positive side it's forcing air out through the drain port and the water goes with it. Traps on mini split drains are functionally not required but are enforced by some municipal codes.

 

[MrM1]

FYI

My DIY 24k warranty replacement is supposedly in cue for shipment. Guess SS got or is now expecting soon some stock.

Its at the my "local" shippers dock. They'll be bring it out here next Thursday.

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

New video...

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

And the video reveals two things. I noticed, well, either Kelly is hobbit-sized, or the indoor unit looks REALLY big like my 24k.

So I looked it up, the non solar 9 and 12k featured in the video use the 42" inch wide head unit / indoor coil like the solar 24k (the solar 12k uses a 33" inch wide head). I guess that contributes to their higher SEER2.

Second, why there is no non-solar 24k in the line up - the SEER2 would be the same / don't hook up solar to a 24k and boom you have it ?

 

[SolarScott]

And the video reveals two things. I noticed, well, either Kelly is hobbit-sized, or the indoor unit looks REALLY big like my 24k.

So I looked it up, the non solar 9 and 12k featured in the video use the 42" inch wide head unit / indoor coil like the solar 24k (the solar 12k uses a 33" inch wide head). I guess that contributes to their higher SEER2.

Second, why there is no non-solar 24k in the line up - the SEER2 would be the same / don't hook up solar to a 24k and boom you have it ?

Never in my life have I seen teflon tape put around the outside of any fitting......pretty good video other than that. You notice they did not show her putting the head unit up while guiding the tubes/wire through the hole....almost impossible by yourself.

 

[Recovering EE]

Never in my life have I seen teflon tape put around the outside of any fitting......pretty good video other than that. You notice they did not show her putting the head unit up while guiding the tubes/wire through the hole....almost impossible by yourself.

I did it. I first taped the refrigerant lines, com/power wires and drain hose together to make feeding easier. I pre-fed the long drain and com/power cable through the hole, and then lifted the unit up and guided everything through the wall hole, while holding the air handler unit up near the bracket. The weight of the cable and hose helped draw themselves through the hole. Once everything was through the hole, I hung the air handler on the top of the bracket, wiggled it around to get everything seated where it belonged, and it snapped it into the bottom clips.

I was surprised how easy it was for this 70-ish year-old man.

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

Ok quick FYI after 1 yr app starts a rolling delete of Data - so plan accordingly if you'd like to retain it. I know it was discovered our app is related to the "Tuya" suite of apps. I don't know if there is a way to import/export data from those??

See pic, I installed 1/1/23, now data deleted thru today's date from 1 yr ago.

 

[MrM1]

Well I am in a Weird Place. After 8 months of operation, 1 of my 3 units quit "blowing"
- It was on and I had not turned it off
- But the blower was not running
- Lights were on, but "no one was home"
- Compressor was on
- So I spun the "squirrel cage" and the blower started
- But the cage looks really dirty

So I guess I really need to take this unit apart and clean it per @SmitHVAC 's video.

I was surprised this was so dirty after only 8 months

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

Speaking of 1 yr anniversary, quick stats. This is for 1 24k BTU unit hooked to 7 385W panels, 38N latitude, fixed 25 degree angle ground mount. Pro tip: it's overpaneled (good news / bad news). Angle doesn't make much difference. Blows into 1000 sq ft 1st Floor of my 2500 sq ft place.

2.4Mwh Solar usage of 4.2Mwh PVWatts potential = 57.2% Solar harvest of potential

2.4Mwh of 2.61Mwh run on Solar = 92% of time operation on Solar

My annual total power usage dropped from 18Mwh to 12.6 Mwh for a 5.4Mwh savings, I pay $130/Mwh so $700 annual savings.

KEEP IN MIND comfort has increased since install, I (edit: PREVIOUS thermostat settings Lol. On Solar, i set it crazy warm or cold respectively) set thermostat at 58 winter / 81 summer during daytime and basically 68 otherwise. (I have an old school single stage Geothermal HP)

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

I was surprised this was so dirty after only 8 months

Can it really be so dirty as to not run after 8mo. Curious to see your findings.

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

I installed 2 more 12k units on bedrooms, which, whether hybrid Solar or not, is a freaking fantastic idea - so little power is used one way or the other and comfortable as he11 as many of us here are discovering.

I have some kind of handshake disagreement going on with the 12k's as control is switched between
app<->remotes, degrees F changes to Degrees C. I guess I am going to have to get ahold of SS. Ugh. See linked video short.

The two 12ks are the old style non DIY lineset, I bought them on SS blowout sale when they rolled out the DIY .

EG4 remote problem

Edit: Signature Solar has (quite quickly and pleasantly, really) responded, and this is a known problem, remotes with this "bug". I am on a list to get new remotes when they get a box of them

Will update when that happens.

 

[Crowz]

Well I am in a Weird Place. After 8 months of operation, 1 of my 3 units quit "blowing"
- It was on and I had not turned it off
- But the blower was not running
- Lights were on, but "no one was home"
- Compressor was on
- So I spun the "squirrel cage" and the blower started
- But the cage looks really dirty

So I guess I really need to take this unit apart and clean it per @SmitHVAC 's video.

I was surprised this was so dirty after only 8 months

I had one do that at my old house. After pulling it apart some I found the squirrel cage was full of dust and rabbit fur. We had long haired rabbits as pets one one point. Nothing sheds like a long hair rabbit. Nothing. The fur goes everywhere with a good bit being airborne apparently.

After cleaning it out it did fine.

 

[MrM1]

@Plum Crazy Rob
That right there is the key. The energy use is down and we are more comfortable than in years past

 

[MrM1]

Well I pulled it apart tonight. Got as deep as removing the "squirrel cage" fan blades. Was not that dirty at all. Coils were pristine. Blower motor was deeper behind more plastic, so I never got a visual of it. I cleaned everything. It's behaving ...

... But why did the blower motor just stop the other day . Odd.

 

[MrM1]

Wait ... WHAT ? ...
THE APP Let's You SET SCENES ???

OK ... Have I just been missing this? Did this Just Get Added to the App ? ? ?

I just saw tonight that the Solar AirCon app allows for the creation of scenes ... User defined "If - Then" IFTTT conditions.
- how long has this been in the app?
- Any body tried it? does it work?
- This would be a game changer fulfilling several of the app requests I had

If the out side temp is 80, set the unit to cool at 73
If the outside temp is 50 set the unit to heat at 68
If the time is 7pm then turn the unit down to 65

Lots of possibilities.

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

Others, please try it?? I set up a test Scene to turn unit on at a time and set temp to 75. DID turn ON, temp didn't adjust, just normal operation of coming on at whatever last setting was...
So, 0 for 1 on this. Ah,

 

[justgary]

Just spitballing, but maybe try each command with its own "IF" condition. E.g., "IF TIME 0740 THEN ON" and "IF TIME 0741 THEN SET TEMP 75". If that works, try them with the same time (but still separate commands) to see if they both still happen.