Looking for a Solar version of a 5,000BTU mini split - I can't seem to find em.

[Dacflyer]

I been looking for a while to find a solar powered 5,000BTU mini split. I can't seem to find anything smaller than 12,000BTW
My Bed room is only 11'x 11' and my current 9,000 BTW ( main powered ) unit is just too big.. keeps the room too damp. and I have to have the unit cleaned every year, because of gunk build up on the blower wheel.. The coils are spotless.
So I am done dealing with this.. Before all this I had a 5,000Btu Window Unit, and the room was always comfortable,,
But I didn't like having my window blocked..
Anyone know of such a small unit yet ?

 

[TM48]

Mine is not solar but Cooper and Hunter sells a 6000 btu mains powered. I use one in the solar hut.

 

[Dacflyer]

Mine is not solar but Cooper and Hunter sells a 6000 btu mains powered. I use one in the solar hut.

Would you happen to have a link ? Is it a minisplit ?
Thanx.....

 

[usherben]

Not quite what you are looking for, but would something like this work?
https://www.uline.com/BL_3323/Saddle-Window-Air-Conditioners

 

[TM48]

Single Zone AC Wall Mount Ductless Mini Split Systems

Explore our Single Zone Wall Mount collection of ductless mini splits from Cooper & Hunter with high SEER ratings for efficient heating and cooling solutions.

minisplitsforless.com

 

[Vigo]

So does the current unit have a 'dry' or dehumidify setting?

I don't know of a 5000btu mini split.

I have used an 8k Midea U-shaped window unit and can tell you that rather than cycling the compressor on and off it simply throttles down to ~150w and continues running the compressor, which in my mind means it probably continues to remove humidity. I've never measured humidity separately.

I strongly suspect that since all mini splits i know of have a dry/dehumidify setting, even a 9k btu unit would work well for your goal.

 

[Dacflyer]

So does the current unit have a 'dry' or dehumidify setting?

I don't know of a 5000btu mini split.

I have used an 8k Midea U-shaped window unit and can tell you that rather than cycling the compressor on and off it simply throttles down to ~150w and continues running the compressor, which in my mind means it probably continues to remove humidity. I've never measured humidity separately.

I strongly suspect that since all mini splits i know of have a dry/dehumidify setting, even a 9k btu unit would work well for your goal.

It does, But it doesn't seem to work.. Only function I notice is that you can't adjust the fan speeds in DeHumidify mode.. The unit cuts off if the room gets too cold... And this cooling the room off too fast causes this humidity issue..

 

[Dacflyer]

So does the current unit have a 'dry' or dehumidify setting?

"A 9k btu unit would work well for your goal." - It does not unfortunately ( Maybe this is a fault of Frigidaire ?
(customer support has been terrible) I'll never buy from them again.. The local area here has even quit supporting and carrying their product.
And Customer support said i'd have to get a Frigidaire tech here,, and that's not happening, being that the closest one is nearly 3 hrs away.. and no tech is willing to travel this far.. So, I have Junk here..

I don't know of a 5000btu mini split.


I have used an 8k Midea U-shaped window unit and can tell you that rather than cycling the compressor on and off it simply throttles down to ~150w and continues running the compressor, which in my mind means it probably continues to remove humidity. I've never measured humidity separately.

I strongly suspect that since all mini splits i know of have a dry/dehumidify setting, even

So does the current unit have a 'dry' or dehumidify setting?

I don't know of a 5000btu mini split.

I have used an 8k Midea U-shaped window unit and can tell you that rather than cycling the compressor on and off it simply throttles down to ~150w and continues running the compressor, which in my mind means it probably continues to remove humidity. I've never measured humidity separately.

I strongly suspect that since all mini splits i know of have a dry/dehumidify setting, even a 9k btu unit would work well for your goal.

 

[watchdoc]

Just buy the cheapest and lowest wattage 5000 btu window unit which is currently the frigidaire FFRE053WAE and power it from any number of small and quiet solar generators. Our main solar system (10kw and Powerwall 3) powered the home including 1.5 and 2.5 ton HVAC units but at night, we just use a window unit and an Anker 767. Wife likes the bedroom chilly so it keeps me from having to cool the entire 2600 sq ft house.

 

[740GLE]

So you have a 9k traditional window AC unit? Is it properly weather sealed?

What do you keep the temp set too? If it short cycles (compressor is on a shot amount of the time) I can see it not drying the air enough.

But keep in mind a 9k or 12k mini split on low runs equivalent of a 2-5k btu ac. The inverter based compressors are infinitely adjustable to meet the cooling needs. With external drains any excess humidity should be shoved outside.

 

[Road Dog]

I have a Midea 8k inverter window A/C that still allows use of the window. It is in a small 11x14 music studio and keeps the temp and humidity great whether I am working alone or have 5 sweaty musicians in there with hot tube amps and drums. Because it ramps down the compressor as it reaches set temp it gets super quiet and draws very little electricity. Probably worth a look as the smallest mini-split inverter A/C I am aware of is a Pioneer 9k @ around $1100. The Midea 8k was less than $300.

 

[Vigo]

Ive seen local deals on 8-9k btu mini splits at under $450usd. Cheapest ive seen repeatably (amazon etc) is $450-500. I have two ~$500 mini splits in my house right now.

Honestly, if the Midea window unit with heat (doesn't have the U channel but looks otherwise identical) heated below 45f I probably would have bought those instead of actual mini splits!

 

[MarkSolar]

...unit is just too big.. keeps the room too damp. and I have to have the unit cleaned every year, because of gunk build up on the blower wheel.. The coils are spotless.

You could look at through the wall conventional air conditioners, then you don't have the invconvenience of taking it out of the window. That's what I did in our bedroom. Another solution is to run a small dehumidifier in the room, it will generate enough waste heat to keep the minisplit running longer, and will remove moisture on its own. I did that in an office in our basement which is always a little more damp anyway, I have a minisplit in that office but it won't take enough moisture out of the air on its own. It's wasteful but it works.

There are design characteristics of minisplits that cause them to always be less effective at dehumidification than traditional air conditioners. Conventional AC units have a slinger ring on the fan that throws condensate water against the condenser coils to improve efficiency. That's why you sometimes hear a pinging sound on conventional AC. A side effect is that it helps get rid of the condensate water and keep the tray dry. A minisplit has a barely tilted condensate tray to drain water from inside the house through a small tube to the outside. This doesn't work very well so most/all splits keep their interior fan running as much as possible to help dry out that tray and prevent mold. Splits have lower cfm than comparably sized window units so they don't move as much room air as conventional AC, which is nice because it makes them quiet and efficient, but it means they have to run longer to circulate the air in the room and they're not as good at moving air across the evaporator coil to get the moisture out.

My personal experience with heat pumps and splits is that minisplits are good in environments where the comfort expectation is not so high. We have two in our barn for the tack room. All we care about is cheap cooling/heating for things that need to not freeze or get moldy. For a living space, a ducted heat pump is the only way I've seen that will come close to achieving the same comfort level as conventional HVAC.