From my experience, the PV upgrade path ends using being most logical, despite a strong initial bias toward the Solar mini split. Reducing generator hours when the mini split isn't needed is pretty big. I was stuck in analysis paralysis far too long wanting to not replace something that "just works."
Solar mini split vs...
- Thread starter dopeassjackson
- Start date
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Addict
Good find. If you (or anyone) talks to them about Solar stuff let us know what they say / prices. I just bought $3k shingles from the one here last yr.
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Addict
Ok one other point we have to cover about SOLAR ONLY - NO WIFI - CABIN and the hybrid mini split. It's my experience cabins usually involve trees, hills, etc (brilliant, huh 
)
Here's the thing, if you set it to come on with the remote as you'd be doing, it basically tries to come on at Sunrise
, which is dumb, and there's no setting for "delay start" as there should be - if you don't get reasonable solid solar within 2 hrs, you can have this "LP" timeout (see stuff attached from manual) and you have to restart it using the remote - as in you have to physically be there.
You could hook a very low power smart relay to pipe a tiny amount of AC wattage to assist or ideally pull in some sort of DC contactor, but I don't think any exist due to arc / reasonably priced in appropriate voltage / current specs.
Or again consider system upgrade, conventional mini, etc. Just trying to give you as much INFORMATION as possible, since I'm a user of the hybrid mini's.
)Here's the thing, if you set it to come on with the remote as you'd be doing, it basically tries to come on at Sunrise
, which is dumb, and there's no setting for "delay start" as there should be - if you don't get reasonable solid solar within 2 hrs, you can have this "LP" timeout (see stuff attached from manual) and you have to restart it using the remote - as in you have to physically be there.You could hook a very low power smart relay to pipe a tiny amount of AC wattage to assist or ideally pull in some sort of DC contactor, but I don't think any exist due to arc / reasonably priced in appropriate voltage / current specs.
Or again consider system upgrade, conventional mini, etc. Just trying to give you as much INFORMATION as possible, since I'm a user of the hybrid mini's.
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
Called them. They had no idea what I was talking about and didnt even know what a mini split was. I possibly talked to the wrong person/location.
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
So with a single county day the whole setup is dead until I go there to restart it. If so this totally kills the deal for me. Il just install a normal mini split and supplement my small solar setup with a generator.Ok one other point we have to cover about SOLAR ONLY - NO WIFI - CABIN and the hybrid mini split. It's my experience cabins usually involve trees, hills, etc (brilliant, huh
Here's the thing, if you set it to come on with the remote as you'd be doing, it basically tries to come on at Sunrise
You could hook a very low power smart relay to pipe a tiny amount of AC wattage to assist or ideally pull in some sort of DC contactor, but I don't think any exist due to arc / reasonably priced in appropriate voltage / current specs.
Or again consider system upgrade, conventional mini, etc. Just trying to give you as much INFORMATION as possible, since I'm a user of the hybrid mini's.
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Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Addict
Exactly what I expected or we'd have heard of people buying EG4 inverters there - they have 700 locations. Maybe in the future - doubt it though.
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Addict
Yep. That's why I wanted to know if you just planned to show up and click it on, which will work. If you turned it on "4 days ago when you were there" and expecting it to be cool when you got there next - eh, not so much without WI FI app cloud scheduling, AC power to blend with etc.
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
Thank you for that info. I was going to read the manual prior to buying anything but you just saved me alot of time and possibly alot of money.
Looking at cheap $500 mini splits now.
Looking at cheap $500 mini splits now.
So you already have the PV? Sounds like all is not lost if you stick with future purchases, I’d say sort out mounting the PV and set up for future success.
Even if you snag the 120v traditional mini split sounds like you can upgrade other components as needed.
I’m kind of in opposite situation, 24v3k multiplus inverter, 13kwhr of storage but only 500w of poorly position PV and wanting to run a 120v 12k unit. We’ll only be running the unit when we’re there say Friday thru Sunday, so I need to at least triple the PV input.
Even if you snag the 120v traditional mini split sounds like you can upgrade other components as needed.
I’m kind of in opposite situation, 24v3k multiplus inverter, 13kwhr of storage but only 500w of poorly position PV and wanting to run a 120v 12k unit. We’ll only be running the unit when we’re there say Friday thru Sunday, so I need to at least triple the PV input.
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
I will be mounting more pannels but mostly due to the current ones being covered in snow alotof the winter. I would also buy components here and there but my system is 12v and dont want to spend a dime more on 12v stuff. 48v next go around.
I have decided to just get a cheap $500-700 12k mini split and use my generator to power it when needed. No point in spending thousands to try and save a few bucks in gas.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I own both Senville and Pioneer, I prefer Senville.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
Heating is different as the Senville in the kitchen is rated to -20°F and the Pioneer isn't. As for cooling, both are about the same. I had to purchase a universal wi fi module for the Pioneer and the app for that is better than Alexa used by Senville. I do have a Senville 9K btu in the truck camper and that doesn't have wi fi either but camper isn't that large plus the inverter has to be turned on to run the mini split.
As for efficiency, too many variables that factor into it but it seems for the watts used the Senville seems to be more efficient. I will say the Pioneer enters defrost way more often than the Senville. The Senville automatically adjusts the air outlet too when heating in defrost so cold air won't be directly blowing on a person.
If all you wanted is cooling, the Pioneer would be OK but in the spring or fall, the Pioneer is not my first choice.
42OhmsPA
Who likes Electrical Gremlins?
I don't have a Senville for comparison.
For what it's worth I do have a Pioneer 12K BTU low ambient and have been extremely happy with it in heating and cooling.
It does draw a lot more power when temps are in the single digits, compared to near freezing, but still puts out a great amount of heat. Coal is my primary heat source so I only use the heating in the shoulder months.
For what it's worth I do have a Pioneer 12K BTU low ambient and have been extremely happy with it in heating and cooling.
It does draw a lot more power when temps are in the single digits, compared to near freezing, but still puts out a great amount of heat. Coal is my primary heat source so I only use the heating in the shoulder months.
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
Honestly I'm going to buy the cheapest one I can find at time of purchase. Unless someone can prove spending $200+ more for a specific one is of better quality. I dont need it to work in the winter.
Weekend van
New Member
My HVAC guy (worked with him in corporate maintenance and had a side HAVC business, later did 100% his own HVAC) had me get Hessaire from Home Depot. Low cost, high SEER. Great A/C, not that impressed with heat. Not low temp rated, not an issue for where I run them.
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
What kind of problems did he have with others?
Airman68
New Member
I have your exact situation. I use my Delta Pro and 1 extra battery at my off grid cabin. I'm considering the Della unit on Amazon, under $600. I don't need the heat function. However, for the handful of times I would even use this, I am seriously considering a modern window unit or floor unit. They are a lot more efficient than older units. Similar price but no install. Put it in, plug it in and done, simple. If or when we decide to spend more time there in the future, maybe a mini will be the answer. Right now, I go there to relax, not redesign all my systems, LOL.
42OhmsPA
Who likes Electrical Gremlins?
If you go window or floor I'd make sure it's inverter based, such as the Midea U series, to avoid the startup surge...
dopeassjackson
Solar Enthusiast
I looked into a window inverter unit and your saving maybe $100 vs a mini split. I believe they max out at 15seer with nearly the same mini split being 20seer. For me I dont have alot of storage space and I dont want to leave the window unit in the window when not there.
Installation looks fairly simple for a mini split. Drill a hole, mount both units. Hookup wires and refrigerant lines then evacuate. Check for leaks then open up the valves and power on. I have a universal refrigerant licence so maybe this is more complex of a process to someone else.
Heat might be nice in my situation but not a deal killer. I just prefer to have the unit in one spot and never move it like a window unit.
Have you thought about buying a used inverter window unit and trying it first?
Installation looks fairly simple for a mini split. Drill a hole, mount both units. Hookup wires and refrigerant lines then evacuate. Check for leaks then open up the valves and power on. I have a universal refrigerant licence so maybe this is more complex of a process to someone else.
Heat might be nice in my situation but not a deal killer. I just prefer to have the unit in one spot and never move it like a window unit.
Have you thought about buying a used inverter window unit and trying it first?
Airman68
New Member
I was mainly just trying to avoid the installation part. I am also universal licensed too, so that's not the issue. I just like simple. Plug it in. I'll have to look at the inverter type. Pretty sure I wont have too much trouble running either on my DP.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
The main reason for any inverter heat pump is the efficiency running on solar and battery power.
In my truck camper I have a 280Ah DIY 24V battery. I've ran the mini split overnight in 95°F weather with high humidity plus powered the DC fridge and still had 54% SOC left in the morning. That is over 12 hours of running. Simply amazing.
Airman68
New Member
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I don't have the inverter switched on unless we need AC power. Only something like the mini split or microwave. The battery we have handles it easily for us.
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