Should I rotate this mini-split (myself) 90 degrees?

VenezianBlau 87 · 06-15-2023, 04:02 PM

More to the point, what's the chance I'll kink the two copper supply lines in the process? I shifted it a little to get a feeling for it and that's why it's askew.

We weren't paying attention and he faced it parallel with the EZ Breeze windows instead of the main house. The way he has it the pigtail wire won't reach the box anyway and he replied there was a bush there---WTF?. He wants $700 to reposition and wire it. He couldn't wire it then as our contractors hadn't yet run the power to that location. It seems an excessive charge after I paid him $1,600 to install it and it was nothing tricky, compared to the other two he did here.

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

You should be able to as long as you go easy on the copper lines, put some wood down so you can slowly shift it over.

Baz · Baz's Garage

He's an idiot for not taking the extra steps needed to get it in the right location.

A quick phone call to you would have resolved everything.

Goes to my ongoing commentary/editorial about the difference from someone who cares what they do and someone who doesn't.

Sorry for the rant. Good luck!

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

Baz is quite correct.

Likely need to keep about 12" space behind it.

sc_rufctr · 06-15-2023, 04:36 PM

I would never deal with that contractor again and I would attempt to reposition it myself.
(There's plenty of pipe IMO. Just clock it left and then move it onto the concrete slab you re-positioned earlier)

But that's me. Don't touch it if you don't feel confident.

masraum · 06-15-2023, 04:44 PM

I think I'd sure as hell not have that guy come back and damn sure wouldn't pay him another cent.

VenezianBlau 87 · 06-15-2023, 04:54 PM

Thanks guys. I think I can do it...will post results. I enjoyed DIY projects when I was single and no one saw my mistakes.

VenezianBlau 87 · 06-15-2023, 05:31 PM

Hi Steve...I didn't see your post till after I did mine. Thanks for your step by step instructions on rebuilding my '87 steering rack. Dang, 17 years ago! I recently got back on PP as not long after that I suspect a mod doxxed (correctly) my location as a federal government agency using the IP tracking. Stayed off the site for years!

LEAKYSEALS951 · 06-15-2023, 05:35 PM

Should I rotate this mini-split (myself) 90 degrees?

yes.

Gogar · 06-15-2023, 06:36 PM

Do it yourself, there's nothing you don't know already or can't learn here with your buddies. Worst case is losing the proper pressure to the lines.

KFC911 · 06-15-2023, 06:50 PM

You either hired an idjut or someone who just doesn't care about doing something right....

Or both

VenezianBlau 87 · 06-15-2023, 06:55 PM

I'm definitely going to give it my best try. It'll be Saturday as he still owes me for wiring it to box. He claims now that my electrician should've run a longer line or something and he needs to find a longer pigtail (as a result of putting unit in weird position).

As I write this I see how f***ed up it is.....I think I'll cancel that and have my electrician do it. I don't mess with house current anymore.

john70t · 06-15-2023, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 908/930

Likely need to keep about 12" space behind it.

Being close to the ground, it will get rain dirt splashed on it.
The bushes will grow and leafs will get pulled into the works.
Here in snow country a mound would pile up in that corner and need drainage away from the house. etc.
It's not an ideal location and as a pro he should have advised you first.

What about making an attractive enclosure to hide it from view and protect it?

IS300 · IS300's Garage

you can move it just go slow and work the pipes with your hands

masraum · 06-16-2023, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

You either hired an idjut or someone who just doesn't care about doing something right....

Or both

That's often/usually the case.

Zeke · 06-16-2023, 06:54 AM

I'd take a pic and have a poster made and then put it in your front yard with the guy's phone number. The caption on the poster is up to you, but I'd think for awhile until it's perfect.

Possibly the pic should be take from the inside if you can control the reflection. If from the outside, you should put some steps going to that side of the door.

People like that should be publicly humiliated.

VenezianBlau 87 · 06-16-2023, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

Being close to the ground, it will get rain dirt splashed on it.
The bushes will grow and leafs will get pulled into the works.
Here in snow country a mound would pile up in that corner and need drainage away from the house. etc.
It's not an ideal location and as a pro he should have advised you first.

What about making an attractive enclosure to hide it from view and protect it?

John, fortunately that area drains well, partly due to the gutters being far from that area. I hadn't thought about making some sort of visual distraction that would hide it but that's a good idea.

Zeke, I'm not one for doing that but I think he'll get the longer pigtail and wire it up and when he's done tomorrow I can commence moving unit. I noticed that there's a long plastic conduit/shroud and if I pop it off it will take stress off the supply lines as I'll be moving longer lengths.

I don't know if any of this makes sense as smoke alarm going off due to grinding some wood threshold. Glad this nightmare is almost over. Mary acts as the general contractor as she has experience and 90% of the work has/is being done by a family and they've been great. Mary has to stay on top of everything to get it the way she wants. Two of them speak perfect English thank God.

I want to share some pics of where I planned the mini-split to go.

MBAtarga · 06-16-2023, 08:02 AM

I'm not sure of the weight - but I guess you'd be able to slide it yourself.

Turn off the breaker and disconnect the wiring.
Then get rid of the shrubs in the way.
Get a piece of plywood and set it down in front of the unit and towards the left near the house leaving room for the pad.
Then slowly slide the unit onto the plywood and maneuver the copper lines.
Once the unit is off the pad, place the pad in the final destination.
Continue sliding the unit and maneuvering the lines.
After final placement reconnect the power connections.

VenezianBlau 87 · 06-16-2023, 08:36 AM

Mark, that's how I'm going to do it tomorrow afternoon after electrical hooked up. HVAC guy wants $700 to cut lines, re-flare, recapture refrigerant, move, vacuum, refill. I don't see why he'd need to do that as the line lengths are perfect for moving where I want it. 18" from wall to the back of unit is the spec.

Look to the left and you'll see where mini-split sits. (pic cut off far left but just out of frame) I was hoping to have it installed on the far right...see next pic

I had line run outside for it's own box with intent to put unit where extension cord is now. HVAC guy showed me where there's not enough drop for evaporator to gravity drop condensate outside. Would need a pump above soffit and not thrilled about that. It sort of made sense.

Mary's she shed. Cheaper than storage unit---breakeven was 27 months.

Fence guy put in two doors after completely sealing up area for some reason. Mary's ridiculously small camper.

I cleaned out garage yesterday but still too much junk.
I've been retired two years and she's still on lift. Two flywheel sensor wires shorted three years ago. Can't reach where they mount and broke one so I'm dropping motor/trans do replace/update clutch and fork, etc. While I'm in there I'm sending out rear control arms for Elephant bushings and new bearings. Also got the Elephant adjustable swing plates that replace the solid ones. Got to get with Shaun about refinishing splined hubs (and other stuff) as Chuck Moreland explained to me theirs won't fit my '87 due to splines being unique that year. Too bad, it looks cool like all their stuff. Also got the front camber plates, decambered ball joints and new strut assemblies.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Maybe Rod can fix you up with his son's wife's sister's boyfriend.