D-I-Y Aircon install systems..

[tony sayer]

Anyone ever done this or had any experience of this sort of thing?..

The wall mounted type with external compressor and the pipes between them, with the pre charged refrigerant?...

TIA...

[Peter Parry]

The ones I have done did not use the snapfit connectors but copper flared pipe. I used an old refrigerator compressor as a vacuum pump before releasing the refrigerant. In both cases the pipe connectors needed further tightening after leak testing with soapy water. Both have lasted 3 years so far.

Instructions tend to be a work of fiction and usually seem to apply to a different model by a different manufacturer sold in a different country for a different purpose. Apart from that they are quite clear.

You need a core drill to make a hole for all the pipe work and need to be _really_ careful when bending the pipe - it easily kinks. I used some brown guttering fitted over he pipes to hide the pipes on the outside of the house.

[tony sayer]

In article , Peter Parry scribeth thus

Thanks for that. There is an expired system there this is a small community radio station thats always short of the readies and they simply can't afford to pay for a new installed system being quoted silly money for repairing the old one and around 2000 plus for a new. Its to keep there equipment room cooled. I'd use fans if we could but there are noise and fire complications re that.

Course removing the Gas from the existing system would need to be done I believe by someone licensed but it could stay in position as its not in anyone's way, in fact there is a better place where it should have been put. All very simple to install holes would be very easy to cut etc..

[Peter Parry]

One of the ones I helped with is doing just that - keeping a server room cool. They are really very simple EXCEPT for bending the pipes which has to be done with great care.

[Bob Eager]

It's been discussed before...look back in the archives. I think the name 'Global' was mentioned.

[tony sayer]

In article , Peter Parry scribeth thus

Can you not use a bending spring where possible?..

[js.b1]

The split DIY systems are easy fit.

Just remember they are precharged for a specific length limit, and on many systems you can not shorten the hose - you therefore have to coil it behind the unit either inside or outside. Might be useful to investigate if various lengths are available.

For domestic, I've never understood why they don't do an "all outside" system. Where there is just a vent in the wall with an IR window for the controller - you simply have it blowing cold air in or hot air in depending on heat pump mode. No hoses to muck about with re kinking, no seals to go bad, no installation hassle or finding free wall space and so on. Instead they do "everything inside, just two vents outside" at a huge increase in price, often reduced CoP and whacking great big box inside.

Another note is Invertor systems are a bit more efficient.

[Adrian C]

You haven't seen the huge protruding outdoor boxes that the Americans (and the rest of the world for that matter) jam in a previously openable sash window?

[Toby]

Like one of these?

guess because they are huge and only fit in a window!

I have seen the other type, where the whole unit is inside and there are two vents to the outside, but these are not common, mainly used where access to the outside is not possible/practical

The units mentioned by the OP are proper split units, where the compressor and condenser coils are outside in a box, and you just have a fan and the evaporator inside. like this

[Andrew Gabriel]

I've done two of them. I used the B&Q Airforce 1200 BTU/hr models (although the design changed between the two I bought). Bought them when B&Q had £100 off offer, and even though they charge full VAT, they were still cheaper than all the places which charge

5% VAT (the rate applicable to heat pump heating devices).

Mine gets used for heating significantly more than for cooling, but it is doing some cooling at the moment.

[js.b1]

Ah, yes, I know (usually sash) big box window units hanging out of windows, but not what I had in mind.

I mean exactly as current "split load" units except the internal box is mounted externally, weatherproof, with just twin 9" vents to the inside.

No hoses, high reliability as no "self-seal connectors", just two core- drill holes. Exact same form-factor as existing systems - just a different metalwork box, internal grill with IR remote receiver, minimal R&D.

[Peter Parry]

No, the fittings on the end stops you. The pipe is soft drawn so it bends easily in the hands - you just need to be very careful forming the radius and avoiding moving the pipe so much it starts to work harden. As the pipe usually comes with the insulation pre-fitted it is easy to kink if you rush things.

[tony sayer]

In article , Peter Parry scribeth thus

Looking on some websites there are flaring kits around and they don't seem that expensive, so I suppose if you were doing more then the one etc;?..

Anyone know anything about the regs concerning old refrigerant gas removal?..

[Owain]

Yes; you mustn't tell anyone you're doing it :-)

Owain

Aside: Is DIY aircon subject to Part L?

[Jules]

We had one at our previous house - I uncermoniously threw it in the shed as it was power-hungry, and looked like a piece of crap :-)

They are very common this side of the Pond, however. I'm not sure if their inefficiency is down to the majority of them being old (i.e. design has improved over the years), the poor sealing between them and the window, or the level that they tend to be mounted at (i.e window height; perhaps floor-level or ceiling-level AC does better)

cheers

Jules

[Andrew Gabriel]

A good proportion of their cooling effect seems to be to countract the hot mains lead and plug they all seem to have on the left side of the pond. ;-)

8 or 9 years ago when self-install aircon didn't exist over here, a friend bought one of the through window ones in Frys (USA) and carried it back on a plane as excess luggage. The excess luggage charge was more than it cost, but still vastly cheaper than anything over here. Last time I looked, they were still vastly cheaper than anything here. So was driving across to France to buy one -- they're still thought of as luxury items here, whereas they are bog standard white goods in continental Europe, particularly as you get into the warmer parts.

[dennis]

They used to sell them in wickes but weren't popular. I think they stopped selling them a couple of years ago. They were about £250 last time I saw one. I was going to fit one in my conservatory but I got a new one with opening windows instead. 8-)

[Jules]

Ha ha! :-)

Eek. Those things (at least the old ones) are *heavy*!

They're very easy to find second-hand in the US (plenty on freecycle, too)

- I think folk are finally waking up to the fact that they're utter crap and that opening a few windows / shutting curtains / using a fan to move air around is just as effective (and a lot cheaper).

cheers

Jules