BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Glennman on January 30, 2022, 11:43:46 PM
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I'm ready to order at least one of my mini splits (12,000 btu for the front). I was originally looking at the Mr. Cool brand, but they are nearly double now from the Pioneer model I am now exploring. I know you get what you pay for, but double? What brands come recommended?
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I've no data on longevity yet, but my LG dual zone unit seems to be working well. I ordered mine from e-comfort.
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Not double if you compare spec sheets.
Mitibushi outperforms the rest in cold weather operation. Real world experiences match the spec sheet.
Premium product in great demand.
Most campers have no need for that kind of heating capability, so watch your efficiency numbers on the others and save some $$$$?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
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I would give LG Daikin Mitibushi a look I have installed all three brands in houses and have had zero call backs. I been called out on several of these way off brands that house flipper's had put in and they are just junk and no parts to be had for them.
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I purchased an OLMO 9k unit for the bedroom off of the fleabay about 3 months ago. Very happy with its performance. Has a Toshiba compressor in it. They have several sizes available.
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There are a couple lines of Mr Cool. The full DIY line is more expensive as the entire system is charged. The same thing with the line not charged is much less and stated as pro install.
Pioneer is a common lower end product. The LG and Mitsubishi etc brands are great but quite expensive.
There are many Mr Cool installations in conversions and they seem to hold up. The Japanese brands are very solid in permanent installations, not sure there is much field reports on them being used in moving vehicles.
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There are a couple lines of Mr Cool. The full DIY line is more expensive as the entire system is charged. The same thing with the line not charged is much less and stated as pro install.
Pioneer is a common lower end product. The LG and Mitsubishi etc brands are great but quite expensive.
There are many Mr Cool installations in conversions and they seem to hold up. The Japanese brands are very solid in permanent installations, not sure there is much field reports on them being used in moving vehicles.
I'll check out the pro install unit especially since the pre-charged linesets are probably not going to be long enough. If I may ask another question (I really don't want to start another thread), do the interior heads need a circuit installed from the main electrical panel, or do they receive their power from the main unit?
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they get the power from the outside unit ( low voltage )
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I have the Pioneer 12K in my conversion, it has been in there for over three years, no issues.
We liked it so much we installed a 24K Pioneer unit in the house, no issues with that one either.
After installing the 24K unit in the house, our electric bill is 50% of what we were paying before we installed it.
I installed both units myself, comes pre-charged with pretty much everything to do the install, not that difficult an install.
Peter
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I just received a daikan. The warranty is 12 years. That was a major factor for me. Price was right too.
https://hvacdirect.com/daikin-mxs-36-000-btu-dual-zone-mini-split-system-18-18-id1512.html
I didn't purchase from this site. A friend of mine (HVAC contractor) ordered it.
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what size btu did you get and what voltage ?
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The Pioneers are well regarded by the skoolie folk, not least because they survive the harder ride of skoolies compared to "real" buses... That they are inexpensive and easy to install is a bonus, and if they do go tits up then they're cheaper to replace.
I installed a Pioneer 12K with heat pump, but it's not evacuated yet, so fingers crossed that it works! I put the outdoor unit directly above the front axle between the frame rails, but it will get lots of air there even when driving.
John
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Probably not the person to ask. I bought a Sanyo which goes with my Honda RV generator and Trace inverter. All out of the market.
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Do any of the brands have a warranty if used for mobile use in a RV ?., Patty Thompson a friend that owns a entertainment leasing co with Prevost buses removed all of her mini splits because of warranty issues in the buses she is bacK to roof tops and the 21k generators.I bought 2 of her LG units for use in the restaurant
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I have the Pioneer 12K in my conversion, it has been in there for over three years, no issues.
We liked it so much we installed a 24K Pioneer unit in the house, no issues with that one either.
After installing the 24K unit in the house, our electric bill is 50% of what we were paying before we installed it.
I installed both units myself, comes pre-charged with pretty much everything to do the install, not that difficult an install.
Peter
I'll be going with the Pioneer then. I don't usually look for warrantees and such. They're nice, but most come with a lot of red tape. I figure that if I'm going to install it in an environment that is not conducive to the unit, then that's my problem. Thanks everyone for these great responses.
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You need a contractor to help navigate the warranty.
You simply use a contractor to make the final connections and manage the paperwork.
I'm in the trades, so I have a slight advantage.
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I just finished installing a 12,000 BTU Mr. Cool in our 102D3. Needed a unit that ran on 120V and most units I looked at were 220v so settled on the Mr. Cool. Installation went very well, no leaks. Very quiet unit.
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Have a 12K unit on our enclosed house boat we run off of a 2800watt Champion inverter unit. 5 years old and both ac and heat work great. Bought out of Florida warehouse online.
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I have a 18,000 btu dankin with two heads in my bus. It is 220 ac and i run it on 120 vac using a 2:1 transformer. My experience has been good except the transformer. I purchased a China model double the size I needed, but it didn't last. I now have an industrial transformer and have had no problems. If the outside temperature is moderate, I can operate off the bus alternator and inverter. Otherwise I use a Honda 3500 generator.
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I have a 18,000 btu dankin with two heads in my bus. It is 220 ac and i run it on 120 vac using a 2:1 transformer. My experience has been good except the transformer. I purchased a China model double the size I needed, but it didn't last. I now have an industrial transformer and have had no problems. If the outside temperature is moderate, I can operate off the bus alternator and inverter. Otherwise I use a Honda 3500 generator.
Do you mind sharing which transformer you have now?
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I just finished installing a 12,000 BTU Mr. Cool in our 102D3. Needed a unit that ran on 120V and most units I looked at were 220v so settled on the Mr. Cool. Installation went very well, no leaks. Very quiet unit.
Can you post some pictures? Where did you install the outdoor unit? Indoor unit?
Thanks
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I just today purchased a 115V 19.5 SEER Pioneer mini split with a 33 foot line set for approximately $1025 including tax and shipping. I plan to install it right away after it arrives. I'll post pictures or do a video on the installation. I plan to inset the indoor unit into the destination sign area above the drivers area, of course keeping in mind the air flow it will need. The outdoor unit will go into the old screened AC bay. I'll install all the line set, units, etc., and have my nephew finish up the purging/charging of the system. He's an HVAC guy, so that is handy.
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Pretty cool Glenn! Looking forward to your setup. I was thinking about doing the same. The condenser area is a mess. Lot's of wires to remove, and clean up, and lines to close up.
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Bustle:
Here are two photos of our mini split AC.
The Evaporator (air handler) is installed on the drivers side wall just behind the drivers seat. Two reasons for this. I had a concern about the AC being mounted above the windshield due to the routing of the Freon lines in front of the driver. Also our bus has the extra window above the windshield which I wanted to leave in place. Mounting it on the side just behind the driver makes for easier routing of the Freon lines and the standard 25 foot lines are just the right length in the 102D3.
The Condenser is mounted in the bus condenser compartment and fits very well there.
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If you run that while travelling, careful of it blowing on back of neck, as in stiff.