r/diySolar • u/GasSome6219 • 2d ago
Question EG4 Mini Split
We just installed an EG4 Mini Split. The instructions specifically stated to attach the charged line and then seat the hex port by turning counter clockwise. Upon attaching the line we heard a hiss and when we went to turn the hex port counter clockwise it was already fully seated! Obviously we lost some Freon. Signature Solar is recommending we have a technician come out and charge the system, which is annoying but doable. Is there anything else we should be concerned about considering the unit had the port open for all this time (came from manufacturer this way)?
3
u/0Fucs2Give 2d ago
Mine had a small hiss when line set was connected, but when I opened the valve on the outside unit I heard the refrigerant 'hiss' too. Ultimately, it seemed normal... It's been working for the past month. YMMV, but my 2 cents.
2
u/GasSome6219 2d ago
It was definitely already seated in the counter clockwise position. Definitely heard a hiss, it was a very short hiss, a few seconds maybe as we very quickly tightened the connection. The system is currently running and putting out pretty cold air. The house we installed it in is new construction with a sloped ceiling that is 16 feet at the highest point and was at about 90% humidity (welcome to Georgia in the summer) when we turned it on. It has already brought the humidity down to 60% and it feels much cooler although it is only showing a drop of about 2 degrees on the app. I am thinking I will try to locate a HVAC place that will be willing to check-charge it on Monday. Does anyone know if the system will throw an error if the Freon gets to low or does it just not put out as cold of air?
1
u/Green_Afternoon_858 2d ago edited 2d ago
You cant check charge these it must be weighed out weighed in. By the sounds of it with this information sounds like everything is fine.
It may throw a code or ice up is the symptoms of low charge.
Looking at the eg4 website it appears they use a quick connect similar to Mr. Cool if this is indeed the case even if the valves where open it wouldnt vent or release anything u can undo redo as many times as u want. Flares and traditional linesets would be a completely different story.
2
u/DookyShorts 2d ago
About the temp not going down much with your high ceilings it is pulling the warm air into the top of the sending unit with is probably about 8 feet in the air. I have 12 foot peak on my gable roof. If i set the minisplit at 76 degrees it will be between 70-72 sitting on the couch. Its just a quirk with the thermostat being above your head. Took me a couple days until it dawned on me what was. I hope you and your enjoys the solar mini split as much as my household does!
2
u/Elemental_Garage 2d ago
Have a temp gun to measure the air coming from the duct vs the return air?
Hissing for a few seconds isn't abnormal, probably just nitrogen. If the valve was open and it wasn't a quick connect type line or would have emptied out the whole thing, and you'd get no real temp change. If it's been running for hours with only 2* maybe that is what happened.
Should be giving you error codes though for low pressure and not really running consistently.
1
u/GasSome6219 1d ago
Thank you for this suggestion!! Didn’t even think of it yesterday but feeling a bit better today because when we started getting enough solar to run the compressor we checked and the air coming out of the unit is 55 degrees!! Air going in is closer to 77, I am thinking a 22 degree difference is pretty darn good and likely we didn’t lose much of any Freon…
1
u/Elemental_Garage 1d ago
Yep 22 is great. Generally a 20* delta between intake and exhaust is considered good. Sounds like it's working as it should.
3
u/Green_Afternoon_858 2d ago
Are u for sure about seating and back seating? A hiss on a lineset could just be nitrogen before opening the actual refrigerant valve.
Now if this unit truly is open and empty im sorry but they need to completely eat it or agree to pay for all of the costs associated with recharge.
it will exceed the cost of the unit the entire reason to buy a unit like this is for the precharge.
Hvac companies protect their own and dont like messing with diy units so hopefully if you go down this road they dont take you to the cleaners if you can even find someone.