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ACIQ Factory spec refrigerant charge of 162 .0 ounces with 98' of actual line sets.

ACIQ 48K Mini split. Seer2 :21.8 4 head units of 9K,9K,12K,12K (handles 5 head units) pretested with Nitrogen @340 lbs overnight. pressure held over 24 hours. Vacuumed down to 190 Microns. 24 hours later held 430 Microns. 98 ft of 1/4" and 3/8" line sets.
Factory recommends 162 ounces of 410A. (10.1 lbs) Refrigerant pre-charge line set length = 125 feet. (no refrigerant in system at present of course) As actual 98' line set is less than 125', we can add 10.1 lbs of 410A to the low side for the present system ? No additional 410A should be needed ?

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,095
    Is the outside unit completely empty or factory charged? If factory charged what does the name plate say for the amount of charge?
    Ironman
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,056
    The outdoor unit doesn't have a factory charge? "No refrigerant in system at present of course."

    If factory charge is 10.1 lbs. for up to 125 ft. of line set and you have 98 ft. So you're good. 

    Where did the factory charge go?



    Ironman
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Refrigerant pre charge 160.0 ounces
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    correction:Refrigerant charge 160.0 oz

    Refrigerant precharge (ft) 25x5
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Where did the factory charge go ? Original Detroit owner gave up on system as the unit had unrelenting leaks. Un-experienced installation = poor flare fittings /pinhole leaks in low quality line sets/ leaky soldering done by installers. Removed from the battle zone area and using new line sets. Triple evacuation method employed on new installation. Unit now going in house in Traverse City area now.
  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,156
    "leaky soldering done by installers" This would worry me personally. Most mini split manufacturers do not allow field brazing on their systems (I'm assuming you meant braze instead of solder) I would be concerned with issues down the road. TC is my old stomping grounds, there are a bunch of good installers in that area that handle mini splits.
    detroitslumlord
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,112

    Where did the factory charge go ? Original Detroit owner gave up on system as the unit had unrelenting leaks. Un-experienced installation = poor flare fittings /pinhole leaks in low quality line sets/ leaky soldering done by installers. Removed from the battle zone area and using new line sets. Triple evacuation method employed on new installation. Unit now going in house in Traverse City area now.

    As stated, Minis do not allow brazing the line set. That creates copper oxide that plugs strainers.

    You didn't say what brand and model mini it is. Manufactures are specific concerning what heads and how many are allowed.
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Yes, installers brazed a longer line on two head units, while flowing nitrogen. (but it still leaked at the connection when we pressurized the line sets) One unit leaked. You could hear it, but not see the actual gap. Took it off the wall, and brazed the leak shut, with nitrogen flowing. Minisplit: ACIQ 48K ( good to -22 below zero) So 162.0 ounce spec from ACIQ should work on 98' of line set ?
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,112
    Yes, installers brazed a longer line on two head units, while flowing nitrogen. (but it still leaked at the connection when we pressurized the line sets) One unit leaked. You could hear it, but not see the actual gap. Took it off the wall, and brazed the leak shut, with nitrogen flowing. Minisplit: ACIQ 48K ( good to -22 below zero) So 162.0 ounce spec from ACIQ should work on 98' of line set ?
    So 
    No pressure test
    No Vacuum
    !

    ACIQ 48K
    make
    indoor units

    are we going to have to pull teeth to get ALL the information?
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Vacuumed down to 130 Microns. Adding 162 ounces of 410A. Got to 100 ounces and will not take any more. 125 lbs of pressure. (unit is off) what am I doing wrong ? 47degrees out/ Northern Michigan. trying to complete tonight. Suggestions ?
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,112
    edited December 2023
    UNIT IS OFF?
    You could use your recovery machine to pump it in or put it in cooling for a few minutes.
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,056
    Can it be charged in heat mode?
    You've got almost 4 lbs to go, so charge while all heads are running. 
    detroitslumlord
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    yes, unit is off.Moved to new location. not yet turned on.
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    I assume can be charged in heat mode. Previous nitrogen pressure test. held 250 for 48 hours. Vacuum to 130. Got to 240 and would not go further. Changed out pump lube and got to 130 microns
    Robinair 40 year old 1.2 CFM vacum pump. (but works pretty darn good)
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    So did I put in the 410A too fast ? better technique to flash it into low pressure side ?
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,747
    Pump it in with a recovery machine, or add it in on the suction line while it's running. You might be able to cram some more in with a heater on the juggy of juice, if the indoor & outdoor units aren't very warm.
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    So, not to worry about 430A that might me in liquid form, hurting the compressor ?
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    might be in liquid form
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,747
    Throttle it as it goes in. Several mfgrs make an orifice that will go inline with your charging hose to restrict the flow as well, but you still can't let it go in as fast as it wants.
    detroitslumlord
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Also flipped breaker and got E5 code. on the board blinking red light next to LE02 (same as E5 code ?) ACIQ 48Z-HH-M5 ( same as Carrier) Any ideas what this code is trying to tell me ? head units all fipped open bottom louver, timer has flashing white light, run with occasional white light.
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,747
    Not sure about your unit, but E5 on some other is a communications error. Check the wiring for crossed connectors.
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Still trying to find out what E5 code means. Chart for ACIQ/ Carrier out there ?
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Per ACIQ tech, incorrect voltage. (too little or too much)

    will investigate and report back.
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Had 110 volts going to outside ACIQ unit. corrected to 220 Volts. old trouble code of E5 is gone. But have new one: FA
    Anybody know what this code is ? ACIQ 48K Minisplit
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,112
    110 corrected to 220 ???
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    L1 had 110 volts, L2 had zero, ground had 110 Volts,
    Reversed L2 and ground .
    Now have 110 on L1 and L2 for a total of 220 (tests at 241 volts this afternoon)
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    FA trouble core ! Carrier techs ? (same as ACIQ)
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,112
    L1 had 110 volts, L2 had zero, ground had 110 Volts, Reversed L2 and ground . Now have 110 on L1 and L2 for a total of 220 (tests at 241 volts this afternoon)
    WHAT?
    L1 had 110 volts to where?
    you put L 2 too ground?
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Correction: Trouble code : FA Any Ideas ?
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    L1 had 110 Volts from breaker / outside cut off box. Yes L2 was to ground, but now is 110 volts. Ground is to ground now. We now have a new code of FA. Know what FA is ?
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    FA flashes and then PH ! Any Ideas ? ACIQ 48Z HH-M5 25-35 degrees outside.
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,112
    To measure voltage you need 2 sources. L1 and? L2 And? please dont say ground as the second!
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Have FA code flashing on start up. Then when button pushed on board, PH code shows up. Called ACIQ at 9:05 this morning. Gave them model number and codes. Will call back with solution within 24 hours, but said will try and call back today. Have a tech scheduled for 12:00 noon. So hoping they call 1st
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    Took a while ! PH code is Pre- heat for the compressor. Heater warms up the compressor prior to kicking on.
    Started up now and running for 5th days. Working just fine. Super quiet head unit with warm air coming out of them. Got it running before the HVAC tech got here. Asked about the codes. He did not know. did check for leaks with expensive sniffer. No leaks. Looked over installation. Asked lots of questions.
    But the main thing here, got it running ! Thanks for the help here. I know my steam heat in 1927 Detroit buildings, but ACIQ (Midea) mini splits are a completely new adventure. Never figured out what FA code is. Not a big deal now though.

    Many thanks to those who emailed me or offered input here.
  • detroitslumlord
    detroitslumlord Member Posts: 28
    By the way, ACIQ rep gave a list of codes. https://tsp.midea.com/tsp/errorcode/index.html#/

    But does not appear to be the full list of codes. Anybody got the full list of codes for ACIQ / Midea ?