Installing a Pioneer Minisplit on a Skoolie | A Complete Guide
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2022
- To me, there is no question that a high efficiency Mini Split is the ultimate solution for Cooling (and heating!) your Skoolie.
With help from our friends at Pioneer, follow along for a step-by-step guide to install a minisplit on your rig-- we hope it helps you on your build!
Save $50 (5%) off your Pioneer Minisplit with this link www.pioneerminisplit.com/disc...
The Vacuum Pump:
amzn.to/3DfD4XI
HVAC Gauge Set:
amzn.to/3RGJcN9
Line Flaring Kit:
amzn.to/3eDel5w
Hole Saw Kit: (every skoolie builder must have)
amzn.to/3RSpopM
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My name's Chuck, I've been professionally converting buses for the last 8 years and was director of operations for a charter bus company before that but it's time for a change.....
Follow me on instagram for more info
/ chuck.cassady
For paid consults, skoolie advice, solar help, and more, email
charlie@chromeyellowcorp.com
Check out my shop
www.chromeyellowcorp.com
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#skoolie #offgridliving #busconversion 
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If you cut the insulation, make sure you seal it back up with a vapor tight tape. That prevents air from getting to the tubing and sweating. - HVAC guy.
Thanks guy!
Gonna use this info and I'm looking forward to more videos, thank you so much!
It isn't a home without sweet sweet air con!!
I did HVACR commercially for three years before starting my bus conversion in 2018!
We mounted our unit under the bus and these are SOME OF THE MISTAKES I made;
I did not make a removable access in the expanded metal in order to clean the coils well (very important under the bus)
I added a traditional dryer/filter which is a minisplit no no!
Location of interior unit, We need fans to circulate air all the way to the back.
I did not utilize both drain lines so my unit is tilted like a noob!
Great video!
Thank so much... you always post an interesting and informative video.
Thank you Chuck! Very good video.
thank you for the excellent install video. i'm installing a Bosch into a school bus and your walk-thru helped the planning, enormously.
again thank you for the clear, well-shot and smoothly-edited install sequences.
you provide just enough technical detail to give a handy person the necessary confidence to proceed, and a non-handy amateur the information that the install is likely beyond their skillset.
thank you, -C
I am so lucky to have been introduced to you through Alyssa!!! Nice to meet you Brock!!! I'll be needing one sooon! Your videos are priceless!!!!
Inspired by your clear, concise description and instructions.
Thanks for your sharing!
You're very welcome!
I'm really impressed with all your skills you're the best I've seen on RUclips thanks for your videos I just sent you a message about suggestions for my truck camper and I don't know if you're keeping your shop or whatever but I would love to stop by and meet you sometime I'm usually in Colorado at least once in the summer traveling out west and if it would be possible to get you to do some additions to my solar setup
Great video dude! I'm glad I did mine before I finished the walls, I can see how that probably added a day. I was planning on running a circuit, running wire, and cutting holes, maybe even pre- running a lineset and drain hose to make adding a second unit down the line a little easier, but lately I've been Leaning towards getting the second one now... it adds 2 days and we really want to be on the road already so... I dunno
Excellent instructional video
Great video, I learned alot , also I learned I don't have to break the bank.
Great video. I love the way that you explain each step in a way that I can understand it, but you also give the technical stuff so that I can gain more knowledge as I proceed with different projects on my short bus. Thanks again.... this will be helpful to me when I get ready for AC next season. Take care Mr. Cassidy 🙂!!
Thank you! That is my goal
Marie from Denver .
Thanks for sharing!! 👀🔧🔨🔩🚃
I am stuck with mini split install, this video is timing perfect. Though I must admit I’m not sure I’m brave enough to do it myself. If I don’t have it done by the time I get to Taos I’ll connect. 😁👍🏻
Infinite thanks Chuck, this is saving our lives including my cat! I've been doing the research and realizing for AC as well as heat, this is the best option. Thank you thank you thank you!
Glad to help
I love your videos. At first I was thinking no way I'm watching all 40 minutes of an AC install. But I did. Interesting and full to the brim with great info and expert tips! Another great video! This is the only place you need to come for expert skoolie advice!
Lol God bless youtube!
@@ChuckCassadyYThow big of a generator do you need to run this?
Great show.
thks for sharing Chuck..
Thanks Charlie!
Thanks Chuck.
I'm presently installing a Pioneer 12K in my bus. I've put the outdoor unit directly above the front axle (my bus is a pusher, so no driveshaft there), where it gets all the cool air it needs while driving as well as when parked, and because it's between but not behind the front wheels there's no risk of stones or road debris hitting the A/C unit, plus it's protected from rain. I had wanted a 16-foot lineset, but Parker shipped a 25-foot lineset instead, so I'll need to cut and flare the lines down to a better length; I'm worried that there may be barely sufficient refrigerant in it now for 25-foot lines. R410a is soon going to be replaced because of its environmental danger, so I bought a small can of it today to keep as spare if/when I ever need to top up the refrigerant in the future when it will be no longer available. I'll be powering the A/C from my 2000W Magnum inverter, so I just can't run any other big loads while the A/C is running! I'm curious how much warmth the heat pump will produce in the winter, but I also have two very effective diesel air heaters if it's insufficient.
I was curious if blocking the marker lights is a big deal. Thank you for answering that.
I hope you moved the 3 dot lights from behind the unit that is a hefty fine if they’re blocked
Good video thank you
Great stuff bro.
thank you much!
You do such amazing work buddy, well detailed 👌 I’d like your help in completing my conversion
Chuck, thanks so much for the pro's way to do a DIY AC! I put the Pioneer 12k in my rig in 2018, and would have killed for a video like this. Turned out way purdier than mine, but I'm starting a new project soon, so I will have a second chance at it. I actually bought a pipe bender because my install location was a bit more complex. Unit has run flawlessly for 4 years now. Love all your videos, you are an excellent teacher, would have loved shoulder time with you on some projects, I am a visual learner. Thanks again for all you do for our community.
How does the 12k cool/heat ? Particularly, the opposite end of the rig ?
@@larryrichardson5167 I have a 24-ft cargo conversion and I put it in the middle, works awesome!
Pioneer makes excellent products. I installed a 24k unit in my shop. Love it.
Would love to see a video of you mounting it under the bus. That's where mine is going. Also can I mount my solar batteries under the bus against the frame to save space?
I used this video to install my mini split today, this was a great guide so thank you chuck, id like to note its a pain in the @$$ when you get to the very end and go to pull a vacuum on the outside unit and realize your gauge set kit hose fittings you ordered on Amazon are the wrong size so you have to order and wait for an adaptor to come in the mail. as chuck would say its a real bummer..and also I only flared my copper lines 3 times and forgot to put my flare fittings on first. boy I felt dumb all three times.
Just received my second replacement Pioneer interior unit as the first two developed leaks in the coils after about 8 months each. Thanks goodness for the 5 year warranty! Doing it again I'd definitely choose a different brand. Going cheap on the hardware has cost me more in repairs and water damage than I saved over other more expensive brands.
Very interesting to hear. We have had not a single issue and our oldest installs are around 5 years....I'd say over a dozen installed. Wonder what was causing that failure mode
I have a Pioneer mini split with a Ceiling Cassette and it has worked well for years now. mine is in a a ADU apartment but with that being sail I think, That system with the ceiling cassette would work great. especially in a new build or even as a retro fit for roof mounted AC units. Just a thought. keep up the quality and have fun.
OH and what would you think of some rubber lines like are used by the auto industry for some of the troublesome areas.
Very well done info commercial. 👍👍👍
Someone's gotta pay for these vijeos
Hey Chuck the Sea Buzzards just dropped a big turd on your broncos 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Classic Charlie loved the video brother Pioneer is the best I wouldn't use abutting less Charlie I have a question you mentioned some of the upgrades your helping with the DC to DC charger you showed is a 12 volt unit or did I hear that wrong? Because you said it would charge up the server rack batteries he's using but they are 24 volts you mentioned just wondering I have a 24 volt system and wondered what the specs are on the DC to DC charger. Thanks bud.
two questions - 1, have you considered using flex lines and if not, why? 2, any concerns about the outside unit covering the clearance lights?
That’s what I was wondering. The bus is now out of compliance for lighting as the three center lights aren’t visible at all.
They should have been moved or new lights installed on the split.
Very cool that you used Pioneer, Chuck! I bought four, put two in my house and two in my son's last year. They work great! Nice people at Parker-Davis. Good pricing. Great choice.
That's trick that you put it on a mobile rig! I had to watch this. No reason not to, but it's not something I expected to see. I think it's really smart, out of the box thinking. As long as mobility-induced shocks and vibrations don't take a toll. But these rigs probably don't spend much time rolling anyway.
I made all the connections at the indoor unit first, on a bench in front of the penetration hole (in which I used 3" PVC), wrapped it and fed it all through, then made up for length and slack outside where there's more room and it's less critical. Kinda like how you did with that heater where you attached the lines before feeding them all through the floor.
I don't know why, but the 120 Vac versions have a cost premium over the 208/240 equivalents. The incoming AC is rectified to DC to feed the motor controllers and circuitry in both versions so there isn't much componentry difference, at least not theoretically. Maybe it's an inventory inconvenience kinda charge. But being an electronics designer, I know they could make a universal input that would work on both, if they wanted to. Anyway, it was just as easy for me to wire them up 240 at home, so that was a no-brainer.
I left them overnight when checking for leaks with the vacuum. Then when checking for leaks with the lines charged up, I ran them up to about 75 PSI which is about five atmospheres, or five times the pressure differential of the vacuum. On my first couple, I even checked all my joints with soapy water. With all other HVAC installations prior to these, I've brazed all the joints, so I was a little leery of these flare joints. None leaked, but I do suspect they could be a point of future leakage over time. I keep thinking I should go back and double check their tightness and check for leakage with soapy water. We'll see...
Cheers!
thanks for watching! brazing is awesome, no doubt. we've installed about a dozen of these over the last 5 or so years and the only issue was a failed flare fitting (my own fault) and once i fixed it and recharged it, it was good to go. id love to know what DC voltage these are running off, it would be sweet if it was, say 48V and you could just wire them directly to the battery...
@@ChuckCassadyYT
That's a great idea actually. Maybe one day the curiosity will overcome the list of things to do and one of us can go poking around in there to see what the voltages are. Or perhaps it's possible to get a service manual for these things. In the old days I'd just buy a service manual and get to know the circuitry before I ever popped it open. I do know the first stage is to rectify the incoming line and that's going to be a super high DC level compared to 48 volts. Anything between the RMS value of the incoming line and the peak value depending on load. The simplest way is to pwm from that rail to motor windings. You know the logic is likely to require 5 volts or thereabouts so there's going to be a buck converter for that. But how sweet if they were to buck down to a 48 volt rail and convert everything from there!
💪
I didn't realize that Pioneer was a DIY... I had planned on going with MrCool for that reason.
check out the new LG inverter window units. They are just as efficient now, it's amazing
Thanks for showing us an A to Z assembly!
I got wondering... Does the outside unit has rubber feet to absorb vibration?
Yes
Perfect timing. I ordered that mini split just the other day. The brackets that you fabricated, is there a structural element that you’re bolting to in this video? Are there structural members there. I have yet to cut that piece out of the bus. Great video. Thank you!!
its through the door frame at the bottom and the upper bus skin on the top`
How well does it cool the front area of the bus if it is all the way in back? Do you need some sort of circulation fan to keep the temp balanced? Can you add more than one inside unit to the outside unit, or would it be necessary?
Chuck I’ve heard a lot of commentary about mini splits becoming obsolete with advances in tech in RV style units. What’re your thoughts on the RV units?
I ask because I recently bought a bus with a $900 senville installed and the builder did a hack job with it and now I’ve gotta hire someone to come charge it. They mounted it on the side without much ventilation and no conduit and it’s just turning into more trouble than it’s worth to rectify. I’m currently debating removing the side mounted condenser and relocating it to where you put the one here or scrapping it all together and going with an RV style rooftop unit. I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this
We have a deck on the top of our schoolie and want to replace the boards. They are currently 2x6-treated lumber. My wife is thinking of using composite decking. Are there any stress or other factors inhibiting composite vs wood?
BTW: Excellent presentation. Thank you.
Make sure to cover it up with a removable cover so it doesn't get damaged with wind from driving . The fan can't take super high winds
the unit is blocked by the rear wall of the bus so not a lot of wind to be concerned about. if it was installed in the front, I'd agree.
I’m doing something similar I’m gonna use lithium batteries but idk how many I will need.
Maybe not for your show, I have a shuttle bus. It has AC that needs freon. And a second one I'm told only needs to be hooked up to electrical.
I'm also told that a mini-split A/C heater uses less power. Considering the bus is for off-grid life, Should I remove the second A/C(hanging in the back) that came with the bus to gain less weight for better gas mileage, less draw on batteries, and buy a lighter more efficient mini-split? Would that be worth the time and trouble? My mechanic says I wouldn't get that much more in mpg.
Im looking to do this to my bus. Iv never done a inverter setup and wpuld love a simple setup. But i need a more bang for your buck kind of setup. I mean i got the bus for 200$ and swapped in a dt466 that i got for 600 haha. I already know with some of this ill have to drop a pretty penny. But im about to get it sprayfoamed and then spit unit. And solar
Hey Chuck! What is the 12 to 24v DC to DC charger used here? Thanks!
40:11 Apes and dogs, living together! And the dogs make the apes yell "shut up" and it's on YT forever. I'm probably on at least a dozen. 😂
hahahaha
Could you not run the condensate to a collection take?
so the DC options (nomadic, cruisencomfort) are 5 times as expensive but claim to be twice as efficient, what kind of draw do you see from these in your builds in summer heat?
Where does the drain hose go thanks
Chuck, I'm interested in purchasing a full off-grid solar system from you. Where can I submit my request for this and get a quote from you? Thank you!
The out door unit blocks the center tail light. Does it still meet DOT requirements? I’m thinking about installing the mini split same way as you did, if it can pass DOT. Btw, great video, thanks
hard to say. so far no issues!
Do you worry about wind while driving, over reviving or back driving the fan? Can you run the unit while driving?
Would like to know the answer to these questions. Thanks I’m advance
Amazing video once again. You don't miss! Question. How does the energy consumption of this Mini split type unit compare to a rooftop 12v Dometic 2000 RTX? The Dometic ranges from 19-58 Amps. Not sure about these.
He's got a link to product, in the drop down.
Then there's a spec sheet you can download.
I'm not 100% in reading it right but it's saying 1200 btu unit it's 10.6-10.3 A
^ at 120v, which is 1272W.
What size mini split (BTUs) would you recommend for an 11-window bus (4 windows blanked) with 2-inch spray foam walls and ceiling and 4” rigid foam floor insulation? I want to be comfortable in the US desert southwest in summertime for vacations.
12kbtu
Fantastic video as always! The only question I would have is with all the vibrations of a bus and the outside unit all the way at the back, are the feet of the exterior unit really enough to hold it on for thousands of (sometimes rough) driving? I'm sure they are because you did this and I trust you, but if it were me, I'd probably add a bracket to the top to keep everything safe. Would that just be overkill? Thanks for the awesome video!
I've got about a half dozen installed like this with no issues. I am doing it this way on my bus, too. I think it's a good spot
@@ChuckCassadyYT I figured as much but wanted to ask. I overbuild, which is fine with a deck but not with a bus. Thanks for the follow-up! Much appreciated!
Question: When you hung the outside unit what did you attach the bracket to? Did you just run bolts through the skin of the bus? Did you use a brace on the back side of the bracket?
The lower bolts go through the fram of the door opening and the uppers go through the skin
chuck im freezing here in florida in the middle of the night what can i do it turns 51 but feels like 35 in the dragon ice box uggggg help
Excellent DIY vid! The Half inch nipple for the electrical box is too small for the 12awg and unit’s electrical wires. 3/4” works better. Would have like that installation in the vid instead of glossing over it. Then how you selected your breaker for it. Did you need a 20amp or 25amp breaker for the 12,000 btu. I’m installing a 9K btu and I’m using a 15amp do you recommend going to 20a instead. Thanks appreciate all you do!
I used a 20A breaker for the circuit. and ive never had an issue running those lines in the liquidtite, but maybe your setup was different
@@ChuckCassadyYTChuck, how long would the vacuum take. I’m not sure if the service valve was property opened. It seems that t went to -30 in seconds on this 3.5CFM PUMP. GRANTED the whole length of the tubes are 6-7 ft. Guess I’ll find out if the refrigerant releases into to system. Hope it not a bad Chinese adapter
I'm in the early stages and you are my go-to on several fronts. I just bought a shuttle bus that has a humongous AC. It must take up 30% of the roof. And the internal unit... Inches inches on top of inches. First question, will the 9000 BTU be sufficient for a 25' shuttle that has a very open floor plan? If the exterior unit is placed underneath the bus how much space is needed from the base of the unit to the ground? Lastly, I would prefer to put this in the middle on my Transit. Bedroom is in the rear, not fond of cold wind. Any issues in particular with a mid bus placement?
Other question relates to insulation. I watch the insulation videos. After I take out my headliner and my rubber floor, might have about 6' 3". I can't give up 6 in to insulation, the substrates, then still stand. When I lose a lot by going to inches on the floor and then spray the roof?
What are your thoughts on heated floors?
Again, thank you.
I wish we had 20% humidity at 90! We've been at 110° and 60% humidity, this is crazy!
I'll have to run a 20amp wire and breaker.
awesome vid, thanks! btw...yomiyuri fan?
I love them and basebal!
Sweet l saw it in time but seems like l missed a bunch.
Are worried at all about blocking the rear marker lights at the top of the bus? Highway code states that if your vehicle is over 80 inches wide or 30 feet long you must have marker lights visible.
Chuck, great diy video. My question is the line set length? The factory says 10" minimum length to avoid damaging the unit. Your instal is less and you've done several instals. Any issues so far and are you worried about voiding the warranty? Thanks in advance.
I have exactly the same question. Why not just leave the coiled line set behind the condenser? Another issue is he did not use the UV tape to protect the line set insulation against UV radiation. And finally, no a/c power disconnect.
Silly question, does the drain just drip under the bus or is it connected to something?
Looks like the outside unit is blocking the top 3 marker lights above rear door. No issue with DOT by blocking those?
It’s an issue that gives cops automatic reason to stop you any time they want because those three lights have to be visible. If not it’s automatic freebie for the cops.
Does that mini split have a dc compressor
what about 12 volt and 24 volt truck units for smaller vans. I was looking at a 7m (x2.4mx2.5m) freezer van and i found the insulation (4in sandwich) is rated at 0.37W/sqm. which equates to.. if its 45C outside and 22C inside the heat loss is just on 200 watts. A 1kw pump unit would kill it.. at 3x efficiency, thats 300 watts for 1/5 the time running.
60 watts. 12V, 5A for 24 hrs 150 A/Hr of battery. Ok 60 watts for 24hrs = 1440 watts /6 hours solar = 240 watts of panels. YES winner. A 7m box body has room for 7x400watt panels. AU$350 second hand.
Hi, question: Is a Mini Split a heat pump? I see some mini splits that seem to be standard compressor AC units with the condenser and evaporator separate.
Lots of mini splits also have heat pumps in addition to the air conditioning features. Just have to check the ones you’re looking at
Chuck, did you add any AC vibration pads on this condenser unit? Between road travel and having that unit so close to the bed, might it help the noise factor (and maybe unit longevity)?
There are pads on there but I think it could use more
Vibration is a very important point since these units are designed for static operation. I wonder how the line flares are going to behave in time with all those trips, especially off roads. And finally, how is the compressor going to take it with all the vibration.
I know you pretty much do schoolies but do you think your rear mount will work for a Class A RV?
How much do you charge to install these and where are you located?
As far as cooling, how does it compare to a rooftop 13.5 dometic unit
its just slightly less output, but it does a great job and is nearly silent
Can I ask what model that dc to dc charger was? Thanks 🙏
Its a Sterling Energy 122470
Ooooops! You blocked the middle clearance lights. I'm wondering if you added a fix for that.
Hey this might be an odd question but I was looking at Pioneer's site while in the intro and only saw a 115 and 230 volt models. Did you mean to say 115v and not 120v? Thanks for all the great videos and info.
It's the same
@@ChuckCassadyYT Ok and thanks and I do have another question and a half. Have you ever used the Compact Cassette Mini-Split in any of your builds yet and how is it working out? Yes I'm thinking about converting a bus just doing some beforehand research and glad I found your how to list.
I've seen them, they're just a lot less efficient. I'm sure the perform well though
Do those brackets hold the unit in place on a bumpy road?
It holds it up no problem
Does anyone know who makes pioneer? The condenser looks like a Gree to me I'm just curious about it
Parker Davis
Pioneer has 2 different 12k btu units, both around the same price. The “dimante” , and the other. Do you recommend one over the other?
Diamanté
I tried the website you mentioned and it says your website is no longer available
Where did you get the single vacuum gauge?
pioneer sells them!
I’ve heard about soft start electronics for the mini split. Are these worth it?
Mini splits use inverters, they don't need soft starts, those are for conventional ac units. They do work well though
@@ChuckCassadyYT interesting, I watched a uTube video where they were installing “soft starters” in mini splits.
Love your channel, not trying to attack you or anything, but is there a reason the indoor unit isn't centered? It's shifted to the right about 5 inches. I noticed when you put the template up, it's driving my ocd crazy!
you should watch the whole video where we explain it!
@@ChuckCassadyYT
Fair enough! I watched until the end but didn't catch it. Figured there was a reason. Thanks for the reply!
Was that victron inverter 24v or 12v?
24v
The red, DOT, three rear facing lights look covered up now.
I have a question and I’ve always heard the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. Can you run the mini split and cool the bus while you’re driving?
Yes
@@ChuckCassadyYT thank you! I had heard that you could not because it took more to cool it while traveling but wasn’t sure it was legit. I’m desperately wanting to build my own for my son and I to evangelize and homeschool out of.
"Bogarting" hmmm. Got it! LOL
That charger is the BB122470 right?
yes
I have a Coleman mach AC unit in my ceiling on a ambulance 🚑. Only works when plugged into shore power 🔌. I'd like to go with a mini-split... but, can it run on solar? I have 400w on the roof and 2 100w lithium batteries, 40A MPPT, DC to DC charge controller and 3,000w pure sine wave inverter. My brain hurts trying to figure these things out.🤯
You need a minimum of 1200 watts to run a minisplit on solar
@@ChuckCassadyYT on the video, you have 3 lithium batteries? If my calcs are right then these are 400ah units i.e. (5100w ÷ 12.8v)?
Are those batteries available in Canada?
youd have to ask them
Only 4 screws to anchor the outdoor unit to the cage? And only 4 screws to attach the cage to the top/back end of the bus? How much does that unit wobble when driving down rough roads or uneven terrain?
They aren’t screws. They are 3/8” bolts. Take a look at the tensile and shear strength of a 3/8” bolt
Does this fall under Pioneer’s basic or standard warranty when installed like this? Or is the warranty voided?
They have honored warranties on these kinds of installs
@@ChuckCassadyYT what did they honor? I’m seeing on their website a lot of language about how the warranty is voided in “improper applications” or if the unit is used “not as intended” which is concerning.
Call them if you’re curious
Edit: Nevermind! I feel dumb; I'm pretty sure I already have a pair of those Carhartts 😂.
__
👀 What brand are those shorts? I want them. Love when they have the knife reinforcement on the pocket. I want the brand because the color is important to me lol
hahah I love these shorts! just broke em out for the first time
I went on your link pioneer website, why do some have DC inverter option. What is the purpose of that function? Thanks great vid.
They're all inverter based
What size solar panels would you need
To run a minisplit like this, at least 1600 watts
Awesome thank you so much!! How many watts do you do in all to comfortably power the whole bus
@@ChuckCassadyYT great video, Chuck! Thanks for all the info. I have a 22ft shuttle bus that will be insulated w/ closed cell spray foam. Do you think I could get away w/ the 9k BTU mini split and 1000-1500 watts of solar panels if I have a lot of battery storage - such as the 5.1 kWh bank or more?