My summer oven shop

[Too Many Projects]

When I moved 4.5 years ago, I'd had my previous shop built into a hillside with lots of shade for the roof from trees. It never got above 72*, if I kept the overhead door shut.
The new shop sits in full sun most of the day and gets unbearable to work in when the temps are over 80*, Sooo. I bought a mini split system and spent the last 3 days installing it. Dang, this isn't like throwing a window unit in. IF I had been thinking ahead 3 years ago, I would have framed in for a couple of those while I was finishing the interior for heat and been done.
Anyway, this works really well and will be a blessing to continue progress on the Camaro and my '66 Chevelle interior over the summer.


https://www.yenko.net/forum/cache.php?img=https%3A%2F%2Fhosting.photobucket.co m%2Fimages%2Fq752%2FStillwaterchevs%2FDSC01095_oNy StQZH5MevyKuhwxF7RV.JPG


https://www.yenko.net/forum/cache.php?img=https%3A%2F%2Fhosting.photobucket.co m%2Fimages%2Fq752%2FStillwaterchevs%2FDSC01096_jU9 xUPUqTQD9Avtx2eKAwe.JPG

[Crush]

Curious what size you went with and your space size? In terms of the DIY challenges, what were the biggest? I have been mulling this over as well as debating doing it myself.
Thx

[Too Many Projects]

It's 18k btu, or 1.5 ton. My square footage that I heat/cool is about 900 with 12 ft ceiling height. The challenges were the pole building having main poles at 8.5 ft. I added posts between all those when I insulated to reduce the width for standard pole barn insulation of 60". This still required a 1x12x74" backer board to be added for the evap unit to mount to. It's only 20 lbs, but at 10 ft up, it would be difficult on a ladder. I have my old fork lift and a pallet to use as a platform. The outside plumbing to the condenser needed 1x4 blocks under them because of the siding ribs. The cover is a dress up kit and the pieces are only 4 ft, so it took a while to get it all lined up and screwed down halfway straight. Measuring and planning the location of the condenser for the pre cut and flared lines was critical too. It runs on 240 volt, so I had to run a new circuit from the other side of the building for it. None of this is especially difficult but it was very time consuming. I worked on this for 4 days, but I'm old, slow and retired...:laugh:

[Bill Pritchard]

I have a mini-split in my garage here in AZ and it's a God-send in the summertime. Very energy efficient and quiet. Bought it for my previous house here and had it moved 5 yrs ago when we moved to our current home.

[Lynn]

"I worked on this for 4 days, but I'm old, slow and retired..."
I hear ya. Seems every project takes longer than I anticipate.

Just keep plugging away.

[Derek69SS]

I've been looking at these for my small garage, but afraid the evaporator coil will lose efficiency in a body dust and primer overspray environment.

[Too Many Projects]

I have the same situation and am looking for a cover for when I need to spray, but so far, nothing. I'm working on getting the quilter in the house to warm up to making one...:wink:
For now, I'll have to get up there and use a piece of plastic and staple it to the wood mounting board.

[Too Many Projects]

I've been looking at these for my small garage, but afraid the evaporator coil will lose efficiency in a body dust and primer overspray environment.
That building is small enough to frame up an opening for a window unit. I believe a 10-12k unit would have you wearing a parka in a short time...:biggthumpup:

[olredalert]

----My cave is 1,600 square ft. There's a sort of motor home/boat storage area that's somewhat apart form 3 bays, but included in the 1,600ft. It all is insulated, but a smallish wall unit from Amazon cools the whole building down to ice cubes if necessary. Even somewhat the upstairs storage area!....Bill S

[396 SS/RS]

Nice looking shop. When I built my shop I included a office area and installed a mini-split as it get miserably hot here in west-central TX and it works great. So... 2 years ago I put a 5 ton in my 2k sq. ft. shop for those really hot months. Figuring I had 2"-3" of closed cell a 5T would have a little reserve. Turns out that is not the case as it can't keep up on really hot days, In August of the first year I set it on about 76 and enjoyed it until I got my power bill for $972. Now, I only use it when I'm in the shop constantly and it is necessary.

[Crush]

----My cave is 1,600 square ft. There's a sort of motor home/boat storage area that's somewhat apart form 3 bays, but included in the 1,600ft. It all is insulated, but a smallish wall unit from Amazon cools the whole building down to ice cubes if necessary. Even somewhat the upstairs storage area!....Bill S

What brand?

[COPO]

I just had a 2,100 SF shop built with 14 foot sidewalls and 19 feet at the peak and currently researching options for cooling / heat without breaking the bank. I did go with insulation during the install, but potentially will supplement that. Shop is in North GA, so not too concerned about heating it, more so cooling. Looking at using several mini splits as I don't think I'd get enough air circulation from a single wall unit. Think I need at least 40,000-50,000 btu. Curious what others have done.

[Too Many Projects]

My walls have 1.5" pink foam board between the girts and 5.5" fiberglass wool over that with the white vapor barrier you see in the pics. The ceiling has 24-32" blown in fiberglass.
I need to heat for 6-7 months, so that is the big factor for energy consumption. The A/C is only for when I will be out there also.

[olredalert]

What brand?

----I'll check....Bill S

[Lynn]

Are you happy with the Pioneer set up?

I see one that is 208/230 volt single phase.

Here: https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/products/pioneer-diamante-ultra-18-000-btu-seer-230v-ductless-mini-split-inverter-wifi-enabled-air-conditioner-heat-pump-full-set-with-16-ft-kit

Thinking of doing something like this in our downstairs ping pong / exercise room. Since my heart procedures, I have been doing 5 miles a morning on the treadmill.
Current set up is pretty mickey mouse.

I see from the installation instructions, the inside to outside hole is 2.5 inches. I have to drill through 19.5 inches of brick wall.

[Too Many Projects]

It does cool well, but I still haven't figured out how to set a steady temp. It seems to pull warm air off the ceiling and keep cooling long after the temp I want has been met at 6', BUT the unit is 10' off the floor...

Hole in the wall is 2 1/2" and angled down slightly to provide slope for the condensate drain, which does go out the wall, not to the floor. No power needed at the inside unit. Mine is the 240 single phase and all power goes to the compressor and then follows the coolant lines into the wall unit.
It is quiet !! The blower can be heard on the higher speeds, but it's nothing worse than a floor fan would be. The fan speed can be set lower and then I can barely hear it, but I'm half deaf too... LOL The compressor is nearly silent standing near it outside. I never know it's running in the building.

[Lynn]

Thanks.

[bilede]

Just a quick vote for the pioneer units. They are the only brand I believe that seems to work with DYI guys other than Mr C**l who charges you twice for one unit just in case you screw it up they are good to replace parts..

I have 3 units at my place, 1 on my wife's she-shed and I installed wiring for three units on my garage but only installed two 3-ton units and it keeps it as cool as I ever want here in the phoenix area on a garage 60x80x18. I have thought about adding the last unit but just haven't needed it. even cooled whole thing down to 68 for Marilee's birthday party I had in there and held at that the whole afternoon-evening while 100+ outside..

[Too Many Projects]

While installing mine, I found 2 steps that weren't clear and called support. They agreed the manual wasn't as good as it could be and have had many inquires about those steps and had a ready answer. So far, excellent support to keep the install moving too. I need to call them about the set temp not being met. Again the manual isn't helpful to know if the temp sensor is on the evap unit or in the hand held remote. I've tried setting the remote closer and at 7' above the floor and it still runs beyond the set temp. They probably have a ready answer for that too, but I just haven't asked.

[Too Many Projects]

I built a heavy duty awning to deflect heavy snow when it slides off the roof.