r290 mini split/A2A

[ReedRichards]

Sorry to interject myself into this topic but I'm now wondering how programmable these A/C units are, when used in heating mode.  Can you programme different temperatures at different times and on different days of the week, as you can with a central heating programmer?

[S2D2]

9 hours ago, ReedRichards said:

Sorry to interject myself into this topic but I'm now wondering how programmable these A/C units are, when used in heating mode.  Can you programme different temperatures at different times and on different days of the week, as you can with a central heating programmer?

From memory not locally at the unit itself, but it integrates with the Tuya Smart platform which allows you to do remote control and off/on and mode of operation on an arbitrary weekly schedule. Oddly temperature is missing but it's possible I haven't added the correct integration.

 

I was controlling it using a raspberry pi and the Python Tuya API, this is quite involved though as you have to get a local access key from the developer portal. This gave full control so allowed temperature and fan speed scheduling etc.

[Bornagain]

10 hours ago, ReedRichards said:

Sorry to interject myself into this topic but I'm now wondering how programmable these A/C units are, when used in heating mode.  Can you programme different temperatures at different times and on different days of the week, as you can with a central heating programmer?

I have one of these units and the App allows you to plan for different temperatures, at different times, on different days.

It works very well and I can't imagine how it could be more flexible.

[HughF]

It appears that appliances direct have stopped selling these - as of last night I couldn’t find one on their website.

[HughF]

Back in stock, new model by the looks of it. I’ve ordered one for a room I’ve opened up/turned into an office/put the contents of into a skip 😂

 

will update the thread with the details of the new one.

[Amarshe]

On 21/06/2023 at 13:11, HughF said:

In case you were wondering, yes, this came from appliances direct. It was about £550 or something.

 

I didn't use the supplied extension set, I simply re-flared the ends of the indoor unit pipework. Pressure tested it to 100psi with pure argon (I'm a welder, I have it in stock) then vacuumed down for 20 mins. Float the low-side gauge up to 20psi then remove the pump+adapter from the service port. Then crack the valves and back seat them.

 

Easy when you watch enough youtube.

Hi, I’m looking to buy one of these - do you have any issues with the short pipe length (1.5m)?  I’d rather flare the pipes from the unit at that length than have an unsightly coil behind the condenser.  Some air conditioners are supposed to have a minimum pipe length of 3-5m to avoid noise and vibration (Fujistu/Daikin) but not sure if that applies to r290?

[HughF]

I’ve got one running with no pipe extensions and one running with a  extension kit. Running on the supplied charge, haven’t changed it. 
 

No issues with either of them.

Edited August 26, 2025 by HughF

[Amarshe]

Thank you very much and others for kindly posting their mistakes and tips.  Mine went in during September, it took half a day, and has been keeping my 25m2 garden office toasty through this winter.  Looking at saving around 800-1000 kWh over the course of 12 months over resistive heating at this rate.

 

The installation, vacuuming etc. was all easy enough after watching several hours of YouTube and reading these forums.  I'm still paranoid about the flared joints, but that's only because I've read the horror stories and didn't have a torque spanner - although I've got 35 years experience in fixing up bikes/cars to have a good feel for tightness.

 

The remote control however has gone, and Appliances Direct say that they can't provide a replacement, as it's obsolete.  So they've offered me a partial refund to buy a compatible alternative - that doesn't have some of the functionality.  I use the Tuya interface so not a major issue, but I do need the remote for the rest of the family when they use the office...

 

The Tuya functionality is great, I've created three scenes to switch the heating function on early depending on the outside weather: <0, <5 and <10.  Still playing around with this but <0 switches the heating on at 0500 which is enough bring it to 18c from an indoor temp of 7c by 0900

Edited 3 hours ago by Amarshe