Installing a Pioneer Mini-split A/C on our Skoolie!

Installing a Pioneer Mini-split A/C on our Skoolie! | A/C PART I

Рет қаралды 76,608

5 жыл бұрын

Just in time for summer: we installed a Pioneer mini-split A/C unit on our Skoolie! Putting an A/C on a rolling vehicle presented some unique challenges that probably wouldn't happen on a home installation. Mike had to figure out a way to pass all the tubes and wiring through the outer skin of the bus and make it all completely water-tight. He had to use brass fittings to make right angles in tight areas that would have kinked the copper tubing. And of course, we also had to build the entire upper front section of the bus to install the interior part of the air conditioning unit.
Keep Calm and follow Bussy McBusface on:
* Instagram: bussy.mcbusface
* Facebook: bussymcbusfacepage/
Products in this video:
Shankly Double Flaring Tool, Professional Double Flaring Tool Kit
amzn.to/2XuEtC5
PIONEER Air Conditioner Pioneer Mini Split Minisplit Heatpump 9000 BTU-110/120 V
amzn.to/2ImMbYP
ZENY 4CFM 1/3HP Electric Vacuum Pump Refrigerant R410a R134a HVAC Deep Vane Air Conditioner w/ 1/4" Flare Inlet Port
amzn.to/2WjyVZR
Stark Manifold Gauge Set R410A R22 R404A HVAC A/C Refrigeration Charging Service Diagnostic Refrigerants 5ft Hose
amzn.to/2XuBM3p
We also borrowed this tool to check for leaks and tighten a couple connections!
INFICON TEK-Mate 705-202-G1 Refrigerant Leak Detector
amzn.to/2K1Hcju
Music in this video from Epidemic Sound:
"Another Go Round" by The Eastern Plain
Everything we use to make these videos:
* Canon Vixia G20
* Sony ECM-c650 Shotgun Microphone
* Go-Pro Hero 5 Black
* Adobe Premiere 2019
* Music from Epidemic Sound www.epidemicsound.com/
About Us:
Hi! We are Mike & Kerry, the proud owners of a 1996 Bluebird rear engine (pusher), 40' school bus! We named her Bussy McBusface in honor of the RRS Boaty McBoatface travesty.
We're building a Tiny-Home-in-a-Bus for full-time living in the most adventure-friendly way possible! In other words, Bussy will not be parked in our driveway, waiting for weekend or holiday getaways... when we finish the build, we'll be packing everything we're keeping into the bus and driving away from this old house forever!
We plan to be boondocking the majority of the time, so you'll see that reflected in our choices throughout the build (100 gallon water tank, composting toilet, solar power system, etc). We'd love to have you stick around and follow us on our journey, throughout the Skoolie Build, and to Infinite Adventures Beyond!
Mike & Kerry

Пікірлер: 198

@robertlewis4990 5 жыл бұрын

I wish I would had watched this this morning before attempting to decipher Pioneer's (award winning for vagueness) instructions. Love the thru-hull/bus gland trick. Once again you've made our conversion process a little easier.

@kevink2831 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Mike, Kerry, yet another great video.. You both made that install look very easy and at least you will be cool while working inside.Glad you found out you were human after all Mike. Look forward to seeing you both again soon..Take care..

@richardanderson4916 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent job with amazing skills once again. A true Jack of all trades.

@larrym6019 5 жыл бұрын

It's a good thing you had an ambulance on standby next to the bus as you went up the ladder with 120 lbs of mini split gear on your back, Hercules!

@richardanderson4916 5 жыл бұрын

I just love your videos!! Always waiting for the next one. Love you guys!!

@garyshirinian 4 жыл бұрын

It can't be any better than this. Great work

@markwilson8118 5 жыл бұрын

Nice job ya'll as always the wife makes the job look so easy .. Love the air conditioned shorts I actually own a few of those

@SunflowerandtheBussLady 3 жыл бұрын

Wish the world make a tiny version for small campers and vans. You guys are nuts, have watching intently to learn, as well as cracking up at your silliness. Well done!

@cb.7271 5 жыл бұрын

Nice job guys your project is really coming along nicely

@jorgemastrapa7993 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing!! just awesome !! You guys, make me feel happy and it's not my own project. It is getting on shape. Five ⭐️s for the background music too.

@bussedamove 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff, Guys! We're putting two in ours! Thanks for sharing your journey!

@shelleyknapp617 5 жыл бұрын

Love watching you two. You give me hope. We just started on our 40 foot bus conversion 4 days ago.

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

It's a long process but never stop until you are done!

@thegirlwhotalkstodogs4629 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing so many helpful bloopers!

@tuckermccleary8575 5 жыл бұрын

I just have to say, your music choices are impeccable. Every video has a great new song I have never heard of.

@drdangerstunts 3 жыл бұрын

I would totally fuck that up

@kathrynb4683 4 жыл бұрын

Wow. I learn something very valuable with each video!

@FreeRangeNomad 4 жыл бұрын

This is awesome. I had YT/Howie Roll conceal my outside unit completely under my bus. We built an angle iron frame/basket and dropped it through the floor right behind the driver seat. Still accessible to clean or work on. Afterwards I put diamond plate and expanded metal around basket to protect from road debris, mud etc. I put the head unit in the same place. Works well with low power usage. Awesome to see how others mounted theirs ! Sure are quiet aren't they !! Thanks for sharing !

@nicolempage 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much to both of you. I am currently in the demolition stage of my bus conversion and everytime I start to feel overwhelmed I watch you both and it helps me push through. Keep the videos coming.

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

You got this. Pay special attention to the order in which we did things. That was the hardest thing we did by far. The order of the build.

@nicolempage 5 жыл бұрын

@@BussyMcBusface Thanks for the reply guys. I have a pretty extensive to do list. Today is still demo with some rust treatment. Can't wait to start the build phase though. Keep on busing. Lol.

@TheGalifrey 5 жыл бұрын

Yay new vid from Mike and Kerry 🥰

@briandavis9975 5 жыл бұрын

Great video guys, I'm going to put a mini split in my coach too that was very educational so thank you for going over your details It's much appreciated. The coach is really looking great and I'm always Looking forward to your video's on your progress.

@johnkinnane547 5 жыл бұрын

Very good John

@micheleclifford8969 4 жыл бұрын

Mike Your Amazing . the both of you have Worked So Hard, Your Bus So far is Beautiful. Your So Cool 👍👍👍😉

@terrymaines69 5 жыл бұрын

Super Nice Job!!!

@rotarycomptech 5 жыл бұрын

You really nailed it on that cabinetry work That deftly turned out awesome!

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@revisionindustries667 4 жыл бұрын

That looks good!

@mrkrause3 2 жыл бұрын

Great job thanks for sharing!

@saltjordan 5 жыл бұрын

Well done great job👍👍👍

@Faithful_Tribe 4 жыл бұрын

Love you guys.

@18twilliams 4 жыл бұрын

Up the ladder with flip flops on! Nice !

@jameshollingsworth1750 5 жыл бұрын

I have resisted joining the conversation but you are a mad man . Inventive and creative but the carrying that unit up the ladder bonkers! Love the series. You two make most of this look way to easy. Split shorts occupational hazard.

@craigmonteforte1478 4 жыл бұрын

Wow straps made from Barbed wire shows you how desperate those guys are these newer mini splits are a real game changer i am floored on how much the prices have lowered on them in the last 15 years years ago i looked at using one on a boat i owned at the time and the pricing now is over half of what it was then on that boat i wound up buying a brand new Marine system from a distributor in Florida on Ebay btw you did a heck of a nice job on that scribe of the front panel plus honestly i did Woodworking professionally for over 25 years and as a hobby for nearly 35 years now and you have one of the prettiest assistants ive seen plus she has a good sense of humour pretty Cool Ba dum ching this system looks nice installed i grew up in South Florida and i know your pain of working under a strong sun one time i layer a Craftsman Wrench down on a boat deck and when i went to grab it again it burnt the logo right onto my hand ?? it hurt like hell i remember telling a buddy of mine that framed houses there and he said yeah we know you cant put your framing square down on roof either

@magicgemmaster566 5 жыл бұрын

So knowledgeable! Wow

@ramzy1013 4 жыл бұрын

That was an awesome video. Subscribed and following

@2old4u 5 жыл бұрын

Very cool.

@ZeRowe 5 жыл бұрын

Hey! Don’t forget to flair that tubing 😂😂🍻 mere human 👍🏻

@mariochingon3842 5 жыл бұрын

I see you couldn't wait for the bus ac, had to get the shorts done first! 🤣🤣 Great video once again!!

@larrym6019 5 жыл бұрын

Now your channel is even COOLER. Dad jokes for the win.

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

Kerry is rolling on the floor!!😂😂😂😂❤

@TradShowTom 5 жыл бұрын

Love the Mini Split location. Thought it would be obtrusive but not even a little. Nice

@carlosramosjr7266 3 жыл бұрын

pretty cool man

@timebanditrvtravels3449 5 жыл бұрын

That's the unit I'm putting in My bus. Good choice

@richardanderson4916 5 жыл бұрын

Super cool shirt bro!

@petersmith6423 4 жыл бұрын

Learnt some stuff about aircon install, many thanks............

@brianbouman661 5 жыл бұрын

I need me one of them! I already have the shorts with the hole in back.

@curtiswaagner 3 жыл бұрын

Great job. Much cleaner install then ours. But love having a second AC

@greeneyedgirlina 3 жыл бұрын

Mike, you are a man of all trades, and, Kerry, you’re a great assistance and videographer and commentator, y’all make me laugh. I would never install a mini-split myself, but it would have been interesting to see you vacuum the hoses/pipes. So do you just put a vacuum cleaner hose up to the ends and turn on the vacuum and then try to cover the ends with some gizmo? LOL.

@jimb.628 4 жыл бұрын

The woman that laughs with the mistakes then lets it go. Priceless.

@tomsimon080 4 жыл бұрын

A tip for inverter Aircon type. The first 3 minutes with having correct amount of refrigerant gas, the inverter is soft start(the compressor spin slowly for the 3 minutes then start ramping up). It’s for prevention of energy surge and huge load on compressor startup.

@jerryfink459 5 жыл бұрын

Nice and entertaining video. I had not seen one of those flaring tools in years, for you to mention forgetting to put the nut on first on your first tube and then forgetting one later was funny as all get out. Hope your split system cools the entire bus for you and you were right on about being quiet vs regular RV AC, mine is very loud inside. Get job.

@thomasomeara2679 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you two, for all the videos. You are about a year ahead of me an my bus build, and you continue to provide valuable information and entertainment! Is the mini-split 110 or 220?

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

110v for the 9000btu.

@billmclellan3483 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Very detailed. Since you are in AZ, does a single zone keep it cold enough or would a second zone keep it more comfortable?

@tomwalker9184 4 жыл бұрын

You really have a great wife, she really helpful . You are very lucky. And by the way great job.

@randybecnel4501 5 жыл бұрын

Very impressive on that AC carry to the top in "FLIP FLOPS!"

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

MURICA!

@lisamurillo4413 5 жыл бұрын

Sure you are a brute with flip flops you rock On rock!

@davidbaker4879 4 жыл бұрын

Could I install underneath I have a shuttle bus been watching you thanks you. So much for you videos

@marlosal7598 5 жыл бұрын

I love him!!!!

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

😁

@michaelhengelsberg1364 4 жыл бұрын

Hi guys! Newer subscriber here, and I've been diligently watching through your vids! Are there guidelines on how much air clearance is required around the compressor unit outside? I would prefer to have the fewest holes in my roof as possible, so I'm scheming up alternative locations to install when the time comes! Thanks for doing what you're doing on this build...I really enjoy watching and following along!!

@geraldhenrickson7472 4 жыл бұрын

I have A/c installer friends that say you should shoot for -30 inches of vacuum (not always possible)for several hours to remove as much moisture as possible and check for leaks. They also always charge with nitrogen first to check for leaks but I know no DIYers that have done this step. Most seem to skip the nitrogen pre-charge. I always apply nylog sealant to all flared surfaces to avoid leaks down the road. Thanks for the video.

@USCGPHOTO 4 жыл бұрын

I installed a 3 ton system in my house. looking at what you've done for my motrohome. How is it for making HEAT not that winter is here?

@geraldhenrickson7472 4 жыл бұрын

I ordered my pioneer with just 10ft hoses so I need not lengthen or shorten....i hope! Thanks for the video.

@gracecallowayable 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome!!!👠🚌👠

@otrookie 3 жыл бұрын

How’s this been so far? I’m looking to get the same unit for my semi truck that’s a lot smaller than your bus and that makes me feel safer about 9000btu vs 12 I was initially wanting. Btw awesome video very helpful

@wrybread 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work! It's been a couple of years, still liking this AC unit? Anything you'd do differently?

@illbeyourstumbleine 5 жыл бұрын

How much solar do you think you would need to run a mini split like this one? Thanks and great job as usual! Your vids are super helpful for our build right now :)

@micheleclifford8969 4 жыл бұрын

Damn Mike, Your So Smart !, A Great Worker & Super Husband. God Bless. Nice Job Honestly I’m So Impressed. Nice Job Buddy❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

@iggy1397 5 жыл бұрын

I love watching you two working together, and look forward to your adventures. We are undecided about the location of our mini split. Now that you have had yours up for a little bit, do you think it cools the back bedroom area sufficiently being mounted in the cockpit area? Looking forward to your next post!🥰

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

For a 40' bus it does not cool then entire bus in 105°F weather but with out mid bus door shut, it does very well for the front area.

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

Oh and we are going to post in a couple of hours!😁

@ToConnect2000s 5 жыл бұрын

Great job.. By the way, where did you get the extra copper lines from? the standard 16ft lines will be 4 feet to short for my install.

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

If you buy the AC from www.pioneerminisplit.com you can choose longer line sets.

@jeremyphilippines197 Жыл бұрын

Have you had any issues with the unit vibrating and/or shaking around as your drive the bus around? I've noticed a lot of units made specifically for buses that are supposedly designed to withstand the vibrating from driving around.

@aaronbenson3958 4 жыл бұрын

HAH, I've got that same ambulance and I'm also building a tiny house! Great minds think alike I suppose.

@spicethewolf8694 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome work guys I can see your struggling in the heat and I know your pain!!! By the way I dont know if it was just edited out but i never saw you open the second valve on the bottom of the condenser on the a/c. Both need to be open for it to work and plenty of freon is usually charged to my knowledge for the line set provided. Hopefully your fix is that easy. Also if I remember correctly ChrisFix did a good video on adding freon to a car a/c unit which should be almost the same as your unit if your gauge can do it and your guage can actually tell you what the the a/c is doing if you look it up. I'm no HVAC tech so take with a pile of salt and Keep working at it though and I wish you the best of luck ^,.,^

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info! Yea, we did open both valves on the compressor, she just didn't hit record fast enough! 😁

@c.brooks7199 3 жыл бұрын

I cheered when Mike said "Let's close all the doors and windows"......and I'm going to get a gallon jug of water and put it in the fridge !!!!

@jg5999 4 жыл бұрын

Where did you get your cable glands at? I am in Tucson too but no one seems to know what they even are at local home improvement stores. Thanks!

@mojo68mitch 3 жыл бұрын

You lucked out on the flairs attaboy

@richardr6203 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative, and entertaining. I had a pair of shorts like yours but my wife made me throw them out 😞

@daltonmeyers9879 4 жыл бұрын

First I would like to say again how awesome and informative your videos are... with that being said, I see you have some links in your video description. I hope for your sake those are affiliate links? I would love to help support you through those types of links! With all of that being said you don’t have the cable glands linked or mentioned in the description. If you want to or could I would most definitely get some through your link if there would be one provided! Thanks for all the awesome content!! Keep up the great work!

@danp762 5 жыл бұрын

Hey. I do HVAC. You can buy 410a online. I don't think you need EPA cert. It's simple to add refrigerant IF you have a accurate scale and clean set of gauges. In manual it will tell you how much to add based the extra lineset. I never seen NPT fittings use in a lineset before. I'm wondering how that's going to go?

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

I'll let you know.

@brian5606 4 жыл бұрын

If I might ask, are you going to use solar panels to power this air-conditioner and if so how much of a solar panel system will it take to power this unit in the hottest part of the summer in the neighborhood ing state of Nevada. Thanks

@KingMoronProductions 4 жыл бұрын

You guys have a 40ft bus right? Do you find the 9000 BTU enough? :) Also what's the power draw on these, we're going solar in our skoolie and worried about not being able to power budget for A/C. Thanks! :)

@rossallen738 3 жыл бұрын

How much energy draw does a unit like yours use? Wondering if running a mini split is reasonable with 6 golf cart batteries and 900-1200 watts of solar panels.

@danpease8395 3 жыл бұрын

What size is your mini slit? And what is the power draw for overnight? What brand and model mini split, and btu?

@lucastherexcat 3 жыл бұрын

A feature to save power is a slow start, no jolt. It slowly builds up to full then slows down to maintain. Note the large range of operational pressures listed on side of interior unit. Read the manual Three times. The cleaning feature works great. Use it at least once every 3 months or when CL appears on the display at shutdown. The display reads AC while cleaning.

@FreeRangeNomad 4 жыл бұрын

If you ever feel like concealing that outside unit feel free to use the way YT Howie Roll and I did the one on my shuttle bus. Just trying to help. We are always improving our rigs. Nice Skoolie !!

@jamieadams7550 3 жыл бұрын

Ha ha love your min split I ment in your pants lol!👌

@wildbitshomestead8811 2 жыл бұрын

Is the mini split only for when you’re hooked to shore power/generator? Are you getting enough ah to run it off solar? What are you doing for ac while driving?

@BussyMcBusface 2 жыл бұрын

We try not to be in places where it's too hot to live in the summer. Now that we are on the road we haven't had to use the air conditioning even once. However, we do either plug in or use the generator to run the air conditioner. The solar can run it but only for a short time.

@freejack5555 4 жыл бұрын

How strong is the fan when it's on? Trying to decide placement of mine but worried if it would be too loud or blow too hard on me if it's mounted above the bed. At the same time I'm in Phoenix so I'm worried about mounting it too far from the bed and it not cooling me. Any thoughts?

@isaiahbangura4421 3 жыл бұрын

Mini splits aren't loud.

@shareethornberry8385 4 жыл бұрын

Do you have more detailed instructions of how you hook up the unit to the power?

@latesilvan4004 3 жыл бұрын

The wiring diagram is clearly shown in any of the mini split units. Three or four wires to tie in each end and they are color coded, so there is not way to screw up. Do not do what they did. Their system will die rather quickly. You need a micron tool to make sure you gto a deep vacuum and a torque tool to tie the lines. The mini split works with really high pressure and does not forgive mistakes.

@popsql4251 5 жыл бұрын

I am looking at a mini split for my bus as well (one duct in the front and one in the rear over the bed) - why mount it on the side of the roof? Why not the center?

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

Because it would stick up a lot higher.

@Euragone68 2 жыл бұрын

Every-time is scene one of these Split A/C's mounted its always on the very back of the bus/van... I'd think Drag would be an issue with a roof mount! I'm in the process of purchasing my a bus to build a Skoolie.. Rent or Mortgage is nu-sustanable in Texas now...I commented before the end.. Nice Shorts....

@charlotte97838 5 жыл бұрын

Oh my gawd,,,he even did that with flip-flops on.

@wazheamadman6086 4 жыл бұрын

How come you didn’t go for a in roof unit for RV’s can’t you get them that run on both shore power and 12/24v ?

@isaiahbangura4421 3 жыл бұрын

They're loud

@wendylaca1783 5 жыл бұрын

My god how can you work in that heat, I live in the pacific NW 80 degrees is hot for me. By the way I like your woodworking skills.

@briandavis9975 5 жыл бұрын

Some people say it's a dry heat they lied hot is hot I lived there for about 3 years, its 9 months of summer and 3 months of Hell.

@justindowden2985 4 жыл бұрын

When you grow up in it your conditioned to it like me.

@doittoday1 4 жыл бұрын

You my friend are a mathematician 👍

@FreeRangeNomad 4 жыл бұрын

I had @HowieRoll put one of these in my rig. Concealed the outside unit completely on my 1998 E350 Shuttle Bus. Dropped it through the floor. He has a vid of it on his channel. Just giving folks options. Hope this helps. Good Video you've done here !!

@irenegiordano6620 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Guys! Does the ac reach all the way to the room ?

@BussyMcBusface 2 жыл бұрын

No, not very well.

@peterincgy 5 жыл бұрын

Would is be better to put the out door unit underneath the bus? Ontop I fear its going to get smacked ?

@BussyMcBusface 5 жыл бұрын

I am more afraid if ruining it from road grime. My height is 11' 5" almost every overpass aproved!

@carlaivey9806 5 жыл бұрын

I oughta get you down here to Chile to figure out a way to get me a wood stove in my loft apartment!! They can't figure it out.

@Dave-ty2qp 5 жыл бұрын

Thars because the instructions are written in Chinese, not Chilese.

@carlaivey9806 5 жыл бұрын

@@Dave-ty2qp jajajajaja!

@Dave-ty2qp 5 жыл бұрын

@@carlaivey9806 If I ever get to Chille, I'll look you up and see if I can help with the translation. LOL

@carlaivey9806 5 жыл бұрын

@@Dave-ty2qp i dont learn easily anymore so my Chileano is terrible. I get by though.

@mojo68mitch 3 жыл бұрын

There’s a special flairing tool for those lines, ask me how I know ???

@irongoatrocky2343 5 жыл бұрын

hey ya forgot to spray some foam into that header space cause it sweats up there......

@JakeEarp 4 жыл бұрын

Assuming you permanently mounted the unit to the roof? How has it help up being on the roof? Ideally I'd like to install ours on the roof instead of the rear door, I have space but worry about aerodynamics and clearance issues, and just looking obnoxious hahaha. I'll check out your instagram see if I can find some more pictures. Thanks for sharing

@BussyMcBusface 4 жыл бұрын

Out unit is at 11.5 ft so clearance is not an issue. Yeah, it's out there but I wanted the inside unit up front where we will be most of the time.

@BussyMcBusface 4 жыл бұрын

Also, let's just address the elephant in the room, a bus has the aerodynamics of a refrigerator so, I dont think I screwed that up very much.