Chiller made from mini split?

[aSilvrHaze]

I'm thinking of trying to make a chiller using a 2 ton inverter style mini split.
Does this seem plausible? Would I be able to get ahold of just the outdoor unit to save a little on costs?

 

[ttystikk]

I'm thinking of trying to make a chiller using a 2 ton inverter style mini split.
Does this seem plausible? Would I be able to get ahold of just the outdoor unit to save a little on costs?

Plausible, yes. Practical, not really. You need the cold coils to be sized for cooling water and to be inside a sealed tank you can then pass water through to use as the working fluid for cooling other spaces.

A minisplit also has freon lines snaking all over the place.you would need to replace those with water lines.

 

[aSilvrHaze]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I plan to replace the evap coil with a freon to water heat exchanger. I want to go with a mini split to take advantage of the inverter technology, and the benefit of having the condenser/compressor outside

 

[aSilvrHaze]

http://www.packless.com/catalog/CategoryListView.aspx?id=10

 

[ttystikk]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I plan to replace the evap coil with a freon to water heat exchanger. I want to go with a mini split to take advantage of the inverter technology, and the benefit of having the condenser/compressor outside

Tell me more about this inverter technology, compadre...?

Appreciate the link to the chiller coils! That could well solve a problem I had with a used AC unit.

I appreciate the fact that my chiller is a window mount unit. This means it's outside all summer, and portable enough to put inside on a table to provide home heating all winter.

 

[aSilvrHaze]

Basically the inverter tech allows the compressor to vary its output based on demand, less strain if the unit is oversized

 

[ttystikk]

Basically the inverter tech allows the compressor to vary its output based on demand, less strain if the unit is oversized

You would be unnecessarily replicating a feature already built into the concept of water chilling. You see, a chiller runs until the water in the system reaches its setpoint. It then SHUTS OFF, saving power while the working water temp rises to the point set on the chiller- the 'rise'- and it kicks back on. Thus, it does match its output to the load, better than the inverter, and this contributes greatly to its efficiency relative to air conditioning.

 

[seebobsled]

I disagree .
This technology takes a 3phase motor and use a variable frequency drive and potentiometers. the benefits of this technology a soft starts rapping up power slowly depending on demand.
Induction motor and V.F.Drives are the future.
This technology allows a large unit to run at needed load @ 1/4-1/2 less amps. Also extends the life of components.
Some states offer rebates to retrofit with variable frequency drives on motors in commercial buildings.