EG4 Hybrid Solar Mini Split Air Conditioner - SHTF Proof!

[@natesdiysolar]

Very easy install, no HVAC tools needed. Can run directly off of solar, no grid! Per the specs, this unit can cool up to 650 square feet and requires 1100W of solar to operate at max power. But it will run on as little as 200W (untested), it just won't run as effective. A 1500W PV array should be perfect. A single string PV array is recommended at a max of 380V DC. Do not parallel the PV array due to the realativly low ISC of 12A. EG4 Hybrid Solar Mini-Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump AC/DC signaturesolar.com/eg4-hybrid-solar-mini-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump-ac-dc-12000-btu-seer2-22-plug-n-cool-do-it-yourself-installation/?ref=natesdiy Specs: eg4electronics.com/backend/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EG4-12K-BTU-AC-DC-Plug-N-Cool-Solar-AC-Spec-Sheet-2.1.1.pdf Manual: eg4electronics.com/backend/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EG4-AC-DC-Plug-N-Cool-Solar-AC-Manual-12K-24K.pdf

[@romanb78]

So when cooling, it was running only at 3amps. Does that mean that it was using about 3amps per hour? So if I have a 40amp battery, i can run it 13 hours?

[@natesdiysolar]

@romanb78 you can not look at the amps. You have to look at the watts. This unit uses a max of 1500w per the specs. So 1 hour would take 1.5kwh of battery capacity. If you have a 200ah battery and it's a 12v battery. 200*12 is 2.4kwh, so you could run the unit for 1.6 hours.. but that's a worst case senerio. The unit will not run constantly.. it cycles like any other AC. So, in short, AC units, in general, are power hogs with 600w being the lowest on the least cool setting and 1200w at max.. have a look at the specs and manual. Hope this helps.

[@romanb78]

@@natesdiysolar thanks a ton for the reply!

[@Khalid81751]

Thank you 🙏

[@einball]

Hmm, paralleling two 4 panel string might be worth it on a east-west facing roof.

[@WattsMiner]

I love my unit... its been running sunce October 2022. Saved 900kwh so far and very good heat in low temps

[@natesdiysolar]

Wow, 900kw, that's impressive!

[@Techboxreview]

Great little off Grid unit.awesome that it can run directly from solar. Thanks for sharing mate 😎🤙🏻 happy Easter

[@natesdiysolar]

Thank you! Happy Easter! ❤️

[@paulpalomo417]

Good review, i know you mentioned the hottest the it would go is 90 degrees that's actually room temperature, the unit itself is pushing out 120 degree heat. I have this same hybrid mini split, great unit both Winter and Summer. I originally purchased it for off-grid purposes, incase the grid goes down but find myself using it because its very efficient.

[@natesdiysolar]

Awesome. Yea I really like it. I think I was talking 90 C . can't remember

[@andys5203]

I am looking to get this also to supplement my 4 ton central unit. Great video. Thanks 😊

[@natesdiysolar]

Awsome. Ty for watching

[@AnthonyDibiaseIdeas]

Wow. Thank you so much for the explanation! I'm not smart enough to DIY this but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.

[@natesdiysolar]

No problem

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

Thanks for the REVIEW COOP ...

[@benkanobe7500]

I missed it. How many panels at how many watts/panel were running it?

[@natesdiysolar]

370w x 6, but you only need 1500w total to run it 100% . It will run on less it just won't be as effective. When on solar, the max draw was 800w, even though my panels could supply 1500w at that time.

[@benkanobe7500]

@@natesdiysolar thank you for the very fast reply. I intend to get one of those, but up until your video, no one showed heating and cooling and what it took regarding watts. Thanks so very much!

[@natesdiysolar]

@@benkanobe7500 I'll do a detailed video about that. I'll test with Just a single panel and keep adding. I kinda missed the mark on that one. I originally mentioned in the video that 1500w would be perfect but I took that part out because the audio had a lot of bg noise from the inverters running. Thanks for watching.

[@quartamile]

When the solar array that is collected to isn't being fully utilized, can the access power go to a battery bank? Thanks

[@natesdiysolar]

No. The solar panels connected directly to the unit can only feed the unit. You would have to run the unit off of a solar system with a battery. That's how I'm doing it.

[@BradCagle]

Great Video. I need to grab one of these for my pool house.

[@natesdiysolar]

I really like it.. but it does hog power in the summer heat.. there is a economy mode witch uses only 600w but it will not attempt to hold that temperature. I'm testing it now and it seems to keep my garage at 87.. but I need to do a full day test.. I can literally watch the amp pull on my battery as I increase the temp setting incrementally.. 13a using economy up to 24 amps on 16c turbo. I think the best is economy mode with turbo witch just speeds up the fan. Max fan only used 1 more amp. Vs changing the temp.. 2a per 2 degeese temp change

[@stuartstuart866]

@@natesdiysolarHa, I was just coming back to see how it’s doing at 105 temperatures. Looking forward to your update Nate

[@zo6joe979]

Can this unit be plugged into a normal wall socket in other not hardwired into an electrical panel?

[@natesdiysolar]

You have to hard wire it. I might be doing an install video if I can get my hands on another unit. Signature solar has an install video as well but I think they wire it directly to an inverter.

[@zephyrz1934]

Great video. I have been doing my research on these units. "SmithHVAC" also has soon informative videos on this. One thing I am curious about is my "normal" Cooper and Hunter 24k minisplit has a parasitic draw of 40 watts when in standby mode when below freezing. About 5 watts when above freezing. I know you are in Vegas. Just curious what the parasitic draw would be. (probably heating the oil) Thank you sir.

[@natesdiysolar]

I have not checked. I'll check and let u know. I'm not an HVAC expert, but I was told in mini splits w heat pumps that they run in reverse to provide the heating, so at idle, there is not much going on at all but I'll let u know what I find.

[@Tokyo1991.JL1AJE]

Just stumbled across your channel. Videos like this are a good source of info especially when looking for equipment ideas. Can I suggest you purchase a pair of electricians rubber gloves, so that we can continue to enjoy your uploads into the future 🫣

[@natesdiysolar]

Ok I will :)

[@fhoofe3245]

8:30 you had the Split on Heat mode as well as space heaters? why not just test the Heat on the Split? i'm confused.

[@natesdiysolar]

I wanted to heat the room faster. I was trying to test the cool mode mostly.

[@joeboyfast7827]

How long is the inside unit... Can u help me with some questions i have ..

[@natesdiysolar]

Hi. Sure. 32" wide/ long X 10" high.

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you

[@natesdiysolar]

No problem

[@BrendaKlahn]

12,000 btu probably be great for small living room or a large bedroom

[@natesdiysolar]

Yes it's perfect for that.

[@Rj-nh1df]

AC UNIT runs on just 380v of solar panels!?

[@natesdiysolar]

Yes, we'll 1,500W. See my pinned comment. 380V is the max voltage it can accept... Watts VS Volts

[@TheCrawdadman]

Currently have mine on only six 100 w panels and it's still basically runs for free during the day until it gets really hot here in Phoenix 👍🏼

[@natesdiysolar]

@@TheCrawdadman wow that's pretty good. How cold is the air

[@TheCrawdadman]

@@natesdiysolar to use all of the solar instead of just having it run on the lower setting it keeps my back room in my RV at around 65° while it is 100 out side! Absolutely impressed by it so far!

[@natesdiysolar]

@@TheCrawdadman thats pretty good.. I would like to get an RV and do the same!

[@genfari9522]

Is it hard to find someone to install this, if you can't do it yourself? I am not sure if an HVAC company would do the panels?

[@natesdiysolar]

HVAC company probably would not install panels, but that is probably the easiest part of the whole thing. You could talk to signature solar, and I think they have a kit that includes panels as well as a video on how to instill the unit. I plan on doing an instill video, but not any time soon.. some time this year, though. If you want to run the unit at night, you will need to hook up grid power as well.

[@OFFGRID_Trucker]

I've got one. Just installed it last week. The sooner and longer it sees the minimum of 90v the cheaper it will be. Also.. Using a multimeter is one thing.. but you didn't mention or show the app. Yeah.. it's slow to respond.. and you can't use TURBO mode when on DC only. Hope they fix that. ALWAYS remember to use the AC limiter. 800w to 200w when turned on makes a difference. I replaced a Pioneer 9k with this one. I see no cooling or fam speed difference. Pretty dissapointed for that reason. Yes, it supposedly works with Alexa.. but isn't real easy to connect to it.

[@natesdiysolar]

Yea I didn't bother with the app since it was wifi.. try the SE mode that is economy mode it uses 600w max

[@jacobthompson6415]

How many watts does the unit use when running off of AC power? I'm curious about the efficiency differences between using it on DC and AC

[@natesdiysolar]

I clocked it at 1050w on max cool and fan on turbo mode while on AC power.. I have not got a chance to test in the summer while on DC... I would imagine it's a very small difference..

[@denesiasmithen3781]

Does it work at night or cloudy days in a row for those without batteries?

[@natesdiysolar]

No. You will need to hook up AC Grid power as well or have a system with a battery.

[@Deveak]

I wonder if its possible to trick it to do lower temps like the cool bot does. Would be perfect for a solar powered walk in cooler if it was possible.

[@natesdiysolar]

Not sure . Never heard of cool bot. How does it work.

[@Deveak]

@@natesdiysolar tricks the thermostat to go beyond the 60-62 degree limit. Makes it think it’s warmer than it is. Mostly for digital units. Works on some mini splits.

[@natesdiysolar]

@@Deveak I see. I wonder if it forces the compressor to run longer... not sure if that would be good for the unit long term. interesting device though.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

Will EG4 be importing deye 48vdc units?

[@natesdiysolar]

Hi. I have not heard anything on that.

[@Nonyabusiness911]

Lots of traffic sounds. Did you accidentally buy a house near a major road or highway, ouch.

[@natesdiysolar]

It's near a fairly busy road, yes. It's usually pretty quiet. I bought this place 12 years ago. It was on the edge of town back then. Now it's one of the fastest growing areas .

[@garys6898]

💯 i would move that head, I have had a clog and water come in thru the head

[@natesdiysolar]

I'm going to install a gutter..

[@samfish6938]

YOU CAN BUY AC UNIT FOR $700 NOT SOLAR

[@TravelingStacker]

There are other things as well. For example, you can not capitalize every letter if it isn't needed. A person can also use punctuation if they choose to. Usually those who don't aren't the brightest individuals.

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

The 12,000 BTU 28.5S EER you mention in the description is NOT a hybrid solar. I almost picked that one, it would have been a mistake. I have to have the solar version! You may want to place a note in the description to warn hapless dreamers, like me.

[@natesdiysolar]

Ahhh ok Thanks for letting me know. I'll fix that..

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

I subscribed because you do expose some good info, but still far from complete. I don't know what the H.. I am doing, and why I am here... Am I understanding this correctly? I am thinking this unit has a soft start, and why it cranks up on such low watts. ...and why it may take longer to spin to nominal speed. (what you called a delay...) if I interpret your 6 panels of 370W total? so 370/6 60W at 2.5A then your panels are 24V ?? 6x24 ~ 144V but you show 162V & 166V hmmm! ...but the output on those panels may only be 75% ~ 277W ... so I can see why you say it might run at 200W lol I have 2 400W portable panels 48V, which charge my gen at about 650W, I should be good and possibly be able to charge the gen at the same time !? so 650/48 ~ 13.5A would leave 8A for the gen. ...again, do my numbers show I understand this? correct me, please.

[@natesdiysolar]

Hi. Thanks for the sub. The unit will consume as much as 1600w but will run on as few as 200 to 300 depending on temperature needs. For example, if the room 70 degrees and you set 70 temp, it will basically idel at 200w. No work needs to be done. I tested in winter, so I was unable to get it to pull a ton of power while cooling.. I used 6x 370w panels in series @ 41v each.. so 2kw and 246v. You can run it on the economy mode, and it will consume just 600w, but it will only maintain a certain temp.. 88 degreese . If ambient temp goes higher, it won't try to maintain. So you will want at min 1600w PV to get full power.. the delay is to protect the compressor between start and stop events. No soft start.. possibly built in.. not sure.. very low surge on startup..

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

@@natesdiysolar ok, I had it all wrong... it is indeed 370W PER panel. so I will need to get 2 more panels to get up to 1600W at least. Thank you. I will try with the 2 panels I have and see how it fares, first. Thank you. I have emailed the manuf about the soft start... will post here, when get answer