Should have posted a link to the original threads where I was given advice. This one discusses the mini-split idea: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hvac/msg061158263967.html I'll use the usual Gardenweb system for the link to the very first thread. Here is a link that might be useful: Original advice about planning thread

Ok let me restate my questions: Do these units have completely removable covers that aren't attached to the electronics, or are the electronics integrated into the cover? Would painting the cover interfere with any sensors or controls? Are there any models anyone knows of that do have a completely separate cover (no electronics, no buttons, no sensors, etc.) that could be removed and painted without any risk to any part of the unit?

Elmer's inquiry deserved more of a answer than your chest-thumping, self-promoting, California-bashing commercial. The climate around Katy, Texas is certainly not "one in a million." It's similar... Just "similar" but not exact... meaning different. Me and Mr. Fudd's disagreements are well documented on this board the story continually evolves from duck to rabbit season and back again. One in a million is a generalized comment... a saying. But you Mr. Ross love to find something to argue about for the sake of arguing. Distinctly different? That's rich. I find it humorous to what people like to nit pick over. It doesn't change anything. I don't change anything about the comment I made. You can disagree if you want, I still say Katy, Texas is indeed "one in a million"... at least. Ray is a one-person company. He lives in the replacement contractor world. When someone is without heat, air conditioning or hot water, it's often the first replacement contractor to arrive that "wins." Not hot water... I am not a plumber. Texas licensed for AC and heat only (HVAC). Yes essentially that is the "service" I offer as well as the part of the world I live in. Air conditioning and Furnace repair service in Katy, Texas area. When I say "service" I mean it. Every day, including summer holidays, weekends. Repairs also include equipment replacement. I myself install all new equipment I sell. I don't sub out work to sub contractors unless the contract specifies that (which is extremely rare situation). If you don't like the way I do things you're free to look elsewhere. I'm not here to tell you what your ears are aching to hear, I am here to tell you like it is. (Firmly and exponentially based on experience.) You don't have to like what I say, most of the time it's not pleasant due to a variety of reasons. In some aspects similar to the confrontational aspects of this forum boards conversations. Anyone who has viewed my posts know I come thick skinned. Disagreements do not phase me. If you want a gimmick, chase a gimmick. I could not offer the service I offer if my approach didn't work after all these years. I'd be running back around chasing my tail. You'd never get thru when you try to call me. Seriously? Think about it. Chest pounding: If you want to call it that it's your opinion. You're free to have it. My experience is my experience. 26 years. Easily verified. 13 years running my own company. Again easily verified facts. Essentially it's an advertisement. I am not paid to be here. I am here drinking my morning coffee filling in that time. If this isn't advertising my business what purpose would I have to be here? I don't come here to argue with the metamucil fan club that propetuates this board. Ha, ha... you know who you are. People search for me. All I have to do is leave bread crumbs so people can find me. AC repair service Katy, Texas area. Everyday. When I say something I mean it. Not a spam service. Don't sell your info. Don't pester you. You initiate the service you want. It's not that difficult when you know what you're doing. If you want a 20 something or 30 something coming to your home, you have to ask yourself how much experience does this guy really have? If that's what you want go for it. I've worked for companies like that... having to go back behind some newbie over and over and over. Used in not very fun ways. Follow my rules. I've been doing this longer than some of you have been alive. My methods work. Experience. What is it worth? Who else on this board in all the world listed as a pro HVAC service provider has my work ethic? Name one besides me. (beside the mini split warehouse spammer) Truth is stranger than fiction. There are people out there who read these threads and never post due to this kind of argumentative climate so frequent here. How could I know such a thing? I service the Katy, Texas area.

I hadn't give thought that you might think I was infering dishonest about cleanleness until A Air commented on taking people at their word. Truth is I've lost count of how many times contractors and employees told me a coil was clean when it wasn't. Their warn't lying,they simply didn't see dirt until I showed them how to make certain. I did the same until wiser men showed me different. I still haven't mastered how to perdict what third parties ( mfgr,dealer and distributor in this case) will do. Hopfully you don't need to go that far so let's do what we can on our own before finding out. I just believe this is well worth persuing since it cost's nothing and will do no harm. I can't say the same about tapping into sealed systems. Manys a perfectly charged system has been contaminated,caused to begin leaking or worse when needlessly opened up. As a rule of thumb,as compressors get smaller, sensitivity increases across the board and skill to deal with it become's increasingly neccessary. If not useful on this unit,I have some tips for confined coils. Adapt as the need arises. I carried mirrors including one similar to those dentists and hygeniests use. It's sometimes amazing to see what's around corners. Much quicker than dissassembly only to find everything ok. A garden sprayer will handle most coil wash jobs but in addition I carried pressurized containers with different coil washes inside. I often prefer pushing dirt back out in direction it came from. A 1/8" soft copper pipe with spray head can be snaked into back side of coil and using high pressure liquid or plain air ( depending on whether pressure tank is upright or inverted) can drive dirt out to side I can see. Eventhough you can't see wand and spray head,the spray can be directed by watching dirt come out side which is visiable. I figure this can save tech time and do better work when dealing with M-splits. If a wet vac hose with 90* floor tool can be manipulated to catch dirt and liquid as it's expelled,you can do 1st class on central system coils. Bigger spray head,more water and more pressure. I would use no rinse evap coil cleaner on this ms but it usually only come's in gallons. I have no objection to diswashing or laundry detergent if that's all one has. If you have a digital thermometer that reacts within secounds of temp change, and an amp meter,do this. Watch and record running temp and amps. Do amps increase above rated run amps before compressor cut's off, do temps progressivly change as amps change and other readings. Since I've lead us this deep,I should at least say why I think this could be air flow related. A freeze up caused by low refrigerant can be expected to start iceing at point where it enter's coil then progress until air flow begin's to drop then continue progressivly covering coil in turn progressivly restricting air flow. That's a clean coil with inadiquate refrigerant. A properly charged coil drop's temp rather even across whole coil. A properly (and to a degree, inadiquate) charged coil with inadiquate air flow from dirt restriction or too low fan can be expected to frost then shortly ice across intire coil surface. Anywho,this will be one less thing tech need's to do if one must be called. Your amp-temp chart might also prove helpful.