Comments for Stuart's Thoughts

Comment on Installing an AmVent AX12 “mini split” ductless room air conditioner by Ed

Ed — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 01:56:35 +0000

Thanks for the reply, I’m bidding on ebay for this item. Looks like better price there. It’s really cool to see other people installing it by themselves instead of paying expensive fee and enjoy the achievement in the meantime. Hope you don’t need to put any refrigerant every year as my friend bought one (not the same brand) ~1800$ (those china made but with Hitachi or Toshiba compressor) and he ends up need to pay every year to refill it as it’s not cold anymore. Hope this one will be better.

Comment on Installing an AmVent AX12 “mini split” ductless room air conditioner by Stuart

Stuart — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:40:57 +0000

Hi Ed:

We really like it. We’ve had it running for less than a year, but it works well for both heating and cooling. I don’t have pictures (yet) for the electrical; I had an electrician friend wire a set of outlets in the garage under the room where the A/C was to be installed about a year earlier, and he put in a separate circuit for the A/C – and brought a heavy gage wire (and neutral) out to the outlet box nearest where the outside unit was to be located.
I drilled a hole in the wall there and installed a fused disconnect box (about $40 from Home Depot) on the outside, and picked up the circuit through the hole in the wall – putting in the conduit was my biggest challenge since I don’t have a lot of plumbing or electrical tools. So the circuit has a dedicated breaker in the garage, and a fused disconnect at the outside where the A/C is. There is plenty of flexible cable from the A/C to reach the disconnect; I hard-wired it in, but I suppose you could put a heavy duty plug on it in place of the disconnect.
I still need to finish “finishing” the refrigerant lines outside the house – a contractor friend suggested a modified rain gutter as a raceway.
Good luck!

Comment on Installing an AmVent AX12 “mini split” ductless room air conditioner by Ed

Ed — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:16:11 +0000

Nice posting, actually I am shopping an AC split and found the same model on ebay. Could you tell how you like it up to now? Do you have some pictures for how the breakers are connected and how you get eletricity to the A/C. Many thanks!!!! Ed

Comment on hello world… by Stuart

Stuart — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 05:23:52 +0000

I realize I posted this over two years ago. It’s my variation of the traditional “Thanksgiving Address” – appropriate for the holiday we’re observing this week! I sit outside every morning – I think I’ve missed two or three mornings in the last four years – usually with a cup of coffee – and say this, or something very much like it, out loud. The semi-feral cat sits with me and I pet her fur while I do this. This time of year I watch the stars fade as I go through the prayer, or address.
I have found that this exercise in gratitude is deeply nourishing to my soul, and gets the day started on the right foot, as it were.
May you do likewise.

Comment on Planning an Advanced Shamanic Healing workshop by Stuart

Stuart — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:25:27 +0000

(Another note: we’re already planning the 2010-2011 Advanced Healing workshop. If you’re interested, check out our schedule and website linked above. This time it’s a year-long!)