2 months of trouble shooting and finally I found this video. I cleaned the rhermocouple with rubbing alcohol gently swishing and lt it sit a few minutes. Thanks to this information, my Freeze dryer is now functioning better than ever. I am so very greatful to you for sharing this with us.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Great to hear.

I have been researching freeze driers for a few weeks and no-one seems to discuss the mechanics but you. Thank you sir! This is the type of stuff I’ve been looking for.

@Philat4800feet

8 ай бұрын

Glad to help

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing this video Phil. Happy trails!

Yet another excellent informational video from Phil 👏👏👏. Many many thanks!!! 👍👍

Best info I’ve found so far! Thank you.

You are such a blessing to me. I love that you have such good info and helps!!!

Thank you so much Phil. Very clear and informative.

Great video, will give it a shot tomorrow. Developed widely fluctuating pressures despite constant vacuum pull from a Premier and oil free pumps. I suspect it’s my problem and I might be able to avoid submitting a ticket to HR. Saving $! Thanks! The next day: it worked! Yay!

Good Stuff Phil, thank You.

November 2022, per your recommendation, I changed these parts and it fixed my inaccurate vacuum reading problem.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Good to know. Vacuum leaks can be frustrating.

@pacearrow4620

Жыл бұрын

@@Philat4800feet TY!

Wow that's why. Thank you

Excellent video, Phil, thank you for demystifying the sensor and how to maintain it! Quick question please... When testing for leaks, how long should the FD maintain a vacuum after I turn off the vacuum pump?

@Philat4800feet

8 ай бұрын

Not long for a deep vacuum (anything under 2500 mtorr). The vacuum check valve in the pump isn't designed for that amount of force.

What exactly is the solvent used I’d like to try and clean my sensor before purchasing a replacement kit! Super informative video finally someone explaining the mechanics. Thank you!

@Philat4800feet

6 ай бұрын

M.A.P. Sensor Spray. Found at auto parts stores.

Phil, I want to thank you so much for making this video. We’ve been plagued with the dreaded “inadequate vacuum” message for several months. Not only that but occasionally we’ll get a message that says it can’t cool to an adequate temperature. I can’t remember that message. I spoke to HR customer service numerous times and it was getting to the point where they wanted me to send the machine in. I tried to tell them that I suspect a sensor error but what do I know? I suspected a sensor error because my temperature would change 10° in 10 seconds and I knew that wasn’t accurate or really even possible inside the FD. Prior to cleaning the vacuum sensor my machine would only get to approx 1500 mT when doing the vacuum test and then would rapidly rise to something very high then would wildly swing between mT. But after watching this video I went and got a can of MAS cleaner, removed my vacuum sensor and cleaned it like you suggested. Reinstalled it, did a vacuum test and it pulled down to 244mT. I don’t think I have a vacuum leak. Ran a batch of food and it worked perfectly. Does the vacuum sensor also detect the temperature in the chamber?

@Philat4800feet

10 ай бұрын

The temp sensor in the chamber is from a thermistor under the heater element, I believe on the second tray. Looks like a worm under the skin. I'm glad the video helped.

@timothypropst238

10 ай бұрын

@@Philat4800feet Back to square one. Still getting the Inadequate Vacuum message. I think my FD is not getting cold enough or our garage in this heat is not helping. I put 4 frozen trays in an X-Large FD and it took almost 16 hours for it to get to -10F for the vacuum pump to kick on. Then it seems to work great but during the cycles when it’s on its way back down to 500mT it stalls around 520 but will eventually make it to 500 where the message disappears and everything is back on track. Right now we’re at about 35 hours total time. We live in Oklahoma and it has been hot here. Does the temperature of the environment the FD is in make that much of a difference?

@Philat4800feet

10 ай бұрын

Outside FD temperature should remain below 85 degrees. What software version are you running? I guess you have check for vacuum leaks?

@timothypropst238

10 ай бұрын

@@Philat4800feet it pulled down to 244 mT on the test run so I would assume I don’t have any leaks. Is that a false assumption? Running 5.0.23

@timothypropst238

10 ай бұрын

@@Philat4800feet a new problem. Freeze dryer won’t come on at all. No screen power and no refrigeration compressor. The little green light on the back of the screen is on, I have 125 volts where the power enter the circuit board and I have good continuity on the black and white power wires that go to the circuit board. The other day I turned it on and nothing happened. Turned it off and on and it came on. I turned in a ticket in with HR but have heard nothing. Really frustrated with their customer support. I figure in about a week they’ll send me an email to set up an appointment a week out. HR didn’t used to be this way. When I called with a problem I talked to someone right then. This is our third FD from HR and all three have had problems. We bought our first one in 2014. Any suggestions as to what it may be or a work around?

Phil, in my training, I was told not to replace Thermocouple wires with anything other than the original wires (or special extension wires). The reason for this is that the thermocouple wires are made from two different materials, such that if you add 2 wires such as "copper" wires to them, they will then create a voltage (due to two different metals at a junction) which will throw off the readings. I am curious -- do the cable connectors use special wires for the thermocouple ?

@Philat4800feet

4 ай бұрын

Good questions. I can't speak for HR, but I don't think they are that close to "attention to detail". The makers of the vacuum sensors recommend to mount the sensors as close to vertical as possible to keep junk and moisture from building up inside. HR sensors are mounted horizontal. I don't think wire selection was a debated topic.

We just got our freeze dryer a few weeks ago and since the bread run, we haven't been able to get adequate vacuum. Completely empty we get around 380 MTor, when loaded we get around 1450. So far it's just a $3000 boat anchor. Have checked all of the external fixes but haven't cracked it open yet.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like your food is sublimating and isn't rock hard frozen. There's a fix coming soon that may help.

@dabslabs6116

Жыл бұрын

Mine also only pulls a deep vac about 1 out of every 6 times I run it. I’ve done more freezing and defrosting of the unit

Hello. I enjoy watching your videos. They are informative and helpful. I learn things I know nothing about but now I at least have a clue. :) I have only had my HR for about 3 months and immediately had an issue but they sent my updated software to the most recent version as of January 2023 that seemed to fix the issue. However, when the machine is vacuum freezing it doesn't stay under the 500 mT stays around 770 to 780. I have only run about 10 or 11 batches. I don't sit and watch it so I don't know if it ever gets to below 500mT at any point in the process but it seems to process the food correctly. Any input or thoughts.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Have you checked for any leaks? You should be able to get below 500 mtorrs. Got tools?

@monicaberry9971

Жыл бұрын

@Phil at 4800 feet Yes sir. Nothing fancy but I have a few and can get more if needed.

Thanks for the info. A few points to consider; HR uses commercially available vacuum sensors, not really proprietary. You may consider using gas rated (thicker) PTFE. Notice the yellow color of what came out. New units require two screws to be removed from the GUI bezel prior to removing the top cover. You didn't show the comparison as mentioned. Instead it appears an old video was edited in.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

I was surprised not to find any markings on the sensor, so it was hard to run a proper ID on it. I also understand that HR has made a lot of changes to the inner chassis.

@youtubejunky7481

Жыл бұрын

That looks like a Yellow Jacket thermalcouple. They tell you to use alcohol and shake it around and then drain it to clean it.

@kevinrowbotham545

Жыл бұрын

I was wondering about the yellow tape too. That did not look like HR factory taping on the thermo-couple. Was that tape original Phil? Great video as always!

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

@@kevinrowbotham545 That was OEM tape.

@michaelwitzgall9345

2 ай бұрын

@Philat4800feet Not sure how to properly contact you Via KZread. Here is the problem, we are experiencing: Vacuum pump was pulling +2500 mtorr, not pulling the required 500 mtorr vacuum. I have disassembled and reassembled our Harvest Right 7 CFM HRC-7-115, SN #19010091, several times. It will start pulling a vacuum, often getting down to 200 mtorr sometimes while running quiet and smooth. After anywhere from ½ hour to several hours, the volume and pitch of the vacuum pump changes and it vibrates more, gradually loosing vacuum to +2,500mtorr. It seems to run hotter at this time but perhaps the heat is from extended operation? I have not checked the thermocouple, but plan to I cannot find any vacuum leaks? To measure vacuum with a gage, I suspect I would need an accurate Differential pressure gage? Any ideas? Thanks for any assistance!

Is the thing you’re using to look inside an otoscope? Do you have suggestions for how to buy the right one of those tools? Thank you!

@Philat4800feet

4 ай бұрын

Yes. I just purchased a cheap one from Amazon

Thermocouple Gauge, 531/521 that visually is similar is $115 neighborhood. Probably the minimum to expect and sky is the limit.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

My problem is not knowing the input and output values.

I have wondered about this sensor many times. Just how accurate it is. I am wondering about the voltages across the pins on an accurate sensor. The resistance will change on amount of contaminates in it as well as the voltage. I love this video.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

The sensor works for the Harvest Right program and that about it. My micron gauge is more accurate, and the readings are never the same. HR could make it more accurate at a cost but is it really worth it?

@insidepages4150

Жыл бұрын

cdn.digivac.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SEN-VGT500-Data-Sheet-7-21-2022.pdf.pdf

Great job Phil! My new freeze dryer started the same thing a week ago. I dry a bunch of goat milk which is very fine powder. Cleaned out the pump with a back flush. That removed a bunch of junk. Gunna try this next. How much was that sensor, board from HR?

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

I had one from warranty. You would need to call HR

@gmwwc

Жыл бұрын

how long does the goat milk keep once you have reduced it to powder?

@trinityfarms615

Жыл бұрын

@@gmwwc I would think done and packaged right 24yrs. I’ve opened up milk from 5 years ago and mixed and it tasted great!

@trinityfarms615

Жыл бұрын

We also do a bunch of eggs as well. Also a very fine powder when done. We dry them raw so they can be used in cooking all kinds of stuff.

Tried the ohms test using alligator clip ends and recorded 2.1 on one & 2.2 on the other so i am guessing that's good then. cleaned it out with alcohol will see if this helps. cheers Phil.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Good luck

I have a pic of my wires after I cleaned it, can I show it to you? There’s something on the point where the wires cross but I can’t tell if that’s dirt or if it’s supposed to be there.

@Philat4800feet

4 ай бұрын

It's common to have what looks like a "solder joint" where the wires cross.

How would I order that magnifier thing to look inside? Is that what a doctor uses to look inside peoples ears?

@Philat4800feet

4 ай бұрын

Yes

What is the stuff you are supposed to spray in there to clean it? How do I purchase that? Thanks?

@Philat4800feet

4 ай бұрын

Mass air flow sensor cleaner. Auto Zone or other auto parts stores.

I just talked to customer service to order the part. It consists of the Vacuum Tube Senor ($150), Vacuum Tube Control Board ($35), and Vacuum Tube Cable (no price given). They sell a kit with all 3 parts and it is called the Vacuum Tube Board Kit [Kit-VTB] for $203 plus tax but has free shipping. These prices are on 10/26/23.

@Philat4800feet

8 ай бұрын

When all else fails, this my be your solution.

@joehamblin7008

8 ай бұрын

I forgot to say Thank You for the valuable video in the above post! I just reported the above information so if anyone else asks and have to order they at least have an idea of cost. I did clean it as you suggested and went ahead and resealed every vacuum connection since I had the cabinet apart. When I first ran it after cleaning it still fluctuated wildly, so I ordered the parts. I decided to go ahead and run a batch and it performed as it should, other than about midway through the 1st batch it reported the temperature dropping down to 35 and then going up, and then going down. I had never noticed it doing that before and it could be normal, just hadn't caught it. At least I haven't gotten the Inadequate Vacuum Error message and the mTorr goes down and stays down now. I didn't have a vacuum leak, so cleaning the vacuum tube sensor was the fix I needed. I just took out my 3rd batch since cleaning and resealing. BTW I have over 300 cycles on my medium and only had 1 control board to go bad and had to replace the drain valve twice. I do enjoy your videos and I'm grateful for the time and effort you put into them. Thank you again! @@Philat4800feet

@Philat4800feet

8 ай бұрын

Glad it worked

I have pharmaceutical unit being used to make med for cancer patients

😎

Hi Phil, I have a strange one. Recently my freeze dryer started taking several hours (6 to 8) from batch start to get below 450mT to start the drying phase. After the drying starts the unit dries normally, heaters turn on, when the pressure raises above 600mT the heaters turn off. What I have done on a recent batch is wait until pressure is below 500mT in vaccum freezing (about four hours from batch start) I hit the leaf for manual advance drying starts and the pressure raises and falls as normal with heater on/off and the strange thing is on the first heater cycle the pressure raises above 600. Heaters turn off and the pressure drops well below where I manual advanced and the cycle continues. Seems like the vaccum pressure sensor heater filament is dirty, the pressure sensor doesn't work normally under cold vaccum with cold water vapor but when the heaters turn on there is warm water vapor under vaccum in the chamber which aids the dirty vaccum sensor heaters, possible? Just a thought, looking forward to your thoughts, I think I need a new vaccum sensor what do you think Ps, my last batch with excessive vaccum freeze time ended the cycle with a final mT of 188.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Have you tried cleaning the sensor? Another problem could be the small sensor board. If either one goes bad, the result could be the same.

@mikeb9646

Жыл бұрын

@@Philat4800feet thanks! I will get the massairflow cleaner and give it a try.

I had mid cycle batch errors and my mTorr and temperatures were all over the place, causing water to mix into my oil. (eg from 500 to 1200 mTorr and -12 to 120F). The V5.1.24q solved the batch errors, but my mTorr and temperatures are still all over the place and are still causing water to mix into my oil. I'm probably needing to wait for the next software fix.

@kevinrowbotham545

Жыл бұрын

Software can't fix physical leaks or design flaws.

@FXC54321

Жыл бұрын

Felix fix harvest right. Look it up in the tube.

Was the new part ordered from harvest right directly?

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Yes, part came from HR

Did cleaning the sensor work? You never told us if it restored it of normal operation or if it was simply broken and had to be replaced.

@Philat4800feet

11 ай бұрын

It worked. I was having problems with the pressure jumping all over the place.

@AJ-ed9ct

4 ай бұрын

You've been a great help so far. Thank you What would you suggest if the level is constant at 850-950? I retefloned (gas spec) everything with a thread, liquid tape, and wrapped with silicone tape. I also checked front seal. Same constant level remaining. I'm asking if the sensor is a possible issue because I would have to take off all the barrier layers I created. I was thinking it may be a possible pump issue (new model oil pump). Considered buying the Hilmon micron gauge. FD only 10 months old for personal use. Not run hard 24/7. HR wants me to send the unit from Toronto (international shipping $$). This is after telling me the unit is fine at that level with the new 5.X firmware...sure. Starting to feel the frustration.Thanks Phil @@Philat4800feet

Hello i forgot to close the drain valve before starting , it was only open for 20 minutes. is my fd ruined 😢?!

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Nope, Close the valve and continue..

Maybe a dumb question, but isn't it the change in readings as the FD process progresses vs the absolute readings from the sensors that matters? Meaning, does it really matter if they get dirty and the transmission between sensors is lowered? As long as the delta over time is accurate. But if it fixed your issue, I guess it is the dirty wires.

@Linda-dw8wd

Жыл бұрын

And thank you for making these! I learn a lot from them.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

No such thing as a dump question- just an enquiring mind. The upper and lower threshold of the vacuum 500-600 mtorr, measured by the vacuum sensor, is what triggers the heaters to turn on and off. A dirty sensor would alter the mtorr, but should still work but not as accurate. If accuracy matters?

@Linda-dw8wd

Жыл бұрын

@@Philat4800feet got it. Thanks for the reply!

Do you have a link to purchase this sensor? ideally from manufacturer?

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, no. I had to get one from HR. The old sensor didn't have any markings.

Take the sides off the FD and toss them out. HR wants us to work on our machine all the time. Not only pay a ton for the FD but buy a box of tools to keep it working. It might help to install a 90 or 45 degree fitting holding the vacuum sensor in a drain down position and making it harder for crap to get to the heater wire. If the system has no vacuum leaks, why is the pump running the whole time? My new 3-2024, HR Large pro, pump has a vacuum leak inside, less than one minute to loose all vacuum after pump is turned off. I want to cut the vacuum hose and install a check valve with a tee and a vacuum gauge on the food side. then the pump can be turned off for the rest of the many hours of dry time. I recommend you add a vacuum gauge to your system and not rely on the digital gauge. I think the FD process would work better and faster if the vacuum was at 25 torr or 28 in/hg. please feel free to respond and lets fix this mess.

@Philat4800feet

Ай бұрын

The vacuum pump needs to run all the time because the sublimated water (moisture) is constantly making atmosphere and needs to be pumped out. Not all of it is frozen on the chamber wall. You are right, the vacuum sensor needs to be mounted vertically. I have a 304SS tee just off my pump with a micron gauge. I have made little modifications here and there to get my batches down to around 24 hours.

@rexhavoc2982

Ай бұрын

@@Philat4800feet To move water vapor you would need air flow, with a sealed system it should all freeze in the chamber. How would the water know where the suction is coming from ?If you can find the time to try experiment, Close up the machine and pull 5 minutes of vacuum, turn off the pump and remove the muffler, can you feel suction in the pump muffler hole? how long will your machine hold vacuum with the pump turned off? Thanks for your time.

Do you happen to have the part numbers from Harvest Right. They always want you to pay to talk to a technician.

@Philat4800feet

7 ай бұрын

Vac Tube Kit (Kit-VTB) Vac Tube ELC-B0005 Vac Board ELC-B0004

We did this process, and it seemed to make my mtorr worse. The name of my freeze dryer is Frosty, but now it only says Fros...does this mean my motherboard is bad?

@Philat4800feet

4 ай бұрын

Sounds like you could have multiple problems that could be traced back to the motherboard.

Try pouring it out into a clean white coffee mug so you can see the dirt that was in it.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Good idea

@Phil---- if you are prototyping a Moisture Collection system to go on the HR FD--- I will PAY for my own way to be apart of this experiment-- as the less moisture that enters the Vacuum PUMP-- the longer mine will last between service intervals.... The Low Profile Oil Less pump is a child of a lesser god for sure....

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

I have played around with in-line vacuum filters and desiccant , but the only way to remove any additional moisture would be a freeze trap. I'll keep tinkering.

Has anyone found another source for the Sensor only? Seems a bit steep.....

@Philat4800feet

2 ай бұрын

HR keeps the specs a secret. You can buy them but without knowing the sensor's parameters, you're in the dark.

What type/brand of micron gauge do you use.

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Hilmor CVG1200 around $110.00

@syexplorarconmigo8853

Жыл бұрын

@@Philat4800feet --- For that Model---> Does this connector come with the fitting to connect to the JIC fitting on the HR Pumps? or is there something else I need to purchase? I need to validate that my Low Profile Oil-Less VAC PUMP is not working before I start the GREAT CHASE on a possible vacuum leak with the HR UNIT.... I have already completed the FULL BLOWN famous "FELIX FIX"...

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

@@syexplorarconmigo8853 Most gauges come with a 3/8 compression fitting. A hydraulic shop would have all the fittings and adapters you would need.

how do you check for vacuum leak?

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

I have several videos on the subject

How do I order a new vacuum senser

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

I wasn't able to spec out the sensor. You'll need to contact HR. Try cleaning before replacing.

It's a maraca...but thanks for the informative video!

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Try, Try again

@scotmcdougal347

Жыл бұрын

@@Philat4800feet oddly enough, I didn't have a problem with the FD until after I watched your video! (I'm sure no cause/effect but the timing was perfect.) I woke up this morning to an "unable to acheive vacuum" error, but the door seal clearly proves a good vacuum! Thanks again for posting this info, as cleaning the vacuum sensor is one of the likely culprits.

Good video... but focus on the camera isn't your strong suit.

@Philat4800feet

5 ай бұрын

In the good old days cameras had an adjustable f-stop.

What was the cost of the parts?

@marchalmangen

Жыл бұрын

@@majorhavoc9693 Most part there are expensive... but then again it is complex machine

if this fails can you get a high heat warning?

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

This sensor measure pressure. The worm looking thing, under the heating pad, on the third tray, is a thermistor. That measures heat by resistance.

@johnbailley4468

Жыл бұрын

@@Philat4800feet thanks Phil

Why not use 99% alcohol to clean the sensor?

@Philat4800feet

Жыл бұрын

Good question. The MAP sensor and the heated wire are closely alike. I suppose any good cleaner that will leave "free and clear" could work.

Awsome please help me do u have email or facebook

@reloader3876

Жыл бұрын

Phil, I could use some advice/help as well. Any chance we could get in touch?