My Freeze Dryer Stopped Freezing | Part 2 - Fixing the Issue
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Great big thanks go out to Larry Kapigian with Superior Air for his contributions to this video. Check out Larry's Heating and AC shop online: superior-air.com
We are continuing our journey on how we fixed our Harvest Right Freeze dryer. I'm not sure how common my problem is so I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section but Harvest Right has been made aware of this issue (in case it's an isolated situation) and they have told me that they are actively working on making sure it gets taken care of.
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Eric
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I just received it 3 days ago. Yesterday during the “bread run” freeze, only the front half of barrel form iced.🤷♀️ this morning, spoke with nice someone with not too bad accent. Sent my ticket to a tech support, who reached out in an email asking for a log dl. So far everything is going smoothly… besides a $4,500 machine not working properly in the first place. I’ll keep ya posted.
The best ever series of videos on knowing your freeze dryer, great one.
Enjoyed your video. I guess I've lucked out on my freeze drier. Had some minor issues, but nothing too bad to fix. I have found Harvest Right an interesting company and I hope video's like these will force them to think outside the box and innovate and improve. Many competing FD companies have arisen to challenge HR and have introduced some really great ideas that HR should have evolved to by now. HR did lead the way and made it possible for other to compete against them. Rich Skaggs has been great to deal with.
Just finished your first video of the series, very well done and informative. This will be my third time with a freezing issue with a large model, I’ve have sent it back twice (both times were under warranty, no charge) and they didn’t fix anything except to add Freon. It’s a slow leak and seems to function for several months before you notice the ice formation slowly moving away from the front half. Unlike you, I’ve had good telephone response from them, twice before and just starting my third time. I ordered mine straight from Harvest Right, and have realized that my unit was probably defective from the start. It’s just a small, slow leak and the unit will run but will continue to degrade over several months as the refrigerant leaks out. It’s a big hassle for me to return for repair. My personal opinion is they should replace the unit with a new one, I don’t have a lot of faith in getting this one repaired. I talked with the Rep last night about my issue’s with the unit and he mentioned it was out of warranty and there would probably be charges. My response back to him was “really, you’ve had it twice already for the exact same problem and haven’t fixed it yet, and all this was done under warranty and you think I should now start paying for your help. I then asked to speak with a supervisor.
That sucks!!! I hope you get it worked out with them.
After searching “additional freeze time needed” message I came across your video and realized my FD had the same issue. After calling support and sending logs and pictures they determined I had the same issues you have. It’s been a several week process so far but I would say they are doing a good job of dealing with this issue. My only concern is this is now a known issue and I just caught mine in time before the warranty was up. This should really be a recall because there are many people out there that don’t realize they have this issue. My batches were taking twice as long so thanks for putting this I for action out there Eric! Will follow up after the repair.
I was wondering how many people out there had the same issue as me.. I hope you get it fixed quickly.
when you get it back you only have 90 days to ship it back on their dime if they didnt stop your leak of freon it will show on your water batch test. Do a water batch test as soon as you get it back and take lots of pics. At 80 days do another water batch and compare pics. If your freeze rings are less they didnt get the leak stopped.
Thanks Eric, I was looking forward to these follow up episodes. Living in Canada, if I do have issues with my HR, after seeing these, it gives me a touch of confidence that it can be fixed.
I’m glad you got atleast some satisfaction from Harvest Right. That particular issue seems like a serious QC issue they should look at. Especially with how large of an investment they are.
Your videos are great! Now I want to see more video's about fresh freeze! I'm looking to buy one. Excited to explore your channel.
Sweet! Very nice video!! Love the mod to the TEV vs cap tube. While I came to you channel looking at other stuff you are doing with the freeze dryer, this was a gem to find. Been toying doing that mod to a wine fridge that took a dump in the same way.
wow excellent work sir! you're good!
First freeze dryer is just starting to have this problem (1 year and 3 months old) and my second freeze dryer is currently in the process of being warrantied for the same problem (under 1 year old) and is taking a long time especially when im trying to run a business. When this problem is so common in harvest rights freeze dryers this is quite pathetic. They need to be reported to the business bureau.
I thought this was great and so helpful. I am in the same place finding that there are leaks on the drum. Is there anywhere you know to get a drum replacement or take your FD to a place to have it replaced that is not as far away as Harvest Right. We are on the East Coast in MA and I just can't bear to send it to them. Any ideas?
14:31 I noticed you went overkill on the coils insulation. But I have a question.
You recently bought a StayFresh, and SF instead uses a padded (removable) insulation sleeve
only, instead of cast foam.
I've seen other SF users able to reach their hand underneath the sleeve and feel the coils
underneath. Do you think that could be a problem with the coils somewhat exposed (in the future)?
Like condensation or mold?
Can’t wait for that freeze dried water! That’s the only way I’ll drink it
And don't forget easy to store!!!!! LOL
Thanks for the info! I really learned a ton, and you explain everything so well! I too am experiencing the customer support merry go round. Very polite, but the guy I talk to is not a tech and not knowledgeable. My problem is the condenser starts and runs properly, but after about 10 minutes into starting a load process the normal sound changes to a "hum" and it stops freezing. Any ideas? I don't think it's a leak, more mechanical with the condenser. Thanks for any input
sounds like the compressor stops and only the fan is running. Have you tried to run the unit from the functions test screen and see what happens?
Yes, they had me do a test run from the test screen on my dryer, it ran for roughly 9 to 10 minutes. Normally, then it shut off is the best way to explain it and then it would just hum. I really appreciate you getting back to me on this☺️
When it stops is the fan (on the condenser w/the blue fins) still running. It sounds as if it may be overheating and automatically shutting off. Could be the start/stop capacitor or even the fan capacitor if I had to take a wild guess. I'm not in the HVACR field but that's where I would start.
I have not taken the panel off yet to inspect. I can do that later today and let you know
@@2guysandacooler Thank you very much for your kindness in helping me, so appreciated!
Wow so awesome. I didn't see links to the equipment that you added. Did I miss that part?
Can you post the link for the couple different formats? I have a couple questions, Hopefully you guys can help me out with it.
Are you saying the issue with your FD was the evaporator? I live in Canada and have been told by Harvest Right that I can either ship my XL FD back to them on my dime or hire an HVAC person and they will pay for the service but I will no longer have that part of my warranty covered. I have had my FD 3 months!
Ive had the same issue, personally i would send it back that way you still have the warranty incase something else happens, once your warranty is up. Just pay for the part and hire someone to install
I have a May22 date code and we have a similar situation, tried leak stop and replaced the refrigerant 4 times. have contacted HarvestRight - the first response was out of warranty... I am interested in the actual part numbers of the valve and regulator and receiver you used - I didn't see links to those.
A mechanical expansion valve is the way to go to control superheat. An even more performing valve would be an electronic expansion valve. An EEV is a PID controlled valve that, if tuned correctly, can maximize your superheat and eliminate the guess work. An EEV would require a pressure transducer and a temperature sensor as inputs.
Follow up on my previous comment: my FD has been with support for several weeks now and they originally told be 2-4 weeks so no problem until yesterday. I received a bill for $90 to replace the relay board and a message that it will not be shipped back until I pay the bill! During the initial phone support session I did the testing and took pictures as they requested and it was determined that the coils were leaking and basically it had the same problem as your machine. Getting a bill for a relay board didn’t seem to match the issue since the compressor was working when we tested and it was freezing half the chamber! To me, either the compressor runs or it doesn’t. I suspect they are using this board replacement bill to pay for the parts they really replace. I don’t trust them and it’s just my opinion but I wouldn’t suggest anyone buy a harvest right at this point.
Update: 6-26-24. Tech support called and explained that it’s their policy on older machines to replace the relay board just to make sure there isn’t any issues. Also was told there were no leaks detected but they had to add Freon to the system??? And they verified the freeze pattern with a picture. We will continue to use the machine after we get it back but will be buying another brand ASAP. Hope this helps someone in their decision making process.
That really sucks!!
Some folks believe they don't fix the leaks, they just fill up the freon. Only warrantied for 90 days when you get it back, act fast.
Because of the warrany, there is no chance in hell i would buy from harvest right
I’m leaning towards Stay Fresh because they are in LA and I’m in Arizona. It would be easy enough to take the machine to them .
That would be a very smart decision, not because they are closer to you, but because they have an overall better product
Got a question. I bought some of the salted bungs like from your Gentile Salami video. Is it okay to freeze them (for storage) in their factory packaging? Maybe I shouldn't freeze casings?
I personally dont like to freeze casings. If you keep them in their salted pack in the fridge they will last forever.
I recently moved my machine and at one point it was tiltled forward for about 1 minute. I went to start it. It made a clunking noise so i turned it off. I let it rest for about 20 hours. Turned it on and it started right up. After putting a cycle. It finished drying and it started making the clunking noise again. I left the candy inside like i usually do for an hour and when i opened it i realaized that it then freeze and there was no ice build up. What could my issue be
I’ve commented before and have a question for you. You might have answered it in the video, “what caused the failure of the copper tubing?”. My guess based on what I’ve heard, seen, is defective tubing. I’ve got the same issue and, so far I’m getting no where. Sent back twice under warranty,same problem. Now wants to charge me $400 to send back, I just don’t think that’s fair.
Harvest Right never commented on this issue and every time I asked, they simply said that their team has seen my video and was aware of the issue. My initial thought would be faulty copper, but the main culprit is moisture. There seems to be 2 types of corrosion happening at the same time. Formicary and galvanic. If they can't seal their drum better and keep the moisture out, then they will continue having this issue. The easiest way to fix this would be to get a new drum and have a repairman install it for you. The fact that they want to charge you to fix their preexisting condition is despicable. They customer service is one of the main reasons I would never recommend a Harvest Right.
Hi Eric, thank you for the videos! They have been immensely helpful as I navigate my own refrigeration issues.
When Easy Seal was mentioned as not being as effective in your "particular circumstance", did you mean the leak in your machine in particular, or leaks in the low side of HR freeze dryers under foam insulation in general?
As another international customer, I am trying to work out if I should order some from Amazon to try it out for myself. Thanks!
In my case the easy seal didn't work because the leaks were caused by corrosion. Basically 15 spots on the low side were leaking. If you are having a similar issue I wouldn't waste any time with easy seal.
@@2guysandacooler Right, that makes a lot of sense! I guess if the leak is not in an exposed area, Easy Seal would be the Hail Mary pass before digging up insulation. Thanks!
Hey again, Eric! Any chance you could post the specifications of the thermal expansion valve, suction accumulator and crank case pressure regulator you used in the video description? I'm helping a friend replace their faulty compressor and it'll be cool to test out your upgrades. Thanks a million!
They have lied to you. Mine is 17 months old. They tried to get me to send the machine to them for a repair cost of 90 dollars
Per hour and pay shipping both ways. They finally agreed to send me a new evaporator with a shipping cost of 158.25.
Had to pay 43 dollars to just get to talk to someone. They don’t have a evaporator and don’t know when they will have one. What
Kind of customer service and warranty is that? I read the reviews on youtube and thought customer cant be that bad although
I found out it was a lot worse. Buy at your own risk.
I’m not sure, I have not taken a panel off yet, sorry
👍👍👍👍👍
No warranty. Freeze and condenser fan won’t work. Paid 45 for tech call. They are stumped and asked to call me back after opening up to mess with wires. What options do i have at this point? I have scoured the internet for fixing videos and there are none.
sounds like you are having a condenser issue. Could be the capacitors or perhaps the wiring is burnt out. Hard to say as there are lots of variables.
If you need a new condenser, you can get a replacement condenser from Harvest Right and have a local HVAC/R tech install it.
Either way this sucks and I'm sorry that you are about to have to experience this nightmare. Most people will just throw the towel in and end up with a very expensive paper weight because the process of fixing it is just too costly. Some people say it's just cheaper to buy a different brand and move on.
@@2guysandacooler HR wouldnt send any parts to my HVAC shop, they said "not their policy anymore, you have to send it to us to fix"
WOW!! That's crazy. I guess they don't want people finding out about their freon leaks and potentially starting a class action.
@@2guysandacooler It's only a matter of time,they can't hide the facts forever.
I’m feeling the same thing. They seem to have no idea how to actually resolve a problem that isn’t documented in their manuals
Harvest Right is 100% responsible for their cheaply made yet expensive machines and their bad customer service.
Harvestwrong is the worst US company i have ever dealt with in my life. Steer clear at allcosts.
I completely disagree
@@janineneville237 You either work for them or are oblivious to thousands that have been burnt by them.
@@janineneville237 I have the same faulty copper line in my large freeze dryer and HR will not send my HVAC people the replacement parts (like they claim in the video) and my machine is under warranty. They won't even sell the parts tome. I have to pay 400 dollars shipping and 90 dollars shop fee for them to fix it. This is the second time they have had it in their shop since i bought it new from them. You want to know why you think they are so great? Because truthful comments like mine get deleted by the people peddling their shoddy products.
well, you must not have had a problem yet where they tried to screw you. I had a known software issue and they tried to charge me $45 to simply talk to a tech and wouldn’t let me talk to a manager after multiple back and forths.
@@DennRN Harvest Right are shysters, for sure!