Here are the steps you can follow to troubleshoot the vacuum system:
- Ensure that the vacuum pump is properly connected and functioning: Make sure the vacuum pump is plugged into the back of the freeze dryer and powered on. If you have an oil vacuum pump, drain and refill the oil.
- Check for any leaks in the vacuum system, including the vacuum hose and connections: Remove and inspect the vacuum hose's rubber O-rings for damage. Reconnect and hand-tighten, or use a wrench if your model requires it.
- Verify that the vacuum pressure (mTorr) is low enough during the batch to trigger the heat to kick on: Clean the chamber and shelf unit, then run a dry vacuum test to check if the vacuum pulls down to under 500 mTorr.
If you continue to experience issues, you may need to capture the data log. Use a thumb drive to download the data from the freeze dryer’s USB port. This data can be used for further diagnosis.
For a more detailed guide, you can refer to the video titled “Things to Check When You Have a Vacuum Error” and then contact our Customer Support team to further assist you with this issue.
