What Should I Do If My Freeze Dryer Shows a Not Detecting Heat Error?
If your freeze dryer displays a "Not Detecting Heat" error, it means that your shelf is not heating up. This can be due to several reasons, such as a mechanical failure or a missed preparation step. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the problem:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cancel the Current Batch:
- Click 'cancel' on your screen to stop the current batch.
- Remove any food from the freeze dryer and place it in your freezer temporarily to prevent spoilage.
- Test the Heaters:
- Navigate to the functional testing screen by clicking the green leaf logo in the top left corner of the main home screen.
- Click the heat button and observe the tray temperature reading in the top left corner of your screen.
- Check Tray Temperature:
- Watch the tray temperature number.
- If the tray temperature is going up, wait until it reaches around 90 degrees. At this point, the shelves should start to feel warm.
- Verify Shelf Warmth:
- Touch the shelves with your hand to see if they are heating up.
Possible Outcomes and Next Steps
- If the Shelves Are Warm:
- The shelving unit is heating up as it should. You can proceed with your next batch.
- If you encounter the "Not Detecting Heat" error again, it may indicate an intermittent heat relay issue. A Harvest Right support technician may need to assist you with further troubleshooting to locate the source of the failure.
- If the Shelves Are Not Warm:
- Check if the reset button on the back of your shelving unit needs to be clicked.
- If the problem persists, upload your log files so that a Harvest Right technician can further assist you. This will help fast-track the resolution of your issue.
Additional Troubleshooting
- Vacuum Pressure Check:
- Ensure that the vacuum pressure (mTorr) is low enough during the batch to trigger the heat to kick on. If the heat works during a test but not during batches, it could be a vacuum problem. Refer to the vacuum troubleshooting steps if needed.
Helpful Resources
- Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Manual
- Harvest Right Customer Support Page – Search for articles on common freeze dryer errors and solutions.
By following these steps and utilizing the provided resources, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the "Not Detecting Heat" error effectively. If further assistance is needed, please contact our Customer Support team and be prepared to provide the serial number, pump type, and software version of your freeze dryer for more specific guidance.
