Ivation Dehumidifier Review - Rattle and Knocking Issues Investigated

[@LoveYourRV]

See my other Winter RVing related posts and videos - www.loveyourrv.com/tag/winter/

[@timf6916]

You ARE THE MAN Ray, no leftover parts. Hehehe I just about all the time have left over parts.

[@joecool509]

Left over parts is called value engineering. It’s faster and cheaper then then original design

[@MacRides1]

Great video Ray. Always enjoy how you have "no fear" when it comes to tearing into a device

[@wolfmandavis7741]

Super video! I applauded for $10.00 👏👏👏

[@LoveYourRV]

Thank you! 😃

[@CaptainRon2]

I added a washer like you talked about, but that didn't stop the chatter. I took off the motor that drives the big wheel and when I press the gear, the motor chatters. Might try cleaning the inside and adding high temp grease...here's the part number NORM J208 110-120V/AC 3W 4.2/5rpm Gear Motor DM17

[@donedennison9237]

I love that you just take stuff apart and check them out with confidence.

[@user-ri5li7sn9m]

Thanks for tearing this down! I have the 13 pint Ivation unit and it does the exact same thing. In fact, Ivation sent me a new one...and that one developed the same problem. Hopefully they'll get this solved because these dessicant dehumidifiers are fantastic!

[@bertkelly7650]

When I go that deep into something similar, It usually takes me a few tries to get it back together, but it usually works after.

[@wilkbilt]

Maybe you could cut a thin washer from plastic, to put around the hub to space the wheel out just enough to stop the rubbing .

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, I was thinking that as well or maybe a thin felt washer.

[@nortonnewmann3711]

I would've guessed a broken tooth inside that gear reducer box. But overall looks like a well designed and built unit! My first "teardown/rebuild" was a 1960s Sears Craftsman 3 HP lawnmower engine when I was about 12. Talk about leftover parts! 😆 Thanks for these videos Ray... I LOVE the teardowns and seeing how stuff works!

[@metaxaanabeer]

I have the large Noma branded one that Canadian Tire puts on offer every second month (lol) and it works well, as yours does. It also made incredible noise, sounded like it was shifting gears, etc. But now after a winter's use it seems to have settled down to a dull background white noise type of thing. I think in precision manufacturing they shut the line down from time to time and adjust/repair/replace the components of the manufacturing line, obviously less often for this type of stuff, household electronics. Brings our basement down from 80% to 50% in a couple of hours tho...

[@wolfmandavis7741]

Hi Ray. it almost sounded like the gear reduction in the wheel might be the culprit. The camera picked up noise when you had running torn apart next to the drive I bet the internal gears in the reduction drive did not enough grease on assemble, That and the binding of the wheel you found.

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

I have the 13 pint Ivation. Love the performance but it too will go into rattle mode on occasion. I don’t notice it as much when the fan is on high. Might not be quite as loud as yours. Will be curious to see if your grease job pays dividends. Thanks for the dissection!

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, I should have mentioned on high its not nearly as noticeable but I leave it on low for the most part. Thanks Ray

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks.

[@SpykersB]

Shortly after you got your Ivation, I looked everywhere on the web for that one but they were all out of stock, everywhere, except found one double the price (forget that) so went to chilliwacks canadian tire and picked up a 23 pint Noma compressor one on sale. It is small like the ivation. Although the fan air noise sounds like a typical summer fan on med-high, however the air noise is consistent, (like a fan) it does not make any rattle noises, has been running 24/7 for several months now too, have been very pleased with it! Model # 043-0937-0. So if you decide to go to a compressor one, lol! Cheers 🍻

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for the recommendation, fingers crossed I don't need one of these dang things again and can be back in the dry desert for next winter. :)

[@thomaslevy2119]

Sounds to me like the bearing on the pinion gear shaft for the synchronous motor is worn out and causing vibration as the motor runs. The plastic housing amplifies the noise and can make it difficult to tell just where it is coming from. A new motor may be what is needed. I have had similar problems with little synchronous motors before.

[@LoveYourRV]

I would think that if it had lots of extended run time prior to the issue but myself and others have reported the issue happening quite quickly. unless it can wear out in less than a month's time.

[@wingnutbert9685]

I'd guess from the tempo/frequency of the sound in the clip, it's one of the fans or fan motors. The fluttering sound it makes when not making the louder noise seems to be at a similar tempo. Something maybe expanding with heat briefly, perhaps dependent on the heating coil cycle. Maybe as random as a long hair getting sucked in, spooling around a shaft or fan blade, causing a brief imbalance. Hair gets warn through, noise stops. Nothing worse though then trying to diagnose a random noise.

[@LoveYourRV]

The desiccant wheel clearance seems pretty tight, so maybe the plastic case warps ever so slightly, expands and contracts with temp and moisture and it rubs. It's definitely a weird one.

[@wingnutbert9685]

@@LoveYourRV Maybe a VERY light film of a lith grease on those sheet metal parts that looked like they were rubbing(the 'spokes' on the condenser wheel and the sheet metal housing.) Definitely a unique sound being produced. Maybe holding your hands against the plastic body will stop or change the tone, helping zero in on what's vibrating and the source causing it. Super annoying but at the same time fun for that inquisitive part of the brain :)

[@beauvelo8981]

Hi Ray, I have a question for you. I have the same Motomaster 3000 watt inverter as you. Each plug is 1000 watts, can I put a jonction box with all three plugs going into that jonction box and than out to a single plug (socket) so I can run something more than just 1000 watts on that inverter ? You may have made a video on it already, I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m the only one who wonders about this. If you can clear that up for us either in a video or in comments, as you wish. It would help tremendously. Thanks Ray

[@LoveYourRV]

I'm not sure I actually have a 10 year old Motomaster 1000W pure sine inverter. It has 2 outlets and either one can output up to 1000 watts, but not at the same time. I imagine the plugs are just wired in parallel like on a power strip. Do you have the model number maybe you can find a manual and check the specs. Seems weird to have a 3000W inverter but can only power 1000W off each outlet. Cheers, Ray

[@scottkeen69]

Ray, did the grease solve the rattle noise problem? Or did you try using a felt washer to space the wheel a little out more from rubbing on the housing?

[@LoveYourRV]

To a degree but was still there from time to time. We just lived with it. Thankfully the unit is in storage now as we are once again able to travel south to the desert for the winter. :)

[@debbiebates2567]

You’re amazing!!

[@willymueller4587]

Quite the little marvel

[@wingnutbert9685]

That wheel axle is going pretty slow so the right type of plastic is probably fine. It's rough surface might actually be for friction reduction. The wheel race 'rides' on the peaks of the rough surface. Less surface area contact as apposed to a smooth surface. Less surface contact= less friction= less power needed.

[@luktish]

There is a recall on Ivation dehumidifiers. They can catch a fire apparently...

[@LoveYourRV]

I remember seeing a recall back in 2021 but they were all compressor type dehumidifiers not the desiccant variety, unless you are referring to a new recall? You aren't providing much information or details here.

[@spudmaster8280]

I'm on the island and this is my first winter. I have same rig as you do . What do or did you use for heat all winter ?

[@LoveYourRV]

This video explains all the things I did for this past winter - www.loveyourrv.com/10-things-that-help-us-winter-in-our-rv-reviews-updates/ Only had 30 amps service so had to juggle things a bit depending on how cold it got.

[@projet2907]

Interesting 🤨😊🙌🏻

[@beartunes]

Has ivation improved the design since? 2yrs have passed. There is a company in Tampa,FL, eva-dry, making a dessicant dehumidifier but I think it's the same innards with a different coat on. Edv-4000

[@LoveYourRV]

Sorry, not sure. I haven't needed to use the dehumidifier since as the USA border is open again so we RV south to the desert where the humidity is low.

[@slowlife2158]

I bought this Ivation model last November 2023 and have been running it since then, so about two months. It has just started making the rattlting noise.

[@CaptainRon2]

Did you ever get rid of the rattle? Mine makes a slight noise too

[@LoveYourRV]

No, I haven't pursued it since Covid border restrictions ended the next year I have been able to head south for the winter again, so the dehumidifier is sitting on my storage room.

[@desertdog2282]

Well... When I go that deep into something similar...it ends up in a dumpster. A Keurig coffee maker comes to mind :)

[@averycorwin1139]

I guarantee the bearings or the gears in side of the reduction motor are starting to get wore out. The machining tolerance inside of those typically aren't the best however it will probly run like that for a very long time. Those units are very similar to the old fashioned plug in clocks, And those would start to make the same noise after many hours of use But run for years like that.

[@otiskey166]

No extra leftover screws? What's the matter with you? Don't you know that is how you build up your never used supply of extra screws. ;p

[@normgibson6565]

What haven't you voided warranty? lol

[@garyag45]

Love it, hold my beer, and give a screw driver😇

[@sailingsolar2371]

I would have tried to use a straw or 15" vinyl tube. Put one end near my ear and move the other end around to try and pin point exactly where that ticking is coming from. You need trace that sound to precisely to it's source. You didn't do that. Follow that sound. A mechanics stethoscope would work.

[@LoveYourRV]

I'll try that if the sound comes back really loud again but when I opened it things were very quiet. The issue seems to come and go, mostly quiet then every once and a while it gets quite loud.

[@nortonnewmann3711]

We would do similar with a hard handle screwdriver on printing press bearing housings... except that was by feel. I don't think that would work on plastic though.

[@coreymerritt7742]

Hopefully that does the trick or you may have to take a sledgehammer to it lol 😆 like to that video

[@LoveYourRV]

Definitely would have to video in slowmo with some cool music! :)

[@coreymerritt7742]

@@LoveYourRV that would be great 👍

[@coreymerritt7742]

@@LoveYourRV you have to do another video on useless item reviews in slo mo

[@LoveYourRV]

haha, something like this scene. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGrapJ2opLufq5o

[@coreymerritt7742]

@@LoveYourRV yes same kind of video with maybe appropriate music that was really funny 😁