Inkbird Vac sealer . Buyer / Owner Beware .

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I also have the same one and use it often... The problem I have with mine is getting it to power up... Have to jiggle the plug around... Although the plug will go in either way it seems like if it deosn't power up and I turn the plug around it finally powers up... Anybody else encounter that ??

I've also been meaning to ask the crew... When storing, do you push the lid down and lock it... or leave it loose ??
I also have the same unit and store in the lock position. Oops 😬.
I'll be sure to keep a close eye on it when in use !

Keith
 
I also have the same one and use it often... The problem I have with mine is getting it to power up... Have to jiggle the plug around... Although the plug will go in either way it seems like if it deosn't power up and I turn the plug around it finally powers up... Anybody else encounter that ??

I've also been meaning to ask the crew... When storing, do you push the lid down and lock it... or leave it loose ??
Always leave mine loose to not set a crushed memory into seal.
 
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I bought this back when they first ran them on sale . I think it was $34.00 or something close . I know a lot of us bought them . I got it as a backup . Never used it much , maybe a couple dozen seals on it .

Last time I used it , I was in the middle of what I was doing . Had sealed a couple bags , and it was sitting with the lid open . I was getting some stuff ready , and I smelled hot electronics . Then the sealer pump started running .
Reached over and closed the lid and it stopped . I could feel it was hot , so I knew the sealer strip was running .
Pump going on and off on it's own , and the strip was full on . So I unplugged it and set it to the side .

2 days ago I decided to try it again , same thing .
Took it down to the shop and took it apart . I was thinking a burnt relay or PCB . Just wanted to know what it was before I tossed it in the trash .
This is the one I have ,
View attachment 687516
Opened up the bottom and didn't see anything at first .
View attachment 687511
Then I noticed where the wire harness comes through the body , on both sides .
View attachment 687512
Other side .
View attachment 687513
Actually broke it two .
View attachment 687514
View attachment 687515
You can see where it's getting pinched on the body . Opening and closing it adds to it , and pushing down to latch it really effects it .
Like I said , maybe 2 dozen seals , then a hard fail . If you were using this , and had to walk away for some reason and this happens , I could see a bigger problem . Lucky I was standing there .
Just an FYI if you own one .
I've got one. probably 2 dozen sucks. will keep an eye out. mama usually does the sucking.
 
I’m on my second one. My first one lasted about a year and after that I would vacuum seal about 3 bags in a row and then it would stop “vacuuming”. I’d have to unplug it and wait a few minutes and get back after it. Being a fool I ordered another one since I am a fan of their thermometers to give it another try. About 6 months in and less than half the use in that time of the last one and it’s doing the same thing. This one will go in the trash very soon and I’ll go back to foodsaver. I wouldn’t recommend it either
 
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I would be interested for someone to look through the hinge pivot and see if they can see the wires , and what condition they're in .

BrianGSDTexoma BrianGSDTexoma didn't you have one that quit on you ?
 
I would be interested for someone to look through the hinge pivot and see if they can see the wires , and what condition they're in .

BrianGSDTexoma BrianGSDTexoma didn't you have one that quit on you ?
Looked at mine earlier... what I could see through the hinge looked fine. Maybe tomorrow if I remember I'll pop the bottom off.

Ryan
 
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I have 2 of those, lol. 1 is a backup never been out of the box. Haven't used the main one in a year. When I was using regularly, it worked very well. My only complaint was I had to seal each bag twice to get it to stay tightly sealed over time. I'll have to look at the hinges wires etc. Thanks for the heads up Rich. I was keeping it closed tightly during non use storage, I'll be loosening it now. Huge safety issue though.
 
I love my LEM Vac100.Great little machine that fits my needs perfectly.
I'm looking for a new one . Still have my foodsaver , but want a back up .
I'll check that one out .
 
Oh, if it’s small gauge solid strand copper wire, for sure it won’t last. I thought it might be a pinch point issue because of the hard to close description. If it’s not that and since it looks like a straight clean break, I’d venture that’s a manufacturing issue.

Since it’s a ribbon cable, it’s probably precut by a machine. If the machine jams up or malfunctions, that cut isn’t made all the way through or in the right spot. So rather than fix it correctly they probably unjam it, pull it through, don’t notice the partial cut and assemble. So you end up with a ribbon cable that’s cut properly at both ends with a partial cut in the middle and then it breaks eventually.

It could also just happen germanely if it’s bent back and forth over a solid piece of plastic.

For me that is an easy fix once disassembled. Replace ribbon cable with a flexible stranded wire one (if solid core) or just replace the wires themselves with maybe a slightly larger gauge if you can fit it or the correct gauge with maybe thicker insulation, if you can find it.

I constantly solder at work, so this is why it’s easy for me. You should be able to find a local electronics store (like radio shack or even a microcenter) and pickup what you need for a repair. A good soldering iron and some good solder (not lead free or silver solder) and some wick would work. I prefer hakko brand irons.

Just have to be careful with the removal of the cable and wicking of old solder. Sometimes these inexpensive products are not built on the best boards and you can remove a trace if not careful or too much heat.
 
I'm not worried about fixing it . Wouldn't take much , but not worth it really .
Poor design and cheap materials to start with .
 
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anyone actually contacted inkbird.
Silence is not always golden.
Steve tagged them . I'm not personally looking to get anything out of it . Just a warning because I know a lot of members have them . Like Brian said , his smoked out during use .
 
Amazon has them in sale
Thanks Norm . Just ordered it . Be here tomorrow . Used my Foodsaver this morning ( yesterday was sausage stuffing day ) and one of the bags has already lost the vacuum . Might be the cheap bags I bought .
Looking at some better models , but this is a great price and will get me going , and help me decide if I want to get something higher end .

The bag storage and on board cutter in the Foodsaver has me spoiled .

I know LEM makes an add on storage and cutter setup . Do you know if that fits this model ?
 
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I know LEM makes an add on storage and cutter setup . Do you know if that fits this model ?
That I don't know,I always cut bags on my workbench with a razor-knife and straightedge.

edit: was just looking at mine and I would have to say no as I cannot see any way to attach it.
 
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Just another case of how notorious vac sealers are as one of the most problematic machines out there, unless you get a hardcore one from a well known brand that in turn costs a real $$$ amount :D
 
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