I have a vp215 that isn’t completely getting all the air out of the bag now. I spoke to AVY…
the sealer unit, all fixed
One of my neighbours brought over a nice vacuum sealer that wasn’t sealing bags properly. The model is a VacMaster VP215. Vacuum operation seemed to be OK, insofar as the pressure dropped and stabilized after several seconds of pump operation. However, appearances were that the bag seal area wasn’t being heated uniformly, so I first tried replacing the nichrome heater wire, but the problem persisted. After more careful observation, I realized that the unit was releasing vacuum before applying heat to the seal rather than afterward. After minor disassembly of the unit -just taking off the black front panel, I found a vacuum tube T-junction just hanging loose inside the unit, with 2 of the three tubes broken.
back of removed front cover
The tubes go to junctions on the electrodes for the heater. Those original tubes had essentially disintegrated and were the source of the problem.I replaced them with similar tubes salvaged from an old wide format printer. After reassembly, the unit now works fine; a pretty quick repair once I realized what was wrong.
T-junction with broken tubing
Very helpful.
Comment by Brian L — October 17, 2021 @ 3:02 pm
Thanks.
Comment by Dave — October 18, 2021 @ 3:16 am
Hi
My problem on my VP215 is that the sealing bar hardly gets warm (seal time 1.2 sec). The machine goes through all the cycles and has lots of vacuum, just will not seal the bag. I’ve done a continuity test on the bar and the probes they seem to check out. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Rob
Comment by Rob — November 3, 2021 @ 12:17 pm
Rob, does the bag show signs of melting at all? And can you connect a voltmeter to the bar while in operation and see if it is getting a voltage applied?
Comment by Dave — November 6, 2021 @ 5:48 pm
My problem on my VP 215 is that sealing bar dose not get warm The machine goes through a ll the cycles and will not sal the bag
Comment by Francis junkeer — May 24, 2024 @ 7:10 pm
Francis: Perhaps try first checking the resistance of the heating element for the sealing bar (with the unit unplugged). Likely will be 10s of ohms; should at least show continuity. Next, carefully plug the unit in. Then, for the appropriate time in a cycle, check carefully (keep hands etc out of contact with circuit) that the sealing element is getting an applied voltage. If not, look for issues in connections to it, and check any relays with contacts in series with it. Check all fusible links. Also look for bad solder joints on the circuit board and other bad connections in the circuit that drives the sealer.
Comment by admin — May 26, 2024 @ 8:26 am
I have a vp215 that isn’t completely getting all the air out of the bag now. I spoke to AVY they said parts are about $500. I live in Phoenix and would like to give it to someone who can do something with it as I have purchased a new one and don’t want to throw it in the garbage.
Comment by Tina — June 14, 2024 @ 7:49 pm