AG mini motor noise - with video

[peznin]

When I first got my AG mini, it was definitely louder than my two AG7s, but the noise was pretty much just coming from the bubbling.  In the past month or so I've noticed it getting louder and louder.  My herb garden was pretty much dead anyway, so I just unplugged it and figured that I would take it apart later and see if I could fix the problem.  Well I finally got around to cleaning it out yesterday afternoon.  I followed the AG instructions, got it all cleaned out and then added some more water and plugged it in.  It had a slight hum, but nothing like it had been.  I was encouraged, so I went ahead and started some new seeds in there (hope to be able to transplant them to pots indoors, and then eventually outdoors when frost has past).  Within a couple hours, the hum had returned to its full on angry sound.  I realized how loud it was when I could hear it in the bathroom (the bathroom shares a wall with the closet where I keep my AGs).  Yikes.  I decided to take a video to show how loud it is.  In the video my two AG 7s are on their off cycle, but I can say that they are so quiet when on, I have to open the lid to make sure the water is even flowing through the pumps).  What a difference with the AG mini.  I'm thinking about emailing my video to AG customer service.  Do you all think that would be helpful?

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KS5Bf-E2cEA&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/KS5Bf-E2cEA&rel=1</a>

[TexasLady]

Wow, that is pretty loud, I would send that video to CS if I where you.

[bab43]

I would too - I thought my AG3s were loud! 

[peznin]

I emailed them....we'll see what happens...

[kforrest]

I had a SS6 that did the same thing!  It just got worse and worse.

I actually called CS and let them listen over the phone to the noise.

They sent me a replacment unit.

[mitchb2]

EXACTLY what mine sounded like.

[peznin]

AG customer service responded quickly!  They are shipping me a new base.

[goodgal]

That would make me nuts!!!!

I've never seen the tiny ones.  Are you limited in what you can grow?

Sandi

[peznin]

I got my replacement base in the mail.  After fighting with it to get the arm unlocked from the base, I finally got it free and got my mini assembled with the new base. I plugged it in and....hmm.  There is a slight hum to indicate that the motor built into the base is doing something, but it certainly is not making any bubbles in the bowl. I open the lid and stare at the little airstone but absolutely nothing is happening.  *sigh*

So far the little tomato seedlings I have in there seem to be doing fine.... but it's a little frustrating to have yet another issue.  How do you fix this?  I made sure that the airtube got reconnected when I reassembled the unit.  The airstone part itself shouldn't be blocked - it was running fine with the super noisy base...

[PCTutor]

I replanted my SS6 Saturday and when I reassembled it there were no bubbles coming out of the diffuser. I tried cleaning it but to no avail. Finally I just pulled it off and now there are lots of bubbles. I really don't think the diffuser is all that important. Give it a try.

[soblessed]

I just called customer service and complained about the noise of my mini (3 - pod) and they are sending out a new one, no questions asked. She said they are no longer making the mini because of the noise problem.  Although they are still listed on their website...  Great customer service!!

[peznin]

Well I noticed that not only were no bubbles coming out anymore on my unit, but it no longer even was making a hum.  I removed the diffuser and put the unit back together and nothing. Ziltch.  Well, the light still works so there's that. 

I just started 3 more pods of basil in there a few weeks ago that don't seem too worse for wear yet...but I'm going to go out today and buy an aquarium pump.  I guess this is what I get for buying the discontinued AG mini...