Maytag IQ Drive inverter board noise

[Ford350]

Checking with those of you who have experience with the new IQ Drive systems. The inverter board on mine emits a high pitched whine whenever the compressor is operating. Its a pretty annoying sound that can carry far, it is noticeable inside the house.

I'm wondering if this is typical for these systems, or do I need a new inverter board? Do you guys hear this on all the systems you've installed? I'd be interested to hear from others that have experience with these systems. Thanks.

[tpa-fl]

I can't comment on the Maytag system, but inverters do have a habit of making all sorts of fun noises. I have an induction cooktop which uses an inverter to drive its coil and it makes all sorts of noises.

On your system, it might be possible for them to either tighten down the board a bit more, or put some cork/foam tape between the board and its mounting posts to physically isolate it from the rest of the condensing unit case, which should cut down on the sound a bit. If it gets really bad, they could insulate the electrical compartment a bit.

Hopefully someone who works on these systems can comment.

[rpdstl]

The iQ Drive produces very little noise, if you are sure that the noise is from the inverter then replace the inverter. Nordyne does have a tech line if you would like to look into it more I'm sure they would like to test the inverter.

[Ford350]

Thanks for the insight. The noise out of this thing carries right through the wall into the house. For a system advertised as being quiet, I can't believe this is running correctly. Mechanically it is very quiet, its just got this noisy electronic board in it. I'm hoping Maytag will replace it with a new board.

[kuryakin]

Having dealt with Daikin, Fujitsu, and Mitsu inverter units, they all whine, but it's pretty low volume. Usually you have to be standing right next to the thing to notice it at all, and it never comes through the piping.
Is this thing charged right? What does the installer have to say about it? Or the factory?


Checking with those of you who have experience with the new IQ Drive systems. The inverter board on mine emits a high pitched whine whenever the compressor is operating. Its a pretty annoying sound that can carry far, it is noticeable inside the house.

I'm wondering if this is typical for these systems, or do I need a new inverter board? Do you guys hear this on all the systems you've installed? I'd be interested to hear from others that have experience with these systems. Thanks.

[Ford350]

The charge was checked and the installer says its OK. They also say that all these systems make that noise. I can understand a slight noise, but I can hear this thing out in front of the house as well as inside. If you're on the porch about 10 feet from the unit it is very annoying. You can hear it 20-30 feet away no problem. I'm sure the neighbors notice it also as I live in a condo.

The factory claims I shouldn't hear anything, and that the installer needs to call their tech support to get it figured out. I'm having difficulty getting the installer to followup on this.

[kuryakin]

Well, there is one just a few houses down from me, and I can't hear the thing run from the street. Clearly what you're hearing is anomalous, and the factory and installer should make good on the thing.
If I were to hazard a guess, based on my industrial experience with inverters on large motors, one of the power transistors in the bridge is blown. Which, like you said, means a new inverter board.


The charge was checked and the installer says its OK. They also say that all these systems make that noise. I can understand a slight noise, but I can hear this thing out in front of the house as well as inside. If you're on the porch about 10 feet from the unit it is very annoying. You can hear it 20-30 feet away no problem. I'm sure the neighbors notice it also as I live in a condo.

The factory claims I shouldn't hear anything, and that the installer needs to call their tech support to get it figured out. I'm having difficulty getting the installer to followup on this.

[a\c don]

Checking with those of you who have experience with the new IQ Drive systems. The inverter board on mine emits a high pitched whine whenever the compressor is operating. Its a pretty annoying sound that can carry far, it is noticeable inside the house.

I'm wondering if this is typical for these systems, or do I need a new inverter board? Do you guys hear this on all the systems you've installed? I'd be interested to hear from others that have experience with these systems. Thanks.


As a certified IQ drive tech the best advice I can give is to call your contractor and have them check it.
The noise you describe is not normal.
It wont cost you a dime.
You have a 10 year parts and labor warranty unless the system was installed after 4/1/07 when they went to 12/12.

[rpdstl]

I work for the factory. Please have the installing contractor come back and call the Tech Line and we can help them.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sound like you are the homeowner, we only help contractors. So have them call in.
I'm sure that this problem can be resolved quickly and have you up running normally again.
The iQ drive is quite system and what you are discribing is not normal.

[Ford350]

I work for the factory. Please have the installing contractor come back and call the Tech Line and we can help them.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sound like you are the homeowner, we only help contractors. So have them call in.
I'm sure that this problem can be resolved quickly and have you up running normally again.
The iQ drive is quite system and what you are discribing is not normal.


rpdstl,

Thanks for your input. The contractor was at the house the other day and got on the phone with Nordyne. I'm not sure who he was talking to but the service technician said the Nordyne support person was telling him this sound was normal. I can't believe that it is as it is quite noticeable.

The sound seems to be coming from the compressor itself, before we thought it was the inverter board. It is one of those high pitched sounds that make it difficult to find the source.

Its a shame this noise is present, other than that it is a great system. The mechanical noise from the compressor and fan is hardly noticeable, but this high pitched electronic sound is very annoying, to the point I'm concerned the neighbors may complain. It's driving me crazy as well.

I know when the system was first installed, a number of circuit boards needed to be replaced. I'm wondering if the compressor got "zapped" somehow.

I'd be interested in hearing from others who have experience with these systems, and whether or not they make a similar noise.

I appreciate all the input you guys have given me. This forum is great!

[nashobasales]

No offense to the Maytag guys here but I would have waited at least a year before having that installed. I don't like buying anything the first year because of problems like this. Can't wait to see what happens with this new iPhone.:eek: :D ;) :eek: :D ;)

[kevinmac]

You guys better go back and read the warranty. Labor does not seem to be included for the 12 years unless the customer pays for it. The only time labor gets paid is for a max of $250 to replace the outside unit.
There are caveats to this base warranty.

http://www.maytaghvac.com/literature/consumerwty/M1200wty.pdf

Since the IQ changes frequencies down to as low as 15Hz I assume there is a frequency swing and that the noise you are hearing is a run frequency for that given cooling requirement.

[allan38]

Comment deleted by poster

[sonnyflo]

I'm having the exact same problem you are having. I would like to know if your problem was resolved.

The only thing is, when the techs show up it doesn't make the noise. They are coming again today. Hopefully they will be able to hear it.

How was your problem resolved?

[sonnyflo]

rpdstl,

Thanks for your input. The contractor was at the house the other day and got on the phone with Nordyne. I'm not sure who he was talking to but the service technician said the Nordyne support person was telling him this sound was normal. I can't believe that it is as it is quite noticeable.

The sound seems to be coming from the compressor itself, before we thought it was the inverter board. It is one of those high pitched sounds that make it difficult to find the source.

Its a shame this noise is present, other than that it is a great system. The mechanical noise from the compressor and fan is hardly noticeable, but this high pitched electronic sound is very annoying, to the point I'm concerned the neighbors may complain. It's driving me crazy as well.

I know when the system was first installed, a number of circuit boards needed to be replaced. I'm wondering if the compressor got "zapped" somehow.

I'd be interested in hearing from others who have experience with these systems, and whether or not they make a similar noise.

I appreciate all the input you guys have given me. This forum is great!

"Was you problem resolved. I'm having the same problem. Please let me know what was done to correct your problem.

[Ford350]

"Was you problem resolved. I'm having the same problem. Please let me know what was done to correct your problem.

I still have the noise. I don't think the local techs are familiar enough with this system to troubleshoot an issue like this. I plan on writing to Maytag to find out exactly what the cause of this is and if it is considered normal. It occurs whenever the compressor is running. I used to think it was coming from the inverter board, but now I believe it is coming from the compressor itself. It is slightly less noticeable when the compressor is running at slow speed.