Trash compactor is making loud noise: Common Causes & How to Fix

Repair Instructions:

Examine the trunnion nut to determine if lubrication or replacement is required. If upon review the nut appears free of lubrication, apply a suitable lubricant to prevent binding and ensure smooth operation. However, if inspection reveals damage or excessive wear such that the nut's threads are compromised, substitution with a new nut is needed rather than lubrication to preclude further problems.

How to Replace Trash Compactor Trunnion Nut:

1. Safety Precautions:

   • Start by unplugging the trash compactor from the power source to ensure your safety during the replacement process.
2. Empty the Compactor:
   • Remove any trash from the compactor drawer and make sure it's completely empty.
3. Access the Trunnion Nut:
   • The trunnion nut is typically located at the bottom of the compactor, connecting the ram to the motor.
4. Release the Compactor Drawer:
   • Depending on your compactor model, you may need to release the drawer from the locked position to access the trunnion nut.
5. Identify the Trunnion Nut:
   • Locate the trunnion nut within the compactor, understanding its position in the assembly.
6. Unfasten the Old Trunnion Nut:
   • Using the appropriate tools, carefully unfasten the old trunnion nut from the compactor's assembly. This may involve bolts or screws.
7. Replace with a New Trunnion Nut:
   • Position the new trunnion nut in the same location within the compactor assembly, ensuring it aligns with the attachment points.
8. Secure the New Trunnion Nut:
   • Reattach the bolts or screws to secure the new trunnion nut in place. Tighten them properly.
9. Reassemble the Compactor Drawer:
   • Lock the compactor drawer back into place or follow your specific model's instructions for securing it.
10. Plug the Compactor Back In:
    • Reconnect the trash compactor to the power source, ensuring it's properly plugged in.
11. Test the Compactor Operation:
    • Operate the trash compactor to confirm that the new trunnion nut functions correctly, allowing you to engage the compaction mechanism.
12. Final Checks:
    • Make sure that the trash compactor operates as intended with the new trunnion nut, facilitating proper compaction of trash.

Repair Instructions:

Examine the drive chain to assess if excessive slack exists. Chains stretched beyond the ability to achieve adequate tension through adjustment will require replacement rather than continued use. Installing a new drive chain of the proper length will permit attaining the recommended tightness. Maintaining an optimally tightened drive chain prevents inefficient operation and premature wear from the chain skipping or rubbing.

How to Replace Trash Compactor Drive Chain:

1. Safety Precautions:

   • Start by unplugging the trash compactor from the power source to ensure your safety during the replacement process.
2. Empty the Compactor:
   • Remove any trash from the compactor drawer and make sure it's completely empty.
3. Access the Drive Chain:
   • The drive chain is typically located at the bottom or rear of the compactor, connecting the motor to the compaction mechanism.
4. Identify the Drive Chain:
   • Within the compactor, locate the specific drive chain that requires replacement.
5. Release Tension:
   • If there is tension in the drive chain, release it by loosening the tensioning mechanism. This might involve removing a cover or disengaging a tensioning pulley.
6. Remove the Old Drive Chain:
   • Carefully detach the old drive chain from its sprockets and the motor. This may require removing bolts or pins.
7. Replace with a New Drive Chain:
   • Install the new drive chain in the same location, making sure it aligns with the sprockets and the motor's connection point.
8. Adjust Tension:
   • If necessary, adjust the tension of the drive chain according to your compactor's specifications. This typically involves tightening the tensioning mechanism.
9. Reconnect the Compactor Cover:
   • Reattach any covers or panels that were removed during the replacement process.
10. Plug the Compactor Back In:
    • Reconnect the trash compactor to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
11. Test the Drive Chain:
    • Operate the trash compactor to confirm that the new drive chain functions correctly, allowing you to engage the compaction mechanism.
12. Final Checks:
    • Make sure that the trash compactor operates as intended with the new drive chain, providing efficient trash compaction.

Repair Instructions:

Assess if the drive gear has excessive play on its shaft. If movement of the gear indicates looseness, first attempt to eliminate clearances by tightening the fastener or set screw securing the component. Should clearances persist after adjusting the mounting hardware or if inspection shows damaged or eroded gear teeth, the drive gear requires replacement rather than continued repair attempts.

How to Replace Trash Compactor Drive Gear:

1. Safety Precautions:

   • Begin by unplugging the trash compactor from the power source to ensure safety during the replacement process.
2. Empty the Compactor:
   • Remove any trash from the compactor drawer and ensure it's completely empty.
3. Access the Gear Housing:
   • Open the compactor drawer and locate the gear housing, which is typically near the bottom of the compactor.
4. Identify the Drive Gear:
   • Identify the specific drive gear that needs replacement within the gear housing.
5. Remove the Old Drive Gear:
   • Typically, the drive gear is held in place by clips, screws, or other fasteners. Carefully detach it from these securing mechanisms.
6. Replace with a New Drive Gear:
   • Position the new drive gear in the same location within the gear housing, making sure it's properly aligned with any gear teeth.
7. Secure the New Drive Gear:
   • Reattach the fasteners, whether clips or screws, to secure the new drive gear in place. Tighten them securely.
8. Plug the Compactor Back In:
   • Reconnect the trash compactor to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
9. Test the Compactor Operation:
   • Power on the compactor and operate it to make sure that the new drive gear functions correctly, driving the compactor's compacting mechanism.
10. Final Checks:
    • Confirm that the trash compactor operates as intended with the new drive gear, enabling it to efficiently compact trash.

Repair Instructions:

Examine the gears for any signs of deterioration or impairment. Gears exhibiting discernible wear, looseness in fit, or physical damage should be replaced rather than continued in service. Depending on the specific model, some gears may require substitution as a preassembled unit rather than individually. Replacing degraded or defective gears is critical to restore normal function and prevent progressive damage to connecting components.

How to Replace Trash Compactor Gearbox:

1. Safety Precautions:

   • Unplug the trash compactor from the power source to ensure safety during the replacement process.
2. Empty the Compactor:
   • Remove any trash from the compactor drawer and ensure it's completely empty.
3. Access the Gearbox:
   • The gearbox is typically located at the bottom or rear of the compactor, connected to the compaction mechanism.
4. Disconnect Wiring:
   • Carefully unplug or disconnect the wires from the old gearbox, making a note of their positions.
5. Remove the Old Gearbox:
   • The gearbox is often secured by mounting screws or bolts. Carefully detach it from these fasteners.
6. Replace with a New Gearbox:
   • Position the new gearbox in the same location within the compactor assembly, ensuring it aligns with the attachment points.
7. Secure the New Gearbox:
   • Reattach the mounting screws or bolts to secure the new gearbox in place. Make sure they are tightened properly.
8. Reconnect Wiring:
   • Reconnect the wires to the new gearbox, making sure you have the correct connections.
9. Plug the Compactor Back In:
   • Reconnect the trash compactor to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
10. Test the Gearbox:
    • Operate the trash compactor to confirm that the new gearbox functions correctly, allowing you to make sure the compaction mechanism.
11. Final Checks:
    • Make sure that the trash compactor operates as intended with the new gearbox, facilitating proper trash compaction.

Repair Instructions:

Prior to replacing the drive motor, first verify it is truly faulty by examining more failure-prone components. Confirming the motor itself is defective avoids unnecessary replacement expense and downtime. Check connections, switches, capacitors, belts, bearings and other parts prone to higher failure rates. If checks reveal no defects in these common problem areas, motor replacement becomes the likely solution. Methodically inspecting and ruling out more frequently worn accessories and connections helps isolate the drive motor as the issue.

How to Replace Trash Compactor Drive Motor:

1. Safety Precautions:

   • Begin by unplugging the trash compactor from the power source to ensure safety during the replacement process.
2. Empty the Compactor:
   • Remove any trash from the compactor drawer and ensure it's completely empty.
3. Access the Drive Motor:
   • The drive motor is typically located at the bottom or rear of the compactor, connected to the compaction mechanism.
4. Disconnect Wiring:
   • Carefully unplug or disconnect the wires from the old drive motor, making sure you remember their connections.
5. Remove the Old Drive Motor:
   • The motor is often secured by mounting screws or bolts. Carefully detach it from these fasteners.
6. Replace with a New Drive Motor:
   • Position the new drive motor in the same location within the compactor, making sure it aligns with the attachment points.
7. Secure the New Drive Motor:
   • Reattach the mounting screws or bolts to secure the new drive motor in place. Make sure they are tightened properly.
8. Reconnect Wiring:
   • Reconnect the wires to the new drive motor, making sure you have the correct connections.
9. Plug the Compactor Back In:
   • Reconnect the trash compactor to the power source, ensuring it's properly plugged in.
10. Test the Drive Motor:
    • Operate the trash compactor to confirm that the new drive motor functions correctly, allowing you to engage the compaction mechanism.
11. Final Checks:
    • Make sure that the trash compactor operates as intended with the new drive motor, allowing you to efficiently compact trash.

Repair Instructions:

The directional switch is a component in a trash compactor that controls the direction the ram moves to compress trash. It has internal contacts that route power to the motor to drive the ram in or out. If the contacts become worn or corroded, they may begin to arc when switching power to the motor. This arcing can cause the contacts to deteriorate further. As the switch continues to arc during operation, it will create a loud crackling or popping noise every time the direction changes. Replacing the directional switch will stop the arcing and eliminate the loud noise. The switch simply needs to be removed and a new switch wired in its place.

How to Replace Trash Compactor Directional Switch:

1. Safety Precautions:

   • Begin by unplugging the trash compactor from the power source to ensure safety during the replacement process.
2. Empty the Compactor:
   • Remove any trash from the compactor drawer and ensure it's completely empty.
3. Locate the Directional Switch:
   • The directional switch is typically located on the control panel of the trash compactor.
4. Remove the Control Panel:
   • Depending on the compactor model, you may need to remove the control panel cover to access the directional switch. This often involves removing screws or clips.
5. Identify the Directional Switch:
   • Within the control panel, identify the specific directional switch that needs replacement.
6. Disconnect Wiring:
   • Carefully unplug or disconnect the wires from the old directional switch, making sure you remember their positions.
7. Remove the Old Directional Switch:
   • Typically, the directional switch is secured by mounting screws or clips. Carefully detach it from these fasteners.
8. Replace with a New Directional Switch:
   • Position the new directional switch in the same location within the control panel, making sure it's properly aligned.
9. Secure the New Directional Switch:
   • Reattach the mounting screws or clips to secure the new directional switch in place. make sure they are tight.
10. Reassemble the Control Panel:
    • Reattach the control panel cover by securing it with screws or clips.
11. Plug the Compactor Back In:
    • Reconnect the trash compactor to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
12. Test the Compactor Operation:
    • Power on the compactor and use the directional switch to ensure that it functions correctly, changing the compactor's direction as intended.
13. Final Checks:
    • Confirm that the trash compactor operates as intended with the new directional switch, allowing for proper operation and direction changes.

Repair Instructions:

With prolonged use, lubrication can diminish on components like the gears, trunnion nut, and power screw, allowing them to become noisy from increased friction and wear. When operating sounds signal the greased parts have dried out, fresh lubricant should be applied to return them to smooth and quiet functioning. Taking this simple action to regrease the affected components will typically eliminate the audible symptoms of dryness and restore normal noise-free operation.