Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

[patterson70]

I have a customer with a Ricoh MP 161 / Savin 816 and they are complaining about a buzzing noise that lasts about a second but it happens every 20 seconds and it is driving them crazy. It sounds like a mosquito or a spring being sprung. It appears to be coming from the power supply or board area under the area where the pages come out when printed. Anyone know what the heck that is and can it be silenced? It does go away when you put it in sleep mode for what that's worth, but it will not be in sleep mode very often.

[rthonpm]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

It's perfectly normal with that model. Because of the small form factor, the power supply board is directly under the paper output so you hear the noise from it a little more clearly than you do a larger machine with the power supply in the rear of the machine.

[Jomama46]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

It's perfectly normal with that model. Because of the small form factor, the power supply board is directly under the paper output so you hear the noise from it a little more clearly than you do a larger machine with the power supply in the rear of the machine.

Yep, I agree

[xordi69]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

It's perfectly normal with that model. Because of the small form factor, the power supply board is directly under the paper output so you hear the noise from it a little more clearly than you do a larger machine with the power supply in the rear of the machine.

that's ok

[patterson70]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

Thanks everyone, it's a shame it can't be repaired, the customer is going to now curse the name. I wonder if other brands make this noise also and I wonder what is doing that? It has to be something...sounds like a vibration of some sort?

[rthonpm]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

The sound is actually the voltage passing through the capacitors. I have an MP171 in my office at home and it does the same thing.

[nmfaxman]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

The sound is the heat lamp turning on and off.
Why not just move the machine further away, or play some music.
I would hate to work in an office that it is so quiet they bitch about a small buzzing sound.

[kayjaig]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

Set the machine in sleep in 30 seconds. So it only make noise while it is awake.

[patterson70]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

Many thanks to all, I will set the sleep mode for 30 seconds or close to that, maybe that will acceptable. I think it is not coming from the fuser on the right side - that is where the heat lamp is - it is definitely coming from under the internal output tray. So the electricity going through the capacitors actually makes a buzzing noise? That is weird. I may take the tray out and see if it can be muted somehow. The guy is an engineer and needs quiet to concentrate, he very successful so I will defer to his judgement on the noise level! Maybe a white noise machine will be needed...

[rthonpm]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

Many thanks to all, I will set the sleep mode for 30 seconds or close to that, maybe that will acceptable. I think it is not coming from the fuser on the right side - that is where the heat lamp is - it is definitely coming from under the internal output tray. So the electricity going through the capacitors actually makes a buzzing noise? That is weird. I may take the tray out and see if it can be muted somehow. The guy is an engineer and needs quiet to concentrate, he very successful so I will defer to his judgement on the noise level! Maybe a white noise machine will be needed...

Gotta love those Montgomery County customers, always up in arms about something!

[ucinn]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

Many thanks to all, I will set the sleep mode for 30 seconds or close to that, maybe that will acceptable. I think it is not coming from the fuser on the right side - that is where the heat lamp is - it is definitely coming from under the internal output tray. So the electricity going through the capacitors actually makes a buzzing noise? That is weird. I may take the tray out and see if it can be muted somehow. The guy is an engineer and needs quiet to concentrate, he very successful so I will defer to his judgement on the noise level! Maybe a white noise machine will be needed...

I think you misunderstood him. The power supply (capacitors) makes the noise only when the fuser lamp kicks on.. it's not the fuser lamp making the noise but the action of turning on said fuser lamp.

[femaster]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

I think you misunderstood him. The power supply (capacitors) makes the noise only when the fuser lamp kicks on.. it's not the fuser lamp making the noise but the action of turning on said fuser lamp.

Cheap, just barely "sufficient," electrical components is what makes the noise. Had they used higher quality components, there would be no noise...

As the saying goes, buy cheap, get cheap.

[patterson70]

Re: Ricoh MP 161 (Savin 816) noise every 20 seconds

Thanks to all for the information! The customer will use the sleep mode set at 30 seconds and they are happy with that, great suggestion. Good to know why it makes that noise also!