How to make Alkatronic more quiet?

pixelhustler · Dec 2, 2022

I’ve been running an Alkatronic for a few months (great product overall) but the noise has increase 2x over time. I opened it up to see if the peristaltic pumps became louder but everything looks okay. They come mounted on a rubber pad to absorb some of the vibration but it’s still extremely loud.

I can hear it through 2 walls/rooms in my apartment and I’m worried the neighbors will complain as it runs in the middle of the night too. The good thing is it sounds like a printer so at least it’s not a strange noise. That said, my printer is much more quiet.

Any ideas on how to insulate some of the noise? I’m thinking go to Home Depot and get some Great Stuff foam. Thinking of saran wrapping the unit, covering it in foam and cutting a cube out of it once dry. Is there a better solution for sound insulation?

KrisReef · Dec 3, 2022

Great question, and reminded me of a neighbor I once had, every now and again in the early early morning I would hear a crazy indescribably loud crash from his upstairs bathroom, it would wake me up every time. Turns out he was going snorkeling at golf courses at night and collecting lost balls from the water traps. The noise was the buckets of balls getting dumped into the bathtub to be washed before he sold them for a 1$ each. You are very kind to consider what your neighbors think about those mechanical noises at odd hours.

I have a friend who does sound proofing, but I am not him but certainly someone else on hear will help you with a sound solution that won't break the bank,... or perhaps, your neighbors balls.

I think this question deserves a real answer!

pixelhustler · Dec 3, 2022

KrisReef said:
Great question, and reminded me of a neighbor I once had, every now and again in the early early morning I would hear a crazy indescribably loud crash from his upstairs bathroom, it would wake me up every time. Turns out he was going snorkeling at golf courses at night and collecting lost balls from the water traps. The noise was the buckets of balls getting dumped into the bathtub to be washed before he sold them for a 1$ each. You are very kind to consider what your neighbors think about those mechanical noises at odd hours.

I have a friend who does sound proofing, but I am not him but certainly someone else on hear will help you with a sound solution that won't break the bank,... or perhaps, your neighbors balls.

I think this question deserves a real answer!

Hopefully someone with soundproofing experience can chime in. I did read on soundproofing for a few hours and I think I have a basic understanding of the materials I need. Will work on building a small cabinet this weekend and if it makes a substantial difference in noise I’ll share it here. I’m sure there are people running different brands of auto testers/WC/dosers that could benefit too.

Ashish Patel · Dec 3, 2022

I got a great idea to make it quiet. Put it back in the box and give it to me.

KrisReef · Dec 3, 2022

Ashish Patel said:
I got a great idea to make it quiet. Put it back in the box and give it to me.

Hey, ME FIRST,< &*%$(#&*^#(&*Q$*

OP, I do think your spray foam idea may have merit. I just wonder if there is a cleaner, solution from our DYI engineers. Something that allows easy access and near zero decibels to escape through the walls.

We need an opener that won't wake up the neeighbors!

Kershaw · May 17, 2024

pixelhustler said:
Hopefully someone with soundproofing experience can chime in. I did read on soundproofing for a few hours and I think I have a basic understanding of the materials I need. Will work on building a small cabinet this weekend and if it makes a substantial difference in noise I’ll share it here. I’m sure there are people running different brands of auto testers/WC/dosers that could benefit too.

Hey any luck on making alakatronic quieter?
I picked up a used one and it can be heard through the whole house. My wife will complain if I don’t figure out a solution. I am thinking of using foam board to make a box for it.

pixelhustler · May 18, 2024

Kershaw said:
Hey any luck on making alakatronic quieter?
I picked up a used one and it can be heard through the whole house. My wife will complain if I don’t figure out a solution. I am thinking of using foam board to make a box for it.

I made a box out of high density PVC, and although it helps, it’s a pain to open and close if I need to service the unit. There’s no quieting the beast. Honestly I’m really over this machine, the sound is absolutely horrific and goes on for SO long. Best advice I can offer is to put it on a timer so it runs only at night, even though it partially defeats the purpose of the machine.

Reefering1 · May 18, 2024

Are you guys mounting it to a wall or cabinet or something?

Kershaw · May 18, 2024

Reefering1 said:
Are you guys mounting it to a wall or cabinet or something?

Mine is sitting under my stand. The hanging bracket was not included. Mine is used though. It recently tested 4 times back to back and it was quite annoying. I am also having trouble actully telling it what time to test. I only want it to test twice a day and it appears my only option is 12 hours apart. But if I could change the times it tests i could set it to run when no one is really home. But that does not seem like an option.

Kershaw · May 18, 2024

pixelhustler said:
I made a box out of high density PVC, and although it helps, it’s a pain to open and close if I need to service the unit. There’s no quieting the beast. Honestly I’m really over this machine, the sound is absolutely horrific and goes on for SO long. Best advice I can offer is to put it on a timer so it runs only at night, even though it partially defeats the purpose of the machine.

I might try 1” foam board. But I may just sell it and wait for the hydros maven

kenchilada · May 18, 2024

Kershaw said:
I might try 1” foam board. But I may just sell it and wait for the hydros maven

How old is it? They made a “quiet kit “ for older models and some firmware updates were meant to make it quiet (I never noticed a difference).

There’s also instructions somewhere that advise loosening the screws on the pumps. That worked on mine for all but one pump, so it’s slightly better but still pretty loud.

We just got used to the sound after a while. The mastertronic sounds are even worse… a whiney grinding noise.

Kershaw · May 18, 2024

kenchilada said:
How old is it? They made a “quiet kit “ for older models and some firmware updates were meant to make it quiet (I never noticed a difference).

There’s also instructions somewhere that advise loosening the screws on the pumps. That worked on mine for all but one pump, so it’s slightly better but still pretty loud.

We just got used to the sound after a while. The mastertronic sounds are even worse… a whiney grinding noise.

Since it’s used I am unsure how old it is. I was told two years. But who knows. I did the firmware update. But I have not messed with the screws. My wife is an extremely light sleeper, if the noise is constant she can adapt. But if this thing starts testing while she’s asleep it will wake her. I am still learning it and getting it dialed in so hopefully I can make it test at times that won’t bother anyone. I’m thinking 7am and 7pm will best.