Follett Freezer Temp is High – Under Counter REF5 / 00926626
Customer complaining that the Follett Freezer temp is high and has been for a few days. Found the unit temperature at 50*F. Checked all components and found they were operating normally. Installed my stubby gauges to check refrigerant pressures and found the suction pressures lower than normal. Unit discharge line and condenser were barely warm to the touch. Determined that unit was low on charge and therefore must have a leak. Returned with service gauges and nitrogen then pressured system to 125 psig. Searched for leaked using my leak detector. Unable to locate any solid detections. Doubled checked with leak bubbles and still unable to locate any leaks. Bled off nitrogen and pulled a quick vacuum. Recharged system with refrigerant per weight on data tag. Added leak dye to system. Informed client of leak issue and that we would return in a couple of weeks from now to allow leak dye to circulate and hopefully help us pin point where leak is in the system. Returned to the location and started search for leak dye. Found a little dye underneath evaporator coil. Called factory and checked the units warranty status and part availability. Checked unit charge and pressures looked normal. No need to add any additional refrigerant. Spoke with customer about findings and quoted repair. Customer said he would call us to make repair if approval was given. Unit is currently operational and temperature was at -3*F before leaving.
Upon arriving at the location I found the ice machine turned off at the disconnect. I turned the power back on and watched the unit’s operation. I found the unit stuck in harvest mode, and it would not go into the freeze cycle. After further investigation, I saw the harvest assist assembly stuck in place and not rotating, which was causing the unit to stay stuck in the harvest cycle. I confirmed the harvest motor was receiving 120 volts of power then manually rotated push rod wheel back around to get unit to go into the freeze cycle to confirm that the unit would make ice. Then removed the harvest assist assembly and installed a new one. Once new harvest motor was installed I re-applied power and tested operation. Unit started normally and timed two batches of ice, both with out any problems in the freeze or harvest cycle. The cycle times were approximately 17 minutes each which fell with-in factory specifications. I also noticed the drain was slowing draining water during purge, indicating it was a little clogged. Vacuumed the drain lines with shop vacuum to pull out any blockage. Purged ice machine water to test the drain and saw improved water flow. No other problems found.
The customer also reported a sandwich cooler not keeping temperature. The cooler was holding 45*F with all major components operational. The condenser coil covered in debris blocking airflow. I cleaned off the surface debris and sprayed the coil with my battery operated sprayer to rinse out thoroughly. After completion I allowed the system to resume normal operation. Soon afterwards the temperature starting dropping and the unit cycled off at 38*F. Lastly I vacuumed out condensate pan and condensate drain tube. We recommend maintenance once every third month for all the refrigeration equipment. Please review the maintenance program for further details about our program.
To see further information on the Ice-O-Matic ICE0606HA click on the pdf link below.
Ice Machine Cleaning Needed on Scotsman Prodigy – Model C1030MA
The client stated that the ice machine has not had a cleaning solution ran for at least 8 months and was concerned about the cleanliness, since the clean light had been glowing yellow for sometime. I removed the front panel and pressed the harvest button to remove any ice from evaporator. I pulled off the evaporator panel I found debris, scale and some slime buildup. Placed the unit into clean mode and added descaling solution. Allowed descaling solution to circulate for 15 minutes and then placed unit into purge cycle for 5 additional minutes. Checked the clean reminder setting and changed it from 6 months to 3 months. Emptied reservoir and pulled apart all washable components and cleaned thoroughly. Cleaned out the reservoir and other stationary components. Reassembled all parts and put the unit back into ice mode. During the water fill cycle the water valve would not shut off due to the water level sensor not reading sump full. Replaced the sensor with a new one and restarted. Vacuumed out the drain line and timed two complete ice cycles. Both batches were approximately 14 minutes during the freeze cycle and less than two minutes for harvest. The water filters were not dated last change, but seemed to be working properly. Customer said he replaced them about 7-8 months ago. I recommend that they should be changed as the life is generally 6 months for the Everpure filters and a few months for the sediment filter. Cleaned out the air filter and recommended the unit be placed onto a maintenance plan. Added a sticker on the unit and completed service.
Found box temperature above 30*F. Evaporator fans were not running and the liquid line solenoid was buzzing, indicating it was getting power and should be allowing for refrigeration to the evaporator. Went outside to check the condenser and found it running. After further investigation, found the unit’s suction pressure was extremely low. Checked the low pressure control and saw that it was set to cut out at 15 psig, however the suction pressure was below 10 psig. Switched off the unit at the disconnect and noticed oil along the liquid line. Found the copper line had rubbed on the metal framing and had worn a hole creating a leak. Pumped the unit down via the receiver king valve and grabbed the turbo torch. Patched the hole with solder and replaced the liquid line drier. Removed the old low pressure control and replaced it with a new peanut style control. Pressured system and checked for leaks. Pressure held and was unable to locate any leaks. Pulled a vacuum and charged the system with virgin R404a. Turned the disconnect back on to test operation. Continued to charge the system until the sight glass was full and superheat was above 5*F. Pumped down the system once more to be sure the low pressure control was working correctly. Unit turned off at 13 psig. Also insulated a portion of the suction line to prevent sweat from dripping onto electrical box. Went back inside box and found evaporator fans running and box temperature at 18*F and dropping. Confirmed door thermometer was calibrated correctly and set the thermostat to 0*F. Explained my findings to the customer and recommended the evaporator be replaced because the fins were deteriorating. Checked the box temperature once more before leaving and it read 10*F on door thermometer.
Hoshizaki KM2500SRH3 Ice Machine Evaporator Freezing Up – Leaking Water
Arrived at the location to find the ice machine’s evaporators were completely frozen up. The evaporator plates were a solid block of ice and water was splashing into the ice bin. Turned the unit off to allow the ice to melt overnight and explained to the customer the severity of the ice buildup. Returned to location and found all ice had melted off the evaporator plates. Customer had explained that unit had recently been installed and should still be under warranty. Began my diagnoses and the first thing I noticed was the Continue reading “Hoshizaki Ice Machine – Leaking Water”→
Found unit off on “max harvest” error code. Reset and tested unit. During the harvest cycle the harvest assist rod was not pushing against ice. This would create a longer than normal harvest cycle exceeding the 3 minute safety. Determined the harvest assist was getting power during the harvest cycle. Discussed issue with client along with cost of part. Also explained that the unit was Continue reading “Scotsman Prodigy C0522MA – No Ice”→
True T49 Cooler Troubleshooting – Leaking at Evaporator
Arrived to find the box temperature at 60*F. Check temperature control and it checked out fine. Pulled off the front grille and found the discharge line was not hot. Checked the amps on the compressor, it was pulling 4.5 amps, which was lower than normal. These were indications that the unit was probably low on refrigerant. The refrigerant system is sealed from factory and did not have any service access valves. Installed bolt on access valves to the high side and low side of the system. Checked pressures with stubby gauges to read pressures. The suction pressure was in a vacuum and the high side pressure was very low. Added 100 psig of nitrogen into system in an attempt locate the leak. Heard nitrogen leaking at evaporator u-bend. Confirmed leak and location with bubbles. Purged the nitrogen charge and pulled out my turbo torch. Removed the bolt access valves and replaced with permanent soldered fittings. Patched the leaky evaporator with solder and replaced the liquid line drier. Doubled check solder joints for leaks, pulled a vacuum, and then weighed in 9 oz. of R134 refrigerant. Started the unit back up and tested the operation. Refrigerant pressures were approximately 130 psig on the high side and 18 psig on the low. Allowed the unit to run until it cycled off at 34*F. No other issues found and explained services to client.
To learn more about the True T-Series click on the PDF below.
Troubleshooting a Trauslen Freezer – G12010 Tech Support Needed
Started troubleshooting the Trauslen freezer by opening the evaporator compartment and found the evaporator coil iced up. Turned the unit into defrost and found the heating elements not getting hot. Checked the amperage of the elements and no amps being drawn. Applied direct power to heater relay to close switch and heaters started working, pulling 4.3 amps. Found the controller was not sending power to the heater relay. Went through parameters on the controller and found the evaporator sensor temperature displaying was completely off the chart. Checked the resistance of the sensor and it did not match the temperature / resistance chart in the service manual. Determined the evaporator coil sensor was bad which was causing the unit not to enter the defrost cycle. De-iced the evaporator coil and replaced the evaporator sensor. Placed stubby gauges on service ports and checked the refrigerant charge. Both high and low side pressures running normal. I confirmed the coil sensor temperature in controller to be sure it was reading correctly and it was. Also found some controller parameters had been changed. Spoke with a Traulsen tech support person to run through controller settings and set them back to factory defaults. Tested the freezer’s defrost and operation one last time to confirm everything was working like it should. Watched the box pull down and completed job.
Customer complaining that the Follett Freezer temp is high and has been for a few days. Found the unit temperature at 50*F. Checked all components and found they were operating normally. Installed my stubby gauges to check refrigerant pressures and found the suction pressures lower than normal. Unit discharge line and condenser were barely warm to the touch. Determined that unit was low on charge and therefore must have a leak. Returned with service gauges and nitrogen then pressured system to 125 psig. Searched for leaked using my leak detector. Unable to locate any solid detections. Doubled checked with leak bubbles and still unable to locate any leaks. Bled off nitrogen and pulled a quick vacuum. Recharged system with refrigerant per weight on data tag. Added leak dye to system. Informed client of leak issue and that we would return in a couple of weeks from now to allow leak dye to circulate and hopefully help us pin point where leak is in the system. Returned to the location and started search for leak dye. Found a little dye underneath evaporator coil. Called factory and checked the units warranty status and part availability. Checked unit charge and pressures looked normal. No need to add any additional refrigerant. Spoke with customer about findings and quoted repair. Customer said he would call us to make repair if approval was given. Unit is currently operational and temperature was at -3*F before leaving.
Upon arriving at the location I found the ice machine turned off at the disconnect. I turned the power back on and watched the unit’s operation. I found the unit stuck in harvest mode, and it would not go into the freeze cycle. After further investigation, I saw the harvest assist assembly stuck in place and not rotating, which was causing the unit to stay stuck in the harvest cycle. I confirmed the harvest motor was receiving 120 volts of power then manually rotated push rod wheel back around to get unit to go into the freeze cycle to confirm that the unit would make ice. Then removed the harvest assist assembly and installed a new one. Once new harvest motor was installed I re-applied power and tested operation. Unit started normally and timed two batches of ice, both with out any problems in the freeze or harvest cycle. The cycle times were approximately 17 minutes each which fell with-in factory specifications. I also noticed the drain was slowing draining water during purge, indicating it was a little clogged. Vacuumed the drain lines with shop vacuum to pull out any blockage. Purged ice machine water to test the drain and saw improved water flow. No other problems found.
Arrived at the location to find the ice machine’s evaporators were completely frozen up. The evaporator plates were a solid block of ice and water was splashing into the ice bin. Turned the unit off to allow the ice to melt overnight and explained to the customer the severity of the ice buildup. Returned to location and found all ice had melted off the evaporator plates. Customer had explained that unit had recently been installed and should still be under warranty. Began my diagnoses and the first thing I noticed was the 
Found unit off on “max harvest” error code. Reset and tested unit. During the harvest cycle the harvest assist rod was not pushing against ice. This would create a longer than normal harvest cycle exceeding the 3 minute safety. Determined the harvest assist was getting power during the harvest cycle. Discussed issue with client along with cost of part. Also explained that the unit was 
Arrived to find the box temperature at 60*F. Check temperature control and it checked out fine. Pulled off the front grille and found the discharge line was not hot. Checked the amps on the compressor, it was pulling 4.5 amps, which was lower than normal. These were indications that the unit was probably low on refrigerant. The refrigerant system is sealed from factory and did not have any service access valves. Installed bolt on access valves to the high side and low side of the system. Checked pressures with stubby gauges to read pressures. The suction pressure was in a vacuum and the high side pressure was very low. Added 100 psig of nitrogen into system in an attempt locate the leak. Heard nitrogen leaking at evaporator u-bend. Confirmed leak and location with bubbles. Purged the nitrogen charge and pulled out my 