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Article: Diagnosing mechanical failure in ice machines. (excerpt from 'The Hvac/r Professional's Field Guide to Ice Machine Service')
- Article from:
- Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News
- Article date:
- July 25, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Mechanical failure results from component wear, component failure or refrigerant problems. Most mechanical filures are evident--the water pump is not running, or the plastic piping is kinked and cracked.
One manufacturer of ice machines maintains that the majority of service calls are caused by incorrect refrigerant charge. Ice machines are critically charged units, and a slight over or under-charge results in low ice production. The loss of just a few ounces leaves the machine without sufficient refrigerant.
Because correct charge in an ice machine is so critical, the charge should always be weighed-in. A small shortage of refrigerant can easily result ...