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Refrigeration System
ICE FORMATION PATTERN 2. Extremely Thin at Evaporator Outlet
Evaporator ice formation pattern analysis is helpful
in ice machine diagnostics.
There is no ice, or a considerable lack of ice
formation on the top of the evaporator (tubing
outlet).
Analyzing the ice formation pattern alone cannot
diagnose an ice machine malfunction. However,
when this analysis is used along with Manitowoc’s
Refrigeration System Operational Analysis Table, it
can help diagnose an ice machine malfunction.
Examples: No ice at all on the top of the evaporator,
but ice forms on the bottom half of the evaporator.
Or, the ice at the top of the evaporator reaches 1/8”
to initiate a harvest, but the bottom of the
evaporator already has 1/2” to 1” of ice formation.
Improper ice formation can be caused by any
number of problems.
Example: An ice formation that is “extremely thin
on top” could be caused by a hot water supply, a
dump valve leaking water, a faulty water fill valve,
a low refrigerant charge, etc.
Important
Keep the water curtain in place while checking
the ice formation pattern to ensure no water is
lost.
1. Normal Ice Formation
Ice forms across the entire evaporator surface.
At the beginning of the freeze cycle, it may appear
that more ice is forming on the bottom of the
evaporator than on the top. At the end of the freeze
cycle, ice formation on the top will be close to, or
just a bit thinner than, ice formation on the bottom.
The dimples in the cubes at the top of the
evaporator may be more pronounced than those on
the bottom. This is normal.
SV1576
ICE
ICE
OUTLET
INLET
Extremely Thin Ice Formation
At Evaporator Outlet
The ice thickness probe must be set to maintain the
ice bridge thickness at approximately 1/8”. If ice
forms uniformly across the evaporator surface, but
does not reach 1/8” in the proper amount of time,
this is still considered normal.