coca cola vending machine getting Ice buildup?

[ICEEman19]

Daughter has a coca cola vending machine at you work about 10 years old It is getting Ice built up on the condenser Im thinking the compressor is bad, I have already put a tap on the low side thinking it might be low in 134 but it wasnt. only takes 8 oz. also blew out the condenser had a lot of dust in it still getting the Ice anyone have any thoughts? thanks

[Dad]

Does the unit ever come to temp and shut off?

If not, check the thermostat

If so, check the door seal and the evap drain line

[GavinJuice]

i imagine whatever problem you did have, is now going to be masked by the fact that you put on a line tap. Your critical charge isn't there anymore.

[rayr]

i imagine whatever problem you did have, is now going to be masked by the fact that you put on a line tap. Your critical charge isn't there anymore.

Exactly!! I have yet to see a frozen condenser unless it was a heat pump operating in the heating mode. (at which time the condenser becomes the evaporator coil)

[ICEEman19]

Im not sure if the thermostat is cutting off or not Ill check. thanks

[Dad]

Agreed on the line tap but they are in controversy here. Some say no problems with them leaking while others say instant leak or just a matter of time.

And just to be clear. It isn't the line tap that Gavin is talking about, he understands the amount of refrigerant loss on a critical charge system when attaching a charging hose.

Unless you sucked it back in (which is impossible with that system) you just lost 1/8th of your total charge or more.

[Wheelbaron]

Agreed on the line tap but they are in controversy here. Some say no problems with them leaking while others say instant leak or just a matter of time.

And just to be clear. It isn't the line tap that Gavin is talking about, he understands the amount of refrigerant loss on a critical charge system when attaching a charging hose.

Unless you sucked it back in (which is impossible with that system) you just lost 1/8th of your total charge or more.

I always use a gauge on a 4" short hose to check pressure on small units. Also I never leave a line tap, after one is on I use it to recover and then braze in a "T" with a schader valve.

[len]

check the drain hose,and the drain hole itself,ive seen to many vending machines,icing up at the evaporator(on the bottom) all because the drain hole itself was clogged,make sure the machine is nice and level,is the evaporator fan running?let me know how you make out,

[len]

check the drain hose,and the drain hole itself,ive seen to many vending machines,icing up at the evaporator(on the bottom) all because the drain hole itself was clogged,make sure the machine is nice and level,is the evaporator fan running?let me know how you make out,

hey ICEEman,do you work for icee?

[ICEEman19]

Yes I do work for ICEE, over 19 years now. I will check on the drain line to see if it is clogged up. I put the tap valve on because a local coca cola tech said the icing up sounded to him like it was low in 134,so I thought I would check the pressures and see. I am going to remove the tap valve and sweat in a shrader valve. I have seen Icee machine compressors Ice up from undercharge and overcharge and bad valves. Haven't had any experience with vending coolers . We (ICEE) have started recently working on smaller slushee machines and O J machines that hold ounces instead of pounds.

[MikeySq]

system charge incorrect

bad temp control

bad evap fan motor

out of curiosity what make model is this vending machine? royal? dixi? vendo?

[len]

worked for icee,up til 95,12 years out of woburn ma.did all the walmart,kmart installs,discovery zones the whole game.left in 95 went to coke.what are your pressure readings,those babys are very critical,when it comes to the refrigerant charge,post back we can get it going .:D

[ch530king]

Really i guess the big issue is to make sure no one eles has done any work to it and used the wrong gas. just a thought.:p

[MikeySq]

Really i guess the big issue is to make sure no one eles has done any work to it and used the wrong gas. just a thought.:p

probably not if he had to use a piercing valve:)

[ICEEman19]

sweated in low n high schaeder valves pull vaccum n recharged with 7.7 ozs.134 strange though running low side pressure in vaccum at 22lbs high side 70lbs.is this normal? checked drain and hose all ok, checked fans all running, turned thermost on and off seems to be working dont know at this time if it is coming to temp and shutting off though was previuosly icying up at the back evaporator below the fan usally takes a couple of days to build up ice.

[Dad]

compressor valves

[ICEEman19]

that what I was thinking, also I was thinking maybe my digital scales was not working correctly, never tried to charge such a small amount before was thinking about shooting more in? thanks

[Dad]

If unsure about the charge, unplug the evap fan. Run and charge the unit until you get frost just before the compressor on the suction line and stop charging. Plug the evap fan back in and restart. You will be very close.

Problem is, you have already weighed in your charge and are not getting head pressure. Valves would be my guess.

[the mojo]

Did you say 22 H.G." @ 70 psig head ?

[Dad]

I took it as 22 low side and 70 high side

Don't tell me the cap tube is plugged.

[the mojo]

Okay I won't.:D But it smells like it.;)

[Dad]

HEY

I asked you not to tell me that.

[the mojo]

Very well !

[ICEEman19]

low side pressure not 22lbs. -22lbs in vaccum and high side 70lbs, how can I check for a blocked cap tube? or just replace it..

[Dad]

You can use a trick that works most of the time but it's up to you. You go go through the hassle of getting the part from the OEM or just getting the proper specs and getting a generic cap tube or you can do this.

Cut 1/2" off of both ends of the cap tube and start over. Normally a cap tube with either stop up at the ends. Cut your cap tube with your wire strippers by scoring it then bend it until it breaks. This will give you a clean perfect little orifice at each end. Hopefully the cap tube is not full of crap or varnish.

I'll give you a 60 - 40 chance to the good.

[ICEEman19]

I really hate to ask this really makes me feel like a idiot but where might the cap tube be located .I have only worked with expansion valves. thanks for the help

[yotaman16]

it will be located in the same place as a txv.. The cap tube just meters the refrigerant using a certain lenght and diameter of tubing to meter the refrigerant.. Its usually right after the filter dryer or stuck into it just follow ur liquid line..

[ICEEman19]

ok thanks

[len]

get yourself,supco#3 captube,cut it to the same length as the one that is on there,coil both ends with your #2 phillips handle,change drier why you are at it,pull 400microns,and you will be ready to go,