ICE-O-MATIC STARVING EVAPORATOR

[darrin0819]

I have a ICE-O-MATIC under counter model ICEU220 this thing has had 3 technicians parts changing on it. The problem is that the evaporator forms ice on the bottom and little to no ice on top. the copper line running into the evap is frozen but the copper line coming out aint freezing. i was concerned about the charge so i recoverd the refrig and weighed in the correct amount. and i still only freezes the bottom of the evap. and its not pulling the suction down to cut in the low pressure control to start the freeze timer. so it dont go into harvest. I checked the water purge valve and its not leaking. I checked the hot gas valve their is a big temp difference. but the the copper line going out of the HGV doesent freeze about a inch and a half . Im thinking a bad txv. but im not sure if the HGV is not closing all the way? Is their a good test to check the HGV or txv?

[jonbailey19808]

HGV is easy to test. If discharge line is red hot and inlet of hgv is red hot too its leaking. dont do temp diff across valve as it will lie to you. If discharge line of comp is red hot and INLET side of HGV is not after 5 mins then its not leaking.
TXV - Call Ice o matic tech support. Or get their tech handbook.

[2sac]

Before you condemn the valve, check the serpentine?

[IOMDave43]

I have a ICE-O-MATIC under counter model ICEU220 this thing has had 3 technicians parts changing on it. The problem is that the evaporator forms ice on the bottom and little to no ice on top. the copper line running into the evap is frozen but the copper line coming out aint freezing. i was concerned about the charge so i recoverd the refrig and weighed in the correct amount. and i still only freezes the bottom of the evap. and its not pulling the suction down to cut in the low pressure control to start the freeze timer. so it dont go into harvest. I checked the water purge valve and its not leaking. I checked the hot gas valve their is a big temp difference. but the the copper line going out of the HGV doesent freeze about a inch and a half . Im thinking a bad txv. but im not sure if the HGV is not closing all the way? Is their a good test to check the HGV or txv?

I am a Field Service Manager with IOM. From your description, you are having feed problems with your Expansion Valve. If the HGV was not closing, your pressure would be higher, not lower. Serpentine Separation, as mentioned by another subscriber, on these units are really no longer an issue.

[darrin0819]

thanks for the reply.. My customer has already had a few guys changing out parts on this ice machine. IT supposedly had a new low pressure control installed, a new timer, new relay, new water pump. last thing i want is to be wrong.. I know the HGV works I made it go into harvest it does open and close. i just didnt know if the coil was getting weak not allowing the valve to close completly?The evap is not seperated from the refrigerant lines. Bad txv is my thinking. whats serpentine seperation mean?

[2sac]

thanks for the reply.. My customer has already had a few guys changing out parts on this ice machine. IT supposedly had a new low pressure control installed, a new timer, new relay, new water pump. last thing i want is to be wrong.. I know the HGV works I made it go into harvest it does open and close. i just didnt know if the coil was getting weak not allowing the valve to close completly?The evap is not seperated from the refrigerant lines. Bad txv is my thinking. whats serpentine seperation mean?

This

[shaka]

Why so many tech working on it?
Why are we changing so many parts?

You said hgv is ok and you feel the txv is bad cause it not feeding
Then why can't you get the suction pressure down?
Bad txv will cause short cycle cause it will close cut in pressure
Right away.

When you weigh in the charge
Did you check your pressures as the machine starts
What were they?

Turn off water pump and check to see if pressures will drop
Check if suction line start to freeze
You might have a weak compressor.