slow ice

[stltechfrmtx]

trying to get 6-8 degress of superheat on a scotsman flaker, cleaned condensor, charged to 225psig and which subsequently got me to 32psig suction, has 14 degree superheat.

factory book said it should be @ 30psig suction, factory tech support said i should have 225 - 250 psig discharge.

any advice? its a pet project and I havent really seen any refrigeration since school.

[tjc76]

did you charge this unit with a scale? critical charge in unit, and charging to a recommended head pressure is not the way to do it. although you cleaned the condenser, it may still be somewhat dirty, and using head pressure to determine charge should be avoided. is this machine self contained, or does it have a remote condenser?

[pecmsg]

Just to add

What machine?
What Model & Serial #?
What Refrigerant?

Charging by head pressure. That’s a new one.

[idontgetit]

Ranken grad eh?

Flakers can be quite unforgiving. As others have stated, weighing in the proper charge is VERY important.

Do not play with the TEV or your gonna regret it.

Since you did not say what gas you got in it, no one knows what your SCT is so they can not be of much assistance.

[frigetater]

weigh it in

weight it in

weigh it in

and by the way....

weigh it in

[hvaccop]

Weighing the charge in on Ice machine is absolute must

[stltechfrmtx]

Yes, I went to Ranken.

Unit is 502, model is r800....

[gsxrsquid]

In case no one else mentioned it:


Weigh in the charge

And use itty bitty short hoses


And listen to idontgetit. you WILL be sorry if you mess with TEV if you are not absolutely sure it is the problem.

[idontgetit]

Yes, I went to Ranken.

Unit is 502, model is r800....

Kewl, it was not meant to be offensive.

You put 502 back in it or 408?

How is the float level? High water level = high superheat on a flaker.

If it was 408, my experiences indicate that the 80% or 85% of wieght rules need to be flexed on some machines and you really just have to tweak them a bit.

Get er all very very clean, lower the float level below normal, perhaps 1" in the bottom of the bowl, check the superheat, if high, check subcooling, add gas till 10 degrees subcool, check superheat if not right, add more gas monitoring subcool so as to never exceede 15 subcool or RLA of comp, check superheat--- it will be on the spot.

You can confirm superheat/TEV operation by warming the bulb after you get the 10 subcooling, before that your gonna be lookin at glide problems that can give unexpected results.

Anymore questions on it?

[stltechfrmtx]

I didnt take it offensive, I was taken back by the Q?, wasnt expecting it.

Ill have some time on it tomorrow.

Thanks to all for the input.

[stltechfrmtx]

Well got in and it looks to be working, had almost empty bin when I left and noe ive got more than 300lbs.

[idontgetit]

Good deal. Love them icemakers myself!

[stltechfrmtx]

especially when they're free. it will be really handy this summer