Industrial shell and tube ice machines

[George Cuthbertson]

Hello everyone,

I'm a new member and this is my first post so please forgive any mistakes in protocol that I will surely make. I started in the trade in 1973 as an assembler in a plant that built industrial shell and tube ice machines for the fishing industry. These were big 6,10 and 12 ton units (not refrigeration tons but tons of ice per day) and now, as a licensed tradesman I find myself working on them almost 40 years later. Manufacturers like Morris, Galt (now defunct) and Berg.

I'd like to share experience with others in this field - I'm specifically looking for information on the conversion of old electro-mechanical controls to PLC based systems for these ice machines. Originally the freezing/defrost/harvest cycle was done by a cam-timer, then replaced by Omron style timers - and that's what I'm now stuck with. The cycle is so simple - freeze, defrost (hot gas) then dump ice - and repeat.

Thanks.

[DoctorIce]

Why would you want to change from electro-mechanical controls? Scotsman, for example, had a very reliable electro-mechanical ice machine with the CM series. They went digital and came up with the disastrous CME series. The current Prodigy series is only starting to get the kinks out. Ice-O-Matic went digital with the truly awful Genesis series and quickly went back to electro-mechanical. Kold-Draft went digital and went into bankruptcy. The best Manitowocs, IMHO, were the G series with a very simple board. Hoshizaki was best with the relatively simple Alpine board. Are you starting to see a pattern here? The Vogt tube ice machines were the best ice machines ever and were completely electro-mechanical. I haven't worked on a Vogt since the 80's and don't know their current configuration. Anyway, stick to electro-mechanical and you'll be a lot happier. Just as an aside, what affects digital?; heat, moisture and dirt. I guess you won't fing any of those around an ice machine .

[George Cuthbertson]

Thanks for your input, we're not talking about the same machines here. I'm working on large industrial units with 25 - 35HP Carlyle semi-hermetic compressors, producing 12,000 to 20,000 lbs. ice/24 hrs. and used in fish plants. The control panels are located in a warm, dry location above the compressor, containing the contactors, relays, compressor safety switches, etc. so no worries about moisture. Heat isn't a problem either. A local electrician has converted the low voltage control system on one machine using a Seimens PLC, and the unit works very well - but he's not around anymore. I'll try and get some pics over the holidays to post so that you can see the control panel arrangement.

[uniservice]

I've got an old Vogt in a fish cannery here that has a rubber band holding in one of the relays. I suggested replacing the relay as the coil is open and the planr engineer, is refusing. He replaces the rubber band about every 6 weeks, and tells me "It's been like that for the last 4 years." LOL

[2sac]

Gotta love those Vogt's

[coolerfixer]

Vogts are awesome!

[itsiceman]

What did you say!!!

[smilies]

What did you say!!!

LOL!! When I first heard em drop, pooped a little. Sparkle Ice plant in Phoenix.

[K_Neil]

Worked on a Galt awhile ago. The tubes would shake hard when the hot gas hit. It lasted along time with minor repairs needed don't know how. The fish packing plant was tore down and the new plant went with 2 new Howes.