Ice maker low pressure below spec?

[itsiceman]

Ice Maker
Brand: Bluestone Appliances
Model: BCIM44

Issue: not really making ice that fast. Really slow... 40-50 minutes for a so-so batch. I am more into automotive HVAC, but luckily... this unit uses standard R134a (7oz).

I put my manifold set on the only port it has (low side) and pressure just will not build above 20-20 PSI. Manual and rear label specifies 130 PSI for low side. I have carefully metered out at least 5 oz already and still not much raise in pressure.

I am no HVAC pro, but... my guess is the hot gas valve partially stuck open? When the unit runs normally, I notice the line that branches off from the tiny liquid line (at the evap) and leads down to the valve.. it is also frosty - which seems to tell me the coolant is flashing off both in the evap AND towards the partially stuck open hot-gas valve...

Is this a fair assesment?

Is so, I can simply reclaim the coolant, cut out the old valve and sweat in a new one, no?

- Dean

The frost on the outlet is not a tell. If the temp of the inlet side is the same as the discharge line would it would be a good indicator of bypass.

Doesn't "autozone" gas come with oil and or leak sealant in the tank?

Is ice fully forming over the entire evaporator?

[itsiceman]

My wife and kid got email from one person going strait to trash and they need it to show up in the inbox. What's wrong?

[pecmsg]

Dean

There is NO gauge access! It is a "Sealed System" How did you recover and recharge?

[itsiceman]

Come on man...
He's got a TIG welder!

[Dean Rantala]

Yes, this unit came (to me) with a schrader valve already installed. Comes directly off the compressor. Looks factory, honestly.

I have a small robin air recovery system.

Yeah... I tig welded it because - although I DO have an oxy setup, I do NOT have the proper brazing rods for correct HVAC work. Light gauge copper wire works great for filler :-). Not the most practical for daily professional repairmen, but effective and works.

Nope, normal 134a from a 30 lb cylinder. No oil, no additives.. nada.

Ice is fully forming... sometimes. Left it running over night and:

Sometimes it produced (give or take) a couple pounds an hour... sometimes it seems to run and produce a couple half-formed "shells" around the evap. The temp is consistent across the evap (inlet/outlet) based on the formation of the ice, but it is like it went through a half-cycle or.. ice is largely hollow.

So, all the temps seem to be within roughly 10-15% of the temp chart. Just strange that sometimes it is technically fine, and other times (when I basically am not around)... it works like crap. It is the inconsistency that started me down this road with the thing. I am getting the feeling that the mechanical portion of this may be fine, just something with the control side and cycle control. The electronic controls: now this is something I would need no help with I did plenty of microcontroller programming and electronic work back in early 2000's.

But meh.. already found another one on CL new-in-box for $300 (whirlpool). Never opened, purchased for remodel that never happened. I already got enough projects on my hand - of which I a AM more than competent in handling without help - to keep me plenty busy. Probably not worth the collective time that has already been spent here. Especially for "itsiceman". That guy was clearly busy with an HVAC call at 5:20 this morning.

[Snapperhead]

Of all the refrigeration pieces in restaurants ... Ice Machines are by far the most difficult to work on

You are jumping right in the alligator pit ...

[Snapperhead]

If you are using automotive hoses ... arent they like 5 feet long ?

Hell there goes 3 oz just in the hose which makes it guesstimating how much you actually dumped in , and Ice Machines dont have a very good sense of humor

[Dean Rantala]

I usually account for 2oz lost in the gauge.

Sorry about the measurement confusion, too..

It is 7oz. Don't know why I typed the other numbers last night.

My ex-wife did not have much of a sense of humor either...

Just that much more of a reason I am buying the other one. Plenty of other ice makers out there...

[itsiceman]

There goes my IT help pfft