Commercial Ice Maker Help Needed

[Squid]

A couple months ago I purchased a Cornelius 500 lb. commercial ice maker (used). The first few times I used it, it worked fine, making plenty of ice. Now it is taking FOREVER for it to make a load of ice. I have the unit on its own dedicated 20 amp circuit in the garage, however it is not very well ventilated out there. Under the advice from a friend who has the same unit (and sometimes the same problem), I cleaned all of the lines out this afternoon but when I turned it on, nothing has changed. (I turned it on at 4:00pm and it has still not dropped the first load of ice at 6:45pm.) I know it won't make as much since it's 95 degrees outside but for it to take 3+ hours to make a load is ridiculous. (Keep in mind that this machine is supposed to make 500 lbs. every 24 hours.) Does anyone on here have any experience with ice makers that could possibly help me diagnose the problem?
Thanks!
Bryan

[Matuka Fly]

Is the unit water cooled or air cooled.

IF it is air cooled make sure the conensor coil is clean. Is it forming any ice on the evaporator plate?

Is it loosing water out the dump valve causing the inlet water to continualy fill?

Lets start here first, then I will try an diagnose the problem.

[clt_capt]

Squid,
I have an 400 lb/day commercial unit - it is out in my garage - this time of the year it takes 3 - 4 days to fill the bin. I couldn't even fill the bin before I put a thermostatically controlled Vent fan in a window - It comes on over 90 degrees and makes a huge difference.

I picked up an attic vent fan at Home Depot or lowes - Mounted it to a piece of plywood with a hole cutout for the fan It fits tight to the window

Makes a HUGE difference!

[Squid]

Is the unit water cooled or air cooled.

IF it is air cooled make sure the conensor coil is clean. Is it forming any ice on the evaporator plate?

Is it loosing water out the dump valve causing the inlet water to continualy fill?

Lets start here first, then I will try an diagnose the problem.

Matuka,
The unit is air cooled with no water coming out of the dump valve at all. Where abouts is the condensor coil? Not to be an idiot, but what is the evaporator plate? (This is my first ice maker and am unfamiliar with it and how it works other than what I have figured out on my own.) The only place I see ice forming is on the tray (in cubes), where it should be forming. Thank you for your assistance!

[Squid]

Squid,
I have an 400 lb/day commercial unit - it is out in my garage - this time of the year it takes 3 - 4 days to fill the bin. I couldn't even fill the bin before I put a thermostatically controlled Vent fan in a window - It comes on over 90 degrees and makes a huge difference.

I picked up an attic vent fan at Home Depot or lowes - Mounted it to a piece of plywood with a hole cutout for the fan It fits tight to the window

Makes a HUGE difference!

Do you happen to have any pictures of this installation? I've been thinking of doing something very much like this but wasn't sure of the best way to do it. I don't have a window in the garage but am not afraid to cut away a little sheetrock to make things work right. If you don't mind me asking, what would a thermostatically controlled vent fan cost?

Glad to hear that the machine itself may be actually running fine after all and that its just the heat causing the problem. For the record, it just dumped its second load of the night---1.5 hours after the first.

Thanks!

[rich]

My family has two four ton ice units and this time of year they will only make about 2/3rds the ice they will make in the fall and spring. You need to put something in your garage to keep the temperature down below 85 or so.

[rarhomes]

You just described my ice machine !!!

[Matuka Fly]

The condensor is in the back and resembles a radiator. The evaporator is the freezing plate where the ice forms. The condensor must be clean especialy in a warm ambient environment.

Getting cooler air to the condensor will help with production as the rating for the machine is for an aproximate ambient temperature of 70 deg. F. The freezing plate must form a full sheet or it is low on charge. I believe normal cycle time is 17 min. with a 2 min. defrost. I would have to look at the ratings for the ambient temperature in which it is trying to operate to determine the rated production.

Get cool air to the condensor, check the formation of Ice after 10 min. (there should be ice forming on the entire plate, the defrost should not be more than 3 min.

[Matuka Fly]

any way to clean the condensor take a brush and clean the dirt off of the coil (do not bend the fins) and then use your air compressor to blow the dirt on through.

I have had to add a water cooled condensor to ece machines when located in a high ambient environment.

[Proheat]

Squid- The advice Matuka is right on! From what you are describing, since it worked for awhile and now since it is in a hot environment and not working- I would deffinately make sure the condenser coil is as clean as can be and get the garage ventilated. Also make sure that the fan is running that draws the air over the condenser.