Electrolux 5995502399, Service Manual, Page: 81 / 173

Ice Maker (Freezer Compartment)
4-33
Figure 4-7.
Ice Maker Mounted In The
Freezer Compartment
The Ice Maker is designed to produce ice automatically.
The length of time between harvest cycles will vary
depending on load conditions, door openings, ambient
temperature and freezer temperature and water
temperature. These factors must be taken into
consideration when checking the ice production rate.
With a temperature of -2°F to +5°F in the freezer, the
rate of harvest will be 8 - 12 cycles per 24 hour period.
The ice maker is wired across the line and will harvest
ice in the refrigeration or defrost cycles.
The water valve assembly is mounted in the compressor
compartment. A 1/4” polyethylene tube extends from
the water valve up the rear wall of the refrigerator just
above the divider. The tube enters to the left side of the
lower drawer in the food compartment and connects to
the water filter. From the water filter a tube connects to a
water inlet spout that directs the water into the fill trough.
A bead of sealer around the inlet water tube prevents the
migration of air and moisture into the food compartment.
Front Cover
A decorative front cover, made of molded plastic,
encloses the operating mechanism of the Ice Maker that
protects it from moisture. It is essential that the cover
be in place on an operating Ice Maker to protect against
possible user contact with the mechanism.
(See Figure 4-7)
Ice Maker Components
Ice Mold
The ice mold is die-cast aluminum with the ice maker
thermostat bonded to its front surface and has a semi-
circular interior partitioned into equal size compartments.
Water enters at the rear of the mold through a fill trough
and a film of silicon grease on the top edge of the mold
prevents siphoning of water by capillary action.
Mold Heater
A mold heater, rated at 115 volts, 81 ohms ± 10% or 230
volts, 340 ohms ± 10%, and covered with an aluminum
sheath, is embedded in the grooved section on the
underside of the mold. When mold heater is energized,
the ice contact surface within the mold is heated enough
to allow harvest of ice pieces. The mold heater is wired
in series with the ice maker thermostat, which acts as a
safety device. The original heater is staked in place, but
can be removed for replacement. The replacement heater
is secured to the mold by 3 flat head retaining screws that
thread into holes in the mold adjacent to the heater.
A thermal mastic sealer is placed between heater and
mold to ensure good thermal contact.
Ice Stripper
An ice stripper is attached to the mold to prevent ice
pieces from falling back into the mold. It also serves as
a decorative side cover.
Ice Ejector
The ejector blades are molded from delrin and extend
from a central shaft, which turns in nylon bearings at the
front and rear. Each blade sweeps an ice section out of
the mold. The drive end of the ice ejector is “d” shaped.
Silicone grease is used to lubricate the bearing surfaces.
Water Valve Assembly
The water valve is solenoid operated and when
energized, releases water from the supply line into
the ice mold. The amount of water released is directly
proportional to the length of time the water valve switch
is energized. A flow washer inside the water valve
maintains a constant rate of water flow over a supply
line pressure ranging from 15 to 100 psi. It will not
compensate for pressures below 15 psi, or greater than
100 psi. A no. 80-Mesh screen, placed ahead of the
flow washer, filters out foreign materials. The solenoid
coil draws 10 to 115 watts of power. The coil is wired in
series with the mold heater, across the supply voltage.