Section 7
Refrigeration System
Part Number 80-1634-3
7-7
ICE FORMATION PATTERN
Evaporator ice formation pattern analysis is helpful in ice
machine diagnostics.
Analyzing the ice formation pattern alone cannot
diagnose an ice machine malfunction. However, when
this analysis is used along with Manitowoc’s
Refrigeration System Operational Analysis Table, it can
help diagnose an ice machine malfunction.
Improper ice formation can be caused by any number of
problems.
1. Normal Ice Formation
Ice forms across the entire evaporator surface.
At the beginning of the freeze cycle, it may appear that
more ice is forming at the inlet of the evaporator than at
the outlet. At the end of the freeze cycle, ice formation at
the outlet will be close to, or just a bit thinner than, ice
formation at the inlet. The dimples in the cubes at the
outlet of the evaporator may be more pronounced than
those at the inlet. This is normal.
The ice thickness probe must be set to maintain the ice
bridge thickness at approximately 1/8". If ice forms
uniformly across the evaporator surface, but does not
reach 1/8" in the proper amount of time, this is still
considered normal.
2. Extremely Thin at Evaporator Outlet
There is no ice, or a considerable lack of ice formation at
the outlet of the evaporator.
Examples: No ice at all at the outlet half of the
evaporator, but ice forms at the inlet half of the
evaporator. Or, the ice at the outlet of the evaporator
reaches 1/8" to initiate a harvest, but the inlet of the
evaporator already has 1/2" to 1" of ice formation.
Possible cause: Water loss, low on refrigerant, starving
TXV, faulty water fill valve etc.
Figure 7-3. Extremely Thin Ice Formation at
Evaporator Outlet
Important
Keep the water curtain in place while checking the
ice formation pattern to ensure no water is lost.
OUTLET
INLET
NO ICE or THIN ICE
ICE
