Ice Formation Pattern - Koolaire KY0275W Technician's Handbook

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 the Refrigeration System
Operational Analysis Table, it can help diagnose an ice
machine malfunction.
Any number of problems can cause improper ice
formation.
Example: An ice formation that is "extremely thin at the
outlet" could be caused by a hot water supply, water
leaking out the overflow pipe, a faulty water float valve, a
low refrigerant charge, etc.
OUTLET
OUTLET
INLET
INLET
K170 K270
Examples of Evaporator Tubing Routing
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 on 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.
If ice forms uniformly across the evaporator surface, but
does not do so in the proper amount of time, this is still
considered a normal ice fill pattern.
62 Part Number STH047 5/16