Maintenance - Northern Lights TECHNICOLD OM-NI Operator's Manual

DAILY
• Raw Water Strainer
Raw water strainers are mandatory for all systems.
Check the raw water strainer daily. A visual inspection
through the sight-glass housing is usually sufficient for
daily inspections. Open the strainer and inspect at least
once a week or if debris build up is noted. Make sure you
close the thru-hull valve prior to opening the strainer for
service.
WEEKLY
• Raw Water Strainer
Open the strainer and inspect at least once a week or if
debris build up is noted. Make sure you close the thru-hull
valve prior to opening the strainer for service.
Remove any debris from the strainer sight-glass housing
and strainer basket. Flush the strainer basket and clean/
vacuum out the housing prior to inserting the basket back
into it. Some strainer sight-glass housings incorporate a
drain plug to help with cleaning.
Some applications use a 'Sea Chest' for the raw water
supply. The strainer for the Sea Chest may have a large
mesh that does not filter small particulate. Install a
strainer between the Sea Chest and the raw water pump
inlet to filter out this small particulate.
Replace the strainer basket immediately if it is showing
signs of decay or damage. Do not operate the system with
the strainer basket removed. Inspect the housing and tie
rods for cracks or signs of deterioration. Replace defective
parts immediately to prevent the risk of flooding.
Gaskets or O-Rings are used to seal the strainer and can
easily fall into the bilge when the lid is removed. Always
check that the seals are in place prior to closing-up the
strainer. Prior to tightening the retaining bolts or clips,
check the seating of the seals. Replace loose or damaged
seals. Use caution, over-tightening of retaining bolts and
clips can crack the housing or strip threads.
Cracks in the sight-glass housing or a poor seal can cause
a suction leak. This can allow air to enter the inlet of the
pump when it is in operation. Air bubbles in the pump
head can cause cavitations that erode the impeller and
pump head on metal pumps. It can also damage the shaft
seal. It causes binding of the impeller on plastic head
pumps.
Check bonding lugs for corrosion and tightness on metal
strainers. Clean and replace connections as necessary.

Maintenance

QUARTERLY
• Condensate Drains
Pour a quart of water into the condensate pans. If it does
not drain quickly then check the drain pan and lines for
blockages.
• Electrical Connections
Inspect electrical connections and tightened as needed.
Heat and vibration can cause connections to loosen
causing poor contact and voltage drops. This can lead to
arcing, burnt wires and nuisance tripping of the breaker.
Remove electrical power and lockout prior to performing
electrical checks.
• Hose Clamps
Check the hose connections on the condenser coil, auger
outlet, pump, sea strainer and thru-hull fittings. In most
situations, a nut-driver or screwdriver will provide suf-
ficient torque to tighten a clamp. Use caution when using
a socket set, it is easy to over tighten the clamp and cause
damage to its threads.
Do not use power tools to tighten hose clamps!
• Insulation
Inspect insulation for tears or open seams. Replace or
repair damaged sections as necessary.
• Thru-Hull Fittings
Debris such as plastic bags can be sucked onto thru-hull
fittings causing a restriction of water flow. Marine growth
build up can also be a problem. Inspect thru-hulls and
clean before the restriction becomes severe. Severe water
restrictions diminish the capacity of the system and can
cause pump failures.
• Fresh Water Filter
When the ice machine is in constant use, replace the
water filter cartridge every three months. For occasional
or weekend use replace every six months. To remove the
filter turn off the fresh water supply. Place a container
under the filter housing to catch any water that spills out
when removing it. To release, turn the housing in the
direction of the arrow until it stops, then pull down. Some
filter housings can be turned by hand and some require
a wrench. To prevent damage to the housing use the
wrench provided by the manufacturer.
OM-NI 2/20
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