Ice machines
Save money on service calls! Check these things first.
Before you call Aerco, here are a few things that you can check in order to potentially save yourself some time and money.
- If the unit plugs into a socket, check to see if it is plugged in all the way. The plug may have accidentally been dislodged.
- Check the breaker box to see if the breaker that the piece of equipment is on has tripped. This happens when the load on the circuit increases due to a power surge or from the equipment pulling in more power than normal. If the breaker continually trips, you will want to call someone to look at the equipment as there may be something wrong with the unit.
- Check the thermostat settings. It is possible that the settings were accidentally altered. If the settings are wrong and you don’t know how to change them, most manufacturers have online manuals and some offer free support for changing the settings.
- Check to see if any of the fans are obstructed at all. If the fans are even partially blocked, this can interfere with the unit’s ability to remove the unwanted heat.
- Check to see if the fans are currently running. If the fans are not running, it is possible your unit is going through a defrost cycle. The defrost cycle is designed to clear frost from the cooling coils as frost reduces the efficiency of the coils to remove heat. Typically, a defrost cycle doesn’t last more than 10 minutes, though the fans can be off for up to 15 minutes as there is a delay from when the defrost cycle ends and the fans start again. It is also important to note that some systems are designed so that the fans won’t run while the door is open, so it is important to check the fans with the door closed.
What to do when there is a problem
If none of the above suggestions fix the problem, here’s what to do:
- Gather up the answers to the questions below. This will give the technician an idea of what the problem could be and they will be able to bring the proper parts and equipment to resolve the situation.
- Give Aerco a call at 1-800-663-0401.
Is Your Ice Machine Producing Any Ice At All?
If YES |
If NO |
| Is it producing slabs of ice or blocks? | Have you checked your breakers to ensure that they are not tripped? |
| Is it making too much ice? | Does the unit sound as if it is on? |
| Is it not making enough ice? | Did it just stop working? |
| Do you have a full bin of ice? | Has the water to the unit been interrupted? |
| Have you had a power outage? |
Troubleshooting
PROBLEM |
POSSIBLE REASON |
POSSIBLE SOLUTION |
| Ice Machine not producing | If your unit is water cooled, has the water been turned off recently? | Confirm that the water has been restored and then reset the high pressure control by pressing the reset button. Ask your service agent for instructions. |
| Are the breakers on? | If they are off, turn on. If tripped, please call your service agent before resetting. | |
| Are you busier than normal and the ice machine is producing but not keeping up? | Call service agent to verify requirements of your ice machine. | |
| Is ice machine running continuously and not producing adequate quantity of ice? | Ice machine may need cleaning. Follow instructions for cleaning the water side of ice machine |
How can I control my ice machine repair costs?
Check on your ice machine every morning. You’ll likely be able to avoid overtime charges and your ice machine will be back in service sooner.
The average time to repair an ice machine can be between 4 to 6 hours for small problems and up to 8 to 12 hours for more serious problems.
If you discover a problem with your ice machine at 4:00 pm on a weekday, it could be 8:00 pm the next day before it is going again. It will then take another couple of hours to make enough ice that you can use. You will end up paying over time rates to get the machine fixed. It may be more practical to buy some ice and call the next day. In some cases it may not be practical to do this and you will need to call for service.