During the operation of the vertical ice machine, the following precautions should be taken to ensure efficient operation, extend the service life, and ensure safety:
1、 Installation environment requirements
Stay away from heat sources and direct sunlight: The vertical ice maker generates heat during operation, so the installation environment needs to be well ventilated and away from heat sources (such as boilers, ovens, etc.) and direct sunlight to prevent high ambient temperatures from affecting condenser heat dissipation and reducing ice making efficiency.
Environmental temperature control: The installation environment temperature should not be too high, generally not exceeding 35 ℃ (some models recommend not exceeding 38 ℃), to avoid poor heat dissipation of the condenser.
Space layout: The gap between the back and left and right sides of the device should not be less than 30cm (some models recommend not less than 50cm), and the gap at the top should not be less than 60cm to ensure sufficient heat dissipation. At the same time, the ground should be solid and flat, and the equipment should be kept level to prevent ice detachment or noise during operation due to tilting.
2、 Requirements for power and water sources
Independent power supply: The vertical flake ice machine should use an independent power supply, dedicated line power supply, and be equipped with fuses and leakage protection switches to ensure electrical safety.
Reliable grounding: The equipment must be reliably grounded to prevent electrical leakage from causing safety accidents.
Water source standard: The water source used must comply with the national drinking water standard and be equipped with a water filtration device to filter impurities in the water, avoid blocking water pipes, contaminating water tanks and ice molds, and affecting ice making performance.
3、 Operating standards
Pre startup inspection: Before starting up, it is necessary to check whether the automatic water supply device is working properly and whether the water tank storage capacity is reasonable. Ensure that all components of the equipment are securely connected and free from looseness or damage.
Start sequence: After plugging in the power, the ice maker starts working. First, the water pump runs for about 2 minutes before the compressor starts, and the machine enters the ice making state. Avoid frequent start stop of the compressor, which may affect the lifespan of the equipment.
Ice making thickness control: When the ice sheet reaches the set thickness, the ice sheet probe starts, the defrost solenoid valve works, and the ice sheet falls. Users can adjust the ice making thickness according to their needs to ensure the quality of ice flakes.
Full ice shutdown protection: When the bucket is full of ice, the magnetic spring switch cannot automatically close and the machine will automatically stop working. After taking enough ice cubes, the magnetic spring switch will close again, and after a delay of 3 minutes, the machine will start again and enter the ice making process. Avoid forcibly removing ice when it is full, which may damage the equipment.
4、 Maintenance and upkeep
Regular cleaning:
Condenser: It is recommended to clean air-cooled condensers every 2 months (or every month in special circumstances), and water-cooled condensers every 6 months (or every 3 months in special circumstances). Use a vacuum cleaner and a small brush to clean the dust on the surface of the condenser, avoiding the use of sharp metal tools to prevent damage.
Water tanks, evaporators, storage refrigerators, etc.: It is recommended to clean them once a month using neutral cleaning agents, and it is strictly prohibited to use corrosive solvents such as acidic and alkaline ones. After cleaning, air dry before use to improve the quality of ice flakes.
Inlet valve filter: Every two months, unscrew the inlet hose head and clean the inlet valve filter to avoid impurities blocking the inlet, causing a decrease in water intake or failure to make ice.
Gearbox maintenance: Regularly check whether the bolts of the gearbox are stable and whether the rotation is smooth and steady. Replace the gear oil once a year to ensure the normal operation of the gearbox.
Compressor observation: Compressors with oil sight glasses need to regularly observe the oil level and color. The normal oil level is at 1/2 of the sight glass, and the refrigeration oil should be transparent and colorless. When abnormal oil level or cloudy oil color is found, it should be dealt with in a timely manner.
5、 Safety precautions
Power off operation: Before carrying out any maintenance, repair or other work, the main power supply of the ice maker must be cut off to prevent electric shock accidents.
Avoid stacking debris: The condenser fan should be kept at least 1 meter away from the wall, with no debris piled up around to ensure good heat dissipation of the machine.
Prevent water splashing: When cleaning equipment, it is strictly prohibited to directly flush the machine body with a water pipe to prevent water splashing into electrical components and causing short circuits or damage.
Attention to handling: When handling the vertical ice machine, be careful and handle it gently to prevent severe vibration. The handling slope should not be less than 45 degrees, and after long-distance transportation, it should be left for 2-6 hours before turning on the ice maker to prevent equipment damage.
