Old 1994 HP81 Manitowoc Ice Machine problem solving part 1

Patience, problem solving and pulling a few rabbits out of the hat to keep this old unit limping along, time for a new $3,600. ice machine

[@jeremyfairchild4271]

I grew up working with my dad as a kid. He was a single father so I got to run service calls with him since I was 5 years old. Love your videos man. It's nice to see some of the old ways you still use incorporated with some new ways. Sometimes the old way is better, and unfortunately, without videos like you make, younger techs don't get to see different ways of doing this. My phone alerts me every time you add a new video. Ive seen them all. I learn something from each one. Much Respect!!

[@JamesPettinato]

+Jeremy Fairchild thank you for the comment

[@mikelain13]

Thank you for taking the time to teach, Jim.

[@philliprickman1394]

I enjoy your videos. I am an old tech, but I still like to watch and learn. One thing I do in a situation like this is to check my pressure on the low side during harvest. If it doesn't increase enough in harvest, it isn't getting enough liquid to warm the evaporator plate. One quick check is to use your gauges to mimic the hot gas solenoid. You can bleed liquid through your gauges during harvest to raise the suction pressure to 85-90 psi on the low side. This is something I learned from Manitowoc tech support several years ago.

[@JamesPettinato]

+Phillip Rickman That's a good trick, thanks. I changed the defrost solonoid trying to get more flow, the result was minimal.

[@philliprickman1394]

+Jim Pettinato Jim, I don't know if you've gotten the issue resolved, but I'll put in my two cents for what it's worth. You can tell a lot from the cubes that you can get to drop. If they are significantly dimpled on the bottom of the cube, you can be fairly certain that you have enough heat to drop the ice. If that is the case, the plate is probably too rough to allow the ice to slide off. Also, you mentioned that you observed the suction line for proper charge. On these machines, they may freeze with a low refrigerant charge, but won't harvest. It takes more refrigerant to harvest than to freeze. I know you recovered the refrigerant to replace the solenoid valve, but did you weigh in the correct charge? I like the trick with the heater. I'll have to remember that one. I'm sorry it didn't correct the problem for you. I know from experience that this is a frustrating problem to solve. Good luck.

[@JerryLynch2]

Phil where you out of?

[@tjdot8]

Sir I really appreciate your content. I see it's been over two years since your last posting. Hope all is well with you sir. I know you may not have time to make a video but if you could stop to just comment for a minute I would appreciate it greatly to know that you are alive and well. Over the last week or so watching your videos pretty much daily I really appreciate the value your content provides.

[@jonathansmith3019]

Nice job, Jim. Great to see more videos from you. Thanks for posting.

[@1984juant]

I am starting to love your videos. I call your videos: knowledge with experience. thanks

[@alastairfrew4014]

Merry Christmas Jim really enjoy the videos keep posting

[@JamesPettinato]

+Alastair Frew Merry Christmas to you too

[@rocker8692]

You're a wealth of knowledge, good vid.

[@justinjohnson2877]

Merry Christmas to you Jim. Thanks for these video's, they are appreciated. Justin (uk).

[@rrodgers3285]

Great vid how did u learn how to work on Manitowocs

[@rrodgers3285]

Great vid but How did u figure out it wz the silinoid

[@zaprodk]

From what i have learned about transformers and coils (solenoids) - if there is no metal core that can transfer the flux, the coil is a dead short and will cook. The same thing happens if you try to power up the coils of an transformer with the metal core removed. Powering a core for a contactor with the core removed will lead to 25 times the normal running current.

[@JamesPettinato]

+zaprodk good info, thanks for sharing

[@jrshrum8426]

How much would it cost to get a unit like that checked out? I had a friend give one to me and I already now it need the sensor board.

[@hvac526]

Do you loose a lot refrigerant with them hoses

[@jmrhvac4542]

nice to see new video nice job jim

[@JamesPettinato]

+james rook thanks

[@roelfrancisrodriguez6649]

sir Jim what's the refrigerant for that machine

[@crazyk662able]

Did you check the nickel coating on the evaporator plate if it fading off it will not drop the ice?

[@JamesPettinato]

+Keith Bell it was the first thing I checked, the evap was very good, thanks

[@sajidkhan-om3tq]

Hy sir my ice hanging problum when I started the ice macine frieon is low suction discharge pipe very hot

[@harrydickson4575]

Nice work Jim

[@JamesPettinato]

+Harry Dickson thanks

[@jakem117]

Jim is a great guy, a smart guy too. Something gave though, and he decided to put the books down. That was his end in my opinion. I've seen him do great things, and heard him say things that literally make zero sense

[@mrlevelle]

Your videos are great

[@georgesiatos9848]

very good video!!!!!

[@jo6520]

Hp 81 sells on ebay 237.00 for 13 lbs container.

[@xz86]

Nickle plated cuber are the worst kind of ice machine. over time it will fall off and ice will stick and wont drop. had a Manitowoc only last 6 years

[@felixgarcia3788]

the ice bridge is too tick

[@JamesPettinato]

+felix garcia I wanted the extra weight to help the slab to fall, thanks

[@todddunn5912]

looks like your using map gas big mistake takes to long to heat tranfers heat to valve 5 to 7 seconds only on a valve o/e only !!!!!!!!!!!!!