Components
Component that reject heat into the atmosphere.
Condenser
Helps control head pressure by de-energizing evaporator/condenser fans.
Fan-Cycling
Transparent industrial glass used to see into the liquid line.
Sight Glass
What is frozen water called.
ICE
- Low system capacity
- Starved evaporator (high superheat)
- High compression ratio
- Bubbles in sight glass
- Low suction & discharge pressure
Refrigerant Undercharge
An electrical device that can store energy in the form of an electric charge.
Capacitor
Regulates airflow inside the ductwork system. Opens and closes slowly to restrict or enable airflow through the ductwork.
Dampers/Shutters
Installed into discharge line to separate the oil from the refrigerant and return the oil to the compressor crankcase.
Oil Separator
Running water over an evaporator plate in which the copper evaporator tubing is soldered onto the plates at regular intervals. (Half moon shaped).
Crescent-Shaped Ice Cubes
- High discharge & suction pressure
- High compression ratios
- High subcooling
- Normal superheat w TXV, Low superheat w capillary tube or fixed orfice
Refrigerant Overcharge
Auger
Accomplished by having enough refrigerant in the system to flood the condenser in both mild and cold weather to keep head pressure constant.
Condenser Flooding
Used to reduce noise levels and to reduce vibration effects.
Vibration Eliminators
Usually have vertical evaporator plates with water flowing over the individual cells. Utilizes an ice thickness probe.
Cell-Type Ice Cubes
- Low suction pressure
- Sweaty or frosted suction line to the compressor
- Low head pressure
- Low superheat
- Cold compressor & High compressor amp draw
Inefficient Evaporator
Valve used to limit the pressure that returns to the compressor in the suction line.
Crankcase Pressure Regulator (CPR)
Splitting is done in such a way that only one-half of the condenser is used for winter operation and both halves for summer operation.
Condenser Splitting
Solenoid Valve
Uses an auger inside a freezing cylinder, then straight to the bin.
Flake Ice
- High head pressure
- Normal to slightly high suction pressure
- Normal to slightly low evaporator superheats
- High compression ratio & compressor amp draw
- Normal-to-High condenser subcooling
Inefficient Condenser
Regulates flow of refrigerant. Maintains a constant pressure in the evaporator.
Automatic Expansion Valve (AXV)
Varies the speed of a fan motor gradually according to head pressure or outside ambient temperature changes.
Variable-Frequency Drive (VFD)
Located in the liquid line and is used to store the liquid refrigerant after it leaves the condenser.
Receiver
Flake ice machine with a different extrusion head.
Cubelet or Nugget Ice Cube
- Low suction pressure
- High superheats
- Overheated compressor
- Low amp draw & head pressure
- Bubbles in sight glass
- Temp drop in the liquid line across the restriction
Refrigerant Flow Restrictions