I have a Manitowoc Ice Machine ID0302A-161 it will not drop the ice. it will freeze solid over the ice thickness control Probe

[fixbear]

This machine is the smallest of the Idigo machines they make.  That being said, they are one of the best machines built. For a Indigo to do that it would lock out and code you.  What does your display say?

 

Probable causes are that the machine needs to be cleaned,  Has a low water pressure, bad thermistor,  or a open harvest probe.  Start by properly cleaning the machine with Manitowoc ice machine cleaner and sanitizer.  Follow your manual on  this.  Especially the water level probes and thickness sensor.  Cleanliness is a must for proper harvest.  As is the machine being level.  Also with a air cooled model the ambient air temp must be above 68 F  for proper heat during defrost/harvest.

 

   The machine locks out the harvest sensor for 6 min in the beginning of the freeze cycle.  After 6 min. the controller watches for sensor conductivity (can be seen on the board harvest light) till it is solid for 5 to 7 seconds. Then the machine goes into harvest. Opens the water drain and sends hot gas through the evaporator. If you have low ambient temperatures the hot gas will be marginal,  delaying harvest.  The spray cover then opens from the ice dropping. It should be a solid sheet with a 1/8 inch bridge. If the bridge is to thin,  it will get a false harvest from just to bottom of the evaporator making the machine think it completed a harvest and go back into freeze cycle.. This again can come from a dirty machine. 

[fixbear]

Just in case you do not have the manuals on this mach, I’ll include them here.

http://download.partstown.com/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Reedy-PartsTown-Site/-/en_US/manuals/MAN-Indigo_iom .pdf http://download.partstown.com/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Reedy-PartsTown-Site/-/en_US/manuals/MAN-Indigo_sm.pdf

[guest]

when its freezing and touching probe is the light flashing? if not replace your thickness probe.cleaning probe makes it worse.

[john]

Guest wrote:

 

when its freezing and touching probe is the light flashing? if not replace your thickness probe.cleaning probe makes it worse.

I don’t know how accurate it is to say cleaning makes the probe worse if it already needs to be replaced. While OP may need to replace the probe, if they have not cleaned the machine regularly, that’s a habit that should start now.

[fixbear]

The key to cleaning the probe is to remove it,  Clean it in the machine cleaner solution,  Then thoroughly dry it,  Then rinse in clean water and dry it again.  Any conductive film on the surface will cause a false reading. Q-tips and a little alcohol helps as well.  Remember, the machine cleaner is a strong Phosphoric acid and very conductive if left on the plastic insulating surfaces.

[guest]

I have never wasted much time with attempted cleaning of the ice probe. You’re far ahead by replacing the probe if you suspect it dirty or open.

[fixbear]

To replace a open probe, yes it is necessary.  But to drop a customers $100 bucks for a dirty one is not serving your customer well or being honest with them.  .