Scotsman ice-machine make ice but not dropping ice

[Tito]

Do you have a model and serial? We need to know how this unit drops ice after a harvest. When you cleaned I am assuming you descaled and sanitized.

[Henry1010]

My ice machine model Scotsman CU0715 . Can’t you help me please !!

[Tito]

Make sure to clean with nickels safe scale remover. and sanitize.
That unit should have a hot gas valve that needs to open at the end of it’s harvest cycle. The ice should fall shortly after. you need to check that valve and make sure it opens. The ice should fall all at once. If it doesn’t check the thickness on the bridge. The ice between the cubes of ice should be 1/8 inch. thickness could also cause issues. I would look at those few things before worrying about pressure and other issues that could cause this problem. @fixbear usually has some good advice. Hopefully he can chime in as well.

[Darkbrew]

Make sure if you’re going into the harvest cycle, or if you’re stuck in freeze. W an empty plate it should take 20 minutes or so to make a batch of ice, then it SHOULD go into harvest to drop the ice. You can tell the harvest because the UNIT will sound different and pump out the left over water. If it’s not doing that, you’re probably stuck in freeze. If you’re not sure, wait the 20 or so minutes of freeze, then once you have a sheet of ice, switch the machine off, then on again. That should trigger a harvest cycle. If it drops then, you’re stuck in freeze. Once you know which cycle has the problem, you can troubleshoot from there.

[fixbear]

Like most anonymous post we get very little information on what the machine is. Guess they really don’t want a answer to their problem. But from what little we do have it’s a cube Scotsman. That only brings it down to a couple hundred different models. Odd’s are that it will be less than 10 years old due to average lifespan. Without knowing the big one on harvest problems, the number and type of evaporators, I hate to guess. But since the EPA got involved with the machines, they Usually have some form of harvest assist. Either mechanical pin or air compressor. Most of the ones I’ve worked on have been a cleaning problem. Have to say around 90%. Others have had a mechanical problem with the plate separators lifting or having the wrong cleaner used on it, rendering the evaporator useless forever. Then there is the small number with sensing/control problems. And the very rare low charge or refrigeration problem.

So let’s see if we can get a model number on this.

[Henry1010]

Fixbear it is Scotsman CU0715 . The tech guys he cleaned it and check the hot gas he said it work everything and checked the thick and thin ice . It have problem can’t push on (+) only(-) work and he don’t know what to do . He said he need call for Scotsman company to ask for a shoot but didn’t come back after take 500$ . I can’t believe with any tech from now on. So I try to clean it again with scale remove. I can push (+) now for the thick ice after I make the hole on it . It run great but still can’t drop the ice . Only if I make it really thin then it work . I can’t hide any teach anymore . So please help me !!! Sorry English is my second langue hope you guys can understand 🙏🙏🙏

[fixbear]

What happens with undercounter machines is the evaporator (ice plate) builds up minerals over time. Thats why it is very important to use Scotsman ice machine cleaner. Normally every 6 months. If you have used other cleaners, you may have etched the plates. Or you may have a build up of minerals on the plates. Turn the machine off and let it dry. Then take a mirror and flashlight to inspect the plates. If you see pitting or flaking of the nickel plating, the evaporator is done. If you see a dull coating, then it needs deep cleaning. Check the vertical plates that are the dividers for the cubes. Sometimes they get pushed away from the back by the ice. They can be pushed back with a soft mallet and light taps.

Now the machine can be reprogrammed to add time to the defrost. That may help. You can find that in this service manual; SC-CU0415_sm.pdf (static-pt.com) along with proper cleaning instructions. Hope this helps you.

[fixbear]

Henry, when the machine is switched on to make ice, Watch the lights and note the time it takes. Especially when the blue shuts off and how long till the yellow comes on as well as the length of time the yellow is on and ice falls. I ask this to verify that the thermistor on the evaporator outlet is triggering harvest correctly.

[Henry1010]

Thank you sir!!! I just check it . I don’t know it look bad or not .and how to fix it . Can you help me

[fixbear]

Run the clean cycle with cleaner for 30 minutes. Re-inspect. If that doens’t solve the plate issue, you’ll have to rplace either the evaporator or the machine. Repacing the evaporator will cost more than 1/2 the cost of the machine, and by the chassis rust you may be better served with a new one. But try a extended clean cycle first.

[Darkbrew]

Hmmm…..hard to say from the pics. To me it looks like you may have some deplating around the edges of the cross grids. Fixbear is right, if you need a new evaporator plate, (unless you can change it yourself) you’re better off getting a new machine. That unit is only $2200, other than warranty repairs, it’s hardly worth fixing.

[fixbear]

Darkbrew, I agree that it’s difficult from the pictures, but I do see mineral build-up in the corners and center of the pockets. You have to ignore the very center pictures due to flash reflection. I would do a deep cleaning with cleaner before making any determination. What bothers me more, is he stated that he can’t get the plus button to do anything. He needs that to be able to lengthen the harvest cycle like most older machines require as the plates etch from age.