Summit Undercounted Ice Maker won't drop ice

[fixbear]

I don’t have much information on a Summit machine. However, it is a cuber that uses a vertical plate and spray bar design. So it has to have a pump, sump, and something to sense the ice thickness and harvest. But they may just use time. They claim it makes a batch every 20 min. So somewhere between 14 and 17 it will be making ice and 3 to 6 min harvest. They problable have a temp probe on the tail pipe of the evaporator to sense that the ice is made. Most machines of this style use a thickness sensor that is neer the top and center of the evaporator. When it contacts the water it trips into harvest. Harvest turns on a hot gas solenoid to heat the evaporator and drop the ice.

Now the most common problem with cube ice makers is harvest. and the biggest cause is a lack of proper cleaning. Water has minerals and they build up on the plates and create friction so the ice doesn’t drop as it should. You will need to clean the machine with nickel-safe cleaner to remove that before going further. After that you can start the machine and time how long it is in ice and when it goes to harvest. How long is the harvest?

When it is in harvest, one of the evaporator pipes will get quite hot. the other will start to warm as the cycle continues. If not, you may be low on charge or have a hot gas solenoid problem. If the tail pipe on the evaporator gets warm, then it definitely will be a dirty evaporator or the cube divider’s have lifted from the plate. Ice expands as it freezes and if the divider plates are not tight to the back, it will lift them. then the ice gets a small hook under the divider preventing a sheet fall.

More information is always helpful for someone remotely trying to help. So a complete model number, and age of machine helps. Also, Is the water filtered for ice-making?

[SummitHelp]

Thanks so much for your help. I have cleaned it as you mentioned, but think I’m going to go back over again and pay attention to a couple of your points in the process. If it doesn’t resolve, I’m sure I’ll be back. Much appreciated!

[fixbear]

You can see the condition of the evaporator better when dry. Use a heat gun and light to inspect it for a gray/white haze mineral coating. Plates should be shiny, not dull. Also the divider plates to be in full contact with the ice plate. If high in any area, you can softly tap them down with a piece of hardwood and a mallet.