Manitowoc Ice Machines Manuals for Service Techs

There are many different Manitowoc ice makers on the market and even more different methods to diagnose and repair.  It’s impossible to remember everything, that’s why professional service technicians use the help of a book, known as a Service Tech Handbook.  The manual is treated just like any other tool, like a screw driver, this book should be on you anytime you work on an ice machine.

Unlike the information found in an installation use and care manual, Service Tech Handbooks go into detailed maintenance information.  In addition to covering proper installation techniques, details on line sizes, temperature requirements, and operation details are included.  Each technician handbook comes with all the information you need to properly diagnose an ice maker.  These same books are the same ones used in house by Manitowoc service reps, to help diagnose machines over the phone.

Many of the most common problems associated with faulty ice makers can be solved with simple flow charts.  These charts, included inside each handbook, provide step by step processes to follow.  By filling in the information asked, the chart points you to the problematic ice maker part.

Just looking for refrigeration pressures or even basic cycle times?  Manitowoc service manuals provide all the details you need, covering varying temperature statistics, wiring diagrams, and sequence of operations.  All of the information included in the manual was written and designed by Manitowoc Ice.  The information is guaranteed to be accurate and relevant to the ice maker series you purchased.

Most Manitowoc ice maker boards provide simple safety limit codes, to help in the diagnosis.  However, the codes are not always readily explained, these Service Tech Handbooks solve that problem.  Each handbook covers what the safety limit means, what could have caused it, and ways to fix it.

Ultimately, a Service Tech Handbook is the secret weapon of the foodservice repair industry.  Professionals that would charge upwards of $80 or more per hour to repair your ice maker, turn to the help of a Manitowoc Service Manual.  Whether you have a water, electrical, or refrigeration related problem, these manuals will help you get your ice maker back to peak performance.

Find Manitowoc Ice Machines Manuals for just $10 each at IceMakerPartsShop.com.

Download free KoolAire Service Technician Handbooks from Ice Maker Parts Shop.

What's Not Covered Under Ice Machine Warranty

If you've purchased a new ice machine, chances are that brand comes with a new warranty as well.  Currently, the commercial ice machine landscape has competitive warranties.  For example, Manitowoc Ice offers 3 years parts and labor on the entire machine, along with an additional 2 years parts warranty on the compressor and a total of 5 years parts and labor on the evaporator.  But that doesn't mean every problem you experience with your ice maker is covered under warranty.

The warranty information, found in the Installation Use and Care Manual of an ice machine, states that normal maintenance is not covered under warranty.  Unfortunately, most ice machine problems arise from failure to do normal routine maintenance.

Cleanliness is the #1 reason ice machines fail or break.  Dirty probes cause the board to misread, leading to a failure to produce ice.  A call to your local service company will fix the problem, but this is not an issue covered under warranty.

If a dirty ice maker is the #1 reason for failure, installation issues would rank as #2.  For example, an ice machine installed with water lines that are too small.  If an ice maker is starving for water it will not produce ice properly and eventually shut down on a safety limit.  Or, if an air-cooled ice maker is installed in a location with poor air flow, the ice maker will shut down on high head pressure.  These are not things covered by warranty and should have been addressed by the person installing the ice machine.

Things to check before placing a service call under the assumption that it will be covered under warranty:

• Is it dirty? Inspect all sensors for scale build up or mold on the plastic and metal parts.
• Was the unit installed properly?  Make sure the ice maker has proper air flow and has a constant water supply.
• Ask the dealer you purchased the machine from if it would be covered.  Most ice maker equipment dealers will be happy to answer questions about the warranty on your new ice machine.
• Check your warranty.  Time flies when you are having fun and so does the warranty on your ice machine.  Some manufacturers provide online tracking of your warranty, look it up before calling for service.

Check the status of your Manitowoc ice machine warranty: http://manitowocice.com/?xhtml=xhtml/mii/us/en/minisite/warranty/warrantyverification.html&xsl=minisite.xsl

By providing the service company or manufacturer with your model and serial number you can verify the warranty on your ice machine.  But be warned, warranties vary from company to company, along with install location.  Most home installs have a shorter warranty period than commercial installs, even if the ice makers are the same models.

Why Are Some Ice Cubes Hollow

A typical problem with commercial ice makers is that the quality of ice can change over time. Cleanliness, quality of ice maker parts, and quality of water can all affect how the ice turns out. Bad ice is usually referred to as hollow ice or cubes that don't seem to completely form properly.  These types of ice chip easily and even cause problems with the ice maker's operation.

The ice thickness control is the ice machine part that tells the board when to initiate harvest.  If the ice thickness control or ice probe is set to thin, it will cause a premature harvest, which would then lead to hollow cubes.  Freeze cycles can also vary, so consult your ice makers installation use and care manual on what thickness  the ice probe should be set at.  Manitowoc ice makers recommend an ice thickness probe be set at at an 1/8th of an inch.

Like a premature harvest a long harvest can also cause hollow cubes.  Consider this, if the ice maker is not harvesting properly, the ice will simply hang on the evaporator.  The cubes will eventually melt off of the evaporator and fall into the bin.  Long harvests are most commonly indicated by a dirty ice machine.  Minerals and scale build up will hold the ice onto the evaporator, forcing the slab of ice to melt partially before harvesting and falling properly.  Solution, thoroughly clean your ice machine.