Portable Ice Machines (and fixing one of their many problems)
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2020
- With summer in full swing I'm dragging out this countertop ice machine to cool my drinks, but first I need to figure out why it doesn't want to work for me.
Please note: Uploading this video was an afterthought. There are inconsistencies/errors in my statements and weirdness to some of the video clips. - Наука та технологія
Excellent video. Thx for concise quick info. Just fixed 2nd one I’ve had. Those mechanical micro switches always first to go. Works great now!
My unit was leaking, so I finally decided to open it, with the aid of this video. Turns out there's a little spout that was machined to have too deep of a curve and the water would splash back out. I just had to pull out the spout and flatten it a bit. Problem solved! Thank you.
Aww, thought you were going to be the first YTer I found after a looong search to do a legit full teardown of one of these.... They're definitely in that range of "not terribly expensive but also NOT triflingly cheap either", so I totally understand without first having a proper motivation to do so. My motivation for knowing all the specs & dimensions of the guts is from my desire to "un-dress" the entire front facade, leaving the back cover for cooling system protection (not all identical in build quality in that department as SS-wrapped models can be pretty sturdy) and MacGyver/Frankenstein-ing it into either the side of a proper cooler with the heat producing refrigerator guts affix outside of it & sealed away like normal construction provides, just with an area cut through the new cooler to accommodate the ice factory bits
Informative and got a few giggles on the way.
You would be awesome to work with.
BTW. Have a SPT version of the same ole device for a camper. Almost tossed it out. Your repair was spot on, thanks.
Those micro switches seem to fail all the time, esp. when there is water present. I have replaced them on our fridge ice maker(x2) and water softener. Opening up the failing switches does not show an oblivious point of failure. Buying those switches by the bag, as you had suggested, is a good idea.
My unit died. At first, I thought it was the pump. The tray would go up, but not fill. After resetting it a few times, it eventually started filling though, but wouldn't make it through more than one or two ice dumps. At least I know it wasn't the pump. The behavior in general was erratic, the like the tray going up and down four times in a row. I assumed it was a control board, but after looking around, I saw a bunch of videos (including this one!) detailing the same issue. The side bumper switch failing. Weirdly always the side one and seemingly never the top one. The side switch must get more wear and tear. I've got replacements ordered for a few $, and look forward to replacing that. Sadly I didn't see this video before order the new switches, so I ordered exactly replacements rather than superior versions. I am going to solder in some sort of clips to make changing out the switches easier though, so when they fail, I can just unplug the switch and plug in the new one. Female compression style wire connectors...whatever those are called. The ones that accept little pads of metal. I just need to swing by a hardware store and find ones in the right size.
The much weirder thing here is how universal the guts of this thing are. There's at least four brands putting their own shell over the exact same internal parts. I guess it's good that we can be sure there will always be replacement parts around, and if a major part dies, you can probably find a broken unit somewhere to strip the part from... or buy a cheap new unit and keep your old one for spare parts. The sad side is that there is pretty much no competition for quality here. If every brand is selling the same thing, it doesn't matter which you buy, just buy the cheap one. So many products are going down that path, but this is more egregious case of it than I'm used to. This is going to be fun product to hack. The more it fails, the more I'll tear it apart and make improvements.
I found one for $10 brand new at yard sale. I let my sister use it and now it doesn't work. Needless to say I'm taking it back and fixing it and keeping it this time. Thanks for the video it'll help.
Thanks for all your tips ! Great help.
It goes in the condenser as a hot high pressure gas and it leaves the condenser as a sub cooled high pressure liquid. It then enters the evaporator through a metering device which in this case would be a capillary tube that sprays the freon in a liquid droplet and subcooled gas mixture where the freon picks up heat and starts it's journey again!
I just subscribed to you because of this video....this is exactly what's wrong with my Aicok ice machine....I took it all apart t and cleaned it but didn't know about these switches or what to look for. Now thanks to you I do. But what a pain in the ass to take it all back apart again.... 😂 Thank you so much....never soldered before but I'm gonna try.
I just used switches that looked "close enough". I don't really have a spec or preference or anything. Good luck with the soldering!
So, are those switches for low pressure and high pressure side of the compressor?
And now I've searched for both (r)ice makers in one night. Need a rice one more but this would be pretty nice to have.
I really like the backdrop. I really like your room. Not sure why. It feels really familiar to me. Like I've been there before.
Refrigerant R 134 A 2.3 Oz
Best to put some flux core solder on the iron for desoldering, that way it protects the iron and works faster.
Careful with old solder as it might create shorts with its flux on PCBs.
Hot glue a rubber gasket in the cap for easy removal.
Cool video!! Mine won’t detect a full ice bin most of the time so it’ll keep making ice. A little annoying.
Mine is very erratic. Will check out those switches.
I have a Frigidaire model that's nearly brand new with a very noisy water pump, sometimes it clatters like crazy when filling up. The whole unit is pristine clean, it's had pure RO water going into it the whole time
I just watched this video, and am going to take mine apart tomorrow. I can hear pump come on, but doesn't put any water into the back underneath the metal prongs. I hope it is as simple as replacing the switches. I will let you know.
thanks for sharing this information , with my ice machine i don't know what i did but now its not making ice anymore, i called myself cleaning my ice machine tilted it sideways and now no ice, the coils are not freezing up like before i just bought this machine in April of 2023. I just made ice last week so i don't know what went wrong with my ice maker.
Thank you for making this simple and doable!!! I actually have a kuppet ice maker and it recently stopped making ice! I've had it for 2 years and it worked fine! I tried to open it just like you did but there are 2-3 screws that won't budge! 2 are a bit rusted!!! HELP!!
These are skills I wish I had.
I have a Frigidaire ice maker I bought in Costco for 90$ it works fine, but sometimes it will freeze up and I won’t hear the 9 cubes drop into the tray. I just turn it off and let built up ice melt a little.
How could anyone dislike this video? Its excellent!
Probably because he doesn't fix their particular problem. Not justifying it.
In fact, I hate when people do that.
Not only was this was the most informative video about these machines, but the guy is explaining it well and hes entertaining
This is what is going on with mine. I'm not sure I can fix it myself but...
I'm gonna try to fix it.
I've gotten spoiled to having my countertop ice machine.
Great , thanks !
That's just what I need to know to fix the exact same problem with mine .
Much appreciated !
Where did you gt the piece from you replaced?
@@charissikawells7093 Honestly I'm don't remember but I think it was Amazon
What is the model and number where you can get it for the micro relay Thank you hi from New York City
Hi and thanks for the video I have a similar machine that I've had for about 6 years or so with no problems at all until last night I found that the pice on the tray that connects to the small motor had broken am trying a method to fix it if it works I will update
Hi there, thanks for posting this video, I’ve just stripped my ice machine down because the physical connection to the tray had snapped on the motor side, on further investigation the motor doesn’t stop turning when one of the limit switch is pressed, however the switch switches electrically (continuity tested) so I think it maybe the relay, therefore.. new snapped tray & new PCB. Does this sound right?
Yeah I think the control board operates the motor and the switch is its own thing to the board as well, not in series.
Is it okay to move an ice maker a few inches if it's already running, or do you have to empty it and turn it off and wait a couple of hours to turn it on again? I heard you aren't supposed to move it at all once it's running...
you can move it without incident. And three minutes rest after stopping is plenty.
Thank you!!!
The only problem with those machines is that they can get pretty gross if you don't clean em often.
Yea it gets a but musty if used nonstop for a week. That's where the drain comes in so you can wash, rinse and refill it without leaving residue inside. :D
Sam's Club sells a product called Sanitizer. What a name. It's a red concentrate liquid. This is the same stuff restaurants use to clean appliances and dishes and whatnot. It's good stuff. Dilute it like 1 oz to a gallon of water and run that in the ice maker and let it cycle. Drain. Don't eat that ice, obviously. Let it all air dry. That's the best way to keep these clean. The stuff is awesome.
@@CelGenStudiosexcellent video, very interesting and informative.
@@CelGenStudiosI was given one of these and on the cover there are the letters S and L what do they mean?
Thank you
@@SDsailor7 Not that I am aware of.
@CelGenStudios - *Great Video.*
Unfortunately, my Water Tray will not cycle all the way FrWD or BkWD. Most of the time. Everything else works just fine. @ Me if you have any ideas, I'd really appreciate it. ❤❤✌
Great video , I just replaced the motor on mine and now I need to replace a limit switch Q? Where can you buy those switches you used?
Suzo Happ, ebay, aliexpress...Any place that sells those microswitches you can buy a dozen for $10 and never need to buy replacements again.
Very good tutorial thanks
mine is brand new and fan isnt running or getting cold or no flow of water into the tray. plus red light says add water is always on when its filled with water. like it wont read that theres water in it. im so upset that it isnt working. can u figure It out?
I purchased one and it only worked for 22 days. Now, when you plug it in nothing happens, its acting like there's no power no lights no nothing. Do yall have any suggestions?
Thanks for your videos
thank you
I just bought a costway Countertop ice maker ep24525us and I used it for the first time last night and noticed a leak from the bottom. Is it fixable or junk?
Check your water reservoir plug stopper. It might be loose, simply needing to be pushed back into place.
Like a boss!
I have a clear ice maker that won't dump its ice. I think it's ice making cycle is going too long so the ice is too thick to release when the tray is heated. Even giving it a -6m to the cycle won't make the ice thinner. I was thinking that if the water supply tube had smaller holes it might make ice cubes that don't get stuck.
I have a Euhomy brand that does this. It displays a code, "E", meaning refrigerant temp sensor bad. Part is hard to find....
@@RSB333 they replaced it because it was only a few months old.
Hi …. So I belive all my components are working. My issue is the little bucket that hold the water to the metal coils won’t stay up! It rises and goes right back down 😔 help!
Ok I forgot what goes back where and attempting to put the plug back I accidentally dropped it into my water flow chamber compartment if my frigidaire portable ice maker, it fell down into hole not having drain cap preventing it from traveling inside , I can't retrieve the small plug as it's down inside, any suggestions? I'm afraid the drain doesn't have the plug only screw cap and if I attempt to operate the ice maker what happens to the lodged plastic plug? Will it damage the ice maker once I operate a cycle. The technician wants me to operate the ice maker to see if it works. I'm not comfortable with this because if damage occurs, my warranty would become void.
What happened?
nice. this helped.
Just repaired mine today. The microswitch on mine was getting stuck against the plastic housing. Apparently these things fail a lot.
What are they called and where did you find them?
I just bought one from from a You are still it's working but don't get cold to make ice
Are these thermostat controller?
Any idea what would cause some blue green residue in ice and water of portable?
I did find my machine needed to be cleaned weekly or you would get a very bad musty smell and mold would try and develop. When I store the machine I left it out to drain and dry for a day, then stored it with baking soda, like you would with a regular fridge or freezer.
Great video I have Silonn ice maker ! But can’t find the exact replacement switch ! Can you share the switch part number and mine only has two connectors not three !! Model # SLIM01R I need the top switch!!
How do I fix an icemachine that is full of water but red light stay on to fill with water
i just checked my tubing and pump and all seems ok but right as it's supposed to stop to start filling the chill bath it makes a click, and then the shovel and bath cycle again. this happens one more time and then the whole machine just sits there looking confused. Do you think it's my position switches? I know it ain't my dang pump.. is there a way to re-calibrate it first to maybe check to see if it's just out of timing?
Same thing mine did. Start with the switches.
@@CelGenStudios thanks manI'll check them and go with the same cherrys, they make decent switches
Ω reading didn't flinch, same switch that went out on yours. Maybe the cam lobe is crushing them? Maybe just a coincidence.
i have ice maker super general model sgim012hs only green power led is blinking ....but its not getting power on ...
I have an emerson one and it just stopped making ice all together. Water works and everything moves correctly, it just doesnt make ice now
So mine is not releasing the ice fully. both micro switches still click do you think thats still the problem?
The ice is released by the refrigeration loop going into defrost. Defrost is activated once one of the limit switches detect the tray is pulled back into the drain position. If the tray pulls back and nothing happens check for a stuck solenoid, otherwise verify the solenoid voltage is being created by the controller.
Are both micro chips the same or different
What could I do if my machine does the whole cycle however the element won't get cold enough to even create a small piece of ice.
If the refrigerant compressor is not running either the defrost valve has failed or you have lost your refrigerant.
Ok it sounds like even you dont understand how a refrigeration system works.
Allow me to correct you. Starting at the compressor the refrigerant is compressed into a high pressure vapor. This vapor is hot and then the vapor enters the condensor, where as the name suggests it loses the heat it is carrying and condenses into a liquid, that liquid then goes through a small tube, called a capillary which changes the pressure of the liquid, from a high pressure to a low pressure. Now the liquid is able to absorb heat, when it absorbs heat it makes the pipe cold and the liquid refrigerant boils off and turns back into a vapor, and then returns back to the compressor where it gets compressed again and the cycle repeats.
It's more embarrassing I can't go back and correct that too.....
Where did u buy the small switches for ice machine?
Just loose things that looked the part I found at work. I think you can get them at Digi-Key or Mouser.
Hello, I'm replacing the micro switch on my portable ice machine. My issue is the wiring that goes from the circuit board to the switches. The wire colors are blue, brown, and purple. I'm ignorant when it comes to electrical wiring. I need assistance with getting the correct wires. The imprint on the wires is too small, so I'm not able to read the wire information. Are the different colors all the same wires? Or, are the different colors different ampage? Please help. I've searched the internet, Amazon, and UA-cam for the micro switch wiring, but I've been unsuccessful. Thank you
I can't really help you there. Before taking the old switch out I would make a note where each color wire went on paper, then put the wires in the same places when you put the new switch in. Not everyone used the same color wires in the same locations, which is why you probably can't find any good assistance on this.
@@CelGenStudios Thank you for your reply.
i have a magic chef counter top ice maker mod. #MCIM30SST, everything works but ice not being pushed over the side into ice tray, WHATS THE FIX?
Could you help me out my isn't the same brand but the fan works the water pump works it's just the ice just won't form. It'll dump the water and repeat the cycle as if it's working.
Is the compressor starting?
Can I send you my NewAir ClearIce40 to make a video like this? I've gone thru two of these machines in less than a year and the problem seems similar to the one in your video. The ice will not slide out of the tray which then creates a huge block of ice. I don't want it back after you fix it. I'll cover shipping as well.
I appreciate the offer however I'm already a little busy trying to stick to just repairing my own appliances.
I am getting blue green residue on towel after wiping out ice maker after cleaning with vinegar and water 50/50 after several cleaning cycles. Any clue what it could be anyone?
How do you clean the water lines inside?
You can't really pull many of them out so all I can recommend is "pipe cleaners".
Hi I have ikich ice machine it worked ok for 6 months then it started leaking, please help as my kitchen floor gets soaking with this water, I have no idea wer it is coming from thanks!!
Biggest issue I've seen for leaks was the gasket in the drain gets lost and it slow drips.
having trouble finding the microswitches, can you post the item number?
Omron SS-5GL? Basically any microswitch that looks the same will work.
Do you have a link or a part number for the switch mine needs the same thing thanks
I do not have another replacement on hand but it's a low voltage and low current circuit so really, any switch that looks the same will work.
microwsitch KW4-3Z-3 (20 switches for $13 per another video who replaced a bad switch.)
@@annblachly8068 thanks
Mine makes ice but ends up over heating and turns off. Fan does not engage. Tried a new fan and still won’t come on.
Any idea what makes this engage?
I think it's a relay on the control board?
@@CelGenStudios thanks for the quick response! Feels like it's a thermocouple but I can't find it
What if it doesn’t release the ice because I’m having that problem now
Bad solenoid, bad defrost valve, no defrost signal coming from the microcontroller, Over-iced evaporator plates. Could be any number of things.
Mine keeps turning off after about 20 mins have to keep turning it back on any ideas? Thanks
Nothing, sorry. :/
Why would my fan be turning on and off ?
The way you described the refrigeration loop is pretty wrong but interesting vid nonetheless
I will admit that I did not do any homework prior to taping and indeed I know nothing about how refrigeration works.
Likewise, never make critical life decisions based on my word.
Your description of the refrigeration cycle was a bit askew, but I won't tell on you. Oops. Too late.
One shot.
I had one shot to explain refrigeration unscripted and I blew it. Sorry...
I know it's a long shot, but maybe someone might know. My ice maker has a problem at the stage when water is filled and compressor has to kick in. Most of the times it doesn't start any more, but if it starts then the machine works just fine until turned off. I can see side fan moves a notch and stops and water tray goes back to default position. Could it be some starter capacitor not being able to hold charge for initial kickstart or something like that?
Could you Please Help me .
I received this as a Gift .
Model Frigidaire EFIC 452 .
My Problem..
It WONT RELEASE THE WATER
TO MAKE THE ICE .
It FREEZES FINE .
AND RELEASES FINE ..
BUT IT WONT REFILL THE ICE SLOTS ..
NOTHING . NADA . NO WAY .. lol
Any Help would Greatly Appreciated 😁..
Thank You 👍
It looks like it has a switch that detects when the ice has ejected and waits for that to activate before restarting. It's that white plastic thing that's just underneath the tray. It could be that switch or the lever for that switch might be the problem.
Let me guess... homie is Canadian?
My tray won’t stop moving and and when it do it goes midway and the water just runs out…. Anyone can help???
“I have a problem with my ice cube maker. The water tray gets stuck after releasing the ice, and I have to force it to move every time. I tried opening up the machine, but I couldn’t find a solution. Does anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?”
Bro I have Wansa ice cube machine
Working perfectly but Ice cube very very small. before good. Now not perfect please help thank you
Easy thing to do first is try taking the back off and gently removing dust behind the fan mechanism -- if it has slowly become less efficient it may be that its having trouble with fan efficiency because of dust buildup. this fix only takes removing the back with a screw driver and gloves (if your back is sheet metal, its probably super sharp), and a toothbrush and small vaccuum to clean out dust buildup. This is assuming that your water tray is clearly filling all the way, just just being inefficient and that efficiency declined slowly
@@lenachuzhin2006 ok insha'Allah I will try thank you for your reply 🇱🇰👍👍👍👍✅
mine is not that old, and everything works, it just wont start making ice again. if thats what is wrong, i think i am screwed. LOL but dude, they are NOT cheap.
my parents always had an ice maker (ok maybe not when I was 4 or whatever) in their freezer, and its great if you want 2 month old stale ice in one giant clump, we never had one as adults until about 7 years ago when the house we bought had a fridge with a ice and chilled water dispenser.
The line was leaking so I just took the bucket out and shut off the machine and its feed, its a waste of freezer space... esp during the covid ramp up.
I don't particularly like ice in my drinks due to my sensitive teeth ... and if I am going to fill up a cooler I hit the gas station and get pounds of the stuff for a 5ver and some change back for a lotto ticket
my fan does not run on mine can you help me
It could be any number of things, including a bad fan. Actually, you can hear IN THE VIDEO my fan is worn out.
Your explanation of the refrigeration loop is wrong. It's compressor -> condenser -> metering device -> evaporator -> compressor.
It is indeed wrong. I just can't go back and change it now, sorry.
I have one it works perfect (mechanical), but doesn´t make ice, the avaporator doesn´t cold
does the compressor start up?
yes, it sounds good, but don´t make ice cube. it doesn´t cool to make it
@@javierjuarezvalle6326 if the compressor starts but it doesnt get cool it could be one, weak compressor/failed or failing compressor or two theres a leak in the system and all of the refrigerant leaked out
The add water light keeps coming on
Thats really great video, and the details is accurate..good job
Mine doesn’t suck up the water anymore and says to “add water” and I cannot for the life of me figure out why
Bad pump? Plugged water line? Mine doesn't have an inlet screen so any debris will get pulled into the pump.
Was going to check out this video but it doesn't look like you reply to your listeners Q's....👎
I'm sorry that I can't answer every question. I see the comment notifications and I do read the responses but I only have so much time outside of work. It's not me ignoring them. :(
Most people do not do the ice tray in their house. That’s for poor people
Throw in garbage buy a new one
Tooooo much talking......toooo much