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  1. #1
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    An ice build up in my walk in freezer



    Can anyone offer advice on my ICY problem -

    I'm trying to solve an ice build up in a walk in freezer room, the ice builds up on the ceiling and in the corners of the room around the evaporator.

    A lot of ice is also building up around the implosion port which is a three flap type and has an operational heater.
    The room has been shut down twice over a short period to let the ice melt, and the room be resealed inside and out.

    All panels are in good condition and the defrost is operation correctly with drip times and fan delays after defrost.

    The room is 3.2 wide x 7 deep with a single fan evap installed at the end of the room blowing towards the door.

    The room has curtains for when the door is open, has operating low voltage floor heating and is installed in a shed with no exposure to the sun ????freezer 2.JPGfreezer 1.JPGfreezer 3.JPG



  2. #2
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Panels are not tight enough, air is leaking in.
    Best is, defrost and dry the room, seal all the gaps with polyurethane.

  3. #3
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    .

    I would agree with Chemi-cool and say it is obvious you are getting moist air in there somehow.

    You need to find out where the air is coming from.
    Obviously check the door and seals and also the vent
    which you seem to have already.

    Again check all defrosts are ok but the snowy ice on the
    ceiling is clasic symptoms of warm moist air getting into the room.

    You say there is a single evap so that should not be an issue.

    The only thing you don't say is how long the door is open
    and what happens to the doors curtains while the door is open.

    Do not trust the people who go in and out to always close the door
    and do not trust them not to wrap the curtain over the door while working in the room.

    Rob

    .

  4. #4
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    .

    What you need to do is stand inside (make sure it will open from inside)
    and close the door. Check to see if the room is totaly dark. If you see light around
    the door or any where else then air will get into the room through the same gap.

    Even though you say you have checked it my money would be on the door not sealing
    or the door being kept open too long - often.......

    Regards

    Rob

    .

  5. #5
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    One mroe reason could be that the wall panels / ceiling panel joint needs conduction cutting on the wall panel sheet.

    I think that is not done & hence there is a ice built up & ofcourse the sealing may be questionable as well

  6. #6
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Check your condensate drain has a trap installed.
    To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.

  7. #7
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    thanks for all of your input,
    Rob,
    I have carried out he dark room trick and there is no light that i can see right around the door so I'm confident that it is sealing,
    The question is as you say how can i trust the people entering the room, Its in a supermarket so a lot of young night slaff use the room and I have been told that the curtains do get james open along with the door.
    I have asked in the past that this dose not happen but of course we are talking about juvenile delinquents

    Mikeref,
    Yes I have already checked the drain, trap and drain heater but thanks for the pointer.

    Chemi-cool
    thanks for the heads up but the room has been shut down and dried out twice on separate occasions and resealed inside and out, inside all of the internals have been redone and resealed, I have also spoken to the room installer as the room is not all that old and they promise me that the room footprint capping's have also been sealed.

    You all have the same idea as I that it is warm air and not something i am over looking.

    The room also is running low voltage floor heating, has anyone ever had a problem with ice buildup?

    The implosion port dose seem to remain open for a long time after the door has been re-closed,
    I was thinking of replacing the port with a spring pressure type, Will this help?

    Cheers

  8. #8
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    .

    I would be looking towords the staff as the problem not the vent hole.

    I bet you a pound to a penny the door is left open and the curtain is pushed
    out of the way when the staff are inside.

    Put a batery operated door switch that counts how often the door is open
    and for how long. I bet you will be shocked by how often it opens and stays open.

    Regards

    Rob

    .

  9. #9
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob White View Post
    .

    I would be looking towards the staff as the problem not the vent hole.

    I bet you a pound to a penny the door is left open and the curtain is pushed
    out of the way when the staff are inside.

    Put a battery operated door switch that counts how often the door is open
    and for how long. I bet you will be shocked by how often it opens and stays open.

    Regards

    Rob

    .
    Wise words there Rob!

    As an ex coldstore engineer I have seen first hand just how devious the cold store operatives can be.

    Really bad door usage was stopped overnight by use of a data logger much the same as you suggest.
    And excessive door damage was stopped by damages being taken out of the staff bonus pot!
    Grizzly

  10. #10
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Quote Originally Posted by Grizzly View Post
    Wise words there Rob!

    As an ex coldstore engineer I have seen first hand just how devious the cold store operatives can be.

    Really bad door usage was stopped overnight by use of a data logger much the same as you suggest.
    And excessive door damage was stopped by damages being taken out of the staff bonus pot!
    Grizzly
    I might not understand a lot of things in life but I understand the
    mentality of a member of staff who is working inside an air tight box
    at -20degC.

    "They don't like it up em" as Cpr Jones would say.

    Given the choice of working inside with the evap tingling
    your ears with the cold or leaving the door jammed open
    with the curtain over the top, I know which most choose

    Regards

    Rob

    .

  11. #11
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob White View Post
    I might not understand a lot of things in life but I understand the
    mentality of a member of staff who is working inside an air tight box
    at -20degC.

    "They don't like it up em" as Cpr Jones would say.

    Given the choice of working inside with the evap tingling
    your ears with the cold or leaving the door jammed open
    with the curtain over the top, I know which most choose

    Regards

    RobR

    .
    Good idea On the door switch Rob, I'm all over it
    Thanks

  12. #12
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob White View Post
    I might not understand a lot of things in life but I understand the
    mentality of a member of staff who is working inside an air tight box
    at -20degC.

    "They don't like it up em" as Cpr Jones would say.

    Given the choice of working inside with the evap tingling
    your ears with the cold or leaving the door jammed open
    with the curtain over the top, I know which most choose

    Regards

    RobR

    .
    Good idea On the door switch Rob, I'm all over it
    Thanks

  13. #13
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Mr Neal,

    Have u ever noticed what sort of items r stored ! it is a super market , they might be keeping wet items which should be kept in a sealed container, look for such activity,

    regds,

  14. #14
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    we had the same problem and fitted a door switch and a very very loud siren..! if they left the door open for 40second or more the siren would deafen them.. the staff gave out stink for the first few days but havent heard a word since.. the staff are very aware of it now and just out of habit keep it closed and they just got used to it and i have a very happy customer with alot smaller electricty bill

  15. #15
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Quote Originally Posted by padraic View Post
    we had the same problem and fitted a door switch and a very very loud siren..! if they left the door open for 40second or more the siren would deafen them.. the staff gave out stink for the first few days but havent heard a word since.. the staff are very aware of it now and just out of habit keep it closed and they just got used to it and i have a very happy customer with alot smaller electricty bill
    brilliant

  16. #16
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    Re: An ice build up in my walk in freezer

    Quote Originally Posted by padraic View Post
    we had the same problem and fitted a door switch and a very very loud siren..! if they left the door open for 40second or more the siren would deafen them.. the staff gave out stink for the first few days but havent heard a word since.. the staff are very aware of it now and just out of habit keep it closed and they just got used to it and i have a very happy customer with alot smaller electricty bill
    Was it owt like this alarm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFoUL_bIotw

    Regards

    Rob

    .

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