Ice Machine SubCooling

[jakb21599]

Does any one know what the subcooling/superheat should be for an ice machine with a remote condenser ? I am trying to find out if the charge is right for the system with out pulling the ***** out and weighing it back in. Only the bottom half of the evaportor coil is making ice and then going into harvest after about 25 min of running. It has 404A ***** and thinking it is short on gas. What should the pressures be? thanks for your help

[joe magee]

Depends on ice machine. If only the bottom half of evap has ice it could be low on charge or it could have a restriction at the txv or drier. Chances are your superheat is high if only half of evap has ice. Whats the head pressure? What is the amp draw of compressor? What controls the outdoor condenser fan? We can go on and on but you need to get back to basics.

[nilo]

Just did a Manitowoc QD0802A (package unit inside a restaurant kitchen) with subcooling. Charged system until the average freeze cycle subcooling was 11-13 degrees. So far its working good.