Whether you run a hotel, hospital cafeteria, or restaurant, commercial ice machines are a crucial part of your operation. Though Follett ice machines are a great option on the market, they still break down occasionally and disrupt service. However, knowing some general troubleshooting solutions for Follett ice machines helps you continue serving clients. Use this Follett ice machine troubleshooting guide to solve simple problems or identify issues for service technicians when repairs are needed.
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Use the following links to troubleshoot your Follett ice machine:
If your Follett ice maker is not working without a definite cause, the machine has a series of indicator lights on the outside of the control board to help you uncover the root problem. Different light combinations relay different meanings and imply varying solutions outlined in the owner's manual. Before attempting any of these troubleshooting fixes, disconnect the ice maker from its power source to prevent accidents.
When your Follett ice maker stops working, there are a few areas to troubleshoot before calling for service.
- Check that the dispenser bin area, drains, and hoses are clear of congealed ice and grime.
- Check your system and ensure all the water and power connections are linked correctly, the dials are on, and the circuit breakers are in the correct position.
- Clean out tubing and ice build-up that you find.
- Reset your ice maker.
- If problems persist, contact your supplier or technician for additional service help.
Resetting a Follett ice machine is as easy as pushing a button, and it's an effective troubleshooting fix for problems of an unknown origin. However, resetting the ice maker should not be the first troubleshooting step when issues arise. First, check the machine's connections and look for any issues like ice jams, blockages, low water in the reservoir, or ice and dirt build-up in the components that may need to be addressed before a reset. If the machine passes these tests, reset the ice machine by following these simple steps.
Note: If your machine does not have a screen on the front of the dispenser, hold the button until the power indicator light turns off and on again.
- Unscrew the front panel and top panel and set them aside. Do not disconnect any wires running from the control board to the front panel.
- Find the control board with the indicator lights. These indicator lights often show which systems are failing, so check these warnings against your owner’s manual for precise fixes for those problems.
- Unscrew the top panel on the control board and remove it. Avoid disconnecting any wires running into the control board.
- Press and hold the reset button until the screen on the front of the dispenser turns off, then turns back on. This process should take somewhere between 10 to 30 seconds.
- Check the indicator lights to ensure everything has returned to normal.
- Reconnect all panels, including the top of the control board, the front dispenser, and the top panel.
- Resume operations.
Follett Ice Machine Reset Button Location
On most machine models, the reset button is located on the control board behind the line of indicator lights. To reach it, remove the front of the dispenser and find the control board in the upper right corner of the machine. Unscrew the top cover of the board and find the reset button located toward the front. To find the reset button on your specific model, consult the owner's manual or call your supplier or repair technician.
If your Follett ice maker is not making ice or its production is much lower than normal, there are several potential reasons for the problem. Many issues that culminate into this larger problem are easily solved by thoroughly cleaning the different parts of your machine. Below are a few common diagnoses and solutions to get your ice machine to make ice again.
- Clogged air filter: A clogged air filter leads to poor ventilation and airflow, disrupting the ice-making process. Clean your air filter or replace it if it cannot be cleared enough to function.
- Dirty condenser coil: Clean your condenser coil from mineral residue, grease, and dirt.
- Poor water quality: Hard water causes mineral build-up on tubing and other fundamental parts of the machine and leads to jams. Clean each part of the ice maker and replace the water filter.
- Malfunctioning compressor: A malfunctioning compressor should be repaired or replaced by a service technician since it requires recharging the refrigerant. Contact a technician as soon as possible to remedy this issue.
- Malfunctioning PC board: A faulty PC board disrupts the service of your ice maker by causing the fan to malfunction, the evaporator to freeze, and disrupting the water feed output. Contact an authorized technician to replace the PC board.
- Poor air circulation: A lack of proper air circulation throughout the machine causes rising temperatures and prevents water from freezing. Clean your air filter and fans, and move the ice machine 6" away from the wall.
- Poor water pressure: The ice machine can't make ice if there's too little water in the reservoir, resulting from low water pressure. Check all the connections and water hoses for incorrect fastenings and leaking.
- Failed sensors: Follett ice makers rely on sensors to signal when to make and dispense ice, and faulty sensors result in no ice. Clean all sensors and replace them as necessary.
- Defective parts: Common culprits of your ice machine not making ice are the start relay, start capacitor, run capacitor, main contractor, and shuttle mechanism. Consult your machine's manual for specific troubleshooting advice and check, clean, and replace each of these parts as necessary.
Sometimes your ice machine makes ice without any issue, but that ice won't dispense. The most common source of this error traces back to malfunctioning parts, so stock up on these parts and accessories to get your machine working smoothly again without interrupting service.
- Faulty power or dispense switches: Check your power and dispense switches to ensure both are set in the ‘on’ position. If this is true, try resetting your machine. If ice still does not dispense, replace these switches.
- Wheel motor malfunction: Check and replace the wheel motor to allow ice to dispense.
- Ice jam: Congealed ice and irregular ice output can jam the dispenser. Check and clear the dispenser area before resuming operation.
- Sensor malfunction: Clean and check the sensors in the ice bin and the external dispensing areas regularly to ensure they function correctly and replace any that fail inspection.
The compressor is a crucial piece of machinery within your ice maker, and it can cause many issues if it isn't starting. Most compressor problems trace back to poor airflow and bad cleaning practices. Rather than replacing the compressor completely, try these easy troubleshooting fixes to save time and money.
- Clogged air filter: A clogged air filter leads to poor ventilation and airflow, causing the compressor to malfunction. Clean your air filter or replace it if it cannot be cleared enough to work.
- Dirty condenser coil: Clean your condenser coil of mineral residue, grease, and dirt to prevent jamming issues and disruption of service.
- Poor ventilation: Poor airflow leads to many parts of an ice machine malfunctioning. Move your Follett ice machine at least 6" away from walls and other airflow disruptors to ensure proper ventilation.
- No power from compressor output: This issue stems from the control board, not the compressor itself. Contact a technician to check the compressor’s connection to the control board and replace the control board if necessary.
- Defective parts: A faulty starting capacitor and relay are the two most common external culprits for compressor malfunctions. Check, clean, and replace these parts as needed before resuming service.
Loud, unusual noise from a Follett ice machine often stems from mineral deposits and congealed ice on the various internal components of the ice maker. If you notice your ice machine is particularly noisy, thoroughly clean each part of the machine and remove the mineral build-up. If the noise persists, check the following components and repair them as necessary.
- Faulty compressor: A malfunctioning compressor should be repaired or replaced by a service technician since it requires recharging the refrigerant. Contact a technician as soon as possible to remedy this issue.
- Bad condenser fan motor: To fix a broken condenser fan motor, unplug the machine and replace the fan.
- Faulty drain pump: Thoroughly clean a noisy drain pump to remove any potential clogs. If the problem persists, replace the pump.
Proper Follett ice machine cleaning and sanitation practices keep your establishment up to health code standards, but they also increase the longevity of your ice machine. By routinely cleaning the inside and outside of your ice maker, you prevent jamming issues and part malfunctions ranging from faulty compressors to poor ventilation. Taking time to clean your ice machine saves you time and money on repairs in the future, allowing you to allocate your resources to other needs in your establishment.
Before you start cleaning your Follett ice machine, follow these steps to ensure proper protection.
- Disconnect the ice machine from its power source and make sure you have all the proper equipment.
- Use only approved cleaners, descalers, and sanitizers to clean your ice maker since other chemicals might damage it. Solvents, abrasive cleaners, and metal scrapers will harm the ice maker, resulting in preventable repairs in the future.
- When cleaning the machine, wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from the chemicals.
Watch the following video for detailed Follett ice machine cleaning instructions.
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