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U-Line Icemaker Problem

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by Thisisit, May 23, 2014.

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  1. Thisisit, May 23, 2014
    #1
    Thisisit

    Thisisit Member

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    I recently repaired my U-Line icemaker. It was freezing water into ice but wouldn't harvest. I discovered that the micro-switch which trips the defrost circuit was stuck open and off the cam. This prevented the harvester prongs to make a complete revolution. Sixteen dollars later, I was making ice. It made an entire bucket by the time I went to bed.

    In the morning, I discovered that the bucket was overflowing with water and only the top inch and bottom inch was frozen. The water had stopped flowing but not before running out of the icemaker onto the floor.

    I didn't have time to look at it as I was on my way to work. I can't believe that the water fill micro-switch would be the culprit this time. I'm almost positive that the door was closed all the way over night although I wouldn't bet my life on it.

    Has anyone had this happen to them?
  2. d_meister, May 23, 2014
    #2
    d_meister

    d_meister Senior Member

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    The problem with those icemakers is usually the lining on the ice mold cavities. The lining flakes off and the ice is stuck to the mold and the ejector can't push them out. It would seem that part of the works jammed and the water filler cycle is still being activated, causing overflow. If you look into the molds, after defrosting, it would look sort of mottled with silver gray areas and black areas if the lining is going. If you ever make ice with little black flecks in it; that's what it is. The icemaker is a simple clock work thing with a motor and gears. The microswitch should be for the water-fill valve. There are no exotic sensors or heaters in there. It's just time.
    Those things from U-Line are pricey, but they look suspiciously like the retrofit icemaker that I installed in my home fridge. If I were to replace one, I would take the old one out and match it at the appliance parts store.
  3. Thisisit, May 23, 2014
    #3
    Thisisit

    Thisisit Member

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    I was aware that the rear ejector fork can get caught on the frame at the back. I was not aware of the flaking issue and now that you mention it, I do remember tiny flakes in some of the cubes last season. I thought the defrost cycle would allow the cubes to pop out of the mold regardless.

    I will have a good look at the tray next time on on the boat.

    Thanks for the tip.
  4. d_meister, May 23, 2014
    #4
    d_meister

    d_meister Senior Member

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    The flakes are the smoking gun; you have the stuck ice syndrome. To the best of my knowledge, there is no defrost cycle. The icemakers that make clear cubes and cut sheets of ice with heated wires have "defrost" cycles ( not really defrost. They reverse cycle and heat the ice aggregation plate).
  5. Capt Ralph, May 23, 2014
    #5
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Wrong..
    The ice thermostat decide when the freezer temperature has come back down after water was introduced into the freezer (per gear position). When the temp is back down (water temp down, frozen) the base heater and motor are engaged. The plastic forks lay against the ice till the heater releases the ice from the trays, forks move the ice out, micro switch turns heater off, turns water flow on, trays refills, thermostat senses raises in temp, all stop. Then thermostat takes a cold dive, water frozen and repeat.

    The usual problem is the heater fails. If your system makes ice at all, it's cold. ORDER A NEW ICE MAKER ASSEMBLY. Less than $200 and 30 minutes to install your self (and 6 blue crimps). You will drive yourself crazy and lose if you try to piecemeal it back together. Been there, lost my shirt before (a few times).
  6. Pascal, May 24, 2014
    #6
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Let me try to say this nicely... Uline is the most overrated piece of crap ever slapped with a "marine" label.

    We have two of their fridge / ice maker combo and they don't last more than 4 years... They claim to use SS construction but that's only for the screws holding the hinges into plain sheet metal. Temperature control is awful resulting in drinks freezing up, and cans exploding. And when you need to defrost the POS there is no way to collect the water so it drips out over the switch and temp "control" knob.
  7. Pascal, May 24, 2014
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Let me try to say this nicely... Uline is the most overrated piece of crap ever slapped with a "marine" label.

    We have two of their fridge / ice maker combo and they don't last more than 4 years... They claim to use SS construction but that's only for the screws holding the hinges into plain sheet metal. Temperature control is awful resulting in drinks freezing up, and cans exploding. And when you need to defrost the POS there is no way to collect the water so it drips out over the switch and temp "control" knob.
  8. Capt Ralph, May 24, 2014
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    No relation.

    Nicely said.
  9. bobhorn, May 24, 2014
    #9
    bobhorn

    bobhorn Member

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    We fixed ours by taking it to the dump. Water all over the floor one too many times.

    Bob
  10. Capt Ralph, May 25, 2014
    #10
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That got me thinking,, Is there really a marine lable on it? Or just sold in the marine catalogues?
  11. Capt Bill11, May 25, 2014
    #11
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    I agree that U-Lines are not that great for use on a boat. But you just need to fold up a towel and put it unit when you defrost them to catch and keep the water from running out of them.
  12. Pascal, May 26, 2014
    #12
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    That's what I'd do, woudl have easier to have a ledge on the bottom shelf with a small drain hole. Woudl also prevent bottles from falling out when you open the door,...
  13. Dave Stranks, May 26, 2014
    #13
    Dave Stranks

    Dave Stranks Member

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    Were on our 2d one I wouldn't have bought it but everyone said it fits so why change
    It does make ice fast but the frosting up in the marine wet environment I wish the door was spring loaded to close more positively that would help
    I'm thinking of going to a counter top ice maker and leave the u line just for a fridge
    Anyone ever tried a counter top ice maker
  14. Pascal, May 26, 2014
    #14
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yes we have dometic counter top as back up to the two Ulines. says something about the reliability of the Ulines! doesn't it.

    It works pretty well but doesn't make as much ice as the others and since there is no refrigerated compartment you have to empty the bucket regularly.
  15. Capt J, May 26, 2014
    #15
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The Mold assembly is bad......just change the whole mold assembly.....if you shut them off with ice, water, or humidity inside the mechanism will rust in place.....The part is about $165 and changing it takes about an hour.
  16. Thisisit, Jun 4, 2014
    #16
    Thisisit

    Thisisit Member

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    Hi guys, we'll I discovered the problem. The main ejector shaft which is mounted through the front gear plate had some play in it. I simply adjusted the screw that controls the amount of ice produced. I noticed that this adjusting screw was attached to a tab through which the water flow micro switch is mounted. Adjusting the screw moved the switch closer to the cam and reduced the play. Now it works perfectly. After this episode, I can consider myself well versed in their operation and troubleshooting.

    Margaritas for all!!
  17. Capt Ralph, Jun 4, 2014
    #17
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    We'll see in a few weeks. You can FedEx my Margarita down to South Georgia.
  18. Thisisit, Jun 13, 2014
    #18
    Thisisit

    Thisisit Member

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    Still working and I expect it to continue. The last U-Line I replaced was 22 years old. The one before that was 19 years. Perhaps climate and salinity has a lot to do with it. This one is now 5 years in. We shall see. Your margarita has been Fed-Ex'd.
  19. Capt Ralph, Jun 13, 2014
    #19
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Thank you for your follow up.
    Glad to hear it is still working after our dumping on that brand.

    Simple fix & good reports are hard to come by on a ship.

    I'm afraid the delivery driver helped himself to our toast. On your next trip near my hood, I'll buy the next round.

    ,Ralph
  20. Knothead, Jul 26, 2014
    #20
    Knothead

    Knothead New Member

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    Yes I have had issues with mine on the back deck. I just fill the ice side up with ice from the galley freezer or when I have extra ice from bags brought on. Now I may pull the icemaker and replace the mold assembly.
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