Ice-O-Matic ICE0250 Series Harvest Motor, Clutch Assembly, ICE Series, Electrical System

ICE Series Electrical System

Harvest Assist Assembly The harvest assist assembly has several purposes: to assist in moving the ice off of the evaporator, to control the length of harvest and to terminate harvest. When the machine enters harvest, power is sent to the harvest motor which turns a slip clutch. A probe is attached to the rotating clutch and is pushed against the back of the ice slab. The clutch begins to slip when the probe applies approximately 25 ounces of pressure against the ice slab.

It takes approximately 1 minute

for hot gas to heat the evaporator enough to loosen the ice from the evaporator plate. At this point the clutch pressure overcomes the capillary attraction of the ice to the evaporator plate and the ice begins to move off of the evaporator. As the ice is being pushed, the clutch stops slipping and begins to turn, extending the probe enough to push the ice completely off of the evaporator.

Harvest Motor

The harvest motor is energized at the beginning of harvest and will remain energized until the machine returns to the freeze cycle. A defective harvest motor will usually not run. The harvest motor rotates in a clockwise direction. It is possible for a defective motor to run backwards (counterclockwise). If this happens the motor must be replaced. It is also possible for a defective motor to “bump” backwards immediately when entering harvest. This will activate the cam switch and cause the machine to return to the freeze cycle immediately after entering harvest. If the machine is in harvest only for a split second, the harvest motor may be defective. Verify the motor is defective by watching the clutch closely when the machine enters harvest.

Clutch Assembly

The clutch assembly consists of a slip clutch and cam. A probe is attached to the clutch assembly and the harvest motor turns the clutch during harvest. As the harvest motor turns, the clutch will slip while the probe is pushed against the ice. The clutch will continue to slip as long as the pressure required to move the ice is greater than the 25 oz. Once the evaporator has heated enough to break the bond of ice to the evaporator, the pressure required to move the ice becomes less than the 25 oz. And the clutch begins to move.

The clutch assembly is not adjustable. If the clutch tension is weak (less than 25 oz.) a slow harvest or excessive ice meltage during harvest will result. If the clutch pressure becomes too tight, the force of the probe against the back of the ice may cause the slab to break and the ice may not fall off of the evaporator. If the clutch tension is suspected of being too tight or loose, turn the clutch by hand. The clutch should turn smoothly without “grabbing”, but should offer some resistance. If in doubt as to whether or not the clutch is defective, compare the tension with one that is known to be good.

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