Sub-Zero 3 1 5 I P W T H E I C E M a K E R U S E S WAT E R, E E Z E C Y C L E, Rv E S T C Y C L E

S U B - Z E RO MODELS 315I A N D 315IP O P E R AT I O N

ICE P RO D U C T I O N
Ice production has two distinct cycles: freeze	H O W T H E I C E M A K E R U S E S WAT E R
and harvest. One freeze cycle and one harvest	The ice maker begins with a fixed charge of
cycle will yield a batch of eight ice cubes.
	water that is contained in the reservoir. As the
The freeze cycle occurs when water is sprayed
	water is sprayed against the freezing surface,
against the freezing surface. The harvest cycle	the part of water that does not contain mineral
occurs when the ice is released and water	impurities will freeze and stick to the ice cup
enters the ice maker. A complete cycle takes	molds. The water containing impurities falls
about 30 minutes.	back into the reservoir. Gradually, during the
	freezing portion of the ice making cycle, the
F R E E Z E C Y C L E	water in the reservoir will become highly
	concentrated with mineral impurities.
During the freeze cycle the compressor is	During the harvest cycle fresh water flows into
pumping refrigerant, the fan motor is blowing
	the ice maker to dilute the reservoir water and
air, and the water pump is circulating water. As
	to rinse the concentrated minerals down the
the refrigerated surface absorbs heat from the
	drain.
water sprayed against it, that heat is moved to
the area where the fan is blowing air. The heat
is transferred to the air, and the warmed up air
is discharged from the ice maker. At the same
time, ice is forming on the refrigerated surface
(located at the upper back of the ice maker).
When the refrigerated surface gets cold
enough, the ice maker’s timer will begin to
turn. When it turns far enough, it will stop the
freeze cycle and begin the harvest.
H A RV E S T C Y C L E
During the harvest cycle the compressor is still
operating, but the spray pump and fan motor
have stopped. Two other components have
been energized: the hot gas valve and the inlet
water valve. These two valves open and warm
up the freezing surface, allowing the cubes to
fall into the ice storage bin. The timer is still
turning, and when it gets to the end of the
harvest cycle, the freeze cycle will restart.

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