Ice Machine Service Support

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Manitowoc Ice Machine Parts May 09 2023, 0 Comments

If you own a Manitowoc ice machine, it's crucial to ensure that it operates efficiently and produces high-quality ice at all times. However, like any other machine, your Manitowoc ice machine may require repairs or replacement parts from time to time. Choosing the right Manitowoc ice machine parts is essential to ensure that your machine functions correctly and lasts for a long time. In this blog post, we'll provide you with the ultimate guide to choosing the right Manitowoc ice machine parts

Koolaire and Manitowoc Float Parts September 23 2014, 0 Comments

Manitowoc float valves are not the same as Koolaire float switches.  The terminology can sometimes be confusing, but there is a difference and they are not interchangeable.  The biggest difference is that Manitowoc will use a float valve, where Koolaire uses a float switch.  This means that water does not actually pass through the Koolaire float, it will only read the level in the water trough.

Float valves are also typically only used on older ice machines or undercounter models.  Modular units and modern Manitowoc ice machines rely on a separate water inlet valve, that provides a higher rate of water flow.  Because they can bring in more water and operate on cycles, they are more energy efficient.  A water float valve will simply let water in, anytime the float drops, wasting water.  The Koolaire ice machine uses a combination of the two technologies.


Manitowoc Ice Machine Water Curtain January 15 2014, 3 Comments

The water curtain on a Manitowoc Ice Machine is the white plastic cover that rests over the front of the evaporator.  This ice maker part can become problematic in a number of ways, but most commonly it simply breaks.  Over years of use the plastic will become brittle and usually crack or break at the top corners where the pins hold the water curtain in place.
What does the Manitowoc water curtain do?
Most Manitowoc ice makers have water curtains and they serve 2 main functions.  The first thing they do is keep water from splashing out of the ice making zone and help keep the water channeled back into the trough.  This cuts down on meltage in the bin and keeps the ice maker efficient by not wasting water.  The second function involves the harvest cycle.
A water curtain will have either enclosed or mounted to the outside a small magnet.  This magnet is what makes a proximity switch known as a magnetic bin switch.  When the water curtain swings closed and remains closed it tells the ice maker that the bin is still empty and to continue making ice.  However, once the bin fills up, the water curtain is held out, thus telling the control board that the bin is full and to stop making ice.  The slab of ice falling off the evaporator will physically hold this swinging water curtain open, breaking the proximity switch.
Sometimes it's possible that the magnet will either crack or fall out.  When this happens there is nothing to make the bin switch, thus the ice maker thinks that it's constantly full.  This will lead to a no ice complaint with the ice machine, replacement of the water curtain is highly recommended.
Popular Manitowoc Water Curtains