Whirlpool CH E-5R Automatic Ice Cube Maker User Guide
- June 17, 2024
- Whirlpool
Table of Contents
Whirlpool CH E-5R Automatic Ice Cube Maker
User’s Instructions
General Information
- The machine produces clear hard ice by circulating water over a freezing plate. As the water freezes into ice, minerals in the water are constantly being rejected and a clear sheet of ice is formed.
- When the desired thickness is reached, the ice sheets are released and slide onto a cutter grid where the sheet is divided into individual cubes. At the end of each freezing cycle the water containing the rejected minerals is discharged to the drain. Fresh water then enters the machine for the next ice making cycle.
- Cubes fall into the storage bin. When the bin is full the ice maker shuts off automatically and restarts when the ice supply needs replenishing.
SERVICE SWITCH
The
service switch located on the control panel at the top of the machine has
three positions. The “on” position is for the normal ice making cycle. The
“off” position shuts the entire machine off. The “clean” position is used
whenever solutions are circulated through the water system for cleaning. At
this position only the water pump operates and the red signal light is lit.
CHANGING CUBE THICKNESS
Thickness of the ice can be varied by rotation of the inverted “L”
shaped adjusting screw which is located on the thickness control. The
thickness control is mounted on the lower freezing plate. One complete
rotation of the adjusting screw varies the thickness approximately 1/16″. To
increase thickness turn the screw in a clockwise direction. Maximum production
of ice in pounds will be obtained with the control set to uroduce ice
aonroximately 112″ thick
SIGNAL LIGHTS
The green light indicates power is on to the ice machine. During the ice
making cycle the red light will come on if the harvest portion is longer than
three minutes. This indicates a malfunction in the normal ice making cycle.
The machine may automatically correct the harvest malfunction and resume the
normal ice making cycle. This causes the red light to go out. If the red light
comes on intermittently or stays on, it indicates a need for qualified service
assistance. NOTE: The red light is also on whenever the service switch is in
the “clean” position. This does not indicate a maltunction.
FILTERING & TREATING WATER
In some areas it may be beneficial to filter or treat the water being supplied
to the ice machine to reduce water system maintenance (see Cleaning &
Sanitizing the Ice Making System and to produce the best type of ice. For
information on filtering and treating the water see your WHIRLPOOL commercial
ice maker dealer.
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Preheat the water system by pouring hot water into the reservoir pan until the lower pump housing is covered and circulate for five minutes. Then set service switch to “off” position to syphon out the water. Then set service switch to “clean” position. -
Slowly pour the cleaning solution into the water reservoir pan. If the solution foams, stop pouring until the foam subsides and then continue pouring until the lower pump housing is covered.
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Allow the solution to circulate until the scale on the freezing plate surface has dissolved.
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When the plates are clean, place the service switch in the “off” position. This allows the cleaning solution to syphon out of the reservoir pan into the drain.
NOTE: Circulating cleaning solution for 20 tu 30 minutes will generally remove scale formation. Severe scale formation may require repeating the cleaning process with a fresh quantity of solution since the effectiveness of the solution is drastically reduced after this period of time. If scale deposits remain on the side flanges a stainless steel sponge or pad dipped in cleaning solution can be used to scrub these surfaces. This can best be accomplished after the removal of the lower water distributors. -
Turn on the water supply to the machine and set the service switch to “clean”. Allow the fresh water to circulate for ten minutes.
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Place the service switch in the “off” position and allow the water to syphon off to the drain. When the reservoir pan has refilled with water, place the service switch in the “clean” position and allow the water to circulate for ten more minutes.
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Place the service switch in the “off” position and allow the water to syphon off to the drain.
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Remove the top water distributor tube. Remove the two wing nuts which hold the distributor tube in position on the top freezing plate. Pull out the water pump hose from the right end of the distributor. Pull out the rubber plug from the left end of the distributor. A stiff bristled brush of approximately the same diameter as the distributor will facilitate removal of scale accumulation.
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Remove the ice cube deflectors between each cutter grid. The lower left edge has a locking tab which must clear the grid frame. Push left and up on the lower edge of the deflector. The right edge then readily comes off the lower flange of the cutter grid above.
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Remove the lower water distributors. Lift up on the right side and pull the left edge off of the cutter grid. The plastic distributor may have to be flexed slightly to get if off the grid flange.
Wash
the deflectors and distributors with a mild detergent solution, rinse with
clean water and sanitize with the sanitizer solution. If heavy scale exists
the components may be soaked in cleaning solution to remove the scale.
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Remove the water reservoir pan. Remove the syphon hose connected to the bottom of the pan. The plastic pan should then be moved to the left until the right edge can be dropped off the mounting flange. During removal the pan may have to be flexed slightly.
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Remove each cutter grid. Unplug the electrical connection and pull the mercury switch out of the swinging bracket. Grids are held in position on four studs. “Sliding clips” free the grid from the studs on the left end and then the grid slides off the studs nearest the freezing plate. The entire grid can be placed into a “cleaning” solution (see item 1). Allow the grid to soak and use a toothbrush to remove any scale deposit on connecting pins and grid wires.
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Wash the ice maker interior with a mild solution of detergent and rinse with fresh water. Then wipe the ice maker interior with the sanitizer solution (see item 1).
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Reinstall grids, mercury switch, deflectors and distributors. NOTE: Mercury switches are to be positioned as indicated on the sketch located on the support rail. Incorrect position will result in malfunction of the machine.
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Wash the interior of the bin with a mild solution of detergent, and rinse with fresh water. Then wipe the bin interior with a sanitizing solution made of 100 PPM household bleach. Directions for obtaining solution strength of 100 PM are on the bleach container. 21. Place the service switch to the “on” position to resume the ice making cycle.
WINTER SHUT DOWN
If the ice cube maker is to be shut off for several months, remove all ice
from the bin and then Clean & Sanitize the ice maker. Water inlet and drain
lines must be blown out if the unit will be subjected to freezing temperatures
during shut down. Failure to do so may cause the water inlet or drain line to
freeze and rupture. Disconnect electricity to the machine and leave the door
cracked open to prevent any odor from developing.
OILING
All components of the ice maker are lubricated at the factory and should not
require any additional oiling for the normal life of the machine.
GENERAL CARE & CLEANING
Periodic inspection and cleaning is necessary to keep your ice cube maker
operating at peak efficiency and to assure a sanitary ice producing mechanism.
Your WHIRLPOOL dealer is well qualified to perform this service for you
CLEANING EXTERIOR SURFACES
Enamel finishes may be cleaned simply by wiping with a damp cloth. Regular
use of a good houschold appliance cleaner and wax is recommended for
protecting the finish. Stainless steel cabinets require the use of a stainless
steel cleaner. Carbonated water is an excellent cleaner if a regular stainless
steel cleaner is not available.
CLEANING THE CONDENSER
Water Cooled Models Over a prolonged period of time scale will form on the
inside walls of the water condenser which must be removed. When scale forms
the ice maker becomes less efficient and requires larger amounts of water for
cooling. The scale is cleaned from the inside of the condenser walls with
chemicals. It is recommended that the scale removal should be performed by
your WHIRLPOOL ice maker dealer. Air Cooled Models A dirty or clogged
condenser prevents proper air flow resulting in reduced ice capacity and
subjecting the unit to higher than normal operating temperatures. A vacuum
cleaner and a stiff brush should be used to remove the accumulation of lint
and dirt from the finned section of the condenser.
NOTE: Condensing units on these models are located on top of the ice making
cabinet or may be located in a remote area.
CLEANING & SANITIZING THE ICE MAKING SYSTEM
Impurities are rejected from the circulating water that freezes into ice.
These impurities collect on the freezing mechanism and in the water system and
form a hard scaly deposit. Generally this scale prevents a rapid release of
the ice slab during the harvest cycle and may cause the red warning light to
indicate intermittently. The water and ice making system, therefore, should be
periodically cleaned and sanitized. The frequency of cleaning will depend on
local water conditions and how rapidly scale accumulates.
Cleaning and sanitizing are not too difficult. Having a qualified service representative clean the system the first time should make subsequent cleaning easier to perform, if the operator wishes to take over this portion of the ice machine maintenance.
Follow this procedure to assure that the ice machine is clean and sanitary:
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Cleaning and sanitizing solutions: Both cleaning and sanitizing solutions are required. Prepare as follows: Cleaning Solution – Mix a solution of 2 1/3 cups powdered citric acid to seven quarts of hot water. Citric acid is available in most drug stores. Hot water should be used if possible as the citric acid will go into solution quicker and the cleaning itself is accomplished in less time. Commercial ice machine cleaners are also available in liquid form and should be mixed according to instructions on the label. These ice machine cleaners are available through commercial refrigeration supply houses. Sanitizer Solution – Mix sodium hypochlorite (common laundry bleach) with water. Follow instructions on the sanitizer container to obtain a solution of 100 PPM available chlorine.
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Place service switch in “off” position.
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Remove all ice from the storage bin.
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Swing the front panel open. If desired the front panel can be lifted off the hinges. If the front panel cannot be opened far enough to lift off the hinges the control panel on top must be removed to provide clearance. The control panel is secured by screws along the bottom front edge. Remove the service switch knob and the panel then is released by pulling forward.
CAUTION : Always disconnect electrical power to the machine when removing the control panel cover. -
With electrical power on and the service switch set to the ”on” position, proceed to:
- Shut off the water supply to the machine.
- Lift up gently on the thickness control arm. The water will stop circulating and the water in the reservoir pan will syphon out to the drain. If ice has formed on the freezing plates continue to hold up on the control until the ice sheets clear the freezing plates.
- Release the thickness control and set the service switch to the “clean” position.
IF THE MACHINE DOES NOT PRODUCE ICE
Check the following before calling a serviceman:
Unit does not run:
- Make sure service switch is positioned to “on”.
Check tuses in power supply to ice maker head and remote refrigeration unit. NOTE: If green light on control panel is lit, it indicates power supply is okay to ice making section. Separate fuses must be checked for the power to remote refrigeration section. Fuses inside control panel are for low voltage circuits only.
Unit runs but produces no ice
- Check all mercury switches positioned over water trough. Arms must be vertical. If switch arms are not vertical, check for bind. Check position of switch capsule in bracket against sketch on support rail.
- Turn service switch to “off” position for one minute and then reset to “on” position.
Unit runs but produces very little ice
- Operation of remote condensing unit in extremely high temperatures (normal for ice production to be low).
- Lint or dirt blocking proper air flow through finned condenser of air cooled condensing unit (check and clean) .
- Check for objects around condensing unit which would obstruct normal air flow.
Red light on control panel lit
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Whenever the red light is lit, it is an indication of an abnormally long harvest cycle. Long harvest cycles are generally caused by ice slabs not releasing properly and may indicate the machine needs to be cleaned
NOTE: The red indicator also lights up whenever the service switch is in the “clean” position. -
Call a qualified serviceman to check the machine if the above suggestions do not remedy the problem.
Warranty
Whirlpool Corporation warrants to the original purchaser of a WHIRLPOOL Commercial Automatic Ice Maker therein called ‘Appliance”‘) that it will, free of charge, repair or exchange at its option the following parts returned to Whirlpool, bu a Whirlpool Authorized Parts Distributor, within the periods specified below and found by Whirlpool to be defective n material or workmanship la: for a period of one year after purchase, all Whiripool approved or FSP parts comprising the Appliance. and ib) for a period of four years following that one-year period, the Whirlpool approved cr FSP motor compressor in the Appliance Wnripool shall have no responsibility for the labor. ship ping costs and other charges incurred through service nails removal and replacement of defective parts in the Appliance This Warranty is not transferable by the purchaser and shali be voided when anv part other than a Whirlpooi-approved or FSP part is incorporated in the Appliance. -1 alterations not approved by Whirlpool are made in the Appliance, if the serial number plate is altered or removed or i the repair or exchange of an en warranty part is made by other than a service organization authorized by Whirlpool as its dealer Further. this Warranty does not apply if an Appliance has been subjected 10 accidents, misuse. damage caused be flood, fire or act of God or nas been used on circuits, voltages or frequencies other than indicated on the serial number plate of the Appliance Whirlpool Corporation’s warrant obugal ons are limited to those set forth herein and no other arligations. expressed or implied are assumed b. Whirlpool Corporation.
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, BENTON HARBOR MICHIGAN
Benton Harbor, Michigan. Manufacturer of Automatic Washers, Wringer Washers, Clothes Dryers, Freezers, Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, Ice Makers, Dishwashers, Built-In Ovens and Surface Units, Ranges, Food Waste Disposers, Central Vacuum Systems, Dehumidifiers, Air Conditioners.
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