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Service FAQ Page - An
Industry Best Service FAQ Table of Contents:
A: Startup service is an option purchased when the chiller is purchased. If you purchased a factory startup, locate the Request for Startup form in the back of the chiller manual. If the form or manual is missing, call the service department to have the form faxed to you. Once you have the form, carefully read, complete, and sign the form. When the form is complete, fax it to the service department at the number listed on the form. The form must be signed. This is a legal agreement between the company (representative) signing the form and ArctiChill, Inc. Allow 5 working days for ArctiChill to schedule the startup. Forms not signed will not be honored. If you did not purchase a startup with the chiller, but would like to have factory authorized assistance for the startup, we can provide telephone numbers for local service contractors in your area. In these cases, you are responsible for payment to the contractor. All of our service contractors are aware of this policy.
A: Yes. Remember, this is a water chiller. Water has to be flowing through the chiller before the refrigeration circuit will operate. With the pump operating, water flows through the water circuit and engages the flow switch in the chiller. The flow switch is a part of the refrigeration electrical circuit. If the flow switch does not engage, the circuit is broken, shutting the chiller down. This is a safety feature to prevent the refrigeration system from freezing up, which could cause the heat exchanger to break.
Q: How much pressure should the pump produce? A: In an open (vented lid) tank system normal pump operating pressure is approximately 40 psi (pounds per square inch). If the pressure is actually around 20 psi, the pump is most likely running backwards. In this case, the 3 phase electrical connections must be corrected by a qualified electrician in order to get the correct pump rotation. In an enclosed tank system normal pump operating pressure is 40 psi plus the tank pressure. This depends on the tank pressure, but a typical tank pressure of 20 psi would result in 60 psi with he pump in operation, and of course 20 psi when the pump is off.
Q: How much glycol needs to be in my chiller? A: This completely depends upon your geographical location. Colder climates require more glycol protection than warmer climates. ArctiChill recommends a minimum protection of 25% glycol in warm climates where no freeze protection is needed. In addition to freeze protection, the glycol provides rust inhibitors as well as lubrication to the system. With each chiller manual, there is a chart to be used to help determine glycol percentages for the chiller. Determine what temperature you need to protect against for your area and calculate the proper percentage from the chart. ArctiChill recommends that no more than 60% glycol be used in any situation. Total system capacity equals tank capacity plus the piping volume of the entire system. To obtain a proper mixture, glycol must be diluted (and mixed thoroughly) with water outside the chiller before being pumped into the tank. This ensures that the mixture percentage is constant throughout the system as well as preventing the possibility of slugging the pump by pouring glycol directly into the tank.
Q: Why can't I use automotive glycol in my chiller? A: Some people think that because it provides freeze protection at a low cost, automotive antifreeze, which is a corrosion inhibited glycol solution, is safe for HVAC systems. The problem with automotive antifreeze, or ethylene glycol, is that it usually contains silicate-based inhibitors, which work best in automobile engines where aluminum is present. In HVAC systems these same components will coat heat exchanger surfaces and reduce energy efficiency. Not only can these silicates gel and foul or plug the system, but they have been shown to significantly reduce the lifespan of pump seals. Furthermore, DOWFROST® is formulated to last for up to 20 years, whereas the manufacturer's recommended fluid life for automotive antifreeze is only 2 to 3 years. So the initial cost advantage rapidly disappears. In the 20 years DOWFROST® could last in a cooling system, automotive antifreeze would need to be replaced up to 10 times!
Q: The pump is running and I have plenty of water flow, but the compressor won't come on. What could be wrong? A: There are several real possibilities in this situation. The first reaction is to replace the flow switch, but this is not always the problem. True, the flow switch must be engaged before the compressor will operate, but why is the flow switch not engaging? Troubleshoot the series circuit to determine where the circuit is open. If the circuit is open across the flow switch, you need to determine why. The flow switch requires a certain minimum flow rate to engage the switch. Although you may think the flow is adequate, most of the flow may be bypassing external of the chiller (as in dry cleaning plants) and diverting water from the flow switch. Another possibility is the paddle in the flow switch assembly may be crooked within the tee and therefore be jammed. If the flow switch is not the problem, there are several other items in the series circuit to the compressor that could be holding the compressor off. A qualified factory service technician may be required to solve the problem.
Q: Why doesn't the fan come on when the chiller comes on? A: Chillers with one condenser fan normally have a low ambient fan cycling switch to control fan operation. During cooler weather the fan will not come on until the chiller head pressure increases enough to engage the switch. When the head pressure decreases, the fan will cut off once again until the head pressure goes back up. Chillers with two fans typically will have one fan operating on the fan cycling switch, while one fan operates with the compressor. Chillers with four or more fans will typically have one or two fans on each refrigeration circuit operating on a fan cycling switch. The reason for this is to help maintain head and suction pressures during cold weather.
Q: How do the remote panels (ACWS & RCP) wire (connect) to the chiller? A: Remote panels are optional equipment purchased with the chiller. Each panel is designed to operate with the chiller according to the job specifications, therefore every remote panel may wire differently. The wiring diagrams sent with the chiller and the various panels must be carefully studied before making the final connections. Each panel has its own terminal strips, marked TB-1 and TB-2, etc. DO NOT WIRE THE PANELS TERMINAL TO TERMINAL. For instance, TB-1-1 on one panel may wire to TB-1-4 on the other panel. If you do not understand the wiring diagrams, please call ArctiChill's service and technical support office for assistance.
Q: What is the warranty coverage on my chiller? A: Chillers are warranted on manufacturing workmanship and on all parts against material defect for 13 months from the date of shipment from the factory. In addition, chillers include a 5 year limited warranty on all compressors. Medical chillers that have extended warranty coverage are warranted for 12 months from date of startup on all parts and labor. Labor for startup, repairs, or preventative maintenance are the responsibility of the customer unless an extended, optional warranty is purchased. All shipping costs, except covered medical units, are the customer's responsibility. Some parts will have to be returned to the factory for credit. In these instances we will issue an RMA (Returned Materials Authorization) allowing you to return the defective part. See the warranty statement enclosed with your chiller manual for more details.
Have a question about your chiller that is not answered here? Call our Service and Technical Support hotline at 803-321-0779 or submit your question via email. You may be helping to contribute to our FAQ page.
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