[Poodle Head Mikey]

JDO803W
9610
R-404

Compressor starts and runs.
Discharge line hot.
Compressor shell hotter than my delicate fingertips say is reasonable.
Hot gas line after solenoid is cool.
Molds do not chill.
Gauges equalize on startup and then change to:
Low - 2" vacuum
High - 200 lbs.
Subcooling - zero
I add some R-404 and head pressure increases slightly while subcooling almost immediately becomes 10 degrees.
Pull the TXV sensing bulb and hold in hot little hand - no change in suction pressure or warm suction line.
Pull TXV insulation and there is a small amount of frost near powerhead - none on line leaving TXV.

I conclude that the TXV is defective. Am I correct?

Alco TXV - #'s:
B36757-3
C(or G)T(or 1)5262-0
119635

Bristol Compressor M.# M65B163B

Is that just an off-the-shelf Alco valve?
Or is it OEM to Manitowoc or something?

Can I just stick in any old valve which will flow the compressors capacity?

PHM
-------

 

[DoctorIce]

Never seen a Bristol compressor on any ice machine but Kold-Draft.
Normally I would say go with the factory TXV (I agree it's very likely the TXV)
but with the (I think) non-factory compressor go with a generic TXV.

 

[r404a]

phm

diagnosis sounds good. go with oem only valve. bristol is probably original compressor aLlow time for leak checking..may have been a touch low as well...try it in a defrost cycle...if pressures match the book, it is a bettercas for the valve being the culprit


r404a

 

[itsiceman]

When it's a water cooled machine some tricks don't work so well
Better to weigh the charge out for a double check when you go back

They had some Bristols for a while Doc

 

[Milk man]

I thought the J model had a TXV problem a long time ago. I remember a couple of issues.

I kinda miss working on ice machines regularly.

 

[cool whiz]

I think you found the problem.

 

[QTEMP]

Sounds correct to me....but remember to weigh in the charge when you change the TXV and if there are two, change them both. Yu can use an over the counter TXV. However, I would use the OEM which is a Danfoss and is a very good valve. I have recently changed a TXV on a little undercounter Manitowoc with a truck stock Danfoss TXV and I didn't even have to adjust the valve. If the unit is in bad shape, recommend an Iceomatic as a replacement. That's what I would do

 

[itsiceman]

However, I would use the OEM which is a Danfoss and is a very good valve.

Q I would use an OEM valve too but honestly you like how those valves work
Less failures than the Alcos but
With out a doubt the Sporlans they used to use worked better at metering refrigerant IMO

 

[jericoriver]

Q I would use an OEM valve too but honestly you like how those valves work
Less failures than the Alcos but
With out a doubt the Sporlans they used to use worked better at metering refrigerant IMO

I love the danfoss on any refrigeration. I won't put on an alco if I can get a danfoss. If you have to adjust it, it's instant when you do. No having to wait to see where it's going to go after a quarter turn and 30 minutes to level out.

 

[QTEMP]

The Danfoss expansion valve, and I have to give credit to Manitowoc, is THE BEST valve I have ever used. Currently, we are running into all brands of TXV's failing. I don't know what Sporlan has done, but they have taken a fantastic valve and have made it the worst TXV I have ever seen. Alco would be my choice over a Sporlan. That's hard to say coming from a die hard Sporlan guy. If there are failures on Danfoss TXV's, I will guarantee it is because of improper brazing techniques. It is a difficult valve to install......read the directions and you will not have any issues with this valve and we have changed over 100 of them in the past few years with maybe one failure.

 

[QTEMP]

Q I would use an OEM valve too but honestly you like how those valves work
Less failures than the Alcos but
With out a doubt the Sporlans they used to use worked better at metering refrigerant IMO

Yep, sure do.....my first choice and the best TXV on the market if installed correctly.

 

[itsiceman]

Guess it's me
I don't change any but don't like the way the meter either

 

[Jabarco]

Yep, sure do.....my first choice and the best TXV on the market if installed correctly.

Qtip,
Danfoss has ALWAYS made the best "fractional tonnage" TXV in the industry. However, someday you might get a chance to work beyond fractional tonnage, and then you'd want to be a real Sporlan Guy. We both know Manitowoc uses the best (Danfoss), but what's Ice-O-Matic using as a TXV?


Photo courtesy of esornivram

 

[Poodle Head Mikey]

That ain't no Real valve

Show him a picture of an iron-body Sporlan or Alco 150 ton TXV. <g>

PHM
--------

Qtip,
Danfoss has ALWAYS made the best "fractional tonnage" TXV in the industry. However, someday you might get a chance to work beyond fractional tonnage, and then you'd want to be a real Sporlan Guy. We both know Manitowoc uses the best (Danfoss), but what's Ice-O-Matic using as a TXV?


Photo courtesy of esornivram

 

[itsiceman]

You too Jabs
Had another newer 600 SH all over the place
still makinice but the compressor is starting to go.

 

[Jabarco]

You too Jabs
Had another newer 600 SH all over the place
still makinice but the compressor is starting to go.

I repaired my first Manitowoc ice machine since when the '84 Olympics came to Los Angeles (the A Series) and I've seen Alco, Sporlan and Danfoss TXV's in all of them and have seen all three brands fail. Also, seen Copeland, Bristol, Tecumseh and Danfoss compressors in all of them and have seen all their brands fail. However, I believe Danfoss is the best OEM FRACTIONAL TONNAGE TXV they have ever used. Just make darn sure you strap the bulb on correctly (with the indentation on the suction line).

 

[itsiceman]

I find if your not in a sweet spot with ambient temps they are fussy.
correctly mounted and dry bulb.
Maybe it's not a valve problem but didn't have the issues before
and I've worked on a few A's myself
Be willing to bet if you put a Sporlan valve in the flaker it would work too

Just curious what issues with large tonage Danfoss design that your seeing that would not be an issue in the fractional valve.
Could it be they have similar problems just less obvious on the smaller stuff or maybe I'm just being a sensitive little *****

 

[pilotlight]

I kinda miss working on ice machines regularly.

Are you serious ?

 

[jeep6275]

heck i miss working on refrigeration regularly and its only been 8 months!

 

[itsiceman]

Just make darn sure you strap the bulb on correctly (with the indentation on the suction line).

FWIW the newer valves no longer have the flat spot or the tapered end