I have found connectors crimped on the never-stripped insulation, plugs that aren’t fully seated (although they appear to be), molex pins that aren’t aligned properly in the plug, etc., etc. So many times the wire jiggle is a great diagnostic tool!
Tip: (I worked my way through college as an electronics tech). When you said you removed a screw and the problem cleared you should have immediately suspected a loose connection somewhere near that screw or near anything that might have moved near that plate when it was loosened. It could be a bad plug/receptacle combo, or a loose connector, a cold solder joint on the board, or even a broken trace on the board. Get yourself some cans of freeze spray, a plastic stick to probe, and a heat shrink gun (NOT a hair dryer...you want a very narrow heat orifice). GENTLY tap everything (not banging hard like you did in the video). You can alternate freeze spray and the heat gun to look for thermal make/break locating. Most of the problems you show on the channel are big heavy faults, but in small stuff like printed circuit board or signal wiring failures, being too aggressive can hide intermittent failures. Few things frustrated me more than intermittents and I have dozens of "war stories" hunting down those frustrating little SOBs!
I'm so glad you posted this because I have been finding lots of issues lately with new manitowoc's and the bin switches. It's helpful to see what you do to troubleshoot this issue. Thanks!
The moment you said that you removed the screw and the problem went away, I said to myself "Ah! A connector problem!" A standard way to fix old computers that no longer work is to just press on all of the connectors, or take them apart and re-plug them. This is actually a valid fix that can last decades.
Thank you for your service sir. As a soon to be tech on my last couple months in school, it seems like the possibilities of problems are endless. Kinda nerve racking. It is what it is. Thanks for recording so much of your experiences.
being an electrician. the moment you unscrewd that panel and the machine bumped to live i would have for the sake of sanity pulled out and checked every wire harness in that cabinet. ive seen wierd issues because its hard to see if a connection is present on a badly crimped wire or similar or even if theres burned out terminal pins
I'm with you, my mentor always told me to use my fingers and check each connection when I was a trainee. If anything else fails, reconnect plugs and connections and while doing that, inspect if they are really done, probably.
Good practice to fold over the wire if there's enough room in the connector. I've used this practice when crimping onto solid t'stat wire, especially the really thin stuff. Crescent 909 crimpers are the very best. I use the "non" anvil for both.
I have seen the same issue with Manitowoc intermittent issue, it took a while but I found a pin on the board not completely soldered, so pin was loose. So far i have noticed on two units, one straight out of the factory.
Good video Chris. Intermittent issues are always a blast. Ordered one of the hooded sweaters. Can’t wait to get it. Going to be my spring jacket. Will tag ya on instagram once I get it.
I will recommend you that as soon as you get to the job site and if it shows being satisfied and its not full with ice bump the ice curtain switch, that way you know if that's your problem, you literally missed the opportunity to make the troubleshooting easy
Chris I haven't had this problem with Manitowoc but I had 2 Hoshizakis drive me crazy with a similar problem, the machine would be off and as soon as you touched it would start. Turned out to be a bad solder connection on the circuit board and any vibration to the board would close the connection temporarily.
Those are the types of issues that are the hardest to properly troubleshoot. Intermittent issues and solving them is where you "make your bones" in this trade. It happens to all of us at some point
The key for me was when you removed the cover screw and the problem went away. That immediately made me think that the problem was in the box - loose connection, or something flexing on the circuit board, etc.
While possibly not something likely in your environment, some insects like warm electronics on cold days. We had some outdoor equipment that would reset on cool mornings, so an intermittent problem. It turned out to be an insect with dew on its belly walking over a reset signal on a circuit board. I think we found the problem because the insect would die when that happened. In a separate incident with my home condenser, I had a very noisy contactor, and it turned out to be a dead insect inside the relay. So, one more possibility to think about when you have intermittent problems.
I graduate from my school on the 25 of next month I’m nervous what I will be encountering in the field this video was a nightmare I literally would have been stuck
The real question is were the sensors backwards, or was the silkscreen on the PCB incorrect? The LEDs physically matching left and right (how it was from the factory) makes more sense.
I wish you could also deliver merch here to Germany but I understand that shipping would be very unprofitable :( I really love your videos, even if they are years old and like the way you do your job even if I'm a lineman :) greetings from Germany
It sounds to me that, given that these machines are computer controlled, having the sensors swapped around caused it to run in an LOS or Limited Operation Strategy Mode which would explain why it still functioned despite a multitude of errors. The 'bin full' error was possibly it's way of saying 'I have a problem and I've deduced it's something to do with my bin sensors but I don't know exactly what so I'm giving you this error message because it's all I've got to give you'. Okay, so giving a 'personality' to a machine may seem weird to some but once you get to 'know' a machine you can seem like a magician those times when you just observe, get a 'feel' for the machine, what's right and what isn't and then just fix the problems. An added bonus is that not only did you fix the problems but the machine (or equipment) somehow runs better than it has done before... :)
oxidation on the pins where the connector plugged in.. If they arent gold plated. A little wiggle can scrape off the oxide layer and suddenly everything works again.
Intermittent problems are frustrating no matter what you trying to fix - ice machines, cars, copiers, computer applications, satellites... Nothing is worse than trying to fix a problem you can reproduce reliably because no matter how many hours you work the problem, you always leave with this awful feeling that it is going to happen again as soon as you drive all the way back to the shop.
Left side and right side do matter. Just so you know. If they’re switched it’ll shut off the wrong air pump when curtain opens. And you’ll have a long freeze.
I would think it was the wire.. because U removed the cover and it reset. Notice your tapping vibrations below had no effect... until your hand touched the wire on the board... I would retrace my steps
an intermittent problem is one of the worst problems to diagnose and fix. As a mechanic, I can totally sympathise with the "well it was broke before you came". Not saying that this issue is contained in the video but it's frustrating nonetheless
I have found connectors crimped on the never-stripped insulation, plugs that aren’t fully seated (although they appear to be), molex pins that aren’t aligned properly in the plug, etc., etc. So many times the wire jiggle is a great diagnostic tool!
I’ve had several heatcrap condensers come with the clear crimp nuts with the wiring not stripped.
I hope you called them and told them all about it. They try to gaslight us constantly and say every machine is tested before it leaves the factory 😂
Tip: (I worked my way through college as an electronics tech). When you said you removed a screw and the problem cleared you should have immediately suspected a loose connection somewhere near that screw or near anything that might have moved near that plate when it was loosened.
It could be a bad plug/receptacle combo, or a loose connector, a cold solder joint on the board, or even a broken trace on the board.
Get yourself some cans of freeze spray, a plastic stick to probe, and a heat shrink gun (NOT a hair dryer...you want a very narrow heat orifice).
GENTLY tap everything (not banging hard like you did in the video). You can alternate freeze spray and the heat gun to look for thermal make/break locating.
Most of the problems you show on the channel are big heavy faults, but in small stuff like printed circuit board or signal wiring failures, being too aggressive can hide intermittent failures.
Few things frustrated me more than intermittents and I have dozens of "war stories" hunting down those frustrating little SOBs!
I'm so glad you posted this because I have been finding lots of issues lately with new manitowoc's and the bin switches. It's helpful to see what you do to troubleshoot this issue. Thanks!
Problemas muy complicados pero tú los resuelves siempre Chris y eso es toda tú experiencia.
Saludos desde Coacalco Edo de México.
I learn so much in terms of troubleshooting equipment from these videos. Keep up the great work, Chris!
The moment you said that you removed the screw and the problem went away, I said to myself "Ah! A connector problem!" A standard way to fix old computers that no longer work is to just press on all of the connectors, or take them apart and re-plug them. This is actually a valid fix that can last decades.
I don't know why but as someone who isn't involved in your industry in any way or even based in the US I love the ice machine videos
Thank you for your service sir.
As a soon to be tech on my last couple months in school, it seems like the possibilities of problems are endless. Kinda nerve racking. It is what it is. Thanks for recording so much of your experiences.
Very interesting, intermittent problems are the worst 100%. Agreed.
Technically , an ice machine by design is intermittent !
😂
being an electrician. the moment you unscrewd that panel and the machine bumped to live i would have for the sake of sanity pulled out and checked every wire harness in that cabinet.
ive seen wierd issues because its hard to see if a connection is present on a badly crimped wire or similar or even if theres burned out terminal pins
I'm with you, my mentor always told me to use my fingers and check each connection when I was a trainee. If anything else fails, reconnect plugs and connections and while doing that, inspect if they are really done, probably.
Good practice to fold over the wire if there's enough room in the connector. I've used this practice when crimping onto solid t'stat wire, especially the really thin stuff. Crescent 909 crimpers are the very best. I use the "non" anvil for both.
I always crimp from the back of the sta-con.
Your Experience around this Equipment is Priceless. 👍🙏
Thanks
Great video my man! I've been in this trade since 1984 and I still learn new stuff from you!
I have seen the same issue with Manitowoc intermittent issue, it took a while but I found a pin on the board not completely soldered, so pin was loose. So far i have noticed on two units, one straight out of the factory.
Keep up the hard work, Chris! I really enjoy the videos! learn a lot from you!
Thanks, Im glad your getting some out of these
It's ice machine month, BTW.
It’s funny how that works , I don’t get ice machine calls for a while than all of the sudden bam
Great video again! The only other issue that might cause that problem is weak/loose solder joints on the board.
Good video Chris. Intermittent issues are always a blast. Ordered one of the hooded sweaters. Can’t wait to get it. Going to be my spring jacket. Will tag ya on instagram once I get it.
I will recommend you that as soon as you get to the job site and if it shows being satisfied and its not full with ice bump the ice curtain switch, that way you know if that's your problem, you literally missed the opportunity to make the troubleshooting easy
Chris I haven't had this problem with Manitowoc but I had 2 Hoshizakis drive me crazy with a similar problem, the machine would be off and as soon as you touched it would start. Turned out to be a bad solder connection on the circuit board and any vibration to the board would close the connection temporarily.
Good job Chris.
Those are the types of issues that are the hardest to properly troubleshoot. Intermittent issues and solving them is where you "make your bones" in this trade. It happens to all of us at some point
The key for me was when you removed the cover screw and the problem went away. That immediately made me think that the problem was in the box - loose connection, or something flexing on the circuit board, etc.
Great Video. Thank you for sharing
While possibly not something likely in your environment, some insects like warm electronics on cold days. We had some outdoor equipment that would reset on cool mornings, so an intermittent problem. It turned out to be an insect with dew on its belly walking over a reset signal on a circuit board. I think we found the problem because the insect would die when that happened.
In a separate incident with my home condenser, I had a very noisy contactor, and it turned out to be a dead insect inside the relay.
So, one more possibility to think about when you have intermittent problems.
I graduate from my school on the 25 of next month I’m nervous what I will be encountering in the field this video was a nightmare I literally would have been stuck
The real question is were the sensors backwards, or was the silkscreen on the PCB incorrect? The LEDs physically matching left and right (how it was from the factory) makes more sense.
Could also be a dry joint on the PCB, usually caused by lead free solder. Just wiggling the wires may be enough to fix it.
I wish you could also deliver merch here to Germany but I understand that shipping would be very unprofitable :(
I really love your videos, even if they are years old and like the way you do your job even if I'm a lineman :)
greetings from Germany
It ran when you opened the electronics bay, so possible pressure on wires loosening a bin sensor connector, but opening it caused a reconnection?
It sounds to me that, given that these machines are computer controlled, having the sensors swapped around caused it to run in an LOS or Limited Operation Strategy Mode which would explain why it still functioned despite a multitude of errors. The 'bin full' error was possibly it's way of saying 'I have a problem and I've deduced it's something to do with my bin sensors but I don't know exactly what so I'm giving you this error message because it's all I've got to give you'.
Okay, so giving a 'personality' to a machine may seem weird to some but once you get to 'know' a machine you can seem like a magician those times when you just observe, get a 'feel' for the machine, what's right and what isn't and then just fix the problems. An added bonus is that not only did you fix the problems but the machine (or equipment) somehow runs better than it has done before... :)
Could you come out with a bucket hat for the summer
oxidation on the pins where the connector plugged in.. If they arent gold plated. A little wiggle can scrape off the oxide layer and suddenly everything works again.
Intermittent problems are frustrating no matter what you trying to fix - ice machines, cars, copiers, computer applications, satellites... Nothing is worse than trying to fix a problem you can reproduce reliably because no matter how many hours you work the problem, you always leave with this awful feeling that it is going to happen again as soon as you drive all the way back to the shop.
My friend, let's call him Dave, he lives and works in Northern California and he's kinda chilly and he could use a sweatshirt.
Alternative title: Plugs & Connectors OCD Intensifies.
Big picture diagnosis
Left side and right side do matter. Just so you know. If they’re switched it’ll shut off the wrong air pump when curtain opens. And you’ll have a long freeze.
Long harvest *
Finish the video to the closing words I address that
Ice makers , an exercise in patience.
They make nice ice but I hated working on them!
Maybe bad solder join?
I would think it was the wire.. because U removed the cover and it reset. Notice your tapping vibrations below had no effect... until your hand touched the wire on the board... I would retrace my steps
an intermittent problem is one of the worst problems to diagnose and fix. As a mechanic, I can totally sympathise with the "well it was broke before you came". Not saying that this issue is contained in the video but it's frustrating nonetheless
also could be a bad soilder joint.
The Engineers that put the left led on the right should be ashamed. (killing my OCD)
The connectors are right next to each other and the same length - so it could have been an assembly issue, not a design issue.
561 thumbs up
I dont like the Electronic shit men shit is bad better old technic😊
I would like to buy some merch however do you ship to Australia.