Chiller help

[Marlin]

I have a Current USA 1/4 HP chiller on my 180 gal reef tank. When it runs, the coil of small diameter copper tubing that comes out of the condenser is getting completly covered with ice. Then when the chiller shuts off, the ice melts and the water runs all over the floor. :at_wits_end:
It just started to do this. Anyone know what is causing this?

Rick

[brewercm]

Sounds like the either the coil is dirty (part that looks like a radiator) needs to be cleaned, or it also could be that it is running low on freon and needs to be serviced.

[Marlin]

The chiller is almost new. Only been running about 2 months, coil is clean. Could it be caused by some air being trapped in the cooling chamber? Seems to have started when I shut it down and partially drained it to install the UV sterilizer that is inserted into the cooling chamber.

Rick

[brewercm]

How is the flow through the chiller when this happens. Is it possible that the water flow is either too much or too little for the rating?

[Marlin]

I have a dedicated pump for the chiller that puts out about 900 gal/hr. The chiller specs say that you should have 540 to 960 gal/hr. So I think it's fine. I even tried cutting back a little on the flow and no difference.

Rick

[Marlin]

Anyone have ideas what could be causing this problem???? Help please:at_wits_end:

Rick

[Aquarium masters]

I have an ac business next to my shop and he seems to think that if the coil is clean then it is probably low on freon. Same advice as brewercm... try blowing out the coil with some compressed air just in case its pulled in some dust bunnies. What about insulating the tube with some foam?

[Marlin]

Thanks Eric:
I think I'm coming to the same conclusion, that it's low on freon. I'm suprised because this chiller has only been running for 1 1/2 months. If it's low on freon it probably means that there's a leak.
Is the A/C shop next to your store in Edinburg or CC?

Thanks,
Rick

[Aquarium masters]

Edinburg. Polar air. If you call ask for Sam. He's the owner. I have his cell# call me if you want me to see if he has any service calls in your area or if you want to take it in and I can see when he is available.

[CoryDude]

The ice is forming on the liquild freon line because there's a pressure difference between it and the gas side. As said before, this is usually caused by low freon or dirty condensor. Since the unit is brand new, I'd bet it's not the condensor. Call Current first, as this should be under their 1 year warranty.

[brewercm]

The ice is forming on the liquild freon line because there's a pressure difference between it and the gas side. As said before, this is usually caused by low freon or dirty condensor. Since the unit is brand new, I'd bet it's not the condensor. Call Current first, as this should be under their 1 year warranty.


Agree on checking the warranty for it. The guy should be able to easily check for any freon leak on that unit. Once the case is off all is exposed and I'm sure he has a leack detector if he's an A/C guy.

[Marlin]

Thanks everyone for all the input. Unfortunately I bought the chiller over a year ago and didn't start using it until a month and a half ago, so the warrantee has expired.

Eric:
I'll contact you to get the phone number of the A/C guy.

Thanks,
Rick