Ice maker mechanics

[Timsmith]

Got a Manitowic SN20A, Ice and water machine. It cycles, but will not produce enough ice. The compressor is running way before the nuggets are being made. Should it make ice as soon as the fan and compressor comes on?

[fuzzy]

The best ice machine is one that someone else owns.

[Jscrapmetal]

Need to give it me, it's no good.

[Bownut]

What size is the ice? 1/2, 3/4 of normal size or normal size ,just not all the way across. When was the last time you cleaned the plates? The compressor comes on when the bin thermostat calls for it (gets warm) and when it reaches a set temp (cold enough to make ice) it will start a cycle or harvest timer. at the end of the cycle, it will send power to a reversing valve which reverses the refrigerant flow putting the hot refrigerant on the plates to melt the ice enough to turn loose and fall in to the bin. If the plates aren't clean they have a harder time turning loose from it, with calcium build up and such. Another thing to check is the inlet water valve, it is run by the timer, so if it's clogged it won't fill the reservoir all the way up, then it will run out of water that is being trickled over the plates, but you should be able to hear the circulator pump suck air and making noise like it's out of water and you would see that no water is trickling over the plates.

[TheSkipper]

Clean the sensor on the front of the plates. Could have enough slim on it to pick up defrost signal.