Repair a Ratan Ice Maker

[Ka1oxd]

Ok, many people would say I am nuts, but the first year I used the boat, the ice maker did create tons of ice in a few hours. This year, the ice maker could not even fill the bucket in 24 hours. The ice maker is working but it seems the mechanics of knocking out the ice stops running the cycle.

Has anyone taken that apart and tried to repair it? I just like to fiddle on the boat.

 

[trit21]

Mine was doing the same thing on my Tiara, it was an Raritan model. I concluded the heater to warm the ice up after it is froze to break it free from the tray did not work. Confirmed by Raritan once I sent it in. To repair that, the entire ice tray module had to be replaced which meant breaking the freon lines apart and recharging system. For me to send back, have repair and returned to me was about $250. Well worth it since we use the hell out of our ice maker almost all year long.

 

[endless seas]

I rebuilt mine this spring with new parts( ice tray was main problem).It took more time to get the unit out than to repair.
I paid 160.00 total and works like a champ.The compressor was fine.

Good luck!

 

[fwebster]

The icemaker modules are sourced by Raritan from whoever makes them for Whirpool, etc., so the icemaker module is available from multiple vendors . The problem you may run into with a Raritan products is that they no longer supply service parts for a lot of older units. I just had to replace my whole icemaker because they no longer supported the compressor for my 1996 model. That turned a $2-300 repair into a $1200 one, but I have a very pretty icemaker.

 

[Turtlesboat]

The control module can get all jammed up and it will slow down the ice production. That was a problem with mine. I replaced the module for like $65 and it cranked out the ice. I also cleaned the water valve and that helped in the size of the cubes.

 

[Turtlesboat]

The control module is the brown thing with the white gear.

 

[Ka1oxd]

Thank you all. I think it is in the control module myself. The ice maker is plenty cold enough to make ice. The water runs fine, found that adjustment. But it seems the motor that runs the little brass gear that runs the cycle is not moving after watching it for a while today. I manual walked it through the cycle and ice dropped, but it will not cycle on its own. Thanks again

 

[Turtlesboat]

yeah, it sounds like the control module. replace that sucker and I bet you're back in business.

 

[fwebster]

Raritan has published a troubleshooting procedure to identify problem components. If you connect terminal ports "T" & "H" with a jumper wire. the synchronous motor will make the large white gear rotate. If it does not rotate, them the module boards is bad. If it does turn, then there is a different problem. The entire procedure is on the Raritan website if you need more information. Here:

http://www.raritaneng.com/tech_support/icerette_repair.html

 

[Turtlesboat]

I think in this case, all parts are functioning, just not functioning well. The control module has a little motor that drives the mechanism and the gear on the motor is metal and corrodes, which slows the whole cycle to a crawl. You may be able to clean it, I didn't find that to be of any help on mine, so I replaced it. It went from producing a bucket of ice in 3 days, to a full bucket in about 6 hours.

 

[Ka1oxd]

I am wondering when I go to pull this apart, that corrosion has increased the resistance which is limiting the voltage and amperage to engage the circuit correctly. I have seen items where I replaced the wires and solder joints and that resolved the problems. Thanks for the trouble shooting guide.

 

[rondds]

I had a problem with my home icemaker - not making ice. There are youtube videos on how to "jump" various parts of the control module to trouble shoot. Also tells you what resistance readings should be present when jumping these parts.

When I did what the video said, I was able to isolate the problem to the water solenoid. Replaced it ($39) and all is well. I noticed that the module on the Raritan on the boat was the same one in my Fridgidaire at home.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Ron, you could have probably just cleaned it. it's a pretty simple electromagnetic valve. power energizes the magnet and it lifts a metal plunger and lets the water through. if it's dirty, then no water through. There's also a screen on the feed side to the valve that should be cleaned every so often.

 

[dpmulvey]

A dock mate had the same problem (as am I). He ripped the unit out and ordered all new guts and a new gasket from a local appliance place (1/4 the price). He cut it to fit. All told, the rebuild was less than $350 vs. close to a thousand for a new one.

It's on my short list.

 

[Ka1oxd]

It seems to be the tray warmer before it ejects the ice. It is not warming up enough which then every thing locks down. While I was winterizing the boat yesterday, I was inside and had the antifreeze in the line. It went through a few cycles without any problems. Once I put water in the tray, would not cycle anymore. Parts time to come.

 

[barlow]

Can anyone assist, my Raritan ice maker seems to flood extra water into the ice tray thereby giving a solid block of ice rather than cubes. Water solenoid perhaps...?
Any suggestions welcome.

 

[NorCal Boater]

James - When I had my 340 I had a similar problem and I just bought bags of ice and dumped it into the tray and put the arm up so it wouldn't try and make ice. In other words I turned it into a freezer. It just didn't seem worth fixing and we liked the store-bought ice better anyway.

Shawn

 

[rondds]

My vote is water solenoid. But I'd call up Raritan. I'm sure they can give you the answer you need.

This is a great video to explain how these things work. Pretty simple mechanisms and the ones for a home icemaker are really no different than the one on your boat. At 7m45s they discuss your problem. Could be the timer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCUgA5T5ASw

There are other vids on youtube. Give them a look. I always scour youtube for answers before calling a repair guy.