Chiller Diagnosis

How do you know whether your chiller needs servicing? How do you know your chiller is failing? Whether is it worth to buy that 2nd hand chiller? These are all the questions asked when people call me. Think i will put it into my blog for people to easy access when needed.

Visual checks - check whether the chiller is covered in dust, especially the chokage to the condenser. What is a condenser? The condenser of the chiller is for freon gas heat exchange. Here are the list of brands of chiller condenser location, with the help of a torch light, look for signs of dust chokage, the front of chiller is always the view at which you view thermostat reading:

Picture of condenser

• Old version Haile chillers (white), condenser is located above the chill water inlet and outlet.
• New version Haile chiller (black) smaller horse power unit, the condenser is located infront, you will be able to see it when you open up the front panel.
• New version Haile chiller (black) bigger horse power unit, the condenser is located behind.
• Teco older version chillers (black) smallest horse power unit, the condenser is located at the bottom of chiller.
• Teco older version chillers (black) higher horse power unit, the condenser is located at the back.
• Teco newer version chillers (grey), the condenser is located at the bottom.
• Atman chillers (light grey), the condenser is located at the back.
• Resun chillers model 280, 450, 650, 300 (black & grey for 280), condenser is at the back.
• Arctica chillers indoor unit, condenser is located in front.
• Arctica chillers outdoor unit, condenser is located at the back.
• Pacific Coo chillers all version, condenser is located in front.

Listen for adnormal noise - noise like high pitch shrieking sound, loud knocking sound that vibrates chiller. Usually if the chiller fan fails, loud knocking sound with vibration can be heard, no air flows when chiller is running, its best to switch off chiller to prevent further damage.

High pitch shrieking sound most likely leads to fan motor failing.

Fan motor air flow sound can be heard but not chiller compressor, most likely compressor seized, capacitor of compressor blown, relay of compressor failed or thermostat faulty.

Most important of all, check for hot air flow. If the chiller is healthy, without dust chokage, you should be able to feel hot air flow. If there is no hot air flow the following most likely the cause:

• compressor failure or seized
• thermostat failure, compressor not cut in
• gas leakage
• fan motor failing, fan motor is not spining at max speed
• compressor not cut in due to blown capacitor, faulty relay or faulty wiring.

As long as you can feel hot air flow from chiller, most likely the chiller is healthy. Or in the case of choosing a 2nd hand chiller, its rather worth to get a chiller with hot air felt. This is only a general guide, you can contact me at +65 97979910 for chiller repair, servicing or enquiries regarding chiller issues.