Penguin Chiller Issue - Coil Freezing

[sleev-les]

I can't seem to find a troubleshooting answer that works. I have the 1/2hp Penguin chiller and the coil within the reservoir is freezing. I've done everything that Penguins instructions said. Changed the glycol mix and put a 50/50 concentration in. Raised the temp from 28 to 34 to see if it stops, but even at 34 it will freeze when the pump engages to cool the glycol mixture. It has to be something wrong with the chiller itself, but don't know what to check for. Anyone else ever deal with this. Typically this would mean to me that it is low on refrigerant like if your house A/C unit was low on freon. I'm at a loss. It is limping by to keep a lager going right now, but crashing I feel will cause a huge issue and I'd like it to work as it should. I've had the unit for a couple years.

 

[Indian_villager]

Do you have a temperature sensor you trust? Like a meat thermometer you know to be accurate? Can you put it into the reservoir and compare the temp reading to the one on the controller to see if your controller/controller probe is shot?

 

[sleev-les]

Do you have a temperature sensor you trust? Like a meat thermometer you know to be accurate? Can you put it into the reservoir and compare the temp reading to the one on the controller to see if your controller/controller probe is shot?

I do. The temp near the chiller probe is within a degree of the probe I stuck in there so accurate. At the coil it’s 22 when iced up. I’ve also blown out the unit with compressed air to make sure the heat exchanger is clear if any possible buildup.

 

[Indian_villager]

I'd suggest a small pond pump in the reservoir to keep it circulated to ensure the temp is as accurate as possible, the movement should reduce freezeup as well. Has this always been an issue or is this recent?

 

[sleev-les]

I'd suggest a small pond pump in the reservoir to keep it circulated to ensure the temp is as accurate as possible, the movement should reduce freezeup as well. Has this always been an issue or is this recent?

I currently am fermenting a Lager so it is recirculating. It is a new issue and I never had the issue before. Chiller is 5 years old. I also emailed Penguin and they think it could be a refrigerant leak so said I could send it in for repair, but is around $160 plus shipping. Cheaper than a new one I guess.

Side note I've been debating getting Spikes, but the thread about it has me on the fence. I have like the Penguin thus far.

 

[Indian_villager]

That is tough boss. Best of luck getting it fixed. Any chance on calling a local HVAC-R tech?

 

[Tartan1]

I can't seem to find a troubleshooting answer that works

I had the same issue a while ago with the chiller coil freezing up even though I thought I had the proper mixture of glycol/water mixed in the reservoir. What I didn't realize was that not all glycol types are the same. (I had tried 2 different brands with the same results) I purchased a glycol refractometer and measured degrees in Brix only to realise I hadn't added enough glycol. I had gone with the usual 35/65% recommendation then upped it to 50/50% before purchasing the refractometer. Because I am not brewing/fermenting on a regular basis I will test the glycol bath before I fire things up because glycol does drift with age and use. Anyway not saying this is an answer to your your issue, it could very well be low refrigerant as you suggest but just throwing this out there. Here is a link for some interesting info on glycol ratios and other things that can help to get the correct mixture, hope this may help.

https://probrewer.com/library/refrigeration/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-glycol/

 

[sleev-les]

I had the same issue a while ago with the chiller coil freezing up even though I thought I had the proper mixture of glycol/water mixed in the reservoir. What I didn't realize was that not all glycol types are the same. (I had tried 2 different brands with the same results) I purchased a glycol refractometer and measured degrees in Brix only to realise I hadn't added enough glycol. I had gone with the usual 35/65% recommendation then upped it to 50/50% before purchasing the refractometer. Because I am not brewing/fermenting on a regular basis I will test the glycol bath before I fire things up because glycol does drift with age and use. Anyway not saying this is an answer to your your issue, it could very well be low refrigerant as you suggest but just throwing this out there. Here is a link for some interesting info on glycol ratios and other things that can help to get the correct mixture, hope this may help.

https://probrewer.com/library/refrigeration/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-glycol/

I'm going to also clean the coils on the heat exchanger per Penguins recommendation. I blew out the coils with air, but dirt may not all come off. So covering all bases. I may do what you say too and try a different glycol as well.

@Indian_villager I started looking into a local service, but having a hard time finding one.

 

[Bobby_M]

What glycol did you buy? Link?

 

[sleev-les]

What glycol did you buy? Link?

I can't remember the first glycol I bought. Got it from Amazon. I thought after so long it just diluted and was causing the issue. A friend brought a poly glycol over last weekend and I changed the old out. The stuff I just put in was a pink hue to it. Still a poly glycol, but can't remember the name. I'd have to look at the bottle if I still have it.

Edit: this is the glycol I had in prior. Ha fit in for 5 years with no issue. Didn’t realize it was that long.

https://a.co/d/b1NbPjc

 

[Bobby_M]

I can't remember the first glycol I bought. Got it from Amazon. I thought after so long it just diluted and was causing the issue. A friend brought a poly glycol over last weekend and I changed the old out. The stuff I just put in was a pink hue to it. Still a poly glycol, but can't remember the name. I'd have to look at the bottle if I still have it.

Edit: this is the glycol I had in prior. Ha fit in for 5 years with no issue. Didn’t realize it was that long.

https://a.co/d/b1NbPjc

The pink stuff is usually pre diluted for winterizing RV water tanks, not a concentrate. Even at raw concentration, it's too low. Add water and it's mostly water.

One way to tell you have the right stuff is that it's about $40 a gallon. If you pay less, it's not full strength.

 

[sleev-les]

The pink stuff is usually pre diluted for winterizing RV water tanks, not a concentrate. Even at raw concentration, it's too low. Add water and it's mostly water.

One way to tell you have the right stuff is that it's about $40 a gallon. If you pay less, it's not full strength.

I got the pink from a friend as an emergency. I’m buying the stuff I posted above again. That’s what I had going strong for 5 years. I’ll report back once I get it.

 

[Indian_villager]

I got the pink from a friend as an emergency. I’m buying the stuff I posted above again. That’s what I had going strong for 5 years. I’ll report back once I get it.

If you can, grab this stuff. It is approved for food applications and is corrosion inhibited. You really want the inhibited as the spike system has a mix of metals.
https://www.chemworld.com/Dowfrost-Propylene-Glycol-1-Gallon-p/dowfrost-1.htm