Hoshizaki Ice Thickness Adjustment
Hoshizaki ice machines come equipment with a ice thickness control. This part actually know as the float switch. The question regularly asked is “how do I adjust the ice thickness?” Fortunately the answer is easy.
To increase the thickness you will slide the float switch down. If you need to decrease the ice thickness you will slide the float switch up. If the thickness you want is not far off, then slide in increments of about a 1/4″.
Next, you will have to run batch or two to see if the thickness is correct on the harvested ice. If it is then you are good. If not, readjust and try again.
Understanding the Hoshizaki Ice Thickness (Float Switch)
So now that you know about adjusting the ice thickness, let’s dig deeper, as there is more to know about this switch. Also be sure to watch the video below for a better understanding.
The Main Function
The main function of this switch is to determine the water level in the ice makers reservoir. This ice machine’s controller needs to know two things.
First, it determines if the reservoir has enough water to start the next freeze cycle. During the harvest cycle, the reservoir is refilled with fresh water in order to be used for the next batch of ice. During this period the controller is looking to see if the float switch has reached its high point, meaning the reservoir has enough water to start the freeze cycle. If it fails to communicate that, then the unit will shut off on a “no water” condition or error. There is a little more to the ice maker’s attempts, however we will discuss in a separate post.
Second, the float switch will determine when the ice maker is ready to harvest the ice. This is simply the reverse of the previous function. Once the water level in reservoir drops, it must be assumed that the missing water has turned into ice and is now ready to be harvested. The lower the water in the reservoir the thicker the ice. Also, note that freeze cycle time will be longer the thicker the ice.
Hoshizaki Float Switch Cleaning
In order to properly clean this component you will need to do the following steps:
- Empty the reservoir of all the water.
- Mark the float switch level with a pen or marker, to make it easier to reinstall at the correct height.
- Remove the float switch and attached rubber boot. You can leave the wire connection in place, you just need some flexibility.
- Pull out the bottom plastic retaining rod. It’s there to keep the float from falling out of its’ housing. It is flexible for removal.
- Clean the inside wall and the float itself using ice machine descaler/cleaning solution. It may take a few attempts if it is heavy with calcium.
- Clean the black rubber boot and plastic nipple that it connects on (this feeds water from the reservoir to the float). Be sure that this pathway is clean and clear.
- Rinse all components thoroughly and put the float back together.
- Be sure the float moves freely up and down inside the float housing. Push it up and allow it to fall to test.
- Re-install all components and your back in business.
Hoshizaki Float Switch Test
There are two ways to test the switch within the float switch assembly. The first method is simply using the knowledge learned above. So here is what you can do. Turn the unit on like normal, see if the reservoir fills up completely with water, then the unit should go into the freeze cycle. If it does then the switch high point was made and that is good. If the unit fills the reservoir longer than a few minutes and doesn’t go into the freeze cycle then the switch is stuck in the down position. Once your past the fill sequence, provided it made it that far, then allow the machine to make ice for at least 6 minutes or so. Afterwards begin emptying the reservoir of water. On your basic km models, you can drain it out from the water pump hose, it is black and looks like a horse shoe, which it located in the ice drop zone area. Release the water slowly until harvest is triggered. If harvest is triggered after most of the water is out, then it’s working. If it doesn’t after 3 minutes or so, and there is little no water in the reservoir, then the float is stuck in the up position or is defective.
For those with a digital meter, you can do a continuity test on the float leads. The switch be should closed with the float in up position and open in the down position.
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