Troubleshooting :: Soft Serve :: Functionality Check

Introduction

Often times, when troubleshooting issues with the machines, performing a detailed functionality check is a good way to rule out, or pin point, what issues may be occurring with the machine.  This article will go through the steps for performing a functionality check on your Spaceman Soft Serve ice cream machine.  

Special Note:  If you have a model SM-6210 (with no -C), please reference the SS: 6210 Functionality Check article instead.

Functionality Check

For Models: SM-6210-C, SM-6220, SM-6228, SM-6236, SM-6235, SM-6250, SM-6260, SM-6378, SM-6265, SM-6268

Warning: Operating the machine with the doors off is dangerous.  Please be careful not to place your hands or any objects inside the freezing cylinder when in operation.  Failure to do so may cause severe injury.

1.  Drain, Rinse, Disassemble, and Clean the machine per the operator manual.  Remove all parts from the cylinder, including the drive shafts at the back of the cylinders.

2.  With the machine disassembled, one flavor at a time press RESET and then WASH to turn on the motor.

3.  Press the P button to display the motor amp draw.  Notate this amperage.

Result :  The motor amp draw should be within the following ranges (regardless of configuration):

SM-6210-C :: 3.4 to 4.5A

SM-6236-C :: 1.1 to 1.4A

SM-6235-C :: 1.1 to 1.4A

SM-6250-C :: 1.1 to 1.4A

SM-6378D-C :: 1.1 to 1.4A

Technicians Only: If this amp draw is too high, refer to the SS: Troubleshooting 3 Phase Motor article for further troubleshooting.

4.  Press the RESET button to stop the motor. 

5.  If your machine has multiple flavors, repeat Steps 2-4 on each flavor.

6.  Perform a SS: Frost Check to verify the refrigeration system is working with adequate charge.

7.  Lubricate and Assemble the machine per the operator manual.  

8.  Follow the operator manual instructions to add the water/sanitizer solution that you use to sanitize your machine. 

9.  One flavor at a time, press RESET and then WASH to turn the motor on and begin sanitizing the machine.  

10.  Press the P button to display the motor amp draw.  Notate this amperage.

Result :  The motor amp draw should be slightly above the amp draws noted in Step 3 above.   If the amp draw is too high at this step, but not step 3 above, generally there is something not assembled correctly on your machine.  Please disassemble and reassemble according to the operator manual.  Pay close attention to the condition of the drive shaft, and ensure sufficient lubrication is being added.  You may need to replace wearable parts if they are worn out.

11. Press the RESET button to stop the motor.

12. If your machine has multiple flavors, repeat steps 9 to 11 on other flavors.

13. Press the WASH button on all flavors to start all motors with sanitizing solution in the machine.  Allow the machine to run in WASH mode for 5 minutes.

14. Press the P button to display the Hopper and Cylinder temperature for each flavor.  Notate these readings.

15. One flavor at a time, measure the temperature of the sanitizer solution in the hopper with a food-grade thermometer, and compare to the displayed temperature on the control board.

Result: If any of the display temperatures are greater than 4 degrees off from the measured temperature, please follow the SS: Temperature Calibration article.

16. One flavor at a time, dispense some solution from the cylinder and measure the temperature of the sanitizer solution in the cylinder with a food-grade thermometer, and compare to the displayed temperature on the control board.

Result : If any of the display temperatures are greater than 4 degrees off from the measured temperature, please follow the SS: Temperature Calibration article.

17. Follow the operator manual instructions to drain the cylinder of sanitizer, and add product to the machine for freezing.  Follow all instructions to properly purge/prime the freezing cylinder.  If you have multiple flavors, ensure each hopper is equally full.

18. One flavor at a time, press the Freeze button to enter Freeze mode.

19. Immediately press the P button to display the motor amp draw.  Notate this amperage.  

Result:  The motor amp draw should be slightly above the amp draw noted in Step 10 above.   If the amp draw is too high at this step, but not at step 3 or 10 above, generally there is either something assembled incorrectly, or the product may be too thick or have particulates causing too high of an amp draw on the motor.  Please contact Spaceman Technical Support for further troubleshooting instructions.

20. Press the P button to display the Hopper and Cylinder Temperatures.  Notate these temperatures.

21. Press the P button several times while the machine is cooling down, and monitor both the temperatures and the motor amp draws as the product begins to freeze.

22. As soon as the motor amperage reaches the Viscosity setting, the main compressor will shut off.  Press the P button and quickly notate the displayed Hopper and Cylinder temperatures.

Note:  If your machine does not have an auxiliary compressor (SM-6210-C, SM-6220), then the main compressor will not shut off IF the reported hopper temperature is greater than the Mix Temperature setting.  In this case, the solenoid to the cylinder will close, and the solenoid to the hopper will open or remain open while the main compressor and fan will still be on.  The main compressor will only shut off once both the Cylinder and Hopper cooling is satisfied.  The power board lights should reflect this.

23. Press the P button to monitor the motor amperage.  After the compressor shuts off, the amperage of the motor will decrease slightly.

24. Approximately 20-30 seconds after the compressor shuts off, the motor will shut off.  

25. Dispense 4-6oz of product into a cup, and quickly measure the product temperature.  Ensure the thermometer does not touch the sides of the cup.  Compare this temperature to the displayed temperature on the control board.

Result:  If the display temperature is greater than 6 degrees off from the measured temperature, please follow the SS: Temperature Calibration article.  Note that immediately after a cooling cycle, these temperatures may be a bit different due to residual refrigerant in the cooling lines around the cylinder. 

 

26. Quickly dispense a second 4-6oz serving into another cup.  This is generally the consistency your product will be at the set viscosity setting.

Result :  If your product is too soft, or too firm, you should adjust your viscosity setting OR if your machine is equipped with an air pump, you may want to adjust your overrun setting.  Make only small adjustments.   Allow 20-30 minutes to pass before making further adjustments, and only test viscosity and overrun at the end of a cooling cycle.  

27. If you have multiple flavors, repeat steps 18-26 on all other flavors, one at a time.

28. With all flavors in Freeze mode, allow the machine to sit for 20-30 minutes for the hopper temperatures to stabilize.  Occasionally press the P button to monitor the Hopper temperatures.  These temperatures should decrease until they reach 37-39 oF at which point the hopper cooling should shut off.  If you added room-temperature product rather than pre-chilled product, it may take up to 2 hours for the product in your hoppers to cool down to food-safe temperatures.

Result:  If your hopper temperatures do not decrease, first verify the Mix Temperature setting in your machine is set to 39 oF.  If the mix temperature does not cool down, please contact Spaceman Technical Support for further troubleshooting of the auxiliary refrigeration system.

29. If you have reached this step, your machine is functioning correctly.  If you are having issues with freeze ups, product inconsistency, or other issues, please refer to the SS: Best Practices article, to ensure all steps are being followed correctly.  If you need further assistance, please contact Spaceman Technical Support and be prepared to provide all detailed information gathered above for the best next steps for troubleshooting