Ice on BM23 lines

[clivus]

Hi all,
Sorry I don't know the correct terminology for the parts in question. I bought a used Beverage Air BM23. I have a pitcher of water down to about 39 degrees by setting the thermostat to 20 degrees F. I have ice that is building on the back of the lines as pictured. The unit seems to run constantly (I haven't seen it kick off) and the ice thickens over time. Is there a problem here?
I included a pic of the inside as well. I'm not sure if it matters. I doubt the ice is normal, but I wanted to find out. thanks for the help.

[THE ICEMAN]

It looks like someone has been into the sealed system at some point in the units life. There has been a service valve added to the system, those units do not come with them.

That having been said, your unit is a "critical charge" type of system meaning it takes a very specific amount of refrigerant for it to work properly. Too much or too little refrigerant will hurt the performance. Given that those units only take less than a pound of refrigerant, typically from 6 to 10 ozs, it doesn't take much to upset the balance. Also given the ice on the suction line, your system looks to be slightly overcharged.

It's easy enough to fix if you know what you are doing. I'd like to tell you how but it can be screwed up as easily as it can be fixed. Plus you need to be certified to work with freon. You will need to contact a service company that is familiar with those systems, not just an A/C company.


THE ICEMAN

[clivus]

Thanks for the reply. It is cooling a pitcher of water to 34 degrees consistently. The ice has gotten worse. I'm going to have someone come look at it. I'm on the fence deciding whether the unit is worth me salvaging.

[THE ICEMAN]

A couple questions for you... Is that the only place the ice forms & is line kinked at all or is there a weld joint there?

When a unit is overcharged, the ice will form all along the suction line all the way back to the compressor. If that is the only place the ice forms then there could be a restriction in the line.


THE ICEMAN

[clivus]

Thanks for the help. The suction line will occasionally frost back to the compressor, but the ice only gets as big as in the second picture.
Miraculously, I came out this morning and the ice was gone. The line will frost over and then melt while I watch it, but no more ice. It may have been a non-condensable.
I put a 1/4 barrel in there tonight. Now I'll try to get the temp right.