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MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
CLEANING THE FREEZER SURFACES
The inside and outside of the freezer are coated with a heat fused epoxy powder finish. It may be cleaned
with any non-abrasive cleaner such as hand dish washing detergent. To prevent odors on the inside of the
freezer after cleaning, it is recommended that, after cleaning with detergent, the entire surface be wiped
with a clean cloth soaked with a solution of one-half(1/2) gallon of water and one-quarter (1/4) cup of
baking soda.
STORAGE
Before placing the freezer in storage, turn the key switch to Off, unplug the power cord, open the lid and
allow the interior to warm up to ambient temperature. Dry out the interior. Prop the lid open at least 6" and
secure in this position. If water cooling has been used, the water lines of BOTH water cooled condensers
must be blown out to prevent freezing.
AIR COOLED CONDENSERS
Because heavy traffic areas are dustier than others, a cleaning schedule for air-cooled condensers and
filters is difficult to predict. A suggested schedule, however, is 6 months, which can be adjusted as
needed. Access to the filters is gained by removing the three screws at the outboard edge of both front
hinged panels and swinging them open. The filter will come out and can be washed with a mild detergent,
rinsed and replaced. It is not necessary to dry the filter. The condenser coil itself may be vacuumed clean at
the same time.
COMPRESSOR OIL LEVEL
Lubricating oil is retained in both the compressor crankcase and in passages below the motor rotor. It will
not leave the compressor unless a serious refrigerant leak has occurred. Oil slingers at the motor end of the
crankshaft pick up the oil and feed it to the crankshaft. Centrifugal force then delivers oil under pressure to
the bearings, crank pins, etc. THE UNIT MUST BE LEVEL. If the compressor end is too low, oil cannot
reach the slingers. These compressors have a sight glass and the oil level should be visible in the upper half
of the glass. Too much oil encroaches on the clearance space between the rotor and stator of the motor and
should be avoided.
FAN MOTORS
One or more cooling fans are provided in the machine compartment of Harris freezers, whether water-
cooled or air-cooled. No oiling is necessary. During periodic maintenance, these fans should be checked
for operation. If the compressors are running but any one of the fan motors is not, the inoperative one must
be replaced.
DEFROSTING
Chest type freezers do not require defrosting more often than once every six months to a year unless they
are subject to heavy usage. Frost will begin to build at first around the top of the inner liner and will
decrease in proportion to the distance from the top. Frost or “snow” will be the most apparent accumulation
and it may be removed with a plastic scraper. If any hard ice has developed, do not chip it using metallic
objects. Instead, remove all products stored in the freezer, turn the key “off”, unplug the unit, and allow it
to warm up. When temperature has risen far enough, the ice can be readily dislodged.
To check gaskets for proper sealing, use a 2” x 6” piece of paper (a dollar bill is handy) closed between the
gasket and the lid at 12” intervals around the perimeter of the lid. At each position, pull on the free end of
the paper. A slight resistance should be felt. While performing this test, inspect the gasket for cuts or tears.
An improperly sealing gasket must be replaced.
LCO2 VENT
On a semi-annual or monthly basis (depending on frequency of lid opening), verify that the LCO2 vent is
free of dirt and frost/ice accumulation that might interfere with the venting function.