u-line icemaker compressor

[Vincentc]

The compressor went out on my icemaker uline ss-98 located in in the aft deck wet bar 43DC. My appliance repair man is having difficulty finding a replacement. I looked on line and found a compressor for $695, which is close to the cost of the entire unit.

It amazes me that an "ice machine" just like the $100 ones in a refrigerator freezer would be so costly.

Any suggestions on repair-replacement?
thanks,
Vincent
Lilly Marie 43 DC 1983

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Are you sure the compressor is bad? Mine quit making ice and all I needed to do was turn the temp to WARMER believe it or not! ws

 

[Bill Allen]

I replaced mine got it off a local ac supplier. AT that price have you tried raritan? Bill

 

[Vincentc]

The unit was tripping the breaker. Had it tested and repairman concluded it was the compressor. Until then it was producing ice great.

Re compressor sources, I'll check with some AC folks.

I am also wondering about replacing the current 10 cf refrigerator with a larger unit with a built in ice maker. Seem like I should be able to get a new refrigerator and an ice maker for the same price as the ice machine alone, though I would loose the 25# storage capacity of the Uline 98.

Finding a refrigerator that will fit in the space and throught the door is a whole new quest.

Thanks,
Vincent
Lilly Marie 43 DC 1983

 

[DAlter]

I have the same model and the windings in the compressor shorted out on me a few weeks ago. U-line can supply you with a troubleshoot guide and electrical diagrams. You can buy a new compressor at repairclinic.com. However, check with U-line...if the unit is less then five years old the compressor replacement (parts and labor) are covered under warranty. You don't need a sales receipt..they can look up the shipping date from their factory by the serial number. I got lucky....made it by a few months.

 

[MikeP]

Mine quit working last year - turned out it the fan that blows air across the little "radiator" had failed The overheat would cause the compressor to shut down and sometimes to blow the breaker. The fan was 35 bucks and after replacement the 30 year old Uline is working perfectly. Just check all possibilities before condemning the compressor and facing an expensive replacement.

OTOH, to be perfectly honest, we almost never use the ice in that icemaker, just toss it every few days! We seem to always make the drinks in the galley and use the icemaker in that fridge. Seems bizarre to make drinks in the galley and carry them to the aft deck instead of using the bar/icemaker located there but somehow that's our "routine." We don't keep any liquor or anything there.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I believe U-line still manufactures all of there products in Wisconsin. That might explain their pricing relative to what we're used to seeing for the Made-in-China stuff.

 

[newinlet]

Fwiw. It could be the start capacitor. Or the condenser could be dirty

 

[mobilemn1]

I have used a high volt start capicitor to crank a dead compressor.....usually if that didn't work,,,the compressor was totally grounded. About 95 percent of the ones started this way ran for years afterwards, where as had I listened to the experts I would have trashed a good compressor.

 

[Vincentc]

Thanks for your comments,
I've contacted U-line by email and outlined my situation and hope to hear back from them shortly re warranty and also likely cause for my problem. I've held up my compressor search.
Regards,
Vincent

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I have used a high volt start capicitor to crank a dead compressor.....usually if that didn't work,,,the compressor was totally grounded. About 95 percent of the ones started this way ran for years afterwards, where as had I listened to the experts I would have trashed a good compressor.

Thats just what I did with the central air here the other day. It didnt blow a fuse, but the motor starter (contactor) was burned and so were the wires to the capacitor. ws

 

[Trojan]

Mine quit working last year - turned out it the fan that blows air across the little "radiator" had failed The overheat would cause the compressor to shut down and sometimes to blow the breaker. The fan was 35 bucks and after replacement the 30 year old Uline is working perfectly. Just check all possibilities before condemning the compressor and facing an expensive replacement.

OTOH, to be perfectly honest, we almost never use the ice in that ice maker, just toss it every few days! We seem to always make the drinks in the galley and use the ice maker in that fridge. Seems bizarre to make drinks in the galley and carry them to the aft deck instead of using the bar/ice maker located there but somehow that's our "routine." We don't keep any liquor or anything there.

I had the same problem as Mike. I removed the fan and oiled the bearings and it's been working great.This is the same problem I had 5 years ago.
That fan runs a lot. My AC man says he can get any of the parts for that unit cheaper than buying a new unit. But I didn't ask any prices. I use mine all the time.
BILL

 

[krush]

If it works and randomly blows a breaker, I'd do more investigating before condemning the compressor.

 

[Vincentc]

Just heard back from U-line. The icemaker is within the 5 yr warranty and they will replace the compressor. That says something for the value of U-line products and HOF.
Thanks,
Vincent