Chiller Maintenance

[kleach]

I bought a used chiller last year and have a few questions.

Firstly, since my setup stinks and it was super difficult running the plumbing for the chiller, I left it hooked up all winter with the water running through it. I was told by a friend to back flow it to try to get any trapped stuff out of it, and I was planning on replacing the tubing because it looks like algae started growing in it. Is this something that you should do every once in a while? Should I really disconnect the chiller during the winter?

Also, is there any routine maintenance I should have done by a professional refrigeration company to increase it's efficiency, and if so, who have people in the club used in the past?

Thanks for any help anyone can lend.

 

[DgenR8]

Just be sure to clean the dust from the air intake regularly. Aside from that, I don't do anything to maintain my chiller, and I have never disconnected a chiller just because it was winter. If you plumbed it with clear tubing, algae growth inside the tubing could become a problem.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Kevin,
I covered the tubing with the pipe insulation for hot water pipes,
you can get is @ HD or Lowes.
Tight turns could be difficult.
Other than keeping the fins clean there is no maintenance with any chiller if it works.

 

[kleach]

Thanks guys! Glad to hear it.

Vinny, when you covered the tubing was it to prevent the water from exchanging heat with the air as it ran back to the tank, or to prevent light to prevent algae growth. Either way, it seems like a great idea! If i was to do it, should I replace the tubing with algae in it, or just cover it?

Also, should I backflow it or just leave it?

Thanks again!!!

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Used to prevent algae, I would replace the tubing.
No need to back flow.

 

[johnike]

Just be sure to clean the dust from the air intake regularly. Aside from that, I don't do anything to maintain my chiller, and I have never disconnected a chiller just because it was winter. If you plumbed it with clear tubing, algae growth inside the tubing could become a problem.

Wanna buy a chiller?



Dusting?
Once a year, I run a little bleach solution through mine for a bit in a separate tank. Mine was the first ever carved out of stone I believe.