Help! My JBJ arctica is not working:(

[Newreeflady]

I haven't used it in a year- just hooked back up the JBJ arctica 1/10hp and the digital display and controls work, but no compressor/condenser kicks on. The light for cool is on, meaning it should be cooling, but it isn't. What would you do at this point? It's out of warranty (3 yr old.)

 

[ronhjr]

run white vineger thru it backwards, the temp probe, if not damaged, may have a lil coroasion on it, and the vinegar will clean it off. jbj's website tells you to do this. I have a 1/3hp that was out of use for 6 months, and had the same problem. I tried this but it didnt work, my problem is that I left water in the unit for an extended time and corroded the temp probe.

 

[ronhjr]

the website:


http://www.jbjlighting.com/pdfs/Arctica_troubleshooting.pdf

 

[Pyrrhus]

There is a 5 minute period between when the chiller goes into "chill mode" and when the compressor kicks on. It sounds like this may be your issue.

If not, you will probably need to send your chiller in for service if the cleaning steps mentioned above dont revive it.

 

[Newreeflady]

I had cleaned it with dilute HCL then rinsed well with DI water. I then waited a couple of months before use, though. If the temp probe were corroded it shouldn't give an accurate reading which it does.

The induction period goes by and still no cooling I wonder if it's even worth servicing given the shipping must be outrageous! :/

 

[Pyrrhus]

You could try having a local HVAC tech look at the chiller and see if it is something obvious that can be replaced locally, like a fan or relay. If it is a case of a coolant leak, only JBJ can help you, HVAC techs will almost never recharge a chiller or repair the leak.

Does the compressor and fan turn on? If not there may be a relay that has gone bad and not kicking in the compressor.

To be honest, it is probably cheapest to ship it back to JBJ for an out of warranty repair, it will probably run in the neighborhood of $200-300 with parts and shipping but cheaper than a new chiller.

 

[Newreeflady]

I'm wrong, I'm wrong! You were right, Pyrrhus. It turned on after 5 mins. It was so quiet I didn't notice. thanks
Angela

 

[Pyrrhus]

Woohoo! Great to hear it!