Background
We have identified a trend where the over filling of a carbonator ice bank sometimes contribute to what customers perceive as a leak. When an ice bank is even 10% over filled, the excessive water flows out of the open air ice bank, down to the inside base of the carbonator, and then out to the inside of the Bevi machine. Over the course of time, the water then seeps out of the machine onto the floor. While not a continuous leak, this event is easily perceived by the customer as a leak.
Furthermore, the overflow tube is currently used to gauge the fullness of the ice bank, during the filling of the ice bank. When the water starts entering the overflow tube, the installer is instructed to shut off the ice bank filling valve. However, our engineering team has noticed that the current overflow tube design actually creates an air pocket inside the overflow tube, preventing the water from entering the overflow tube immediately when the ice bank is full. Thus, since the water is impeded from entering the overflow tube, the water flows out of the top of the open ice bank, creating an opportunity for leaks. Meanwhile, since the installer isn't seeing water entering the overflow tube, the ice bank filling valve is kept open, further exacerbating the issue.
Design Fix
Moving forward in production of v1.5 carbonators, we are now punching a small hole in the top of the overflow tube to prevent an airlock condition from developing when the ice bank is filled. The small hole is shown in the red dot below within the photo.
Revised Ice Bank Fill Instructions
With the design change, when filling the ice bank, please make the following changes:
- Before opening the ice bank filling valve, free the end of the overflow tube (shown by the blue dotted box below) by freeing the tube from the white clips.
- Before opening the ice bank filling valve, point the end of the overflow tube down to a bucket to catch any overflow of water.
- Now, you may turn on the ice bank filling valve. As soon as you see water entering the overflow tube, shut off the ice bank filling valve.
NOTE: If you see water exiting the small hole on the overflow tube, this means the ice bank is full and may be overfilled. Shut off the ice bank filling valve. Free the end of the overflow tube as discussed below and drain the water downwards into a bucket. The water should stop.