Norlake Refrigeration & Freezer Troubleshooting
When it comes to cooling and freezing your ingredients, Norlake has been a top choice for restaurants, cafeterias and other commercial kitchens since the late-1940s. With a wide variety of top durable walk-in models and refrigeration systems, they're incredibly reliable for everyday use.
But like any commercial equipment that gets used daily, there can be some issues that pop up occasionally. Fortunately, we have some simple Norlake refrigeration and freezer troubleshooting tips to help you identify any issue quickly.
The following guide works for the Norlake KL1014 walk-in model, as well as CPB0501CO-A and CPF150DC-A wall mount models.
Not Working or Cooling
If the unit seems to be lacking power or won’t reach the proper temperature, try these easy fixes before calling a tech:
- Power cord is unplugged - Plug in the unit.
- Circuit breaker is off or tripped - Turn on or reset the breaker.
- The door was left open or ajar - Securely close the door.
- Note: Check the door closer to ensure the door can securely close.
- The condenser is dirty - Clean the condenser.
- Temperature is set too high or low - Use the controller to adjust the temperature to the proper setting.
- Sweep gasket is worn or damaged - Replace or adjust the sweep gasket so there isn’t a gap at the bottom of the door.
- The door gasket is dirty or damaged - Clean or replace the gasket.
Compressor Not Starting
When your compressor doesn't start, you should first identify if the unit is humming or not. When there’s humming, it could trip on the overload protector. Below are common problems in either scenario.
No Humming
- Service cord not supplying power – See if the power cord is unplugged or the cord is damaged.
- Blown or removed fuse – The fuse will need to be replaced or corrected by an authorized technician.
- Improper wiring – The unit's wiring could've been done incorrectly. Contact an authorized technician to correct the problem.
- Overload tripped – See what is causing the trip. Contact an authorized technician for diagnosis and/or repair.
- Control stuck open – When the control is stuck open, have an authorized technician replace or repair it immediately.
Humming
- Improper wiring – The unit could've been wired incorrectly. Contact an authorized technician to resolve the issue.
- Low voltage to unit – Contact an authorized technician to resolve the issue.
Compressor Short Cycles
A Norlake refrigeration system can short cycle on an overload protector or just during normal operation. When either happens, look for the following issues:
- Defective overload – If your unit has a fault overload, this can cause the compressor to short cycle. It will need to be replaced by an authorized service technician.
- Low voltage to unit – Contact an authorized service technician.
- Undercharged or overcharged – An undercharged unit could come from a leak and would require refrigerant. It's also possible the refrigeration system was overcharged. In either case, the issue MUST be resolved by an authorized technician.
Compressor Operates Too Long
Whenever your unit's compressor operates for long stretches of time or continuously, it could be related to the following problems:
- Iced evaporator coil – When the coil is frozen, drain the line before cleaning or removing ice. Your owner's manual should have specific cleaning instructions. Cleaning might have to be conducted by a certified technician or service company.
- Dirty condenser – A dirty condenser could be the root cause. You should clean the condenser coil and surrounding area every few months. Make sure to consult the manual for additional tips, or contact an authorized technician to replace the condenser if broken.
- Leaking refrigerant – Leaking refrigerant can lead to various problems in the refrigeration system. Refrigerant issues MUST be handled by an authorized technician.
Noisy Operation
The noises listed below should be examined whenever you hear them:
- Vibrating fan blade – The fan blade in your unit will need to be replaced by a technician if there is a constant rattling or vibrating sound.
- Rattling – There are two types of ratting sounds. First, see if the tubing is touching other components. Second, check the condenser fan motor. The bracket mounting might need to be fastened or replaced. All of this will need to be handled by a technician.
- Scraping from fan blade – See if a fan blade is hitting the fan shroud. If it is, contact an authorized service technician.
- Worn fan motor bearings – Worn out bearings can make a screeching or scraping sound. You'll need to have the fan motor checked out by an authorized technician.
Water Overflowing
If there is water overflowing from the evaporator drain pan or condensate vaporizer pan, check the following:
- Air leak - If there’s an air leak between the refrigeration system and the walk-in panel, contact an authorized service technician.
- Drain line blocked or iced over - Clean any blockages from the drain line and check that the drain line heater is working.
- High humidity environment - Contact an authorized service agent to help with either the plumb drain line or the gas vaporizer.
Need more help identifying the problem? Check out our commercial refrigeration troubleshooting guide or our selection of Norlake manuals for instructions on your specific model.