Troubleshooting Guide

Here is the Troubleshooting Guide for Margarita Machine Rentals or Slush/Smoothie Machine Rentals.

We hope this will help your frozen drink machine rental experience be a pleasant one.

If you can't find your answer here, Call us at 615-498-1397

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

 

PROBLEM                  

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MIX NOT FROZEN                            

                                                                                         

Really High Ambient (combination of heat and humidity) Temperature

                                                                                                          

Machine placed in direct sunlight

                                                                                                         

Keep the machine as cool as possible. Provide plenty of air circulation and DO NOT place the machine in direct sunlight.

 

Circuit overloaded

These machines need a DEDICATED 15 - 20 Amp Circuit. Many builders string several plugs on one circuit. Make sure your plug is the only one being used on the circuit provided. 

 

Wrong type of extension cord

ONLY USE THE EXTENSION CORD THAT WE PROVIDE. It is a 12 gauge, 25 foot extension cord. Do not plug another cord on to our cord.

Your cord will possibly burn and the machine's compressor won't turn on.

 

Worst case you could have to pay to rewire the machine. The machines MUST be placed within 25 feet of a regularly wired (commercial or residential) plug using our extension cord. 

 

Another appliance plugged into the same plug or circuit                                      

Only use on of our machines on a dedicated circuit.  Visual "Granita Machines" require a 15 AMP dedicated circuit. 

Larger Crathco or Taylor machines require a 20 AMP dedicated circuit.

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Not enough time given for freezing                      

  NORMAL FREEZE TIMES ARE BELOW

      

The machine switch is in the "Clean" position          

Make sure that the machine is turned to the "ON"  or "FREEZE" position  and NOT the "CHILL" or "CLEAN" position. 

 

Machine vents are blocked/poor air circulation        

  Be sure the machine is free from any blockage to the air vents on all sides. Don't put anything (i.e. crepe paper, boxes, table cloth, tape, balloons, signs etc.) on the machine that could block the air vents.

 

Too much alcohol used                                         

  The more liquor used the slower the freeze time.  Just be patient.  Remember that liquor/alcohol is an anti-freeze. 

                                                                                                      

 

Don't share the circuit with anything else (this includes all lights, warmers, microwaves, DJ power, guitar amps, A/C, heat, bubble machine, snow machine.......NOTHING else on the circuit)

 

Make sure the unit is plugged into a 3-prong grounded circuit only. Do not use a 3-prong to a 2 prong adapter.

 

DO NOT USE OUR EQUIPMENT WITH A GENERATOR

 

 

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MACHINE WON'T TURN ON 

Overloaded circuit         ------------        Go to your breaker box and turn the breaker back on                                                                                                          

Machine(or extension cord) unplugged   ---------       Make sure a guest didn't trip on the cord and accidentally unplug it from the wall.                   

Power switch not in the "ON" or "AUTO" position -------------     Make sure the machine is turned on.

Machine internal circuit breaker tripped ------------- push red reset button on back of machine  (Taylor)                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                        .

​LIGHTS ON THE MACHINE DIM DRAMATICALLY WHEN THE COMPRESSOR COMES ON                 

LOW VOLTAGE SITUATION! Immediately turn off the machine and find a plug on a dedicated circuit.

                                                                                      

 

LIGHTS IN THE HOUSE OR BUILDING DIM DRAMATICALLY WHEN THE MACHINE OR MACHINE'S COMPRESSOR ARE ON                                                  

 

Too many high energy appliances running at the same time, Turn off and unplug any unnecessary appliances

 Surge in power courtesy of your Electricity Provider, Call your Electricity Provider.

Wiring in the room may not support this large appliance .You may want to move the machine to another location that has more power available

along with normal electrical needs for the room or try to find another circuit that can be dedicated to the machine.

                                                                                                    

NOTE: Some dimming of the lights can happen from time to time. But if it is dramatic and seems that the power is struggling to keep up with demand, you may need to make some changes.

 

 

 

Machine makes a knocking sound and shakes a little while it is running         

Not enough mix in the freezing chamber, Always make sure the machine is full while you are using it.

 If this occurs at the end of the party, go ahead and shut the machine off.

                                                                                                                         

Machine is freezing and the thicker product has"shifted" in the freezing chamber.  

When the product equalizes the machine's augers will be more centered. Think of this as a washer that became slightly off balance. It will correct itself if there is sufficient product.

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                  

THE LITTLE RED LIGHT (MIX LOW)  IS ON (WILCH)                  

The mix is low in the chilling (top hopper) chamber.

                                                                                                                   

OR THE "MIX LOW" LIGHT IS FLASHING (TAYLOR)                  

Add More Mix

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 If it is during the course of the party, replenish the machine with more product. If it is at the end of the party, then turn the machine off.

You can also push the switch to "Wash" or "Clean" so that the auger will push the remainder of the product out.

You must then drain the machine and turn the machine off.

 NEVER LEAVE AN EMPTY
 MACHINE RUNNING!

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 TIME ESTIMATES FOR MACHINE TO REACH OPTIMUM FROZEN DRINKABILITY

Keep in mind these are just estimates. 
Varying factors such as ambient temperature and electricity provided will change the times.  The hotter it is outside, the longer the freeze time. Good rule of thumb for freeze time of a machine outdoors is normally 2 - 3 TIMES the indoor rate of freezing.(Depending on the factors mention).

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 Taylor:

 7-20 minutes indoors
20-40 minutes outdoors

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 Wilch/Crathco:

 20-45 minutes indoors
1-1.5 hours outdoors
 

 2 head
Visual Machines:

 1.5 hours indoors
3-4 hours outdoors

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 ICE CREAM:              

 10-20 minutes indoors                                     
1-1.5 hours outdoors

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Dole Whip Mixing Instructions:

Fill Clean Bucket With Cool Water to the One Gallon Line. Pour In One Bag of DOLE Soft Serve Mix While Stirring. 

Add Water to Bring the Mixture to the Two Gallon Line. Stir Mixture. Pour Mixture Into Soft Serve Machine OR Cover Bucket With Lid and Put In Refrigerator.