A walk-in cooler has fans in its evaporator unit that’s usually mounted on the interior walls. These fans circulate cold air in the walk-in. So, if they stop working, your walk-in’s airflow will take a hit and that’s not good at all because the unit either won’t cool enough or won’t cool at all. You can consult commercial refrigerator services for troubleshooting the issue. However, knowledge is power, so here is how to fix this issue.

Keep in mind that walk-ins have external fans as well, called condenser fans that are outside the unit or on the rooftop. The solutions here are focused on the evaporator fans inside the unit.

Fixing Unresponsive Evaporator Fans Of A Walk-In Cooler

It Could Be The Defrost Cycle In Effect (For Walk-In Freezers Only)

If you have a walk-in freezer and you see the evaporator fan not running, don’t be alarmed because it could be due to the defrost cycle. A defrost cycle is triggered many times in a single day to remove ice buildup from the evaporator coils to ensure they function without issues. During this short period, the evaporator fans don’t work.

A defrost cycle takes about 30-45 minutes. So, if your walk-in freezer fans don’t work longer than that, then you do have a problem. Follow the tips in this guide and also check the defrost timer and thermostat.

On the other hand, walk-in cooler fans work 24/7 even when the compressor or cooling turns off.

Check The Power Supply

Before looking for mechanical problems, checking the wiring and power problems is important. So, start by ensuring that the walk-in cooler is receiving power. This means seeing if the walk-in cooler wire is plugged in and if the circuit breaker is ON.

If the walk-in is plugged in, remove the wire and put it back in. The outlet or the wire itself can be damaged as well. So, check the wire for bends or damage. Also, try to find a nearby outlet to plug in the walk-in.

If things seem fine there, you should also check the circuit breaker. Locate the breaker box in your facility. It may be on the same floor or in some other place. The breaker box has many circuit breakers, so find the one that is responsible for the part of the facility where your walk-in cooler is installed. Make sure that it’s not turned off. If it is, turn it on. If it’s already turned on, flip it off and then on again.

Even if after that the walk-in doesn’t receive power, either the circuit breaker is faulty or there is another problem causing the power problem. Consult an expert at this point.

Wrong Temperature Settings

If the temperature is set too low, the evaporator coils may freeze. This means the fans won’t work due to the frost buildup. So, follow the user manual and assess your requirements to find the right temperature settings that work for your walk-in.

Remove Obstructions And Clean The Evaporator Unit

If the walk-in cooler is overstocked with food items and something is blocking the evaporator coils, the fans may not work. Make a rule of ensuring a 6-inch clearance between the stored items and the vents or fans. Moreover, there could also be containers or shelves blocking the fans. Use the same rule for them as well.

In addition to that, there can be dust or debris keeping the fans from rotating, or there could be ice buildup, which is a huge issue that we will discuss shortly. In any case, clean the evaporator unit, including the fans.

Anything blocking the fans can not only negatively impact the walk-in’s performance, but it can also blow the fan motor soon. Then, even after removing the obstructions, the fan won’t work because you will need to replace the fan motor.

Look For Ice Buildup

Ice buildup in a walk-in cooler is a problem that can lead to ineffective cooling and many other problems, like obstructions in fan rotation that can cause the fan motor to fail, apart from creating cooling issues.

There are many causes of a frosted evaporator unit, like damaged door seals, incorrect temperature settings, poor or restricted airflow, clogged drains, faulty thermostat, malfunctioning off cycle defrost system, low refrigerant levels, and other issues. Some of them are explained in more detail in the guide.

Fix The Door Seals And Other Door-Related Problems

A common cause of walk-in cooler issues is door-related problems like worn door seals, a faulty door mechanism, and frequently opening and closing the door. These problems allow warm air to infiltrate the walk-in. This puts stress on the components as they work harder than usual. This can create ice buildup, a faulty fan motor, and other issues.

Begin by checking the door seals or gaskets, and if they are worn, seek to repair them. However, repairs are for minor damage. If the damage is extensive, replace them.

Another door-related problem is the door slightly leaning to one end, which creates enough space for warm air to enter the unit. There may be loose hinges or any other issue. Moreover, to avoid frequent opening and closing of the door, create a schedule for storing and taking items out of the walk-in.

Check For A Blown Fan Motor

If you notice unusual noise accompanied by a burning smell, it may be a sign of a blown fan motor.  Many causes lead to a blown evaporator fan motor, like wear and tear (older than 10-15 years), overheating, obstructed fan, power fluctuations, faulty capacitor, dirty coils, blown fuses, low refrigerant, and others.

A blown fan motor can be repaired, but the efficient option is to replace the fan motor. This will prevent the motor from causing issues in the next 10 years or so, given that the walk-in is maintained well.

Look For A Faulty Capacitor

A capacitor stores power. It gives the fan motor the boost of power to start. So, if the capacitor fails, the motor won’t start. Usually, a capacitor gradually goes bad, which leads to the fan working slower than normal or rotating intermittently before giving up completely.

If you notice capacitor problems, you can access the evaporator unit to remove and check the capacitor with a multimeter. But be careful because even a faulty capacitor holds charge, so handling it can be risky. Therefore, consult an expert.

Replace A Faulty Fan Relay

Fans have a relay that allows them power when signaled by the thermostat or controller. If the fan relay switch goes bad, the fan won’t receive power and won’t work. If the fan doesn’t rotate and there is no humming or noise, it may be due to a faulty fan relay.

If you want to be sure, you can locate and see it. A fan relay is located in the evaporator unit’s electrical box. It’s a small, black or clear, square-shaped switch. A faulty switch may look discolored, and the terminals may be wobbly or appear burnt.

More Causes Of A Walk-In Cooler’s Evaporator Fan Problems

• Bad wiring
• Damaged motor bearing
• Thermostat problems
• Compressor issues
• Low refrigerant levels
• Poor maintenance and skipping walk-in cooler cleaning

Conclusion

Evaporator fans of a walk-in cooler run continuously for proper airflow and to keep the unit cool. If they stop working, follow the above-mentioned tips and fixes. However, it’s always better to get help from an experienced walk in cooler repair Alexandria technician for repairs and maintenance.