Water Flow Restriction Alert – What to Do

Notification of Water Flow Restriction 

Alert Receipt

• If you receive a "Water Flow Restriction" alert on your Ice Barrel App or Chiller UI, it means that the system has detected a restriction in water flow, and the Chiller has entered Protect Mode to prevent any potential damage. Here’s how to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Initial Checks

• Ensure the Chiller is on a Flat Surface: Confirm that the Chiller is placed on a level surface, at the same height as the Ice Barrel. If the Chiller is placed above or on an elevated surface, the water pump may not function correctly due to gravity restrictions.

• Check Water Level in the Ice Barrel: Ensure that the water level is below the top bulkhead. If the water is too high, air might get trapped inside the system, leading to restricted water flow. Drain some water if necessary to prevent this.

  • If you intend to keep the water level above the top bulkhead, you may need to remove any trapped air from the system to avoid flow issues. For detailed steps on how to do this, click here to access the trapped air removal guide.
    
    

• Verify Shut-Off Valves Are Fully Open: Make sure the top and bottom shut-off valves are fully open, with the valve lever aligned parallel to the hose. This allows for unrestricted water flow between the Chiller and Ice Barrel.

• Check Hose Connections: Ensure the hoses are correctly connected:

  • The top hose should connect to the top port on the Chiller.
  • The bottom hose should connect to the bottom port on the Chiller.

Restart the System

• Power Cycle the Chiller: Turn off the Chiller using the soft power button on the back, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. You may need to repeat this step a few times to reset the system and check if water flow resumes. If the system continues to enter Protect Mode, proceed to the next steps.

Check Water Flow

• Inspect Water Flow from the Ice Barrel: Observe the water coming out of the top bulkhead inside the Ice Barrel. The flow should be strong and steady. If water is only trickling out, there might be a blockage or restriction in the system that requires further attention.

Addressing Low Water Flow

• Clean the Pre-Filter:

  • Locate the pre-filter at the bottom bulkhead inside the Ice Barrel.
  • Remove any visible debris using your fingers or a soft brush.
  • For deeper cleaning, activate Maintenance Mode on the Chiller UI or App, and remove the pre-filter by hand.

• Clean or Replace the Water Filter:

  • Place a towel or container below the filter housing to catch spills.
  • Unscrew the water filter housing using the provided wrench, and remove the filter.
  • Rinse the filter with clean water or replace it if necessary.
  • Note: A clogged water filter is a common cause of low water flow. Plan to clean the filter weekly, and replace it monthly with regular use.

• Check for Blockages or Kinks in the Hoses:

  • Disconnect the hoses and inspect for any debris or blockages inside.
  • Straighten any kinks in the hoses that could be restricting water flow.

Additional Troubleshooting

• • Multiple Power Cycles: If the issue persists, try power cycling the Chiller again after performing the steps above. Ensure the system stays on for at least 30 seconds to allow water to begin flowing before the system goes back into Protect Mode.
  • Remove Trapped Air (If Water Level Is Above the Top Bulkhead): If the water level in your Ice Barrel is above the top bulkhead, air may become trapped in the system and restrict water flow. Follow these steps to purge trapped air:
    • Power Off the Chiller: Ensure the Chiller is powered off or placed in Maintenance Mode before starting.
    • Shut Off and Disconnect the Top Hose: Close the top quick connect valve on the Ice Barrel, then disconnect the top hose from the top bulkhead.
    • Restart the Chiller: Turn the Chiller back on or exit Maintenance Mode to activate the pump. Allow water to flow freely from the disconnected top hose for about 15 seconds, directing the water into a bucket or onto the ground.
    • Reconnect the System: Power the Chiller off again or return it to Maintenance Mode. Reconnect the top hose to the top bulkhead and open the quick connect valve.
    • Restart and Verify: Turn the Chiller back on and inspect the water filter chamber for air bubbles. If bubbles are present, repeat these steps until all trapped air is removed.

Contacting Support with Additional Details

• If the problem persists after troubleshooting, it’s helpful to provide our support team with additional information to quickly diagnose the issue. When reaching out to the Ice Barrel Customer Experience Team via icebarrel.com.
• Please include the following:

  • Video of Your Setup: Record a short video showing your Chiller and Ice Barrel setup, including any issues you are observing (e.g., water flow, error messages on the Chiller UI).

  • Explanation of the Issue: In the video, explain what you are experiencing, such as water flow problems, error alerts, or any other irregular behavior.

  • Photo of the About Page: Take a clear picture of the About Page on the Chiller UI or in the Ice Barrel App. This page includes important information like your Chiller's serial number and current software version, which will assist the support team in identifying potential issues.