Last updated on October 26th, 2022 at 05:18 pm
A Hoshizaki ice maker uses a series of beeps to communicate important status information that can help users and technicians identify problems going on in the system. We’ve previously discussed what is means when you hear 3 beeps in a Hoshizaki ice machine, but what does it mean if a Hoshizaki ice machine is beeping 1 time every few seconds?
What Does it Mean When a Hoshizaki Ice Machine is Beeping 1 Time?
Technically-speaking, Single beep alarms are the result of the thermistor reaching 127 degrees Fahrenheit.
The most likely causes are:
- Hot water entering the ice machine
- Water not reaching the ice machine
- Issues with the hot gas valve
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Hot Water Issues Commonly Cause a Single Beep Alarm
95 percent of the time hot water entering a Hoshizaki commercial ice maker causes a 1 beep alarm.
Hot water can enter your commercial ice machine a few ways, but some are more common than others.
One possibility is the cold water line is being heated up by an outside source. This causes the water entering your machine to run hot.
Generally, an ice maker water line runs underground to insulate it from heat, but in some instances, they run through walls or the roof. If these lines run past appliances that give off heat, like furnaces or ovens, they can heat the water. In warmer climates, the heat from outdoors can also cause water to run hot.
One of the most difficult problems to diagnose is hot water migration. This happens when hot water makes its way into cold water lines and flows to appliances like your ice machine.
Sinks equipped with pre-rinse sprayers or faucets are a common source of water migration are. These sinks have both hot and cold water rushing to them. If not properly shut off at closing time, they leave an open line for pressurized hot water to push its way into the cold water line. Overnight, the ice machine pulls in the hot water and raises the temperature which can cause your Hoshizaki ice machine to start beeping 1 time every few seconds.
Other issues can cause water migration. A few common causes are:
- Faulty plumbing setups
- Mixing valves that combine hot and cold water
- Neighboring units in interconnected locations (e.g. Malls, hotels, apartment complexes, etc.)
No Water to the Ice Machine
A Hoshizaki 1 beep alarm can also happen when water is not getting to the machine.
Often, this is a result of the water being turned off from:
- Planned interruptions by the city for construction, infrastructure improvements, etc.
- Emergency interruptions by the city for repairs
- Missed water payments
- The water main is accidentally shut off by a plumber or an employee
If you determine your water main was not accidentally shut off, you may have to contact your city to see if they planned an interruption.
Equipment failure or damage to a water main could also restrict water flow to your commercial ice equipment. Some causes include:
Faulty Water Valves
- Cracked water mains from fluctuating temperatures or ground moisture.
- Corrosion in older water mains made of cast iron.
- Accidental breaks from digging or construction.
- Check the premises to rule out damage or a call to a plumber to diagnose the problem.
Hot Gas Valve
Hoshizaki hot gas valve issues are difficult to diagnose because it is inside the ice machine. The hot gas valve is a pumps hot gas into the evaporator to loosen ice for harvesting. In extremely rare cases, this valve sticks open and continually pumps hot gas into the evaporator until the Hoshizaki ice machine’s thermistor reaches 127 degrees – shutting off the industrial ice maker and cause it to start beeping 1 time.
In the tens of thousands of ice machine repairs we’ve performed, we have only come across this issue one time – but it can happen.
Additional Information
Remember, the reason the ice machine is beeping is to protect the ice machine from serious damage. The good news is you can reset a Hoshizaki 1 beep alarm quickly without causing damage to the machine. Hot water migration is typically an intermittent problem. It may take a few times of tripping the alarm before you can track down the problem.
If you have any issues with your ice machine, give the Ice Machine Experts a call! We’ve serviced over 20,000 ice machines and know exactly what to do if you have issues with your Hoshizaki ice machine!
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20 Comments on “Troubleshooting a Hoshizaki 1 Beep Alarm”
KM 5157MAH yellow light on
Machine doesn’t start.
Hi Albert,
The “yellow light” is a bin full indicator, so if it’s on, your machine won’t produce ice. If it’s continually occurring more than usual, most likely the bin control is sticking and keeping the machine from operating. In some cases, the bin control can be cleaned and will function properly. If it continues to stick, it should be replaced. Call an ice machine service technician if you have any issues moving forward.
Thank you!
BC open light on machine won’t start.
Hello I work at a shell gas station and we use the ice machine for many things. There was a freeze in the weather which caused us to lose water supply for a couple of days. When everything was fixed I tried to get ice maker to work I cleaned the filters flipped the reset button over and over and still it beeps and no ice please help me figure this out.
Hi Andrea,
Thanks so much for reaching out. The alarm (beep) that you’re hearing could be a symptom of the water supply interruption. However, this isn’t always the case. There are typically 3 common beep codes that recycle every 3 seconds. That is a 1 beep, 2 beep, or 3 beep. If it is a 1 beep, the water interruption is more often the cause. It’s important that you called a trained service technician to reset the alarm code and check all operations as resetting the alarm code can be tricky and there’s a risk of electrical shock.
Thanks!
Hello my hoshisaki ice maker sits on top of a soda dispenser.When it starts the one minute fill cycle the fill cycle stops after 15 seconds.I checked the water pressure which was at 60psi and the filters are new what should I do next?
Hey Demetrius. Thanks for reaching out!
Without knowing the model and serial of your ice machine, it’s hard to say what could be wrong. There is a wide range of potential issues with your ice machine that may have to do with the water flow/quality/ice machine components.
Run through your model’s sequence of operation and see where it has gone amiss. If nothing can be found, there is potential for an issue with the water supplied to the unit. We highly recommend you give your local Ice Machine Expert a call.
Thanks!
Started up ice maker, water runs in but compressor nor pump never comes on. Water continues to run in raining down and out the overflow drain.
We only turn it on when we get down to fish so it doesn’t stay running when we leave it’s unplugged to avoid any electrical issues.
Hey Richard! Thanks for reaching out!
Without knowing the model and serial of your ice machine, it’s hard to say what could be wrong. There is a wide range of potential issues with your ice machine that may have to do with the water flow/quality/ice machine components.
We highly recommend you give your local Ice Machine Expert a call.
Thanks!
Hi my name Paul
I don’t know why My icemake machine not working and keep 1 beep . I don’t know how to reset , something wrong with my ice make
Thank you
Hi Paul,
Sorry to hear you’re struggling with your ice maker. That’s frustrating! If it’s not making ice, we suggest calling a refrigeration tech to get it repaired immediately. Or you can call 866-327-9423 (that’s our help line) to see if we have service techs in your area. If you want to reset it on your own, try unplugging it and plugging it back in.
Good luck!
My Hoshiaki ice machine will not turn on, you unplug the power and plug back in it beeps one time and that is it. The white reset button does nothing, push the blue button and it kicks on runs for about 25 seconds then shuts off. Please give me an idea what to do.
Hey J.L. Thanks for reaching out! I’m sorry to hear your machine is giving you trouble.
Generally, single beep alarms are the result of the thermistor reaching 127 degrees Fahrenheit. There are a few potential causes: Hot water entering the ice machine, water not reaching the ice machine, or issues with the hot gas valve.
Here is a resource to show you how to reset the ice machine: https://www.easyice.com/how-to-reset-ice-maker/
It’s always a good idea to call a local ice machine expert so that they can help diagnose the problem and so you can prevent damaging the unit.
I hope this helps!
Thank you, amazing post!
Thank you very much!
Thank you!!
KM-150BAF HOSHIZAKI ICE MAKER is making one beep every 3 seconds.
We had it working, unplugged it and moved it up to our other house. Hooked it back up and now it beeps. Any help would be appreciated. Does it have a reset on that model?
The 3 beep alarm is activated due to 2 consecutive extended freeze cycles. This alarm is one of the most difficult to diagnose due to the fact that each component within the machine could cause this. Typically, the reason is a dirty condenser in combination with high air temperatures.
A maintenance-related item:
These alarms have to be reset on the control board itself and we do not recommend that you reset it, due to an electrical shock hazard. A trained ice machine technician should be called in to resolve the issue. A deep clean and sanitize may take care of the problem.
Let us know if we can be of help to you with this issue. Please call 866-EASYICE.
We’re to start… water dripping down evaporator. 1 beep alarm, copper pipes going to evaporator go from cold to hot,
Hi Robert,
First, water is supposed to drip down the evaporator. That is how it makes ice. Second, 1 beep alarm could be due to the hot gas valve opening and closing, which could be electrical or mechanical failure. Or it could be a refrigerant charge issue depending on the style/size of the machine. We recommend calling a trained ice machine technician to properly diagnose the ice machine.