Homemade ice machine

[kapman]

have an extra side by side fridge/freezer in the garage, and trying to figure out how to gut and install a big rubbermaid type tub or trashcan to make a bulk quantity of ice. not sure how to get the ice maker to stop once the tub or trashcan gets full.

Anyone else attempted this?

[QACZ71]

Take apart the ice maker and see what the stop is actuated by if it's just a little micro switch remove it and put it where it will stop when the tote is full. Or make an extension for the lever would be easier.

[HoosierDaddy3]

I wouldn't mess with the icemaker on the top side in the freezer because that switch for level is usually included with a motor that operates the metal arm that looks for the ice level. I would put an normally closed switch in line with the wire going to the solenoid on the back that controls the water supply to the ice maker. Use a switch with something like a wiffle ball on it that won't get trapped under falling ice but will act more like a float switch. Once you cut the power to the solenoid the the ice maker won't refill and dispense more ice.

[Bill]

Homemade ice machine

Mine has a metal loop that gets pushed-up when the container is full and it turns off the ice maker. I think you could drill 2 holes above each other on the refrigerator side, and install some kind of "T" made of thin pipe into the hole, with the top of the T facing up and down to act as a guide. Then get a piece of thin wire (straightened coathanger?), make a loop on the top to go around the original wire, and bend a 90 degree in the bottom. Your bucket gets to the top, the ice pushes up the wire, and the icemaker turns off. You could use pvc pipe and T and have a thinner piece of pvc slide inside the T fitting too. Make sense?

[flywise]

It takes a while to freeze the water and I'm afraid the ice in your tub will be melted by the time the next load dumps

[Bill]

If the tub is also in the freezer compartment of a side by side, it should be ok I'd think?

[fluffer]

Commercial ice makers go through tons of water as the ice in the bottom melts and drains out...You will need a drain to really make it work effectively. Be prepared to use a ton of water as it is a constant cycle.

[Bill]

Why would the ice melt in the bottom of a 10F freezer?

[Chef]

Just keep an eye on it and manually flip the lever.... Problem solved!!

[Atfulldraw]

I'd keep my beer in there and check it often!

[wyliescrib]

Atfulldraw is on the right track...

[troop4]

good luck to you. seems like a like a pain in the a-- when ice is $2 for 20 pounds.IMO

[wyliescrib]

I wouldnt mind the two dollar ice but for me the two hour drive would
get old... id go with having a bunch on hand... more time for figuring out something to use it for... and then using it...course thats just me...
infact thinking a little more about I think for me I would find a bunch of one half or gallon containers to make smaller blocks of ice for iceing down ice chests of game...

[KR-oldmexico]

There's not but one way to find out big daddy! Let em swing! I'm tuned in....

[Texas276]

No reason the ice would melt. Most of those commerical ice makers are just an insulated hopper on the bottom and not actively cooled like a freezer.

I think it is a great idea if you have the room and extra freezer space. I have always wondered why no one offers a standalone freezer with an ice maker.