Penguin Chillers Product FAQs
1) Can my chiller be installed and used outside?
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Cold Therapy Chillers: These can be used indoors and outdoors, except in freezing conditions.
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Standard Water Chillers: Not intended for outdoor use at all.
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Commercial Chillers: Excluding the all-in-one Commercial Water Chiller, these are ready for outdoor use, regardless of the elements.
2) Can I use a Standard Water Chiller for cold therapy?
While the temperature range of our standard water chillers might be suitable for some cold therapy applications, we generally advise against it for a few reasons:
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Durability Concerns: Standard water chillers are not specifically designed for the use in outdoor environments and so the rigors of cold therapy applications could lead to damage on internal components.
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Missing Pump: Additionally, unlike our Cold Therapy Chiller, standard water chillers don’t have built-in pumps.
Safer and More Effective Cold Therapy Solution:
We recommend considering our dedicated Cold Therapy Chiller for several reasons:
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Built for Cold Therapy: It’s specifically designed to survive outdoors except in freezing conditions.
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Integrated Pump: The built-in pump ensures proper water circulation for optimal cold therapy effectiveness.
3) How do I prevent damage to my chiller?
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Regular Filter Cleaning: Cleaning the filter weekly helps maintain proper water flow and prevents ice buildup.
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Maintain Proper Water Levels: Ensure your chiller has the recommended water level so that it maintains optimal performance.
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Avoid Running the Chiller Dry: Never run your chiller without sufficient water flow. If the water level is low, it can lead to internal damage to the heat exchanger.
4) How often should I clean my Penguin Chiller filter?
We recommend checking and cleaning your Penguin Chiller filters about once a week. Even if the filters appear clean, built-up debris can restrict water flow to the heat exchanger.
Why is cleaning the filter important?
Restricted water flow can cause the water in the heat exchanger to freeze. The expanding ice can crack the heat exchanger, leading to damage from lack of upkeep, which is not covered by warranty. Regular cleaning helps prevent this issue, so your chiller will operate efficiently for years to come.
5) Do Penguin Chillers have built-in pumps?
With the exception of the Cold Therapy Chiller, none of Penguin Chillers’ chillers have built-in pumps. Chillers are used in various setups, so customers should choose the pumps needed for their specific project.
6) What size or type of pump should I use?
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Water chillers: We recommend pumps between 500 gph and 1,800 gph to achieve a minimum flow rate of 250 gph. Submersible pumps are commonly used for their simplicity. Pump size should compensate for factors like pipe length, fittings, and head height, so Penguin Chillers offers Danner water pumps ranging from 500 gph to 3600 gph.
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Glycol chillers: Space limitations might restrict pump options, so Penguin Chillers recommends specific glycol pump lines that work well with their units.
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Commercial water chillers: A measurable flow rate of 1,200 gph to 2,500 gph is recommended, but the pump size can vary depending on the application.
7) What's the lowest temperature my chiller can reach?
This is a common question, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on several factors:
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Water Chillers: We recommend not running them continuously below 37°F. During testing, we reached 36°F with 5 gallons of water. Factors like your target temperature, liquid amount, and ambient conditions all affect how low your chiller can achieve.
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Glycol Chillers: Similar to water chillers, the lowest temperature depends on various factors. We recommend not running them continuously below 5°F, However in testing (with no heat load), we reached -15°F.
8) Do Penguin Chillers have built-in tanks?
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Water Chillers: No, they don’t. Their internal piping holds less than half a gallon of water.
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Glycol Chillers: Standard models have reservoirs ranging from 1.25 to 3 gallons. Stainless Steel XL models have 8-30 gallon reservoirs, and commercial units have a 30-gallon reservoir. Check individual product details for specifics
9) How loud are Penguin Chillers?
Our chillers operate at a relatively quiet level. Most customers find them quieter than expected, but specific sound ratings (DBA) are available on each product page.
10) How much heat does a chiller put out?
Chillers remove heat from one area (liquid) and then release it into the surrounding air. So, the amount of heat released depends on how much heat needs to be removed from the liquid. It’s difficult to give a direct answer, but proper ventilation is crucial for efficient chiller operation
11) Does my chiller need ventilation?
Yes! Chillers need ventilation for proper heat transfer. If they’re in a confined space, such as a cabinet, then they won’t function correctly. Ventilation allows excess heat to dissipate so your chiller will continue running efficiently.
12) Why did my fermenter's cold crash stall at 40-50F?
Several reasons could explain this:
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Chiller malfunction: If your chiller maintains its set point and cycles normally, then it’s likely not the culprit. However, if it runs constantly and can’t reach the desired temperature, contact Penguin Chillers technical support for assistance.
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Heat transfer issue: If heat isn’t being pulled away from your product (e.g., beer) fast enough and transferred to the glycol, this could be the issue.
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Frozen glycol: A stall during cold crashing is actually often caused
by the glycol mixture being too cold. If your glycol is too cold, it can freeze your product, creating an insulating layer that prevents proper heat transfer. To solve this, raise the glycol temperature for a few hours so it can melt any ice buildup.
Common operating temperatures:
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Glycol chiller: 28°F. Colder temperatures might freeze your product. If 28°F is still too cold, raise the glycol temperature to 30°F-32°F. Alcohol content in your product might also require a slightly higher setting. Avoid testing with water only.
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Other factors: Glycol level, flow rate, or incorrect temperature reading could also be issues. Contact Penguin Chillers technical support for troubleshooting help
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