The Armarge Icecap-Pro is an electronic pipe freezer designed for temporary isolation of water flow in pipes to facilitate repair and maintenance work. It operates by creating an ice plug within the pipe, effectively stopping water flow without the need to drain the entire system.
Technical Specifications
The Icecap-Pro utilizes a liquid-cooled electronic refrigerating method. It operates on a 230V 50Hz power supply with a maximum operating current of 3 amps. The device is capable of freezing pipes with diameters ranging from 10mm to 28mm. Its optimal operating ambient temperature is between 0°C and 35°C. The unit weighs 8.4KG and has dimensions of 470mm (length) x 357mm (width) x 176mm (height). The maximum span between its freezer jaws is 275mm. For storage, the Icecap-Pro can be kept in temperatures ranging from -10°C to 35°C. It boasts an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP22, indicating protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm and vertically falling water drops when tilted up to 15 degrees.
Usage Features
The Icecap-Pro features a user-friendly design with clearly labeled components: a power socket, a coolant reservoir fill plug, a power button, a freeze button, a thaw button, freezer jaws, and a jaw open and lock thumbscrew.
Preparation:
Before operation, ensure the water within the pipe is completely static (dripping taps should be temporarily plugged) and the room temperature is above 35°C. The device should be tempered before use when stored in hot conditions by switching on the power button and allowing the cooling fans to bring it to room temperature.
Freezing Process:
- Jaw Sizing: The freeze head of each jaw is 28mm in diameter. If a single 28mm pipe requires freezing, both jaws should be placed next to each other to speed up the freezing process. For pipes smaller than 28mm, select the correct reducing inserts. For pipes between 150mm and 28mm, separate ice plugs will be formed, which could result in damage to the pipe.
- Jaw Placement: Undo the jaw locking thumbscrew a few turns and open the jaw.
- Contact Paste Application: Apply a liberal amount of the pink thermo-conductive paste onto each freeze head and squeeze the jaw together tightly around the pipe by hand until excess contact paste can be seen around the whole pipe. Tighten the locking thumbscrew to hold the jaw in place.
- Insert Selection (for smaller pipes): For UK pipe sizes less than 28mm, reducing inserts are required. Select the correct inserts for the required pipe and apply contact paste to the main 28mm freeze head. From the left-hand side of the jaw, slide the correct size reducing insert into the main freeze head and apply additional contact paste onto the pipe. This ensures good conductivity occurs between the 28mm main body, the insert, and between the insert and the pipe. If excess contact paste cannot be seen all around the pipe, this may be due to a drip of solder or a kink in the pipe. If this is the case, attempt to reposition the jaw to ensure good contact is made. If it is not possible to reposition the jaw, apply additional contact paste and allow extra time for the freezing process to take place.
- Power On: Plug in the power cord to a power outlet. The current ambient air temperature will be displayed on the digital thermometer. If this temperature is above 35°C, freezing pipes may not be possible. Should the Icecap-Pro pipe freezer have been stored in a hot location such as a car on a hot summer's day, before being pressed, the power button and the cooling fans will start, the temperature will lower to the ambient room temperature.
- Initiate Freeze: Press the freeze button (snowflake icon) and the jaw temperature will begin to drop.
- Ice Plug Formation: When an ice plug is formed, a distinctive click can be heard as the ice expands and becomes solid. It is highly recommended that persons unfamiliar with pipe freezing carry out a test freeze using short pieces of pipe filled with water in order to familiarise themselves with this sound. If in doubt, it is always safer and quicker to be sure a large ice plug is formed.
Thawing Process:
Upon completion of work, check all connections are secure and press the Thaw button (flame icon). This will result in heating the pipe to quickly melt the ice plug.
Factors Affecting Freezing Times:
- The ambient air temperature.
- The size of the pipe. Larger pipes take longer to freeze than smaller pipes.
- The quality of thermal contact between the freezing components and the pipe.
- The temperature of water within the pipe.
- The level of solar radiation, if possible, keep out of direct sunlight.
- Contaminated water, corrosion inhibitors, or anti-freeze within central heating systems may slow or possibly prevent freezing in high concentrations.
Maintenance Features
The Icecap-Pro uses Patented Dual stage Thermo-electronic cooling technology, providing fast freezing times in a wide range of operating temperatures. A "thaw" switch is also incorporated to allow fast melting of the ice core after the completion of work. The Icecap-E contains no compressed gas, making it virtually maintenance-free and its robust, compact and lightweight design will provide years of reliable service.
General Maintenance:
- Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure the safety of the power tool is maintained.
- The top jaw contains a thermocouple which is connected to the onboard digital thermometer. If freezing a single pipe, the top jaw should be utilised.
Coolant Maintenance:
- In the event of coolant dripping from any part of the pipe freezing equipment, remove the power plug from the outlet and contact a qualified service engineer.
- In the event of the freezer jaws hoses becoming unduly warm, ensure the hoses are not kinked in any way and that the coolant reservoir has sufficient coolant within the tank.
- In the event of the coolant pump making an unusually loud noise and the freezer heads becoming warm, unplug the unit, unscrew the reservoir fill plug, check the coolant level (no more than 40mm below the surface). Top the coolant up if necessary, leaving a 10mm air gap below the fill plug. In the event of Blue coolant being leaked from the unit, unplug immediately and contact the point of sale for repair.
Troubleshooting:
- No Power: Check the unit is plugged in correctly. Check the fuse in the plug. The Icecap-Pro has an internal overload protection circuit. Unplug the machine and leave for 1 minute to re-set.
- Icecap-Pro Fails to Freeze Pipes: Not allowing enough time for the freeze to occur (this is the most probable reason); note particularly that plastic pipes have poor conductivity and will require substantially more time to freeze; other causes include: water moving within a pipe; a bad thermal contact between the freeze head and the pipe; the presence of anti-freeze within a central heating system. Remove both jaws from the pipes and compare the level of frost that builds up on all 4 freeze heads, which should be at a similar amount. If any jaw appears to not have the same level of frost then it may be defective and require repair. If all 4 jaws appear to have similar amounts of frost and the onboard thermometer is reading a temperature of at least -15C it is very likely to be an irregularity within the pipework rather than the machine. This can be confirmed by carrying out a test freeze using a short piece of pipe filled with water, where the freezing process of the ice plug can be observed.
Accessories Included:
The Icecap-Pro comes with the following accessories:
- 1x 1.5m power lead (Replacement part No 5.020)
- 2x Thermo-conductive paste (Replacement part No 5.018)
- 4x 22mm reducing inserts (Replacement part No 5.021)
- 4x 15mm reducing inserts (Replacement part No 5.022)
- 4x 10mm reducing inserts (Replacement part No 5.023)
- 1x Pair linen gloves (Replacement part No 5.019)
- 1x Instruction manual (Replacement part No 5.024)
Safety Instructions
Work Area Safety:
- Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
- Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
- Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
Electrical Safety:
- Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs will reduce the risk of electric shock.
- Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
- Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock. In the event of water coming into contact with the power tool the plug should be removed from the outlet.
- Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep the cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
- When operating tools outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
- If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected power supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.
Personal Safety:
- Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating a power tool may result in serious personal injury.
- Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for the appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
- Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off position before connecting the power source.
Power Tool Use and Care:
- Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
- Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
- Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventative safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
- Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
- Maintain power tools. Check for breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool's operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
Disposal
The thermal contact paste is water-based, endemic and ecologically friendly, and can be recycled or disposed of with normal waste. Cloths contaminated by the paste can be washed or disposed of in the normal way without concerns. Components of the unit contain recyclable materials and should be put to recycling. For this purpose, registered and certified recycling companies are available. For an environmentally friendly disposal of non-recyclable parts, please contact your local waste disposal authority.
Guarantee
Armarge Ltd guarantees that the Icecap-Pro product is free from defects in material and workmanship for 24 months from the date of purchase. This guarantee is in addition to and in no way prejudices your statutory rights. If the Icecap-Pro becomes defective due to faulty workmanship within 24 months from the date of purchase, Armarge guarantees to replace defective parts/repair products subjected to fair wear and tear unless:
- The product has been subjected to misuse or neglect.
- The product has sustained damage through foreign objects, substances or accidents.
- Repairs have been attempted by persons other than authorised Armarge repair staff.
To claim this guarantee, you will need to provide proof of purchase to the seller or register your new Icecap-Pro on the Armarge website (www.armarge.com) and to be kept up to date on new products and special offers.
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