Our laboratory purchased a Helmer -40 C Laboratory freezer that has consistent problems with recovering from defrost cycles. The unit frosts over and has to be turned off and defrosted about once a week. Helmer has not been able to come up with a solution that solves the problem. The lab manager is considering replacing it, either with another brand or a Helmer Blood Bank freezer. Does anyone have any experience with the Helmer Blood Bank or plasma freezers? This freezer is used quite frequently so they need something that has quick temperature recovery after the door has been opened.

I'm if our experience will help or not, but we had a similar problem with an older model plasma freezer from a different vendor.

In our case, the temps kept "warming" up over a period of a week or 2. They cleaned the condensor unit out and replaced the Timer Clock for the defrost cycles--it was slipping gears and getting stuck in the defrost cycle. It has been working smoothly since.

We have that problem with a -30C Helmer Freezer. Ours is Model IPF125-8. There is another thread discussing the same problem with Helmer freezers. I am still not sure that the unit gets stuck in a defrost cycle - though that would seem the logical explanation. One of the times this occurred, the unit was apparently not near a defrost cycle in time, judging by the chart. Another time it happened when we went to emergency power. Helmer has not been helpful to the company that runs our instrument maintenance. Almost reminds me of Revco - and maybe Helmer does not manufacture this particular model. Anyway, I will look at a unit from Norlake. Got any news about them?

Forgot to mention, what seems to work is to unplug the unit when it goes into one of these prolonged off cycles, then plug it back in a minute or so later.

Good luck.

Edited September 3, 200816 yr by NedB
Forgot a point

We've had our Helmer blood bank plasma freezer (i Series) for about 4 years and have had no real problems with it. My only complaint is the small 4 inch recorder charts are hard for old people (me) to read.

We just received a replacement IPF125-8 yesterday for a similar problem. We kept having temp spikes once or twice a week. Helmer sent a transformer thinking the input voltage was too low but the problem persisted so they just replaced it. Their service dept has been more willing to solve issues than most vendors I've worked with in the last 25 years.

We already received a replacement freezer and it is doing the same thing. The frost build up requires manually defrosting weekly. Helmer had us shim up the front legs in case it was not draining properly. That has not helped.

Hello, I’m Wes Peik, Helmer Customer and Technical Service Manager. With all products, random issues sometimes occur. We make every effort to correct any issues that we are aware of to the satisfaction of our customers. If you have an open issue, I encourage you to call or email me. I look forward to taking care of you.

Wes Peik

Helmer Customer and Technical Service Manager

317-219-3927

wpeik@helmerinc.com

Do you have validation template for Helmer freezer...I series? Could you share with me?

How much validation is required?