Problems with in line beer chiller

[Doobury1050]

I have brought a cheap chiller from e-bay. It’s an Alumasc Trimmer, model no. TRM006, brand new, but no operating instructions.
It’s a single line model and has standard John Guest fittings for beer in and out. It also has s/steel water in and water out connections about 12 to 15 mm dia. Are the SS connections for cooling water for python tubing or to chill a “posh” water condensing (wet drippy, shiny thing) beer tap like Carling extra cold (I will try to show some pictures if needed)
I need to know if I can run the chiller and not using the water in and out lines without damaging the unit (i.e. not cooling the python or beer tap, just leaving the fittings open to air) If I can use the unit, it will do me for the moment as I think I can switch between cornies into the unit using the out poppet on top of the casks. I don’t want to “burn out” a brand new unit by miss-use.
ANY help or advice would be greatly appreciated

[Parva]

You'll need to connect up the in and out lines for the python or disconnect the pump if you don't want a wet floor but yes, it'll work perfectly fine. Mine's a different make / model but same principle, here you can see clearly what I have done with the python line.

[Doobury1050]

Firstly, thanks for the replies from Parva and Chris, I am currently playing with my chiller and will have to post a few more questions.
I got mine from e-bay and it cost me 40 quid, but they are like trying to buy the proverbial rocking horse poo ! The TRM006 is a very compact unit and does not contain a fan, so from the small amount of info I have obtained from the manufactures website it dose not require the airflow around it that other under bar coolers need; they can even be boxed in.
The unit does not contain an internal pump for the python line so I connected recirculation water yesterday, just running to drain as a precaution. Then connected lager from a cornie to the product in and out. Fantastic, cooled to “set” temp of 4 oC in less than ten mins. Unfortunately it did not stop there. Naturally when the beer got to minus 6.5 oC the beer froze in the line and I quickly switched the unit off. I intend to examine the unit today to investigate any damage this may have caused.
As the python line does not have a pump I will need to provide an external one if I want to use this facility for fermentation cooling as an example.
I still need to know if I can use the chiller for beer line cooling without the python connected, without damage to the unit once I have the temperature control sorted out.
Any further suggestions please.

[Doobury1050]

Thanks for the help, now I understand the operation of the controller better I can switch on the unit an have controlled chilled beer at say 4 degrees within 10 mins. (no freezing) I still run water through the "python"/water circulation lines though, as when I am using it as the water sometimes comes out quite Hot !!

[roscoe]

HELP ? I also have acquired a similar unit, the Alumasc Trimmer, model no. TRM002

Again I have no manual and cannot seem to google anything on this model which does not have a water bath ice block, it does have a compressor but has ? 'Dry Block Technology' whatever that means. I reckon I will fathom out how it works by trial and error shortly, but hoped some forum ninja could jump in and illuminate the details of how this thing works, so questions are ?

Q1. There is 2 product circuits AND a circuit marked WATER IN / OUT
Is this Water In/Out for a python line/circuit or does it require tap water say to take away heat from the unit ?
If I have no cold water circulating the unit soon trips out with a high temp, if I rig up tap water it runs fine and gets the product lines down fairly quick to under 0oC, I think the control switches of the compressor at around +2oC

Q2. There is digital control unit model 3B2905 (can't find any manual/details either)
This takes in 2 temp, condenser & appliance and switches the Compressor on/off to attain temperature.
Can't seem to edit the target temp up/down, tried various hold buttons etc but so far can't seem to modify the temp.

Looking to mainly use this for FV control but may use in summer to chill beer as well.

Cheers

[roscoe]

kinda figured it out, the chiller must get a water supply to cool the compressor so thats a bummer, in effect you need a chiller to get this to work or waste whack of water.

the controller setpoint can be adjusted but its old school hold the button when power cycling

anther one chalked off to experience