Operating Instructions - RIDGID SuperFreeze SF-2500 Mode D'emploi

SuperFreeze™ Pipe Freezing Unit
• Has a three prong plug similar to that supplied on
the Pipe Freezing Unit.
• Is no longer than 50 feet long
• Has sufficient wire size (16 AWG minimum). Under-
sized wires can overheat, melting the insulation or
causing a fire or other damage.

Operating Instructions

WARNING
Follow operating instructions to reduce the risk of
injury from burns, frostbite, electrical shock and
other causes.
Opening the piping system before a complete plug is
frozen or allowing the plug to thaw while the system
is open could cause burns or other serious injury.
Before opening system, test for pressure to con-
firm that the ice plugs are fully formed and stable.
Make sure the machine is properly set up and do not
allow the Pipe Freeze Unit to shut off during use.
The freeze heads and hoses get extremely cold
and can cause frostbite if touched during operation.
Wear gloves if handling during use.
Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes
from dirt and other foreign objects. Always wear
appropriate protective equipment for the piping
contents.
1. Confirm that the machine set up is correct.
2. Turn machine ON.
3. Allow machine to run for 2-3 minutes. Freeze heads
should start to frost. Use spray bottle to slowly spray
water between freeze heads and pipe. See the Figure
7. The water will freeze and fill any gaps between the
freeze head, pipe and any adapters used. This im-
proves thermal conductivity and will improve freeze
times, while gaps between the freeze head and pipe
will prevent freeze plug formation. Make sure that
any dripping water does not cause a hazard.
8
Figure 7 – Water Spray
If the freeze heads do not become cold and cov-
ered with ice and frost after approximately 7 minutes,
turn the unit OFF for 3 minutes and restart. If the
freeze heads still do not become cold, see the trouble
shooting section.
4. Once the freeze heads are frozen to the pipe, allow
the ice plug to form. If the ambient temperature is
high (but not above 100°F), the freeze heads can be
wrapped with pipe insulation or other insulation to
improve freeze times.
Do not leave the unit unattended. Pipes can freeze
and split during the freezing process and monitoring
can minimize the hazard and damage. If for some
reason the power to the freeze unit is interrupted, turn
the ON/OFF switch to off and do not restart for at
least 30 seconds to prevent compressor damage.
Time to freeze a fully formed ice plug depends on a
variety of factors, including water temperature, am-
bient temperature, distance from heat sources, pipe
size and wall thickness, pipe material, number of
freeze heads, quality of contact between freeze
heads and pipe, and other conditions. The following
table of freeze times is based on water temperature
being the same as room temperature, use on copper
tube, and use of two Freeze heads. Freeze times for
steel pipe will be longer. These are only provided as
a general guide.
5. Carefully test the system to make sure that the plugs
are complete and there is no flow before opening
the system. This can be done by opening a valve
downstream of the plug and verifying that there is
no flow. Another method is to use a saddle tap valve
(similar to those used to install ice makers) to pierce a
copper tube and check for water flow. If there is flow,
close the system back up and continue the freezing
process.
Ridge Tool Company