Key Features & Specs: Foster’s FGDM-47F is a two-section glass door reach-in freezer, roughly equivalent to a 49-inch wide merchandiser (about 47 cu.ft. / ~1330 L gross capacity). It is part of Foster’s Glass Door Merchandiser series (often sold as model “FGDM-47F-BK-HC” in the UK/Europe). This freezer keeps contents at –23°C to –18°C (typical set point around –20 to –21°C), and it’s designed to hold that even in busy retail conditions. It features triple-pane insulated glass doors with self-closing hinges and locks. Inside, heavy-duty PVC-coated shelves (8 shelves total, 4 per door) can be adjusted to accommodate various product heights. Foster uses a CAREL electronic controller with a digital display and advanced self-diagnostics – it lets you adjust temperature and defrost cycles, and will display alarms for issues like condenser overheating or probe failure. The FGDM-47F uses hydrocarbon R290 refrigerant and has interior LED lighting for merchandising. Construction is high-quality: stainless steel interior, painted steel exterior (often black). Dimensions: ~2000 mm H × 1250 mm W × 730 mm D (fits through standard doors). It’s on castors for mobility.
Strengths: Foster is a top British refrigeration brand (sister to Gamko). The FGDM double-door freezer is known for its excellent cooling performance – it has an extra-large evaporator and fan system to ensure even cooling from top to bottom, crucial for preventing warm spots in a tall merchandiser. It can recover temperature quickly after door openings, which is great for high-traffic retail use. The triple-pane glass and heated frames minimize condensation and help energy efficiency. Notably, the Foster controller will give alerts like “cL” (condenser clean) when maintenance is needed and “do” (door open) if a door is left ajar – useful features for busy staff who might not notice issues immediately. Energy-wise, for its size it is reasonably efficient (likely D or E on the EU scale), thanks to modern insulation and refrigerant. Another strength is Foster’s UK support network – they offer fast service (even a next-day parts service in the UK) and comprehensive manuals. Technicians often commend the build quality and longevity of Foster units; many run problem-free for years if properly maintained.
Common Issues/Weaknesses: While generally reliable, the FGDM-47F is a complex unit and requires regular maintenance. A common scenario is the freezer going into high temperature alarm (“HI” on display) if the condenser is clogged or if the ambient is very hot – the unit has a safety to warn of high cabinet temp. The fix is usually simple: clean the condenser (especially since a lot of UK kitchens have oil and dust buildup) and ensure ventilation is adequate. Another occasional issue: Probe failures (shown as E1 or E2 errors on Foster’s display). E1 means the cabinet sensor failed; E2 means the evaporator sensor failed. These require replacing the sensor – a task for a technician. The unit also will flash “dEF” when in defrost mode (which is normal), but some users mistake this for a fault. Foster controllers can be a bit over-sensitive: for example, “HC” condenser high temp alarm might trigger if the kitchen air is above 40°C or if the filter is slightly dirty. Thus, staying on top of cleaning is key. The only other downside is that being a premium product, spare parts and upfront cost are high – a new glass door assembly or controller board can be expensive. However, many consider it worth it for the reliability and lower lifetime cost. If properly maintained, the Foster FGDM merchandiser freezer seldom has major breakdowns. Do note that if cooling performance drops (e.g. not reaching –18°C), aside from cleaning the condenser, it could indicate a refrigerant leak or compressor issue – that’s when to call an F-Gas certified engineer. Overall, the Foster FGDM-47F is a workhorse for commercial freezing with sophisticated controls; just give it the care it needs.
Foster Freezer Error Codes (Prime & EcoPro G3 Controllers)
Foster uses a mix of text indicators and simple codes:
| Code/Display | Meaning | Probable Cause | Recommended Action | When to Call Technician |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HI (flashing) or H1 | High temp alarm (cabinet) | Cabinet above safe temp (e.g. > –15°C in freezer). Could be door left open or a cooling issue. | Check door (“do” alarm) and product load. Ensure condenser is clean (a clogged condenser can cause high temp). Once issue resolved, unit will cool down and “HI” alarm should clear automatically. | If temperature doesn’t drop or alarm returns quickly, likely a refrigeration fault (low gas, compressor). Call Foster service if basic causes are ruled out. |
| Lo (flashing) or L0 | Low temp alarm (cabinet) | Temperature below setpoint (freezer too cold). Possibly a stuck thermostat or probe error causing over-freezing. | Confirm setpoint isn’t set too low intentionally. If not, a controller reset might help. Remove any extremely cold product (like dry ice) that could trick the sensor. | If “Lo” persists, the thermostat or control relay might be faulty (freezer running continuously). Technician should check controller and probes. |
| E1 | Probe T1 failure (cabinet sensor) | Cabinet temp sensor open/shorted. Controller is running on timed mode. | Freezer will keep running but not accurately control temp. Fix: Arrange to replace the cabinet probe. In meantime, monitor temperature manually to avoid over/under freezing. | Call a tech to replace the T1 sensor. This is a precise task – after replacement, the controller may need calibration. |
| E2 | Probe T2 failure (evaporator sensor) | Evaporator probe fault – defrost regulation impacted. | Freezer might default to timed defrost. Check evaporator coil for ice after a day – manual defrost if heavy ice. Fix: Replace evaporator probe to restore normal defrost sensing. | Technician required to replace T2 probe. Also have them verify defrost heater operation (in case E2 was caused by heater issue). |
| do | Door open alarm | Door has been open longer than a preset time (typically 1–2 minutes). | Simply close the door to resolve. Check if anything obstructs door or if gasket is making full contact. This alarm helps prevent “HI” temp alarms by alerting staff. | If door is closed but alarm stays (possible faulty door switch), have a service tech examine and replace the door switch if needed. |
| cL (or “Condenser clean” on some displays) | Condenser needs cleaning (warning) | The controller’s algorithm or sensor detects high condensing temp – often due to dust on condenser. | Clean the condenser coil/filter immediately. After cleaning, reset the warning by acknowledging it on the controller (refer to manual). | If hc (high condenser temp alarm) or HP (High Pressure) alarm also triggered, and cleaning doesn’t remove it, call a technician. Prolonged high pressure can damage the system – a tech might need to check fan operation or refrigerant level. |
| DEF | Defrost in progress | This is not a fault – it indicates an automatic defrost cycle is active (the controller often shows “dEF”). | During “dEF”, the freezer temporarily warms the evaporator to melt frost. Do not be alarmed; normal cooling will resume in 15-20 minutes. Avoid opening the door during defrost if possible (to maintain efficiency). | Not applicable – this is a normal status. However, if the unit seems stuck in defrost (e.g., stays on “dEF” much longer than usual), then call a technician because a component (heater or controller) might have failed. |
Troubleshooting Tip: Foster’s digital controllers often log the highest temperature reached (“h1” for high temp record) and lowest (“tLo”). If you get a HI alarm, check the “h1” value – it tells you how high it got, which is useful to assess if food safety was compromised. After fixing an issue, you can reset these logs. Also, if the freezer shows “OFF” or “oFF”, note that means the controller is in standby/off mode – the unit may appear to have power but isn’t cooling. Simply turn it back on via the panel (or check if someone accidentally set it to off).