Key Features & Specs: The Polar GH507 is a 920 litre double-door upright display freezer designed for high visibility merchandising. It has two large hinged glass doors (self-closing, lockable) and comes with ten adjustable shelves for flexible product placement. The unit features fan-assisted cooling for even temperature and an automatic electric defrost system to manage frost build-up. Temperature range is –22°C to –18°C, ideal for frozen food retail. It uses eco-friendly R290 refrigerant and is built for ambient conditions up to 32°C (suitable for most indoor UK environments). The GH507 includes an illuminated top display panel (light box) to attract customers. Dimensions are roughly 2022 mm H × 1370 mm W × 720 mm D, so it’s a wide unit best for spacious floor areas. Energy efficiency is rated Class F (annual consumption ~8586 kWh) – not the most efficient, reflecting the size and glass doors.
Strengths: Polar’s G-Series is designed for reliability at a mid-range price. The large capacity and bright LED lighting make this freezer excellent for displaying a high volume of products, so it’s popular in farm shops and convenience stores. Despite the big size, it maintains even cooling thanks to its forced-air circulation and 60 mm insulation. Users appreciate its simple digital thermostat and easy plug-in installation (13A supply). The doors are double-glazed and heated, reducing condensation for a clear view inside. Value for money is a big plus – you get a huge display freezer at a lower cost than European or US brands. Spare parts (fans, thermostats) are easily sourced via Nisbets in the UK. It’s also on castors, which is helpful for cleaning behind the unit.
Common Issues/Weaknesses: As a budget-friendly unit, the Polar GH507 has a few drawbacks. Energy consumption is high (Class F) – expect it to add to electric bills, especially if in a warm roomnisbets.co.uk. The build quality, while decent, is not as robust as premium brands. For example, some technicians note that Polar fridges/freezers use thinner gauge metal and simpler controllers, meaning they may not endure abuse as well. Common issues include the digital display reading the wrong temperature (usually due to a sensor calibration issue or controller fault – a known quirk on some Polar units) and occasionally not reaching set temperature in very warm kitchens. One Reddit user even commented “Polar fridges are notoriously bad quality… you get what you pay for” – a harsh take, but it reflects that Polar is a step down from pricier brands. Another frequent issue is ice buildup if the auto-defrost fails or if the door seals leak. For instance, if the freezer isn’t cooling but the motor runs continuously, it might be iced up (in which case a manual defrost and ensuring the door gasket seals could solve it). Also, noise levels are a bit higher (normal for a commercial unit with fans). Bottom line: the Polar GH507 offers enormous display capacity at a good price, but requires diligent maintenance (cleaning condenser, defrosting) to avoid performance issues, and it may have a shorter lifespan under heavy use compared to premium freezers.
Polar & Hoshizaki (Generic LAE/Eliwell Controllers) – Common Codes
Polar and Hoshizaki (Snowflake) upright freezers often use universal controllers that display “EE” codes or simple E1, E2 errors. Here are common ones (for models like Polar G-Series and Hoshizaki Snowflake freezers):
| Code | Meaning | Probable Cause | Recommended Fix | When to Call Technician |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE1 (or E1) | Cabinet Temperature Probe Fault | The main temperature sensor is loose, broken, or shorted. The controller can’t read cabinet temp. | Check the cabinet probe on the controller – ensure its connection is secure. If loose, reconnect. If damaged, a temporary workaround is the controller may run the compressor in a safe duty-cycle mode. Ultimately, replace the temp probe (use OEM part). | Call a technician to replace the probe if you’re not comfortable doing it. This is a relatively quick fix for a professional – necessary to restore accurate temp control. |
| EE2 (or E2) | Evaporator/Defrost Probe Fault | The defrost (evaporator) sensor is loose or broken. Defrost cycles may not terminate properly. | Inspect the evaporator coil sensor (usually attached to evap). If it came off the coil, reattach it between fins. If broken, the controller will fail safe by using max defrost duration. Replace the probe to ensure efficient defrost. | If the unit is accumulating ice (defrost not ending) or you continue to see EE2 after reset, get a tech to install a new evaporator probe. They’ll also check the defrost heater functionality. |
| EE3 (less common on Polar) | Compressor “protect” probe fault (some controllers) | On certain units, a third probe monitors compressor or filter temperature. EE3 means that probe failed. | Check if the unit even has this probe – not all do. If yes, likely needs replacement. However, first ensure the condenser is clean and fan working, as sometimes an “EE3” can be triggered by overheat without probe failure on some models. | Call a technician if EE3 persists; they can determine if the probe is faulty or if it was an overheat condition that resolved after maintenance. Running without this sensor isn’t critical short-term, but it’s a safety feature you’ll want operational. |
| EE4 (on some controllers) | Condenser thermal cut-out (if equipped) | Some units monitor condenser or compressor temp – EE4 can indicate extreme high temp (dry filter > 58°C, per manual). Could be dirty condenser or failing fan. | Urgently clean the condenser and ensure the condenser fan is running. Check ambient temp – move unit out of direct heat if possible. After cleaning, reset by turning off/on. | If EE4 reappears soon, it’s indicating a serious overheating – a tech should inspect the refrigeration system (perhaps the fan motor is bad or refrigerant overcharge). Continuing to run in this state can trip the compressor overload. |
| E1 / E2 (on Eliwell controllers) | Similar to above, Probe 1 or Probe 2 Fault | Eliwell displays E1 for cabinet probe fault, E2 for evaporator probe fault. Causes and fixes same as EE1/EE2 above. | See EE1/EE2 above. | See above – probe replacement by tech if needed. |
| HA / LA (on some controllers) | High Alarm / Low Alarm (temp) | If the cabinet went above or below set thresholds. HA = too warm, LA = too cold. | Treat HA like any high temp – check door, condenser, load. Treat LA like over-freezing – check controller setpoint and probe. Reset alarms on controller after addressing cause. | If these alarms keep occurring, even sporadically, have a refrigeration tech assess the unit – could be refrigeration capacity issue (for HA) or control calibration issue (for LA). |
Troubleshooting Tip: Polar freezers not cooling well? Aside from codes, a common Polar issue is that the digital display might flash between a temperature and an “DEF” or error code – ensure you identify if it’s actually an error or just defrost mode. If the control panel shows strange readings or the temperature seems way off (like displaying +10 when clearly –18 inside), the air sensor might be out of place. Many Polar units have the air sensor in the return air path – if a product bag hits it or it falls, it can misread. Secure it in the proper location. Also, if a Polar’s controller is beeping but no code, it often indicates an over-temp alarm (beeping with current temp shown). That means it’s above its alarm setpoint – treat like an HA alarm: check door, condenser, etc., silence the alarm (usually a button press), and monitor cooling recovery. When in doubt with a Polar (or generic controller) error, power cycle the unit – if the error immediately returns, it’s a hard fault needing service.