What does Rivacold error code OF mean?

Error code OF on Rivacold equipment indicates oil failure — check oil level and pump pressure. Refer to the Rivacold service manual for specific diagnostic steps and safety precautions before troubleshooting.

How do I reset a Rivacold unit after a fault?

To reset a Rivacold unit, first resolve the root cause of the alarm. Then power cycle the unit or press the reset button on the controller. For Rivacold systems with digital controllers, navigate to the fault log and clear active alarms. Never reset without investigating the cause.

Where can I find Rivacold service manuals and documentation?

Official Rivacold service manuals are available through authorised distributors and the Rivacold technical support portal. AskWhiz provides instant AI-powered access to Rivacold troubleshooting information via WhatsApp — no manual hunting required.

Which controller is fitted to my Rivacold monoblock or condensing unit?

Rivacold sources third-party electronic controllers and the model varies by product family and production year. BlockSystem and BEST plug-in monoblocks typically ship with a Carel ir33 / EasyCold or an Eliwell IDPlus / EWCM series controller; semi-hermetic FAST condensing units historically used Dixell XR / XC series controllers. Open the electrical compartment, photograph the controller faceplate, and match the model number to the OEM manual — the alarm dictionary belongs to the controller, not to Rivacold itself. AskWhiz can identify the controller from a photo and pull the matching code table.

What does HP or HA mean on a Rivacold condensing unit?

HP (or HA on some Eliwell / Dixell controllers) is a high-pressure switch trip on the condensing side. The mechanical HP cutout opens its contact when discharge pressure exceeds the safety setting (typically 27–30 bar on R404A / R452A units), the controller logs the alarm, and the compressor latches off. Root causes are a fouled condenser coil, a failed condenser fan, refrigerant overcharge, or a closed liquid-line solenoid. Clean the condenser, verify fan operation, gauge the system, and reset the HP switch (some models latch mechanically) before the controller will allow restart.

What does LP or LA mean on a Rivacold unit?

LP / LA is a low-pressure trip — suction pressure dropped below the controller's cutout setting. On Rivacold BlockSystem and FAST condensing units the most common causes are refrigerant undercharge or a leak, a closed thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) or stuck EEV, a frosted-over evaporator from a defrost-control fault, or a clogged liquid-line filter drier. Connect refrigerant gauges to confirm the alarm is real, leak-test the system if charge is low, inspect the evaporator for ice build-up, and check the TXV / EEV opening before recharging.

How do I read fault codes on a Rivacold BlockSystem monoblock?

Rivacold BlockSystem monoblocks (one-piece plug-in refrigeration boxes) display alarms on the front-facing controller. On Carel-equipped units press the Prg / mute button to silence the buzzer, then press it again briefly to scroll through active alarms; the code (E1, HI, LO, etc.) flashes on the main display. On Eliwell-equipped units, alarms also appear as flashing icons (snowflake for low temp, thermometer for high temp) plus the alphanumeric code. The controller's fault history is accessible via the parameter menu — hold SET for several seconds to enter the menu, then navigate to the AL / Pr1 list.

What does E1 or E2 mean on a Rivacold controller?

E1 and E2 on Rivacold equipment are NTC probe faults inherited from the underlying Carel, Eliwell or Dixell controller. E1 typically flags the cabinet / room probe (Pb1 or S1) open-circuit, short-circuit, or out of range; E2 flags the defrost / evaporator probe (Pb2 or S2) with the same fault modes. With the controller powered off, disconnect the suspect probe and measure NTC resistance against the manufacturer's R-vs-T table — a 10 kΩ NTC reads about 32 kΩ at 0 °C and 10 kΩ at 25 °C. Replace the probe if it reads open, shorted, or far off the curve.

What does HI or LO mean on a Rivacold display?

HI and LO are temperature alarms that compare cabinet probe Pb1 against the configured high-temperature alarm threshold (HI) and low-temperature threshold (LO). They are usually auto-reset alarms that clear once temperature returns within the alarm differential. Common HI causes on Rivacold cold rooms are a dirty condenser, failed condenser fan, door left open, evaporator iced over, or a wrong setpoint; LO usually means the setpoint is too low for the application or the defrost is misconfigured. Confirm the alarm is real with an independent thermometer before assuming a controller fault.

When should I call a Rivacold-authorised technician versus DIY?

DIY tasks: condenser cleaning, door-seal replacement, defrost-time-clock parameter adjustments, probe replacement, and clearing auto-reset HI / LO alarms after fixing the obvious cause. Call an authorised refrigeration technician for sealed-system work (refrigerant recovery requires EPA Section 608 in the US or F-Gas certification in the EU), compressor replacement on FAST semi-hermetic units, EEV stepper-motor or driver replacement, and any HP / OF latched fault that recurs after a single root-cause repair — a repeating HP usually means a deeper sealed-system problem that wrecks the compressor if left running. Rivacold's warranty terms also require authorised intervention to remain valid during the warranty period.

Quick Answer

Rivacold monoblocks and condensing units use Carel, Eliwell or Dixell controllers, so the code you see depends on which controller is fitted. Common codes: HP / HA high-pressure trip, LP / LA low-pressure, OF oil failure on semi-hermetic FAST units, E1 / E2 probe faults, HI / LO temperature alarms.

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By Nichita Herput

Co-founder & CEO · Reviewed May 2026

What error codes does Rivacold display?

High-pressure switch trip — fouled condenser, failed fan, or refrigerant overcharge; clean condenser, verify fan, gauge the system before reset

High-pressure alarm on Eliwell / Dixell-equipped Rivacold units — same diagnostic as HP; some controllers use HA for the alarm and HP for the digital input label

Low-pressure trip — refrigerant undercharge, leak, closed TXV / stuck EEV, or iced-over evaporator; gauge before adding charge

Low-pressure alarm on Eliwell / Dixell controllers — same diagnostic flow as LP

Oil failure on semi-hermetic FAST condensing units — differential oil-pressure switch tripped; check oil level, oil-pump pressure, and oil-return path

High discharge / compressor-head temperature — check superheat at suction, condenser fouling, and discharge thermistor

Cabinet / room probe (Pb1) NTC fault — measure resistance against the controller R-vs-T table and replace probe if out of range

Defrost / evaporator probe (Pb2) NTC fault — same diagnostic procedure as E1 on the evaporator-side sensor

High-temperature alarm — cabinet probe above alarm threshold; check door seals, defrost completion, condenser cleanliness, and fan operation

Low-temperature alarm — cabinet probe below alarm threshold; verify setpoint, alarm differential, and probe location inside the cabinet

Common questions about Rivacold equipment

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