Blue Air BLMH-500AD 30 Inch Modular Half Dice Ice Machine Head 553 lb Air-Cooled 115V R-290
Blue Air BLMH-500AD — 30" Half Dice Ice Machine Head, 553 lbs per Day
The Blue Air BLMH-500AD is a 30-1/4 inch wide modular ice machine head that produces up to 553 lbs of half dice ice every 24 hours on a standard 115V circuit, pairing a 30-inch storage bin with the half dice cube that bars and beverage stations prefer. Each cycle drops 468 half dice cubes (3/8" x 7/8" x 7/8") from a 36-column by 13-row evaporator, and the air-cooled R-290 refrigeration system draws 11.3 amps. A digital controller with a 7-segment diagnostic display, a bin-full sensor, and a built-in cleaning and sanitizing mode handle daily operation, while the stainless steel cabinet, removable panels, and rear cleanable air filter keep service simple. The BLMH-500AD is the long-width half dice model in the 500 series; the same machine is available in a 22-1/4" wide head as the BLMH-500A.
Key Features of the BLMH-500AD
Blue Air built the BLMD and BLMH modular heads around a hydrocarbon refrigeration system and a digital controller, so the machine is efficient to run, easy to diagnose, and quick to clean between shifts.
Half Dice Cube, 468 per Cycle
The 36 x 13 evaporator grid freezes 468 half dice cubes measuring 3/8" x 7/8" x 7/8" per harvest, about 4.62 lbs a cycle, a size that chills fast, fills glasses tightly, and suits soft drink and cocktail service.
115V Operation
The 500 series runs on 115V/60Hz single-phase power at 11.3 amps, so it installs on a common commercial circuit with a 20 A HACR breaker instead of requiring a 220V line like the 650 series.
30-1/4" Wide Cabinet for 30" Bins
The AD cabinet spans 30-1/4" (768 mm) so the head sits flush on a 30-inch storage bin without an adapter, keeping the ice drop centered over the larger bin opening.
Air-Cooled R-290 Refrigeration
An air-cooled condensing unit charged with hydrocarbon R-290 refrigerant produces 100 lbs of ice on about 4.4 kWh and 15.4 gallons of potable water at 90°F air / 70°F water, with a compressor protection system built in.
Digital Controller with Diagnostics
A digital controller inside the unit on the right-hand side runs the automatic freeze and harvest cycle, its 7-segment display reports status and diagnostic codes, a bin-full sensor pauses production when the bin fills, and a built-in mode runs cleaning and sanitizing.
Stainless Cabinet, Serviceable Design
The stainless steel exterior wipes clean, removable panels open every side of the 141-lb head for service access, and the cleanable air filter at the rear slides out for a rinse instead of a replacement.
BLMH-500AD vs. the Other Blue Air Modular Heads
All eight Blue Air modular heads share the same cabinet depth and height, the same R-290 air-cooled system, and the same 3-year warranty. Three things set them apart: the cube (BLMH = half dice, BLMD = full dice), the series (500 = 115V, roughly 550–570 lbs; 650 = 220V, roughly 620–630 lbs), and the width (AD = 30-1/4" long head, A = 22-1/4" short head). A and AD heads produce identical ice at the same price; choose by the width of the storage bin you plan to set it on.
| Model | Cube | Ice / 24 h | Width | Electrical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLMH-500AD (this model) | Half dice | 553 lbs | 30-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMH-500A | Half dice | 553 lbs | 22-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMD-500AD | Full dice | 566 lbs | 30-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMD-500A | Full dice | 566 lbs | 22-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMH-650AD | Half dice | 623 lbs | 30-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
| BLMH-650A | Half dice | 623 lbs | 22-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
| BLMD-650AD | Full dice | 632 lbs | 30-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
| BLMD-650A | Full dice | 632 lbs | 22-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
Installation note: The BLMH-500AD is a head only and requires a separate 30-inch ice storage bin. Allow 8" (20 cm) of clearance at the rear, sides, and top for airflow and service, and keep the room between 45–100°F with 45–90°F water at 30–100 PSIG. Plumb a minimum 3/8" copper supply line to the 3/8" FPT inlet and a minimum 3/4" hard-pipe drain to the 3/4" FPT drain; the condensation drain is 1/2" OD. The unit needs a dedicated 115V/60Hz/1-phase circuit with a 13.9 A minimum circuit ampacity and a 20 A maximum HACR breaker.
Ideal Applications
A 115V half dice head on a 30-inch bin suits operations that want a large ice reserve without adding a 220V circuit.
BLMH-500AD Specifications
| Model | Blue Air BLMH-500AD |
|---|---|
| Type | Modular ice machine head, 30" wide (bin sold separately) |
| Ice Type | Half dice, 3/8" x 7/8" x 7/8" (9.5 x 22 x 22 mm) |
| Ice Production, 70°F Air / 50°F Water | Up to 553 lbs per 24 hours |
| Ice Production, 90°F Air / 70°F Water | 461 lbs per 24 hours |
| Harvest per Cycle | 468 cubes (36 columns x 13 rows), approx. 4.62 lbs |
| Energy Use | 4.4 kWh per 100 lbs of ice (90°F air / 70°F water) |
| Potable Water Use | 15.4 gal per 100 lbs of ice |
| Condenser | Air-cooled |
| Refrigerant | R-290 (hydrocarbon) |
| Electrical | 115V/60Hz/1-phase, 11.3 A |
| Min. Circuit Ampacity / Max. Breaker | 13.9 A / 20 A HACR |
| Controls | Digital controller, 7-segment status and diagnostic display, bin-full sensor, cleaning and sanitizing mode |
| Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H) | 30-1/4" x 24-1/2" x 21-1/8" (768 x 621 x 537 mm); width excludes 1" side panels, depth 7/8" and height 3/4" for the rear air filter |
| Water Inlet / Drain | 3/8" FPT inlet; 3/4" FPT drain; 1/2" OD condensation drain |
| Operating Limits | Ambient 45–100°F; water 45–90°F; 30–100 PSIG |
| Construction | Stainless steel exterior, removable panels, removable and cleanable rear air filter |
| Net / Gross Weight | 141 lbs (64 kg) / 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years parts & labor; 5 years compressor; 5 years evaporator parts & labor |
Optional Accessories
Blue Air lists the following optional accessories for the BLMH-500AD on its cutsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ice does the Blue Air BLMH-500AD make per day?
It produces up to 553 lbs of half dice ice per 24 hours at 70 degree F air and 50 degree F water, and 461 lbs per day in a hot 90 degree F kitchen with 70 degree F water. Each harvest drops 468 cubes, about 4.62 lbs.
What is the difference between the BLMH-500AD and the BLMH-500A?
Only the cabinet width. The BLMH-500AD is 30-1/4 inches wide for 30 inch storage bins; the BLMH-500A is 22-1/4 inches wide for 22 inch bins. Both make 553 lbs of half dice per day on 115V at 11.3 amps, and both sell at the same price.
What is the difference between the BLMH-500AD and the BLMD-500AD?
The cube. The BLMH-500AD makes half dice cubes (3/8 x 7/8 x 7/8 inch, 468 per cycle) while the BLMD-500AD makes full dice cubes (7/8 inch, 234 per cycle) and rates slightly higher at 566 lbs per day. Both are 30-1/4 inches wide and run on 115V at 11.3 amps.
How does the BLMH-500AD compare with the BLMH-650AD?
The BLMH-650AD is the 220V version, drawing 6.4 amps and rated at 623 lbs per day. The BLMH-500AD runs on a standard 115V circuit at 11.3 amps and makes 553 lbs per day, about 70 lbs less, at 4.4 kWh per 100 lbs. Both are 30-1/4 inches wide.
What electrical and plumbing connections does the BLMH-500AD need?
A dedicated 115V/60Hz single-phase circuit with a 13.9 A minimum circuit ampacity and a 20 A maximum HACR breaker, a minimum 3/8 inch copper water supply to the 3/8 inch FPT inlet, and a minimum 3/4 inch hard-pipe drain to the 3/4 inch FPT drain.
Does the BLMH-500AD come with a storage bin?
No. It is a modular ice machine head and must be installed on a separate ice storage bin. Its 30-1/4 inch width matches 30 inch wide bins; allow 8 inches of clearance at the rear, sides, and top for airflow and service.
| Brand | Blue Air Commercial Refrigeration |
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| SKU | BLMH-500AD |
| Brand | Blue Air Commercial Refrigeration |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 21.13 x 30.25 x 24.50 inches |
| Height | 21.13 |
| Width | 30.25 |
| Depth | 24.50 |
| Production per 24 hr | 501 - 600 lb = 228 - 272 kg |
| Ice Type | half size / half dice cubes |
| Condenser Type | air-cooled |
| Width (side - side) | 30 - 39" wide |
| Energy Efficiency | ENERGY STAR® |
| Refrigeration | self-contained refrigeration |
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