Blakeslee Conveyor Dishwasher Signal Messages and What They Mean
These are signal messages with a beep, not breakdown alarms: detergent empty, rinse aid empty, door open, drain the tanks, or baskets to remove from the exit shelf. Fix what the message names and the machine continues. If a message will not clear after that, call a service technician.
Low: operator prompts that clear once the named item is dealt with.
- Code
- DETERGENT LEVEL / RINSE-AID LEVEL / DOOR OPEN / DRAIN THE TANKS / OUTLET BLOCKAGE
- Maker
- Blakeslee
- Equipment
- Conveyor dish machines
- Applies to
- RC-series signals (beep)
What does Blakeslee DETERGENT LEVEL mean?
The machine uses signal messages to tell the operator that something needs attention before it can continue. Each message comes with a beep. DETERGENT LEVEL and RINSE-AID LEVEL mean the product containers are empty. DOOR OPEN means the door is open or the cycle was interrupted by opening it. DRAIN THE TANKS means the operation needs the tanks to be drained. OUTLET BLOCKAGE means baskets must be removed from the exit shelf so the line can move. The manual's remedy is the same in each case: refill the product, close the door, drain the tanks or take baskets off the exit shelf, and the machine continues. These are different from alarms such as E1 or B2, which name failures and in most cases need a service technician. The message text is shown in capital letters as listed here.
Affected models and control systems
Blakeslee RC-series rack conveyor dishwasher. The PDF is Blakeslee's RC44 User Manual and prints no model name; the same alarm list appears in the RC62 manual.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- A beep with DETERGENT LEVEL or RINSE-AID LEVEL
- DOOR OPEN displayed while the cycle stops
- DRAIN THE TANKS message at the end of the shift
- OUTLET BLOCKAGE with baskets piled at the exit
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind DETERGENT LEVEL on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Detergent container empty
- Rinse aid container empty
- Door open or cycle interrupted by opening it
- Operation requires the tanks to be drained
- Baskets waiting on the exit shelf
- Level sensor reading low because the pickup tube is out of the container
- Door switch not making contact when the door looks closed
- Exit shelf sensor held by a stray basket or item
- Product container not seated fully after refilling
Safe checks before calling for service
- Refill the detergent or rinse aid and make sure the pickup tubes are in the new container.
- Close the door fully and look for anything stopping it.
- Drain the tanks when the message asks for it.
- Remove baskets from the exit shelf and clear anything near the exit.
- If a message returns right after the fix, note which one and call.
How a technician diagnoses DETERGENT LEVEL
- Identify which signal is active and when it appears in the cycle.
- Check the product container level sensing and its tubes.
- Test the door switch for continuity as the door opens and closes.
- Inspect the exit shelf sensor for obstruction or misalignment.
- Replace the part that does not clear the signal.
- Level, door and exit sensors share wiring with line-voltage controls.
- A door switch should not be bypassed because it protects the operator.
- Telling a stuck sensor from a failing input needs a meter.
How DETERGENT LEVEL differs from similar codes
These messages are separate from the alarms such as E1, B2 or Z8, which report failures or an emergency stop.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Blakeslee owner support
- Edition
- COD. 4950E_U_USA, Ed. 00 - 09/2016
- Models / control
- RC-series signals (beep)
- Section
- Chapter 12.1 Signals (p. 53)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Blakeslee conveyor dish machine error codes
Are these alarms?
No. They are signals that something needs attention, and they clear when you do it.
The message returns after I refilled.
Check the pickup tube and the level sensing. If that does not help, call.
Why does OUTLET BLOCKAGE show?
Baskets have stacked at the exit shelf. Remove them to continue.
Need help with Blakeslee DETERGENT LEVEL?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.