Pimp your machine

[gbatterley]

I was just looking at a website selling parts for coffee machines that isnt a site sponsor so I cant link to it.
It has an espresso machine light that you can fit to your machine.
Just wondering if anyone has tried it yet and how difficult it might be to install.
Im a sucker for bling.

[TC]

Re: Pimp your machine

9Bar can pimp your ride
Before

After

[dabbler]

Re: Pimp your machine

Either 9Bar are really really quick or the barista in the background is really really slow.

Seriously though, its a shame the customers dont get to see the gadgets and chrome together. Lets face is - no-one buys bling for themselves. (Dont try and tell me the lighting is for OHS!)

[Javaphile]

Re: Pimp your machine

The difficulty of installation will vary between machines, mainly depending on the internal space and dimensions. In general Id say if youre handy with tools, doing mods, and working with electricity/electronics installation should be a breeze.

The concern I have when looking at the one lighting kit out there advertised for use on espresso machines that I see is that the angle of the light is not adjustable. The fixture is designed to mount flush with no adjustability to it. Looking at other sites that sell the lights they state that the LEDs themselves have a 70 degree beam. Yet another site that sells the fixtures states that the LEDs are covered with a resin for waterproofing which also acts as a light diffuser. One site implies that there is a ball mount available that allows you to direct the light right where you want it. But with no other references or links to such a mount it appears to be a description of a different fixture that has been incorrectly used. Ive been looking at doing this mod for years now as Id love to have some lighting under the ledge on my machine but Id hate to spend $150 only to discover that the beam is such a narrow cone that the cup/pour isnt being lit.


Java "Looking for the light" phile

[iaindb]

Re: Pimp your machine

Wowsers $150? What sort of LEDs are you buying? You can get a superbright LED for about $10, or a whole strip of them for $20. Add in some gaffa tape and blue-tack and surely you could strap the whole thing together for less than $50. For $60 I could buy a single LED torch that could shine a focused beam 100m down the end of my street...

[Javaphile]

Re: Pimp your machine

Wowsers $150? What sort of LEDs are you buying?

$150 is the price for the 2-group set of LEDs (The kit contains 3:12vdc back mounting flush face fixtures, each of which has 3 bright white LEDs, the power supply, and mounting hardware.) from the only site I see that sells such a thing. The LEDs are made from 316SS and are waterproof as it appears is the 12vdc converter that powers them. On every site that I can find them the LEDs themselves sell for right around $22 each. Given that the lights will be a few cms away from boiling hot water and live steam where condensation will occur all fixtures will need to be waterproof and run on DC power rather than mains. While I want illumination on my pours Id rather it not come from my body!



Java "Looking for the light" phile