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Sunbeam 4800c Gauge & OPV Upgrade! Making very good shots now!

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  • Jimmi87
    replied
    I've decided I'm going to attempt this with my E4800.

    Was shipping expensive from stefano's?

    C-man, it appears you used the Vibiemme valve from the photos. Did you try and get the Exopar from Disave espresso parts?

    jet black espresso in sydney has a generic expansion valve listed on there website for $25.60. But its unclear whether its adjustable like the Vibiemme.

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    Originally posted by hotjava View Post
    cheers C-man - which gauge did you get, RS Components?
    I can't remember but I had to wait a week as it came from OS

    I wanted the gauge with the tubing already connected to make things easier.

    have a look at my thread below "Suoed-up Sunbeam "slayer style" for some other mods

    Leave a comment:


  • hotjava
    replied
    cheers C-man - which gauge did you get, RS Components?

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    I used the same parts Karl suggested, he listed them above

    Leave a comment:


  • hotjava
    replied
    Hi C-man, I'm considering doing this to my Breville ikon (not sure if it will all fit?).

    Just wondering what parts you went with in the end and the costs?

    thanks

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    Click image for larger version

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    I managed to get it done, the plumbing was easy, just Teflon tape and no leaks first time.

    Cutting through the Stainless steel casing was a bitch though!

    yeah, shots are very smooth now, and the pump is very quiet too.

    Thanks to Karl for all the help.......

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    the next mod will be to control the pump speed during extraction, to allow for pre-infusion at 9 bar and lower pressure extraction in the back half of the pour

    around 5-6 bar just enough to keep the small trickle coming. The result is trying to copy what a good lever machine does.


    quote-
    I still get flow at the very slowest setting even though you can barely hear the pump (very quiet). And the pressure is variable from about 1 bar to 9 bars (where the OPV is currently set). And it is very smooth (even though in the video my gauge is jumping all around - I think I had air in there).

    I have been getting the best espresso I've ever had - very different from what I was getting before. And it has really widened the range of coffees I can use for espresso. I'm now doing some lighter roasts that would be way too bright if pulled at 9 bars. When I start out at 9 (just bring it up to 9 bars long enough to get the pour started) and then back down to 4-5 bars to keep the pour barely trickling, I get much more creaminess and rich deeper tones in the cup and much less of the citrus peel.

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    Thanks to Karl for all the help,

    I have everything on order now.

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    Originally posted by karl_2020 View Post
    I got the the Vibiemme valve for $39.75 online from stefanos espresso care. However, I was later contacted by Disave espresso parts in Vic, I could have gotten an expobar valve for $25.50 + $5.50 postage.

    Stefanos sell gauges from $30 upwards but you can get 16 bar pressure gauges online from RS components in NSW for $14.50 upwards. I got mine on ebay for $20 which is another option.
    Sense the expobar valve is here in Australia and the Vibiemme is all the way in USA, I would prefer to order the Expobar, but are the thread sizes the same?

    I would like to stick with what worked for you to simplify but can't seem to find Vibiemme here unless someone else know where?

    I see a cheap pressure gauge, but don't understand how it can be 16 bar and have 20 divisions on it? also I guess you need to buy the thin copper tubing seperate?

    here is the link http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p...auges/7008878/

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    Now I can't wait to do this mod!

    the pressure is too much! I can't take it anymore! PRESSURE!

    It's gettin to me! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

    Leave a comment:


  • karl_2020
    replied
    Originally posted by willaitch View Post
    Hi Karl,

    Great Mod. A quick question about machining the OPV so its not pressed against the pump - can you point me in the direction of the thread that was contained in? I post a rough set of guidelines of how you got it done? This seems the part that has potential to cause the most grief.

    cheers,
    Hi willaitch,

    Your right, this is what has the potential to stuff up the pump from what I read in the thread.

    It's nic's stuff: » BES900 and the brass OPV… Nic's Stuff

    Have a look

    Leave a comment:


  • karl_2020
    replied
    Originally posted by C-man View Post
    Thanks for the reply karl_

    Hmm, Every shot from even expensive machines I have tasted had a slight bitterness to them I guess?
    . Th
    I think I will do the mod, if you were doing it again, which OPV would you order? the Expobar?
    I hope you notice a difference in the taste if you go ahead with the mod!

    I guess you want to make sure that the ajustment for the valve is easily accessible and easily adjustable. Mine is easily adjusted with a scredriver and when i screwed my valve in, it faced against the wall nicely for me to just drill out for adjustment access.

    Also the thread is important, that's one reason i got the Vibiemme Domobar as the thread was the same so it easily bolted in (1/8" BSP thread).

    I reckon the expobar valve should be fine, i guess whatever valve is a decent make and cheapest

    good luck

    Leave a comment:


  • noidle22
    replied
    Originally posted by willaitch View Post
    Hi Karl,

    Great Mod. A quick question about machining the OPV so its not pressed against the pump - can you point me in the direction of the thread that was contained in? I post a rough set of guidelines of how you got it done? This seems the part that has potential to cause the most grief.

    cheers,
    don't want to threadjack or anything, but i had to do the same thing as i've used the same OPV in my machine, with the same pump. i just used a dremel with the cutting wheel on it to cut off about 3-4mm of the thread i think then just used a fine file to smooth off the end.

    to measure the correct amount that you need to cut off if you aren't sure, just put something into the pump outlet up to the point that it just doesnt touch that internal piece, mark it off then compare that length to the OPV inlet and cut off the excess. it should be around 3-5mm i think.

    Leave a comment:


  • C-man
    replied
    I find that with my really good grinder and the single floor basket I get good shots for the first 15-20 seconds,

    then after that I guess the pressure builds causing the shot to speed up, blond, and go bitter, If I keep the shot restretted to no more than say 18 seconds

    it is sweet but I am not getting the full dose. Hopefully the OPV mod will fix that.

    Leave a comment:


  • willaitch
    replied
    Hi Karl,

    Great Mod. A quick question about machining the OPV so its not pressed against the pump - can you point me in the direction of the thread that was contained in? I post a rough set of guidelines of how you got it done? This seems the part that has potential to cause the most grief.

    cheers,

    Leave a comment:

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