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  • Running Commercial Machine from water tank

    I am in the process of setting up a market stall with a two group rancilio machine.

    It WAS previously plumbed into mains water pressure and, when connected, runs fine @ 8-9 bars of pressure as it should.

    Yet if I detach it from the mains and run it from a tank the pressure does not seem to jump above 3-4 bars, even if i put the tank above the machine to gravity-feed it.

    What are my options here?

    1. Do i need an additional pump to create the equivalent of mains water pressure to lead from the tank to the machine? (this would mean the would be both an internal and an external pump)

    2. Should I upgrade to a more powerful internal pump with adjustable levels? IS this possible?

    3. Am I dreaming?


    Thanks for your help- I have been to numerous visits to hardware stores looking at pond pumps to garden pumps (some of which would potentially work apart from the WARNING: DO NOT USE FOR DRINKING WATER label on the packaging.... I was so close  

    Any other tips/useful guidance would be much appreciated. I have a market trial in 3 weeks so I have a firm deadline... eeek!


    "Cafecolum" AKA Dave


  • #2
    Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

    hey what markets??

    you can adjust the pressure direct on the pump, there is a screw / bolt / nut thing depending on the brand

    see this pic the bit is on the bottom next to the "in" side

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

      here is a quote from an old thread "why" it happens
      http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1214542637

      As you have zero pressure in your "water tank" you need to increase the pressure at the pump.

      hope it works out


      Originally posted by 507B6C7B581A0 link=1214542637/2#2 date=1214651108
      tjriffboy,

      Welcome to CoffeeSnobs....

      The Expobar has a rotary pump as far as Im aware.... and the pressure regulator on these adjusts the difference between the mains supply pressure and the output of the pump....

      So if the mains pressure is at 5.5Bar (not uncommon) and the pressure regulator is set to deliver 9 Bar then if the mains pressure falls to 4 Bar (other taps on in the house.... lots of people watering their lawns in your street etc) the pressure to the group will also fall by 1.5 Bar = 7.5 Bar.

      This happens with all rotary pump machines. This is overcome by fitting a pressure regulator (350kpa which equals about 3.5Bar) to the water supply line..... so - unless the mains pressure drops below 3.5 Bar - the coffee machine will always see 3.5 Bar.... readjust the pressure regulator to deliver 9 Bar with this supply.....

      And problem solved!!!

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

        Thanks for the quick reply maheel.

        Yeah I had a go at adjusting the pressure on the pump but I think it is maxed out and thus I have hit the limit I will try again but the nut doesnt seem to turn anymore... well see.

        Thanks again,

        Dave

        ps Im trialling to vendor at the Glebe Markets in Sydney. Fingers crossed that I can get all my setup together in time for my trial :-/

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

          Go to a carvan store and look for pumps there (eg. Shurflo). Rotary pumps arent really designed to work with negative pressure so if you do end up drawing from the tank without any other pump you may end up damaging the pump.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

            To adjust the nut you need to release the locking nut (I think that is what it is called) on the thread. (clear as mud but if you look it should make sense)

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

              Hey Cafecolumn / Dave

              If you want (and dont get it sorted) i could drop by with a "loan" pump for you to try. I have a couple we could try to see if it makes a difference to your pressure issues.

              You have a few weeks but I guess you need to get set up and working well a bit prior. It can be hard diagnosing if you dont have something else to try.

              I have often wanted to have a go at a market, but i am lazy..... Happy to help someone else lol .

              Hope you can sort it out.
              Leeham


              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

                Gday Leeham aka maheel,

                A loan would be great.

                I have made some progess. After a gruelling process of adjusting the pump (by this I mean taking it out about 10 times- within which I both cut an burned myself in numerous places) I was able to run it from a "tank" at about 7.5 --> 8 bars of pressure.

                The only problem is that it would only work sometimes, on and off and sometimes not at all.

                It would make lots of noise and sounded like there was air in the or some kinda pressure problem.


                I have since got it running off mains water again with a new hose/connection setup with minimal leaks- nothing that cant be fixed by a bit of plumbers fixer tape on the thread seals.... fingers crossed :-/

                Also, I have since scouted out my location at the markets and found that there is mains water available, so Ill probably be using that.

                Im just a little worried that if i get a major leakage or if my hosing/seals break down that its going to get real ugly real fast.


                Dave aKa cafecolumn

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

                  Originally posted by 0D26312605470 link=1214542637/2#2 date=1214651108
                  This happens with all rotary pump machines. This is overcome by fitting a pressure regulator (350kpa which equals about 3.5Bar) to the water supply line..... so - unless the mains pressure drops below 3.5 Bar - the coffee machine will always see 3.5 Bar.... readjust the pressure regulator to deliver 9 Bar with this supply.....
                  What exactly is a pressure regulator? And where can I get one?

                  Is this just another way of saying "another pump"?

                  Dave

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

                    you can buy from a hardware store - about $80 or so. It reduces mains pressure to a set limit (ie, to 350 kpa is common). It isnt another pump.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Running Commercial Machine from water tank

                      Hi there.

                      One of thousands of well known cliches goes something like:

                      You gotta spend money to make money.

                      The best advice in your situation, is to seek professional advice (ie rancilio service agent). A professional service consultation should be short, sweet, cutting to the chase straight up.

                      That will knock one problem off your list quickly and allow you to concentrate on all the other important stuff in the set up of your new business venture....instead of farnarkling around blindly not knowiing if you are on the right track.

                      Never begrudge someone earning an honest dollar off of you especially when it helps you get what you want.

                      Comment

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