Hi all.
So I got Gregs pressure gauge, and initial tests showed 15 Bar at the group. When I stripped the covers off, I realised that the OPV screwhead was damaged/stripped, and I could not busge it. Off I went to Euro Espresso to get a new one. Now, the weird thing is, the guys there told me this was not the place top be adjusting the pressure.
So, in goes the new OPV, testing at 15 Bar. I gradually adjusted it out until I got to 9 bar. Shots came out a bit better, but my problem now is that if the machine is on for a while, and I press the brew switch, it takes a long time before water comes out of the head. This is without the handle engaged, in case you were wondering. I notice at this stage that the water in the reservoir dips down quite a bit.
This leads me to believe that the HX pressure at idle gets pretty high, and pushes all (or at least quite a bit) of water back out the OPV.
I also fitted one of these: http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=3530023&type=store - - An air release valve for the ULKA vibra pump, which to my knowledge comes with this machine, but was removed from my machine before I got it.
Now, I suppose the water could be escaping through either of these devices, and I should probably fire up the beast naked, and wait and see where the water exits. If its the air release valve, I will turf it immediately, but if its the OPV, should I crank up the pressure till the water no longer escapes (too much/at all), or leave it at 9 bar??
I am scared too much water escapes, and the sudden cool water hitting the HX all at once causes some kind of damage.
Heeeelllp, I guess.
So I got Gregs pressure gauge, and initial tests showed 15 Bar at the group. When I stripped the covers off, I realised that the OPV screwhead was damaged/stripped, and I could not busge it. Off I went to Euro Espresso to get a new one. Now, the weird thing is, the guys there told me this was not the place top be adjusting the pressure.
So, in goes the new OPV, testing at 15 Bar. I gradually adjusted it out until I got to 9 bar. Shots came out a bit better, but my problem now is that if the machine is on for a while, and I press the brew switch, it takes a long time before water comes out of the head. This is without the handle engaged, in case you were wondering. I notice at this stage that the water in the reservoir dips down quite a bit.
This leads me to believe that the HX pressure at idle gets pretty high, and pushes all (or at least quite a bit) of water back out the OPV.
I also fitted one of these: http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=3530023&type=store - - An air release valve for the ULKA vibra pump, which to my knowledge comes with this machine, but was removed from my machine before I got it.
Now, I suppose the water could be escaping through either of these devices, and I should probably fire up the beast naked, and wait and see where the water exits. If its the air release valve, I will turf it immediately, but if its the OPV, should I crank up the pressure till the water no longer escapes (too much/at all), or leave it at 9 bar??
I am scared too much water escapes, and the sudden cool water hitting the HX all at once causes some kind of damage.
Heeeelllp, I guess.

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