Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

[specialpants]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Just wanted to see if you Duetto owners could help me with this one.

I usually run my Duetto using a timer so I rarely see the start up process.

On the weekend, I noticed a variation in the two boilers cold start temperature. I cant remember the exact figures, but brew was showing 8 degrees and steam boiler was showing 18.

As far as I can tell, once the machine is warm, both steam boiler seems and brew boilers appear to be accurate. I used a digital thermometer to measure brew output, and went by the pressure gauge for the steam boiler (theres a table on the internet that shows you the pressure for a given temperature).

My question to the owners is: Are the two temperature readings on the PID exactly the same when starting from cold or is there a variation?

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Thats expected sp,

2 different volumes and the steam boiler is insulated

Cheers

C

[Jono_Willmer]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Ive noticed some difference, not a lot 5°c or so

[specialpants]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Cheers for the prompt reply guys!

[blend52]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

I noticed a variation in the two boilers cold start temperature. I cant remember the exact figures, but brew was showing 8 degrees and steam boiler was showing 18.

Wow ! .. either you have a chilly place there, ...... or possibly your brew PID is set up with a negative offset readout to indicate the group temperature when brewing ? ( common on PID controlled brew boilers)

[Jono_Willmer]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Ive had mine start on 1 or 2 deg sometimes

Our house gets cold but not 1 or 2 deg

[coffee_machinist]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Its to do with the type of sensors - these are not normal K type thermocouples and are only accurate at the temperature theyre designed to work at, plus there is usually an offset on the brew channel which accounts for the difference in readout.

No need to check your heating

[blend52]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Its to do with the type of sensors - these are not normal K type thermocouples and are only accurate at the temperature theyre designed to work at,

Calibrated at a specific working temp i can understand, but any TC worth using should be able to hold +_ 1% over its working range ..(usually 0-200deg C minimum)

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Calibrated at a specific working temp i can understand, but any TC worth using should be able to hold +_ 1% over its working range  ..(usually 0-200deg C minimum)

Whats to say it isnt blend52? Its a dual boiler and there are 2 of them. :

Youd need hands on experience of this particular probe type and accurate measurement tools to prove otherwise. Its not a cheap internet PID system on a single boiler machine were discussing here.  :-?

[blend52]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Calibrated at a specific working temp i can understand, but any TC worth using should be able to hold +_ 1% over its working range  ..(usually 0-200deg C minimum)

Whats to say it isnt blend52? Its a dual boiler and there are 2 of them. :

Im pretty sure it is accurate, and explained in a previous post the probable reason why it was reading low.
It was Rick who suggested that the TC may not be accurate at room temperature.

Would you like to enlighten us all with your hands on experience and measurement techniques with this machine and these thermocouples?   :-?

I doubt if many readers would be interested in my limited experience....but
I have used TCs of various types, in numerous applications (including on several different espresso machines). All of them..even the cheapest !... were able to accurately reflect the ambient room temperatures as well as their designed process monitoring range

[Dennis]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

I doubt if many readers would be interested in my limited experience.

I concur.

[coffee_machinist]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

To clarify, Gicar PIDs use NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) probes, the relevant characteristic of which is that they are not suitable for use over a wide measurement band, and Gicar would no doubt only program their controllers to be linear in the relevant range for the job, as this is an OEM device for controlling temperature of boilers in coffee machines - whereas an industrial PID has to cover a much wider range of applications and sensor types.

Hope that helps.

[blend52]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

I dont know quite what you are trying to say there Rick ?..
I reads as if you are suggesting the Gicar PID is only accurate over a limited temp range around the 100C point ??
for reference , .. "a cheap internet PID system"... with a regular "K" TC is calibrated accurate to within 0.2% over a 400 C range !
NTC probes have a useable range of -50 to + 150 C or more.
I presume the Gicar is a better unit, so why do you think they would restrict its calibrated range ?

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

b52,

I think that this academic discussion you have entered into is best suited to a seperate thread- perhaps on a PID forum somewhere. :

This thread is for potential purchasers and owners of the Alex Duetto and has been taken too far off topic. You have stated you have no first hand experience with the systems concerned, so for mine, this is another typical internet discussion where well-meaning individuals cloud the facts and only serve to confuse others. Most of the recent posts are completely irrelevant....again...You are not helping any users or those considering the machine.

Can I ask that you do us all a favour and if its that important to you, continue your debate elsewhere rather than drag yet another thread off topic? This recent discussion is 100% irrelevant to a correctly operating machine.

[blend52]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

This recent discussion is 100% irrelevant to a correctly operating machine.

Odd , i thought we were trying to explain why specialpants & Jono were seeing differing temperature readings on their Duettos PIDs ??
....And wasnt it YOU  who encouraged me to .."enlighten us all" ..about the issue ?  :-/