Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

[Jono_Willmer]

Hi I have a 2011 Duetto 2.5(I think that is what they were calling them the one that can both boilers on together) I just replaced the brew boiler temp sensor(Thanks Chris from Talk Coffee). Now the machine is overshooting a bit and running hot. I've read back through the posts in this thread and set the PID up as per the default with F2=5 but only one boiler fires at once if I set it to F2=7 then both can come on together but I'm now concerned about the other default settings.

Does anyone have a list of the correct settings for all the PID and F settings while running the two boilers at once this would be of great help and even if someone has found better performing settings I'd love to give them a try.

PS what does setting F2=6 do?

Thanks again and most appreciative Jono.

[Lukemc]

yeah will do, will make sure these ones aren't abused!

[TC]

My pleasure Luke- it's what we do!

That one's actually not too bad.

Go easy on them when you close them off. Just enough pressure to seal ;-)

Cheers

Chris

[Lukemc]

Here's the steam side just for giggles too. Not as bad but not great none the less! Glad I ordered two



Thanks again for your help Chris. Saved me a looooong drive and a slipped disc trying to carry the duetto through westfields

[Lukemc]

oh excellent, thanks chris, ill start digging, yeah it dint look too good! must have just been holding on each day until i upped the boiler pressure

[TC]

Hi Luke,

That's one of the sickest grommets I have ever seen! Dig it out is the go...

The plastic tap, we normally just remove the entire front leaving the valve and handle in situ. No need to break it down unless it need lube or is leaking.

Cheers

Chris

[Lukemc]

I know I said hopefully my last question before.....

I've found the part I need to replace! But is there a simple way to remove it from the end of the tap assembly? Or do I just dig it out....



I have no idea how to get the plastic tap handle off either. The shaft on mine is round all the way unlike this one i see referenced online with a square bit on top to get some purchase on to unthread the tap..... I'm sure I've missed something!!






Ready to look like a fool whenever the dead simple way to remove both gets pointed out!

[TC]

Hi Luke,

My pleasure. We always try to pop something in the bag for CS'ers...

Service manual. I regret that there is no such thing!

You will see that the front of the valve screws into the valve body. 2 spanners and the rest will become obvious from there!

Cheers

Chris

[Lukemc]

Good to hear Luke.

You need one of these.

Cheers

Chris

I've moved this to the proper thread.

Just wanted to say thanks to Chris at Talk Coffee for his super fast processing of my order and the postage after I ordered these two $4 parts.

Also for throwing in a bonus sample with them. Was a great surprise and much appreciated thanks Chris.

Now hopefully my last question to you is..... Any chance of a snapshot of a "service" manual for want of a better word so I can try to install these myself

[Pete39]

Whilst I am happy with my Alex I do wish that the power switches were at the front. Not all of us can site the machine and still access the switches at the side rear. In v 3 the leds have been reduced in size. Now it would have been great if Izzo had combined the power switches with the leds in the front by using led switch buttons.

Couldn't agree more. Mine's out of warranty now and I'm looking at putting switches on the front panel. Just got to get one of those round tuits.

Pete

[kenwahoo]

Whilst I am happy with my Alex I do wish that the power switches were at the front. Not all of us can site the machine and still access the switches at the side rear. In v 3 the leds have been reduced in size. Now it would have been great if Izzo had combined the power switches with the leds in the front by using led switch buttons.

[scottydog]

Well I have solved my steam troubles. As Chris has mentioned at least once before (in the Izzo Duetto Wet Steam problem thread) - an oring had become dislodged and was blocking the wand - at the top end. I took the wand off and had a poke around with a needle.

The o-ring looked pretty sorry for itself. Also - two other random blobs of vitron was also blocking the o-ring (hopefully there is no more). I have no idea where these came from - they certainly appear to be a somewhat uneven shape - so I imagine they are just rubbish.

I have attached a pic so you can all see why my steam appeared no more than a wimper. I was starting to get a little frustrated with the steam being pretty pathetic - not to mention soundling like a turbo engine... now we know why!

[CAELBLUE1]

1. My steam pressure sits on 1.25 and then drops as I run it. 1.25 bar at 123 degrees.
2. Using the blind I run the group head for a fairly decent time before I shut it off. If I don't run it long enough then I fail to get any sizeable blow through the outlet and into the tray. Try running the group head a bit longer maybe.
3. I never use the single portafilter so can't comment.
4. Stretching milk I start with a small open of the steam and then increase as I found it easier to control microform development.

Chris will provide better advice but thought I would share my experiences.

[TC]

Hi Andy,

You can increase the temperature of the steam boiler to 126 deg if you need to. Start with dry steam and enough pressure to force a whirlpool.

Re pressure issues on backflush, this is not normal. Please have your machine checked as the exhaust valve may require a clean.

Cheers

Chris

[SurfingAndy]

Hi All,

I am having a great time with my Alex Duetto II. Love the machine.

1. I think my boiler pressure has fallen over the first month or so. I recall it being close to 1.5 max when I first got this machine, but currently it is maxing at about 1.2. How do I increase this (and will it help with my microfoam?!)

2. Second, when doing cleaning the grouphead using the blind puck. I notice that the flush is not coming out at driptray - like it says it should in the manual. Rather, the pressure appears to build and there is a serious amount of suction building in the grouphead. It makes it reasonably difficult to take out the portafilter, and normally results in the detergenty water and coffee granules exploding over the machine. This cannot be right, but I am following the instructions to the letter. So help would be appreciated. Also - how often do you recommend cleaning (using for around 4 coffees daily). How often do you recommend a complete descale?

3. What else have I noticed? I never used to use single shot pucks, but have started recently. Seems to require a much coarser grind than the double-shot. Is this expected?

4. Do the Duetto users here find they get better results by starting to stretch the milk using only a "slightly opened" steam wand (e.g. 1/8th turn), or starting on max? I have regularly seen both in all sorts of tutorials, and am yet to find my way!

Thanks for any tips (especially about the cleaning, before I knacker this nice piece of kit!),

Andy.