Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

# HELP # Problem with Silvia

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #16
    Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

    My 2c.  From what I have read it sounds like the Silvia is at least leaking a little (to earth).  Could this not be measured by qualified electrician then the unit be sent back for repair or replacement with a signed letter from the electrician?  if its 7m old then it should still have a warranty.

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

      Afraid I dont have any useful suggestions; Im just intrigued as to what the OPs original username was... Im guessing coffeesnot ;D

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

        Originally posted by 2904440 link=1251018198/16#16 date=1251934063
        Afraid I dont have any useful suggestions; Im just intrigued as to what the OPs original username was... Im guessing coffeesnot ;D
        Dont ask... Not worth the posts and or the discussions as to the rights and wrongs..  ;D

        As to the name suggested... I could understand that from looking at some of the pours I have seen... But by the time it gets to blonding... It is running a bit fast  ;D

        Makes me think of some one I knew, that had a cold and sneezed with a mouth full of coffee..

        Funny as...  For every one else...

        Not so for the lady in question

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

          guys thanx for your help but the problem has been fixed  ;D
          I contacted the Ebay seller and he was more than happy to refund the cost of the silvia and the shipping cost (sweet). he was very appologetic and nice and let me keep the tamper and assured me that he had no such proble m with it whatsoever :-?

          So anyway i got my money back and bought a brand new silvia and paid not much more than the Ebay price.
          The guys there are great! They roast their own coffee and have some wicked blends and samples if u cant decide which coffee to buy.  
          And suprise suprise the new machine now works with no drama and makes a KILLA coffee lol

          Again,
          thanx guys so much for all your help and in the end im sure the problem is a combination of a few things (what i dont know and dont care not that i can have a good cafe)
          alex

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

            i got my money back and bought a brand new silvia and paid not much more than the Ebay price.
            Methinks theres a lesson in that.

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

              I have a Silvia that I bought new about 18 months ago and it recently started a similar earth leakage tripping problem. One or 2 times, it warmed a bit before it tripped and then worked OK (a hint perhaps that there was moisture that evaporated by the time I reset the switch). The last time, it didnt get to warm up much. Any ideas on simple tests to check out whether the machine is OK or should it go in for a check up? Should I try to push for warranty extension if its a fault on a machine less than 2 years old?

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                Originally posted by 3B232227223B262A28234B0 link=1251018198/20#20 date=1266567520
                I have a Silvia that I bought new about 18 months ago and it recently started a similar earth leakage tripping problem. One or 2 times, it warmed a bit before it tripped and then worked OK (a hint perhaps that there was moisture that evaporated by the time I reset the switch). The last time, it didnt get to warm up much. Any ideas on simple tests to check out whether the machine is OK or should it go in for a check up? Should I try to push for warranty extension if its a fault on a machine less than 2 years old?
                You may wish to ask to have it looked at.. But remember.. If not happening all the time.. They could inspect and then say all was fine.

                After ya two years is up.. SORRY But at least you could reference your request.

                I am happy to have a look as an independent, do some ESTs and look at the readings etc. It may allow you to add a bit of extra info / piece of mind.

                Regards

                AM

                PS. Cost would be a coffee from ya machine.. ;D

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                  Originally posted by 143B32302718343B34323038303B21550 link=1251018198/21#21 date=1266571361
                  ou may wish to ask to have it looked at.. But remember.. If not happening all the time.. They could inspect and then say all was fine.

                  After ya two years is up.. SORRYWink But at least you could reference yourrequest.
                  So is the warranty 2 years? I had thought 1. Ill check on this, but otherwise happy to entertain you if you want to take a look at it.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                    Originally posted by 7068696C69706D616368000 link=1251018198/22#22 date=1266581055
                    Originally posted by 143B32302718343B34323038303B21550 link=1251018198/21#21 date=1266571361
                    ou may wish to ask to have it looked at.. But remember.. If not happening all the time.. They could inspect and then say all was fine.

                    After ya two years is up.. SORRYWink But at least you could reference yourrequest.
                    So is the warranty 2 years? I had thought 1. Ill check on this, but otherwise happy to entertain you if you want to take a look at it.
                    Not sure as to the 2 years.. I may have miss read ya post... i-phone

                    Other than that.. Just drop me a PM and we can work out a time etc.

                    AM

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                      Philip

                      Sorry it was not so good news..

                      No element in cct >10M

                      Element in cct 1: 1.4m and on re test 1.16M

                      Issue with readings falling on retest. It is usually expected to go up as any moisture is driven out and the insulation drys. For the readings to continue to drop it implies a fault in the element.

                      Further more, as you stated... It lasts for about 5 min and then fails.. Heating elements can drop to much lower than 1M, but once they get to 0.1M and or leak excessive current then ya ELCB will trip.

                      Once again, sorry; but at least you have some info to go back to ya supplier with.

                      AM

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                        The follow-up isnt so bad. I spoke to the distributor in Brisbane and they agreed to extend the warranty. They claim Silvia needs you to discharge water from the steam wand under pump pressure every time you start making coffee to make sure the boiler hasnt dried. The manual tells you to do this when the machine is new or hasnt been used for an extended time, and does not instruct you to do this every time you use it.

                        Does anyone have thoughts on this? If necessary this is a minor procedure to add to the routine, though it strikes me as a design flaw if it is that easy to burn out the element.

                        Meanwhile, what of adding a PID as an additional safeguard? Presumably this, aside from the more direct benefit of controlling the temperature, will prevent overheating?

                        Bottom line: buying a good brand from a reputable source has its benefits.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                          I always discharge before producing a shot..... But the reason was to pre-heat the cup not to make sure the boiler isnt dry

                          After steaming I ALWAYS hit the brew button until the light comes on to make sure I never run the boiler dry. Another option is to open the steamwand until water comes through.

                          Good Luck

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                            Originally posted by 352D2C292C352824262D450 link=1251018198/25#25 date=1267088329
                            The follow-up isnt so bad. I spoke to the distributor in Brisbane and they agreed to extend the warranty. They claim Silvia needs you to discharge water from the steam wand under pump pressure every time you start making coffee to make sure the boiler hasnt dried. The manual tells you to do this when the machine is new or hasnt been used for an extended time, and does not instruct you to do this every time you use it.

                            Does anyone have thoughts on this? If necessary this is a minor procedure to add to the routine, though it strikes me as a design flaw if it is that easy to burn out the element.

                            Meanwhile, what of adding a PID as an additional safeguard? Presumably this, aside from the more direct benefit of controlling the temperature, will prevent overheating?

                            Bottom line: buying a good brand from a reputable source has its benefits.
                            A big sigh.....

                            The supplier may just replace the boiler etc and cover it OR they may send back to some one for inspection..

                            Had my fingers crossed and if and when you get it fixed... I would love to actually get to see the failed unit... If it has been run dry, then there are signs. If it was due to other issues - then again, it will be obvious to an experienced person.

                            Glad to hear that you should be up and running soon..

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                              From what Ive read it is fairly obvious if the boiler was dry as AM said - google for "violet overcooked element" and "Domestic Espresso Machine Repair" on coffeeco (non-sponsor).

                              A PID _may_ reduce chances of burning the element - if there are pulses rather than full on/off, but I wouldnt like to guess if the PID would also be full on when there is little water to conduct heat to the thermocouple.

                              I flush water through the steam wand every few days but then I rarely steam.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: # HELP # Problem with Silvia

                                Originally posted by 6C7C7E6D7A661F0 link=1251018198/28#28 date=1267150989
                                I flush water through the steam wand every few days but then I rarely steam.
                                That could be it I suppose: Ive been making more espresso than cappuccino in recent months so if its necessary to prime the boiler via the steam wand, this problem may have surfaced after I switched from mainly making cappuccino. Still sounds like a design flaw to me, and the manual only says to do this when new or if you didnt use the machine for a while. But anyway I can make this small change to the routine.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X