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Help before I turn on this stale Gaggia Classic

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  • #16
    Re: Help before I turn on this stale Gaggia Classic

    Cheap pids off the bay will work fine, but not all can drive an ssr
    Check the specs before ordering. You definitely want an ssr as mechanical relays will wear out.
    Dont know if ssr quality is an issue, I went with the cheapest and it has been fine.
    Firepower posted instructions a while back about using the alarm output on the pid to control the steam function.

    If you buy a kit, it will be easier to install as all components, wires, casing and instructions are included. Im guessing that it will also be pretuned, but you pay for that and diy is half the fun.

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    • #17
      Re: Help before I turn on this stale Gaggia Classic

      *update, I just added the silvia steam wand to the Gaggia. It was pretty simple. My steam wand from dibartoli included a brass adapter, with thread tape on it, ready to go.

      I bolted it up and prepped the machine for brew. Some observations:

      1. the water tank no longer slides in and out of the machine! the steam wand is in the way now, it sits too low with the brass adapter on it

      2. the wand itself sits too low to the bench top that the machine sits on! I can hardly fit a 600ml jug under the wand with milk in it, let alone stretched milk.

      For now, Ive propped the machine up on an old street directory book, made it about 1" higher, I think it needs to be higher still, maybe a phone book would be best.

      Long term, Im thinking about taking the wand off, removing the adapter and fitting up the original gaggia threaded collar on the silvia arm. At least I will be able to get the water tank in and out easily. I understand I will need to bend the orig gaggia wand a little to get the threaded collar off it.

      For the time being Im filling the tank through the top of the machine (filler).

      Also today whilst using the new wand for the first time I ran out of steam. I wasnt paying attention (was in a rush) and wasnt temp surfing the boiler. fail!

      As for performance, its better than the standard wand for sure. I think after a few more goes Ill have it sussed

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      • #18
        Re: Help before I turn on this stale Gaggia Classic

        James, you obviously have one of the newer classics, on mine the only way to get the nut off the old steam arm is to hacksaw it.
        The water tank thing is a pain, I just remove the steam arm when it is time to clean the tank, and only hand tighten it. My machine is set up at the right hand edge of the worktop, so no problem with clearance.

        I think putting the original fitting onto the new arm will be the best solution.

        surfing the steam is much easier with a temp display. If you do decide to add a pid, given that you seem to make milk drinks, it is probably best to use the alarm output to control the steam and then surfing is no longer necessary.

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        • #19
          Re: Help before I turn on this stale Gaggia Classic

          nice tips. I had to bend the orig steam arm to get the collar off. Havent changed the silvia arm to have the orig collar as yet. Just have the machine resting on a platform (street directory hahaha)

          would certainly like to PID at some stage!

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