Hey all,
After bending the boiler on my Oscar, Ive decided to pull him apart, bathe all the components in descaler, rebuild and make some modification while Im there!
The mods I want to do are:
1. Reposition the OPV
2. Install anti-vac valve
3. Boiler pressure gauge
4. Musica flow restrictors in the group
I have dreams for the following, with the likelihood of actually doing them in descending order:
1. Brew pressure gauge
2. Brew temp readout
3. Hot water wand
Well leave the dreams for later, as at this stage, theyre definitely dreams.
Regarding the OPV. My plan is to move the current Neplax valve from its position at the group to behind the HX somewhere (And obviously plug the hole in the group with a bolt).
1. Any thoughts on why they would place the Neplax valve at the group? My thought was that it is a pump safety valve so that the pump isnt overloaded. Any other reason? The Musica, which uses the same group, has the same Neplex valve at the group, set to 16bar, as well as another valve before the HX set at 10bar.
Would I be messing something up by moving it? I can just buy another from the Simonelli distributer, but it seems unnecessary as it will still cycle water out to save the pump if its before the HX.
2. Where would be better to put the OPV - After the pump and before the 2-way, or after the 2-way and before the HX? I have seen people out it before the 2-way, as per the pictures below (tpowells of coffeegeek), but my thought is after the 2-way and before the HX, because if the boiler has to fill during the brew, this might be nicer to the consistency of the brew pressure. Does it make a difference? I have seen people out it before the 2-way, as per the pictures below.
Thanks ill be sure to post up lots of pics and details of the rebuild!

After bending the boiler on my Oscar, Ive decided to pull him apart, bathe all the components in descaler, rebuild and make some modification while Im there!
The mods I want to do are:
1. Reposition the OPV
2. Install anti-vac valve
3. Boiler pressure gauge
4. Musica flow restrictors in the group
I have dreams for the following, with the likelihood of actually doing them in descending order:
1. Brew pressure gauge
2. Brew temp readout
3. Hot water wand
Well leave the dreams for later, as at this stage, theyre definitely dreams.
Regarding the OPV. My plan is to move the current Neplax valve from its position at the group to behind the HX somewhere (And obviously plug the hole in the group with a bolt).
1. Any thoughts on why they would place the Neplax valve at the group? My thought was that it is a pump safety valve so that the pump isnt overloaded. Any other reason? The Musica, which uses the same group, has the same Neplex valve at the group, set to 16bar, as well as another valve before the HX set at 10bar.
Would I be messing something up by moving it? I can just buy another from the Simonelli distributer, but it seems unnecessary as it will still cycle water out to save the pump if its before the HX.
2. Where would be better to put the OPV - After the pump and before the 2-way, or after the 2-way and before the HX? I have seen people out it before the 2-way, as per the pictures below (tpowells of coffeegeek), but my thought is after the 2-way and before the HX, because if the boiler has to fill during the brew, this might be nicer to the consistency of the brew pressure. Does it make a difference? I have seen people out it before the 2-way, as per the pictures below.
Thanks ill be sure to post up lots of pics and details of the rebuild!


This is a primary safety device!







Oh well. 
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