Rancilio Silvia and meCoffee PID

[zottel]

I had no problems at all with my unit. sometimes (every half a year) while brewing it's starting again. but it' only a sec.
I never used the shottimer. because I neither use the grinders timer, every shot is a little different (humidity, quantity). I learned to see when it's time

[bbeans]

I've been using one of these for 2.5 years now. Yes it is buggy, but fundamentally it works as a PID. I'm still happy with it. I've spoken to Jan @ meCoffee a few times in regards to bugs and he 's been responsive (maybe he only responds to polite emails and bins the abuse?). Though I think he's struggling to deal with the stresses of running his one-man-shop business.

I was very excited to see he's open-sourcing the meCoffee app and (eventually) firmware
https://mecoffee.nl/blog/opening-up-mebarista/
https://git.mecoffee.nl/meBarista/meBarista_for_Android (why didn't he just use GitHub?.... I won't ask)

When he gets the firmware up, I'm hoping to jump in and get a good understanding of how it works. Hopefully fix some of the bugs. Hopefully don't break my machine. Maybe he'll read this post and be prompted to get the firmware out?

[BobSac]

Any updates on this mod?

[Smess1210]

Hi,
Im sorry to read so many posts of people having problems. I purchased one without reading this thread. I may have not gone ahead with the mod after reading these. Fingers crossed mine survives.
I’ve just done the complete install on this PID and the machine is running really well. There is just one thing that I’m confused about. I can’t get the settings to save. For example, every time I adjust temperature settings, upload them to the device then close and re-open the app, the settings are back to default. Is this normal? Is there a way of getting the settings to stay?
Thanks

I seem to recall that the not saving settings bug was one of the reasons I rolled back to an older release of the mebarista app.
Also try rolling back the pid firmware, if memory serves, that stops the solenoid closing when steam switch is turned on bug....
I may have got that the wrong way around tho.... [emoji848]

[Froudy]

Hi,
Im sorry to read so many posts of people having problems. I purchased one without reading this thread. I may have not gone ahead with the mod after reading these. Fingers crossed mine survives.
I’ve just done the complete install on this PID and the machine is running really well. There is just one thing that I’m confused about. I can’t get the settings to save. For example, every time I adjust temperature settings, upload them to the device then close and re-open the app, the settings are back to default. Is this normal? Is there a way of getting the settings to stay?
Thanks

[CafeLotta]

I don't think that's accurate. He sells a product that has proven to be unreliable and he leaves many people in the dark because he doesn't respond to their emails.

He has tried to explain the issues with the product as per the link. The non-response to emails seems to be a case of being overwhelmed.

Would you recommend a MeCoffee to your friends?

Currently, probably not. If he catches up and gets back on track I'll probably take a chance.

He is not alone in this circumstance. The difference is he responded honestly to the issue at hand and seems to be trying to take responsibility, albeit slowly. A few years ago I spent a considerable sum on a coffee related item. Had an issue and after much analysis was told I was the problem, not the item. Eventually it turned out to be electronic. In my case I had the feeling customers were not only being used as Beta testers but also at their own expense.

[matust]

In regard to meCoffee and those engaging in the high participation online sport of kicking a guy when he's down or doing it tough, just share the link below and hopefully give some understanding to those who don't know the whole story.

https://mecoffee.nl/blog/the-straw-w...ecoffees-back/

I don't think that's accurate. He sells a product that has proven to be unreliable and he leaves many people in the dark because he doesn't respond to their emails. Would you recommend a MeCoffee to your friends?

[CafeLotta]

CafeLotta and level3ninja and matust,
I agree, it's a bad situation all around. I don't know what has been happening with him - but if he has been struggling, then I hope he can get through it and make things right. Life is too short and I too wish him the best.
I gotta say, though...
If he is still managing to send out new kits despite his situation and then ignores customers as soon as he ships....

I think he's still pushing on with it. Noticed under the Blog heading on his website there was a link dated Oct 15 2018 about open sourcing meBarista.

In regard to meCoffee and those engaging in the high participation online sport of kicking a guy when he's down or doing it tough, just share the link below and hopefully give some understanding to those who don't know the whole story.

https://mecoffee.nl/blog/the-straw-w...ecoffees-back/

[FreddyFurkensturker]

CafeLotta and level3ninja and matust,
I agree, it's a bad situation all around. I don't know what has been happening with him - but if he has been struggling, then I hope he can get through it and make things right. Life is too short and I too wish him the best.
I gotta say, though...
If he is still managing to send out new kits despite his situation and then ignores customers as soon as he ships....

[CafeLotta]

From what I've read in a reply to me and a general update it's not that he can't be bothered but that he was working himself to death, or at least an extremely unhealthy mental state and that has left him less able to reply to emails etc. I feel for him but agree it's not a product I'll be recommending to anyone.

You've got to give him credit for still trying to make things right. Many would have just disappeared without trace. I do feel for him and wish him the best. The big issues that put him in this situation weren't even his fault but rather a component supplier supplying dodgy components in place of what was promised.

[level3ninja]

From what I've read in a reply to me and a general update it's not that he can't be bothered but that he was working himself to death, or at least an extremely unhealthy mental state and that has left him less able to reply to emails etc. I feel for him but agree it's not a product I'll be recommending to anyone.

[matust]

Damn, I am sad reading these posts.

I've installed a MeCoffee PID in my Silvia for well over a year (long enough to forget exactly when it went in, anyway).

It has worked really well the entire time and thought it was great. None of the quirks that have been mentioned by others. So, lucky me, right?

And then...

A few weeks ago it died. It refuses to link up to bluetooth on any android phone, and worst of all is has left a valve closed or something because trying to activate the normal pump makes a spine-jarring metallic racket. Basically.... it's stuffed.

The worst thing. Jan - seriously... no reply to the multiple emails I've sent? Like many others here, I'm looking at an empty in-box after weeks of trying.

If MeCoffee can't support it's customers, what conclusion should a potential customer come to?

I'll be taking it out this weekend. Back to surfing the temperature cycle!

(First time post by the way - sorry it had to be a negative one).

I hear you. Terrible customer support. A small niche product like his relies on good community support/reviews. If he can't even be bothered replying to his customers he should really stop selling them.

[FreddyFurkensturker]

Damn, I am sad reading these posts.

I've installed a MeCoffee PID in my Silvia for well over a year (long enough to forget exactly when it went in, anyway).

It has worked really well the entire time and thought it was great. None of the quirks that have been mentioned by others. So, lucky me, right?

And then...

A few weeks ago it died. It refuses to link up to bluetooth on any android phone, and worst of all is has left a valve closed or something because trying to activate the normal pump makes a spine-jarring metallic racket. Basically.... it's stuffed.

The worst thing. Jan - seriously... no reply to the multiple emails I've sent? Like many others here, I'm looking at an empty in-box after weeks of trying.

If MeCoffee can't support it's customers, what conclusion should a potential customer come to?

I'll be taking it out this weekend. Back to surfing the temperature cycle!

(First time post by the way - sorry it had to be a negative one).

[matust]

Stay away if your considering buying one. The concept is great but unfortunately the execution needs work and the support from the creator is non existant. My experience below.

Was tossing up between the Auber and mecoffee. Took punt on the mecoffee because of features and price. Placed order and emailed Jan to make sure it was it was the model with the new fuse... No reply. Received the mecoffee and wiring after a week or two. When I tried to install I was having and issue as some of the connectors didn't seem to go where they should. E-mailed Jan with a question about whether a cable he had sent was incorrect and should of had a different connector on it... No response. After many hours of searching the Internet I found that he had made the cables wrong. Managed to get it working and it seemed to work well. After a short time I found that the me coffee would reset it's configuration occasionally. E-mailed Jan to enquire why... No response. After less than 6 months it has died. I think it might be the temperature sensor but I can't be sure. I have e-mailed Jan about it... You guessed it no response. $200 down the drain. Steer clear.

[CafeLotta]

An explanation of Mecoffee's PID woes and current status - https://mecoffee.nl/blog/the-straw-w...ecoffees-back/

I hope he gets it back on track as the concept sounded quite good.