Necessity is the mother of invention.... okay this isny my idea, but its my implementation. A trip to Tony Powell Hose Supplies and $40 later and I have a pressure measuring portafilter with a (supposed) needle valve to regulate the flow.
This is only the MkI model. I might go to attaching the gauge via a flexible teflon pressure line. However, it worked and has helped me try to understand how my machine is operating. The one caveat is that the needle valve doesnt seem to be a needle valve, but some other valve that seals and can be cajoled into letting the slightest dribble through before exploding and completely depressurizing the portafilter and making me take a trip to the laundry to wash my soiled undies
. Nevertheless, the valve worked long enough to get some insight into the operation of the machine. It was also much cheaper than a purposely built pressure sensing portafilter and can be easily converted back to operation as a conventional PF. Nice. The needle valve (if it worked) is also VERY useful and not an option on the purpose built ones.
Heres a pic with all the details including how it attaches to the machine.

I used yellow teflon tape for all the seals. It works brilliantly. Much better than white.
Cheers,
Mark.
BTW: 100 kPa = 1 bar, so the gauge will read upto 16 bar.
This is only the MkI model. I might go to attaching the gauge via a flexible teflon pressure line. However, it worked and has helped me try to understand how my machine is operating. The one caveat is that the needle valve doesnt seem to be a needle valve, but some other valve that seals and can be cajoled into letting the slightest dribble through before exploding and completely depressurizing the portafilter and making me take a trip to the laundry to wash my soiled undies
. Nevertheless, the valve worked long enough to get some insight into the operation of the machine. It was also much cheaper than a purposely built pressure sensing portafilter and can be easily converted back to operation as a conventional PF. Nice. The needle valve (if it worked) is also VERY useful and not an option on the purpose built ones.Heres a pic with all the details including how it attaches to the machine.

I used yellow teflon tape for all the seals. It works brilliantly. Much better than white.
Cheers,
Mark.
BTW: 100 kPa = 1 bar, so the gauge will read upto 16 bar.

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