Hi everyone! It has been a while since I last was around; I've just been enjoying my Minore II too much! After I rebuilt my coffee machine, I had plans to start a project to build a modded out grinder, but I was fortunate enough to come across a great deal on an awesome grinder, which put that project to bed.
The other day I was dialing in my grinder (new beans); for which I use a timer and a fixed volume; and realised how handy it would be to have a timer built into my machine that could automatically start when I begin extraction. I searched around but didn't find any products that would universally work and be as inconspicuous as I had hoped; so I'm looking to design one for myself.
I thought I'd pitch the idea here and see what other people thought / if there was any interest (should I look to order extra parts) or were there any other ideas for features that might be easily added 'for free'. If there is enough interest I'll document the process here (good or bad).
The idea is that you have a small 2 digit 7 segment display (20mm x 20mm) that attaches magnetically to the side of your machine; super minimalist and small. A thin cable runs into the machine (either underneath, or in my case through a slot in the back of the drip tray) into the coffee machine. There is a separate board inside the machine that leeches a small amount of power off the control module and a sensor attached to the lever switch (I'm planning on using a current transformer or hall effect sensor so there is no need to actually interface with the mains power; just route the wire through the sensor). This would make the install fairly universal for any machine. The internal board would turn on power to the display whenever it detects power flowing through the brew switch and the display immediately starts counting seconds from 0 up to 99 once it is energised.
Pretty simple idea, but it would free up a hand for me when dialing in; plus allow me to keep an eye on shot times when brewing batches (if steaming at the same time I find I get distracted enough not to notice the difference in timings of shots).
The other day I was dialing in my grinder (new beans); for which I use a timer and a fixed volume; and realised how handy it would be to have a timer built into my machine that could automatically start when I begin extraction. I searched around but didn't find any products that would universally work and be as inconspicuous as I had hoped; so I'm looking to design one for myself.
I thought I'd pitch the idea here and see what other people thought / if there was any interest (should I look to order extra parts) or were there any other ideas for features that might be easily added 'for free'. If there is enough interest I'll document the process here (good or bad).
The idea is that you have a small 2 digit 7 segment display (20mm x 20mm) that attaches magnetically to the side of your machine; super minimalist and small. A thin cable runs into the machine (either underneath, or in my case through a slot in the back of the drip tray) into the coffee machine. There is a separate board inside the machine that leeches a small amount of power off the control module and a sensor attached to the lever switch (I'm planning on using a current transformer or hall effect sensor so there is no need to actually interface with the mains power; just route the wire through the sensor). This would make the install fairly universal for any machine. The internal board would turn on power to the display whenever it detects power flowing through the brew switch and the display immediately starts counting seconds from 0 up to 99 once it is energised.
Pretty simple idea, but it would free up a hand for me when dialing in; plus allow me to keep an eye on shot times when brewing batches (if steaming at the same time I find I get distracted enough not to notice the difference in timings of shots).


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