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Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

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  • Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

    Hi this is my first post but I have have been reading this forum(and other forums) a great deal over the last 2 months, doing research on espresso machines and grinders.

    I had made up my mind on what to get - a VBM junior and Mazzer Mini. However there is something I read/discovered about the VBM junior which that made me a bit uneasy. It all started when I was having a look at the VBM junior & super at my local kitchen/food equipment shop(dont laugh-I am from NZ and the city I come from does not have a dedicated coffee equipment shop like many of you do ). They did not have the VBM junior on display that day as they had just sold the display model and were expecting more more stock shortly. However the manager was kind enough to show me one that a customer had brought in to get something repaired, just so I could get an idea of how the machine looks, we did not operate it of course as it belonged to someone. I did not ask what was wrong with it but I noted a note next to the machine saying that the "Lever switch was stuck". I did not take much notice of this till later. We proceeded to playing around with the range of VBM supers and I was most impressed with the quality of espresso that I tasted.Beans ground from the mazzer of course. I had always wanted a machine with smaller footprint due to bench space and the VBM junior is perfect and from what I read does not compromise on the quality of espresso produced compared to its bigger brother.

    Later I stumbled on a post where a couple of other users of the VBM junior on coffeegeek had similar problems with this switch. Just to be clear the switch in question is the one on the front just behind the lever which depresses and activates the pump when the lever is pulled. The post is here and is more towards the end of the post. http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/464705?LastView=1269151083&Page=2

    It seems that the switch gets stuck as in depressed but does not pop back in place as it is supposed to when the lever is returned to its original position.

    Due to other commitments,I have not had a chance yet to go back and compare the switch between the super and junior(but will in due course) but my guess is that they will be similar? Which brings the question - is this problem common? Has other users here experienced it? Is it only exclusive to the VBM junior?


    With all the experts here I am sure someone will be able to shed more light on this and many thanks and appreciation in advance.


  • #2
    Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

    Hmm....Its a $10 microswitch...

    If theres an issue, its usually because the switch may have been installed 1mm too far forward. A 2 minute adjustment overcomes it and this should be part of the bench test.

    I am not aware of this issue in Australia so far...

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

      Hi, im from New Zealand too, so i sympathise with the lack of quality espresso equipment stores.I owned a VBM Junior for about 6 months, while i thought it was a very good machine, mine did have a few issues out of the box.One of them was the switch you mention.I think it has been placed slightly too low down, so that as you pull on the lever it presses down on the switch before pressing it in to activate the pump.
      I solved mine by adjusting the switch further in, and also applying a little food grade lube to the lever cam.For a long time though it was making a horrible popping noise as the switch was pushed down, and then finally gave way and pressed inwards.After i fixed it, it was fine with no issues.
      The other problem i had was the hot water tap leaking quite alot during use, i fixed it by dis-assembling, cleaning and re-assembling with food grade lube.Maybe some debris was inside?
      While this may sound bad, i was very happy with the machine - all machines have their good and bad points.There is no such thing as the perfect machine - otherwise everyone would have it!
      There seems to be a growing number of junior owners on here, so hopefully some of them will chime in with their experiences

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

        Yeah id say theyd be identical.
        No such problem with my machine..it operates smoothly.

        NZ seems to have obtained an early release of machines, which probably skipped a final adjustment & testing routine...either that, or the container destined for nz got dropped on the wharf! :P


        a sticky switch could be caused by debri, or improper adjustment of either the switch or lever/cam... but either way; simple parts & easy to service.

        itd be a quick & easy warranty claim (a safety issue after all)..    even if the 1 year warranty is up, just quote our good ole Consumer Guarantees Act; $X000 coffee machines are expected to last much more than 1 year!!

        if buying a machine today (of any brand)i would ask for a full tune up and test report ...there are a lot of tiny mechanical adjustments that could be messed up during shipping, or whatever...best to get them sorted out early.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

          No issues here..............as yet anyway, certainly none with the operation of the switch, as has been said not perfect but would certainly buy one again if I needed to.

          Steve

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

            after reading the coffee geek thread.. the issue sounds kind of familiar..

            Backflushing with descaler detergent can strip away a lot of the grease from the levers internal cam.

            this makes the lever movement sticky.. its a problem on all e61 machines, but particularly noticeable when new.

            applying fresh (food grade, high temp) grease to the lever is the way to solve it...is a routine maintenance thing (i do it after each bi-monthly descale - it takes about 5 mins max to unbolt the lever assembly, apply grease and reassemble).

            if the switch is sticking in completely; thats something a bit different (and very odd).  but in this case, i think it would be very possible that its actually a lack of lube, rather than a problem with a switch..or that theyre related.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

              Originally posted by 766E6069697C050 link=1269159333/5#5 date=1269167154
              Backflushing with descaler
              I really hope that was a typo. NEVER backflush with descaler

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                I moving back to Europe in 2 weeks time and have my eyes on Junior. Will let you know if tI have the same problem.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                  Mine is three weeks old and the lever is quite sticky. It doesnt actually get stuck, but its certainly not smooth. I dont think its a huge issue - not yet anyway

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                    I had a simular problem with my GPP, i rubbed some food grade lube round the part that actuates the switch, it worked for me perfectly, i was finding that the switch was rubbing the chrome plating off the brass cam slightly, which was causing some resistance, now its smooth as

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                      Originally posted by 2D2A21212A3B3B4F0 link=1269159333/8#8 date=1269171611
                      Mine is three weeks old and the lever is quite sticky. It doesnt actually get stuck, but its certainly not smooth. I dont think its a huge issue - not yet anyway
                      Hi Bennett,

                      Try turning the machine off and then push the microswitch in by hand and try the lever in isolation....That way, you will know one way or another

                      Chris

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                        Originally posted by 6F77797070651C0 link=1269159333/5#5 date=1269167154
                        strip away a lot of the grease from the levers internal cam. this makes the lever movement sticky.. its a problem on all e61 machines

                        Not if they have a toggle switch or a touchpad!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                          Originally posted by 57504B43445651250 link=1269159333/11#11 date=1269172688
                          Not if they have a toggle switch or a touchpad!
                          Then you get to replace both in time, and probably the group solenoid as well :

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                            Originally posted by 5F6A67605448646D6D6E6E0B0 link=1269159333/10#10 date=1269172236
                            Try turning the machine off and then push the microswitch in by hand and try the lever in isolation....That way, you will know one way or another

                            Hi Chris,

                            The microswitch is fine in isolation. The Lever is fine in isolation. It seems that its the action of the lever on the switch that causes it to stick momentarily. Like 2mcm said, maybe its because it is 1mm too far forward and needs a slight adjustment.

                            By the way when I play with the microswitch in isolation for a few presses - the problem seems to go away for a while.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Vibiemme Junior-potential switch issue?

                              exactly the same as mine.......
                              Originally posted by 4642647D7D7867707F110 link=1269159333/9#9 date=1269172071
                              i rubbed some food grade lube round the part that actuates the switch

                              Comment

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