Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #91
    Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

    Originally posted by 7855515D503C0 link=1269222156/86#86 date=1269865498
    Gday runfast....

    Bernard from Bombora replied to my query today with the upshot that this is the filter he recommends..... http://www.bomborasupplies.com/product.php?productid=18051&cat=475&page=.... He has also given me a beaut CS Discount too so highly recommend that anyone who is considering the installation of a water filter, touch base with Bernard and/or Bombora and you will be very well looked after.

    The new filter is going to test out my carpentry skills (or lack thereof) as it requires a new head to be fitted and due to its extra length, will require a slot cut into the centre shelf under the sink. Only a little job really.... Wink

    Mal.  

    Excellent Mal, sounds  8-)

    Comment


    • #92
      Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

      Originally posted by 7F696C6C7D7F737A7A79791C0 link=1269222156/54#54 date=1269413813
      There is another solution that hasnt been mentioned as yet...

      An intank resin filter.  

      http://www.bomborasupplies.com.au/product.php?productid=311&cat=8718&pag...
      Ive just joined up and want to start using these inline filters in my VBM. Do you know of a NZ supplier (tried a search)? Or what would a couple cost if I bought them from you and sent them to me in Auckland?

      Cheers
      Brian

      Comment


      • #93
        Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

        Originally posted by 1929323A35041A3F3A365B0 link=1269222156/91#91 date=1296615162
        Ive just joined up and want to start using these inline filters in my VBM. Do you know of a NZ supplier (tried a search)? Or what would a couple cost if I bought them from you and sent them to me in Auckland?
        Welcome Q to CS . Maybe worth sending a PM to either Dennis @ Cuppacoffee or to Bombora.

        Steve

        Comment


        • #94
          Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

          Originally posted by 537170711E0 link=1269222156/92#92 date=1296642297
          Maybe worth sending a PM to either Dennis @Cuppacoffee or to Bombora.
          Bombora say (after I filled in their forms) "Sorry, there are no available shipping methods for your location".

          Comment


          • #95
            Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

            Originally posted by 6C5C474F40716F4A4F432E0 link=1269222156/93#93 date=1296723914
            Originally posted by 537170711E0 link=1269222156/92#92 date=1296642297
            Maybe worth sending a PM to either Dennis @Cuppacoffee or to Bombora.
            Bombora say (after I filled in their forms) "Sorry, there are no available shipping methods for your location".
            But Dennis has better news for you in the pm sent.

            Comment


            • #96
              Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

              Hey Barri, similar thing happened to me..
              Didnt actually know that filtered water was essential - and in my case, no space for an extra tap projecting out from the bench!!

              so Im still running unfiltered water.
              the whole descaling thing is a bit confusing at first.. i had it explained wrongly to me, so that didnt help! but hoping that an annual descale/service will do the job, since my water is fairly soft..

              im about due now actually, so ill post some before/after pics.

              Comment


              • #97
                Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

                I pulled my mushroom out,
                So, after 18 months of using regular (Auckland) tap water, i expected it to be pretty nasty,
                I found half a dozen small (1mm dia) deposits of white (some slightly greenish) material sticking to the edges around the mounting points. These flaked off easily, and showed that in some places the copper ( or brass?) is exposed. No pitting, fortunately. The silver colored plating on the copper appears to be very thin, so maybe a thicker coating would be better (Im sure Vibiemme engineers will get right on to my request :P )

                Elsewhere in the machine (lever cam, inside the group) looks pretty clean.
                Would it be wise to have a professional descale done?
                Ive got photos, just gotta get around to uploading them.

                Bottom line..ill be getting a filtration system. While the group might be okay for now, itll only get worse, and the rate of decline may increase.
                So, in tank filtration seems like my best option.

                Comment


                • #98
                  Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

                  Sorry to resurrect an old thread (but it was a good one). Did anyone ever get around to descaling their Junior at home?

                  The fantastic VBM descaling manual by Randy G http://www.1st-line.com/machines/comm_mod/esprmach/vibiemme/Viebemme%20guide7a_press.pdf is targeted at the Super and seems to have a lot of steps that ask you to turn the power switch to position I (no heating element). The Junior only has an on/off toggle.  Does this mean that you have to do everything quickly before the heater element gets going?  Does the heat negatively impact the descaler solution? Or is the direction more so you dont have a scalding hot acidic solution flowing around (and out of) the machine?   

                  My Juniors coming up to its 2nd anniversary now and Im starting to look at maintenance beyond the usual post-shot water flush, monthly chem backflush etc.  Have started with the easy stuff and re-greased the levers cam as it was starting to get pretty stiff.  While in the forums looking for instructions on the lever arm, I had a read through Chris descaling guide (no mention of Position "I" in there so maybe that answers my question re: Junior?)  Step 1 was to check the "mushroom".  Ive attahced a pic Ive taken of mine (the other side was mostly clear of scale!?), and it definitely has a bit of a fungal look to it.

                  Ive only used filtered water in the machine (though the first few days was a Brita jug..  Couldnt wait to try the new toy until the Bombora on-bench filter arrived).  Since then Ive been replacing the on-bench filter every 6-8 months, so Im hoping this level of scale isnt too out of the ordinary (which is a bit scary).  I will say we were on galvanised pipes until late last year so that might account for the lovely rust colour throughout.. :-[

                  In the interim Ive emailed Chris (TalkCoffee) to see if he think its time to bring the machine in for a service, still itd be good to know that I can descale my machine if/when required (so long as theres not too much tinkering with heater elements etc).

                  PS.  Still chuffed with my little VBM Domo Junior.  The scale doesnt seem to have stopped it producing yummy shots yet..

                  Comment


                  • #99
                    Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

                    Any chance you can send me a sample of water that is currently coming out of your filter ( about 250ml will do) so I can run a couple of tests?...Im interested to see the levels and see if we can see what is causing your build up. It may not be typical scale forming ....either way it may just need some tweaking.

                    cheers

                    Bernard

                    Comment


                    • Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

                      Wow, thanks Bernard thatd be great. I ordered some TH test strips yesterday to do some testing of my own. So is a washed out plastic water bottle OK for sending through the water for testing? The current filter was replaced a couple of months back, and as mentioned the old galvanised pipes were replaced toward the end of last year. Will be interesting to find out what the waters like now. Thanks again Bernard!

                      Comment


                      • Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

                        yes, great - a washed out bottle is fine...just send through to PO BOX 168 LAMBTON NSW 2299 to my attention - i am back in office next Monday so will let you know what i come up with soon cheers Bernard

                        Comment


                        • Re: Descaling a vibiemme junior (or senior)

                          Thanks again Bernard, the bottle of water is on its way.  Ive had some feedback from Chris who reckons the scale in my pic rates a 3/10 (which means there must be some really ugly scale pics out there), so Ill hold off getting acid poured into my machine a bit longer.  I also got some feedback that with the Juniors smaller boiler size it tends to fill quick enough not to damage the element (so no need for a 3 position power switch). 

                          As for descaling, Ill be getting a professional to do mine in a year or so (I reckon hot acidic solution near 240V is best left to those with more experience), but the process would remain the same as Chris "How to descale a HX machine properly" article.  No disabling of heating element required..

                          Thanks again Bernard and Chris, its hard to come by after sales service like this anywhere else.   

                          Gavin.

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X