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Steam problems on 2 group Wega

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  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Marketing..

    Designed to adjust from .5 bar to 1.5 bar.  These switches are a VERY common replacement item on most brands of espresso machine.

    This is the most probable fix if your espresso machine has any of the following symptoms:

    • Looses pressure randomly throughout the day
    • Does not stop heating or machine over pressures by spraying out the top
    • Has a large swing from low operating pressure to high

    What is low to high..  

    Looking fo the full tec specs as that should provide all the linearity and response curves and then your informed...

    www.sirai.com/inglese/pdf/altri/P302.pdf

    A quick look says 0.15 fixed..  But remember any crap on probes and or age will add to that.. Also depends on your exact model and a little got ya...

    80°C max ambient .. So if its all hot back there; the specs can only be referenced as a guide.

    Originally posted by 4D4F434B4B45425F2C0 link=1274527580/23#23 date=1275725312
    Oh, do you like my giant bucketccino above?
    That is the cup that should have been given to "Goliath" in that Campbell soup add.

    Now if ya used RED coco I would have thought you were striping a cow post calving..

    Leave a comment:


  • maheel
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 00020E0606080F12610 link=1274527580/23#23 date=1275725312
    Originally posted by 69464F4D5A654946494F4D454D465C280 link=1274527580/20#20 date=1275722108
    In general the deadband is fixed and a characteristic of the pstat..
    Its a Sirai pressure stat btw, if that helps give an answer. So if I crank the pstat a few revolutions, its only going to move that .2 bar deadband up or down so that the top end might be 1.8 bar for example with a low end of 1.6 bar?

    Not suggesting these are ideal settings, simply trying to illustrate.

    Oh, do you like my giant bucketccino above?
    as your adjusting the screw against a spring in the Sari i would think its going to have some effect on the dead band but I have no real idea how much (not much I reckon as the movement seems small on the screw / spring). as AM said (yes and no) as your also changing other dynamics of the machine.

    you would have a bigger effect on dead band (time wise) by insulating the boiler

    but i assume your really talking how much "bar" in the deadband not the time frame of it.

    Leave a comment:


  • acoggins
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 69464F4D5A654946494F4D454D465C280 link=1274527580/20#20 date=1275722108
    In general the deadband is fixed and a characteristic of the pstat..
    Its a Sirai pressure stat btw, if that helps give an answer. So if I crank the pstat a few revolutions, its only going to move that .2 bar deadband up or down so that the top end might be 1.8 bar for example with a low end of 1.6 bar?

    Not suggesting these are ideal settings, simply trying to illustrate.

    Oh, do you like my giant bucketccino above?

    Leave a comment:


  • maheel
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    that bucket looks something like the beer i have been brewing when the krausen (yeast head / froth) really gets going.......

    glad to hear you back to getting better texture.

    there has been a few discussions on milk changing "quality", i reckon different brands are different to work with.

    I really like the Harris Farm FC milk at the moment

    Leave a comment:


  • acoggins
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 6E41484A5D624E414E484A424A415B2F0 link=1274527580/20#20 date=1275722108
    So what did they find / say ?
    As I said above, very little information from them.

    One thing Ive done in the past day is downgrade it to 10 amps (in consultation with both an electrician and espresso machine tech) but I doubt that would have an effect on steam performance in a good way.

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 4B49454D4D4344592A0 link=1274527580/19#19 date=1275720526
    Something Im unsure of is where the adjusting the pstat widens the deadband or simply moves it up or down the pressure range?
    Yes and NO.

    In general the deadband is fixed and a characteristic of the pstat..

    Some fancy units will offer you some level of control, but there will always be a deadband of some sort.

    So what did they find / say ?

    Leave a comment:


  • acoggins
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Unfortunately after two wet weeks in a row, my events for last Saturday and today were canceled, meaning I had 12 litres of milk going off tomorrow. So, what do you do with 12 litres of milk you cant use?

    Practice.

    So, today I steamed my way through (almost) 12 litres of milk.

    I have to say, after getting my machine back, and working on my technique Im quite happy with the results. Was the problem with me all along? I still dont think so. I could get good results on other commercial machines without much effort. Perhaps the milk I was using the other week was crap. The milk was full of tiny bubbles surface bubbles the way Ive seen on sub-par milk before. Perhaps my machine has been fine tuned while away. Not sure.

    For those wondering, my machines pstat stops at 1.2 bar and kicks in again when it drops below 1 bar.

    Something Im unsure of is where the adjusting the pstat widens the deadband or simply moves it up or down the pressure range?

    A few piccies from my fun day.




    Leave a comment:


  • beanflying
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Not good news hope you get some better results out of it for the money in and hope for a good coffee drinking market crowd for you

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 45474B43434D4A57240 link=1274527580/16#16 date=1275563732
    Shortly after posting this, my machine had pump or pump motor problems so its been away at the espresso mechanics for the past two weeks. Ive not had a chance to take the knowledge in this thread and apply it yet.

    Frustratingly, the techs gave the boiler an acid flush and new seals even though I told them the seals were a week old and the pump was the problem, not a contaminated boiler. I wont go mentioning company names, needless to say Im a little displeased.

    Ill update when theres news.
    So sorry to hear... Considering it started out as wet steam ?

    Sorry... Seen some service in my time that should have never been..

    What is worse is when things dont work and or get damaged and you end up paying for it. In one manner or another...

    Remember if your paying for it; you get to keep the dead parts... Just mike sure they are from your machine.... They often tell an interesting story..

    Will be at the Hilton Tuesday night and fly out Wednesday afternoon - if ya around... Work could keep me a bit late and around the hotel.. But feel free to drop me a line or Call in.

    PS. The coffee there is shit !!!

    Leave a comment:


  • acoggins
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Shortly after posting this, my machine had pump or pump motor problems so its been away at the espresso mechanics for the past two weeks. Ive not had a chance to take the knowledge in this thread and apply it yet.

    Frustratingly, the techs gave the boiler an acid flush and new seals even though I told them the seals were a week old and the pump was the problem, not a contaminated boiler. I wont go mentioning company names, needless to say Im a little displeased.

    Ill update when theres news.

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 21232F2727292E33400 link=1274527580/13#13 date=1274610782
    Honestly, the espresso from this machine is pretty ordinary too. Looks nice when it pours from the spout, nice viscosity and colour, but lacks sweetness of balance. Often has a bitter finish.

    One things for sure, this is going to force me to learn about the inner workings of an HX machine.
    UPDATE PLEASE

    Leave a comment:


  • Koffee_Kosmo
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 65676B63636D6A77040 link=1274527580/13#13 date=1274610782
    Honestly, the espresso from this machine is pretty ordinary too. Looks nice when it pours from the spout, nice viscosity and colour, but lacks sweetness of balance. Often has a bitter finish.
    Not sure how long it was standing idle so a good system clean may be in order

    Originally posted by 65676B63636D6A77040 link=1274527580/13#13 date=1274610782
    One things for sure, this is going to force me to learn about the inner workings of an HX machine.  
    I am sure you know most of this Acog but I will post it for the benefit of others

    The HX system is a separate heat absorbing unit
    It draws in & uses fresh water (not boiler water)
    Water pipes or pipe spirals are heated by transfer from the hot boiler water

    When the machine is sitting idle for a while the water in the HX pipes will be at boiling point

    This water should be flushed to stabilise the temp
    A visual sign of the flush is - until the water runs free without spitting or hissing
    Some machines need more & some less of a flush

    Then load your already prepared group handle and pull your shot

    As for steaming or prior to steaming
    I get a tall plastic cup (or milk bottle) and purge steam for about 10 seconds which is about the time it takes me to steam milk

    Then proceed with steaming the milk

    KK

    Leave a comment:


  • acoggins
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 6166626D656F7A6A6D64030 link=1274527580/10#10 date=1274572173
    Maybe give the PStat a crank, try some shots to make sure the temp is still OK
    Honestly, the espresso from this machine is pretty ordinary too. Looks nice when it pours from the spout, nice viscosity and colour, but lacks sweetness of balance. Often has a bitter finish.

    One things for sure, this is going to force me to learn about the inner workings of an HX machine.

    Maheel,

    Thanks very much for the practical tips. Especially about removing the probe on a cold boiler. Kind of reminds me of the time my cousin checked the water level on her overheated radiator....

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Originally posted by 5E595D525A504555525B3C0 link=1274527580/10#10 date=1274572173
    Pressure sounds low, mine is running at around 1.1. Maybe give the PStat a crank, try some shots to make sure the temp is still OK and see if the steam quality improves.
    AND

    Originally posted by 77535A5A59596377534F51533C0 link=1274527580/11#11 date=1274575471
    Boiler pressure could be adjusted up to 1.1 - 1.2 bar
    On my BZ40 machine I prefer to have the elements cycle on, no lower than 1.1 bar

    And if that is no better I would look at the boiler water level as noted above

    KK
    Me 3

    Leave a comment:


  • Koffee_Kosmo
    replied
    Re: Steam problems on 2 group Wega

    Boiler pressure could be adjusted up to 1.1 - 1.2 bar
    On my BZ40 machine I prefer to have the elements cycle on, no lower than 1.1 bar

    And if that is no better I would look at the boiler water level as noted above

    KK

    Leave a comment:

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