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Machines to and from the USA: How easy?

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  • #16
    Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

    My "eggspurt"ise comes from actually having done what is being discussed, rather than merely theorizing on the pros and cons. During my time spent moving to and fro between 8 countries on 5 continents I have actually had espresso machines converted on three different occassions (an entry level Gaggia, a manual La Pavoni and a single group Wega with the Wega being converted for me upon my arrival here in AU). On no occassion did it ever set me back more than $300 and that is why I consider it both do-able AND affordable.

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    • #17
      Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

      So you have no expertise, nor experience with a Giotto then. Thanks for clarifying that.

      The control board, pressurestat, solenoid, pump, power switch and wiring loom amongst other components represent waaaaaay more than three hundred bucks on Giotto. All (and other components I have most likely forgotten see 240V and 50Hz. All must be changed.

      2 pax and a PPE please :

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      • #18
        Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

        I think youll find that many of the electrical components (wiring loom, switch etc...) as opposed to the electronics, of a 240v machine easily withstand anything a 110v system can throw at it in the US and will, therefore, not need to be changed at all

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        • #19
          Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

          Originally posted by 093631362B3E2C2C3A5F0 link=1293198143/17#17 date=1293367107
          I think youll find that many of the electrical components (wiring loom, switch etc...) as opposed to the electronics, of a 240v machine easily withstand anything a 110v system can throw at it in the US and will, therefore, not need to be changed at all
          And I think you will find that all of the key electronic components- i.e the expensive stuff will do absolutely squat with 110V and 60Hz. Given your comprehensive understanding of all of the facts and an encyclopaedic knowledge, I presume you can confirm that US Giottos use the exact same same design of control board as that of the OP and would therefore require the same 240V 10A loom as that of his machine- given that a significant number of different configurations have been used and that only one is current and available  :-? :

          A few ticks of a clock- especially when you dont know the specifics of what youre talking about does not make a master of anything. It would be akin to suggesting Ipanema is single origin estate, when in fact its a co-op of hundreds of farmers.  :

          Now wheres my PPE?

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          • #20
            Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

            oh ohh......

            if you want to do things properly the Oz market wiring loom is not suitable to use in the US. You might get away with it and you might not, but the insurance company probably wont let you if your house burns down. And you can probably get away with reusing a $20.00 toggle switch, that would about pull it up the rest needs to be changed out.

            The cost of components is only one part of the equation. The other part is cost of labour. Despite all the tall talk in these forums, very few people actually work on their own machines and none of them should have access to trade prices for the parts. I dont know any tradies that will work for total strangers for peanuts and not charge on at retail OR, if they are recouping the full cost of their labour they will discount out the parts...either way, no one works for nothing.

            If cam finds someone over there that will work on his machine for next to nothing, good luck to him. He should get an actual quote well  before he leaves so he can make up his mind, from the SF workshop you gave details of above. He should also get the price of new replacement equipment, and see if they have anything in the "good used" equipment section and get a price for that.

            I would just like to repeat something I mentioned above. A coffee machine is not an emotional crutch, and will just cost money to lug around internationally.

            But, there is always room for differing opinions, and cam by now should have enough info to make up his own mind.

            Regardz,
            Attilio

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            • #21
              Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

              FYI Chris... Ipanema has three showcase farms, of which Fazenda Rio Verde is one, and therefore coffee coming exclusively from Fazenda Rio Verde would be Single Origin Estate coffee... duh

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              • #22
                Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                Thanks Attilio,

                A reasonable, and considered response without any of the childish and sometimes personally insulting barbs thrown out by others. My point in providing the contact details for the service AND SALES of a San Fran based business was so that answers and quotes could be sought from local experts.

                With their assistance and with the advice already given on this forum cam-syd should be able to now make a more informed decision. In any event, enjoy the bay city.

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                • #23
                  Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                  Originally posted by 635C5B5C4154464650350 link=1293198143/20#20 date=1293412377
                  FYI Chris... Ipanema has three showcase farms, of which Fazenda Rio Verde is one, and therefore coffee coming exclusively from Fazenda Rio Verde would be Single Origin Estate coffee... duh
                  I dont see any misinformation in what Chris said Bruce.

                  As for your own, this is such a contentious issue, particularly when Ipanema Coffee itself states, "production in hundreds of different lots, preserving each one’s unique quality and creating the segmentation necessary for the development of its 13 labels."

                  On topic - I would either sell or store my own gear, then buy something else overseas. This year were taking a grindripper and bag of beans with us while were away for a couple of weeks - I hope to have mastered it by then!

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                  • #24
                    Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                    All off topic of course but while Ipanema does have hundreds of micro-lots jnder its control it does distinguish between its coop sourced coffees (Equal Partner Blends) and its Estate coffees... of which Fazenda Rio Verde happens to be one of... only 3 farms of the hundreds are given this distinction

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                    • #25
                      Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                      The OP could try contacting orphanespresso in the usa. Those guys have a lot of experience converting machines from 240 to 110... they may be able to offer some advice.




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                      • #26
                        Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                        Guys,
                        Thanks for all the advice - although the shipping costs would not be a problem (employer funding that bit) I take all the comments and will be storing my machine here and purchasing another setup in US. Thanks for the tip on Thomas E Caras store, I will definitely check is out.

                        Now that I have reached this conclusion and have the ear of experience in this forum, any tips on preparation to store the machine and grinder? Is there anything in particular I should be mindful of so it is good to go on my return?

                        Thanks again.

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                        • #27
                          Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                          Originally posted by 51574156535B5E57320 link=1293198143/25#25 date=1293440062
                          any tips on preparation to store the machine and grinder? Is there anything in particular I should be mindful of so it is good to go on my return?
                          Very good question... as someone who quite often gets sent here or there for extended periods of time, this would be very good information to know.

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                          • #28
                            Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                            You can probably get a big enough step transformer to do the job in the USA (ebay) without breaking the budget, 220 vs 240 ..... all things have abuilt i ntolerance dont sweat it. I would not go down the path of element replacemnts, etc "let the loose with a screw driver", there are some quality control functions done at the factory that it is hard to replicate.

                            The grinder .............

                            For a couple of $100 how much head ache do you want to buy, running around, etc ........

                            Check the price of replacing in the USA, USA is cheap for most things, unlike Australia.

                            Do the ground work, gather info, work with real $$$ values , not emotion or 2nd hand info.

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                            • #29
                              Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                              Originally posted by 3F382929382F3C29353230385D0 link=1293198143/27#27 date=1293495366
                              You can probably get a big enough step transformer to do the job in the USA (ebay) without breaking the budget
                              While that may be true, and I have seen step up transformers rated up to 5000W, it does not solve the 50Hz vs 60Hz issue and that will cause timing issues that integrated logic circuits do not like very much unfortunately

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                              • #30
                                Re: Machines to a from the USA: How easy?

                                Cam,

                                I cant see the need to do anything other than clean the machine thoroughly incl backflushing the group with the propretary detergent then re seasoning as normal. Use the group head brush to clean the group ring. Use the back flushing detergent to wipe out or soak the group handles. Do not soak the black handles just the filter holding part. The detergent is aggressive and if allowed to soak into the steel stud that connects the plastic handle to the brass filter holder part, will eventually cause problems with corrosion exploding the handle and seizing the stud into the holder turning it into a throw away.

                                Then I would turn the machine off so the auto fill is not activated when I then open the hot water valve, and let a couple of cup fulls of water out of the boiler. Then close the valve.

                                Open the steam valve and let out all the steam.

                                Pack up.

                                Write down what you did and leave it on top of the machine for when you come back.

                                When you return, switch it on and because you let water out of the boiler before packing it up, it will put clean water into the boiler first up....the auto fill  will obviously run for an extended period. Open the steam tap and leave it open until steam starts to leak out as the machine heats up. Once it has started to leak out, close the steam tap.

                                If you want to flush more water through the boiler, let some out and it will refill with mofre frsh water.


                                Grinder. Wash hopper with warm soapy water, dry thoroughly.

                                Stick vacuum cleaner hose down inlet throat and suck it out. Start grinder and let it spin out remaining grinds, suck out again with vacuum cleaner. Suck out of doser unit.

                                Clean up and pack away.

                                Other than that I cant see the point in doing much else, but someone please correct me if you have any other ideas.

                                Regardz,
                                Attilio.  

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