Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ECM Technika boiler pressure dropped

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

  • ECM Technika boiler pressure dropped

    Hey CSers

    So over the Christmas week I went away and came back to a 0.25 drop in my boiler pressure gauge on my ECM Technika IV profi. Went from 1+ to now a maximum of 0.75. I have only had the machine less than 6 months so it's a bit worrying.

    Went through the manuals from the box and it just says it should between 1-1.5 before using. I have used it on this lower pressure, but only on new beans that I haven't tried before. I still get 10 bar (unchanged since I got it) on the group head gauge and the coffee did taste alright despite my underroasting. I'll probably contact the seller soon but thought I'd get a rough idea what I'm dealing with before I do.

    I know very little about the insides of these things so any help is appreciated.

    Cheers
    Tim

  • #2
    0.75 refers to the boiler pressure.

    Assuming the pressure stat is still okay, and assuming you're using softened water, it just means the water in the boiler is not as hot as it was before. What it means is that your steam is a bit weaker, and the temperature at the group head may be slightly lower.

    Have you tried increasing the pressure stat?

    Comment


    • #3
      I'm in Brisbane and the water is soft enough. Just use some filters.

      I didn't think it could just drop by itself so suddenly and so much. Its not like the water I use suddenly changed.

      Any info anywhere about how I can change the pressurestat?

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by specialpants View Post
        assuming you're using softened water
        What is the relevance of using softened water?

        My pressurestat has an adjustment screw - clockwise to increase the set pressure I believe. That said, I would think it strange that it should require a sudden adjustment like that, and would want to determine the root cause.

        Comment


        • #5
          G'day Mitt...

          A sudden drop like that is NOT normal. Given that you've only had the machine for six months, I'd be contacting the retailer from whom you purchased same, and ask them to check it out. Might be a dodgy P/Stat. Should still be under warranty...

          Mal.

          Comment


          • #6
            Thought I'd post an update with this.

            Took it to the shop. The gauge pipe had some scale at the end of it which was blocking it off. The pipe size in the Technika is tiny - probably less than 5mm in diameter - so it was pretty easy to block it. It would explain why my coffee still tasted alright the entire time it was showing off readings.

            I was told it was just bad luck really. I told him I used the usual dual undersink filters and ask him about softening water further. He said probably wouldn't make too much of a difference. But he did recommend getting a larger pipe to the gauge.

            I guess if it happens again in another 6 months I'll know what to do at least.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by mitt View Post
              I guess if it happens again in another 6 months I'll know what to do at least.
              Glad that all is well mitt,

              I think what's required is already obvious. You have drinking water filtration, not coffee water filtration. In my experience, few users (and plumbers) know the difference.

              Your current filter system will not do a zac for scale. The answer is to replace the second of your two filters with a water softening filter which will lower the water hardness whilst still providing you with quality drinking water.

              See here for more info if you would like some.

              Chris

              Comment


              • #8
                Oh. Thanks Chris. Wish I had seen that before. Would have been happy to get the add-on softening kit to my filters. I ended up with a Brita jug, which I know has debatable efficacy but I figured it was ok if the guys at the shop have been doing the same thing for years.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Same machine same time same circumstances same problem. But the gauge doesn't go down to zero either. So I figured it was likely scale in the gauge inlet pipe. I was a bit surprised as I installed a softening cartridge. Coffee still tastes great so wasn't concerned. I will haveto clean it out one day.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    It's a pretty easy thing to do. The guys at the store showed me. Just purge all your lines while the machines off so there's no pressure buildup or heat before you go at it. I'm quite surprised even after your softening cartridge too. Which cartridge are you using?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hey mitt. I am in Brisbane as well with, what I think is the same problem. Where did you take it to get serviced?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        To add further to this, I had the same problem after 6 months. It was fixed under warranty with the cause being scale build up. The water was filtered but not using a scale filter. I installed a water softener filter as suggested by the shop but six month on, seem to have the same problem.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hi,

                          Query whether this problem is unique to ECM machine only or it may happen to any other machine too. From the updated post, it seems to me that the problem with the ECM was because of the tiny size of the pipe.

                          Is there any video or post which demonstrates the pipe cleaning process? Thanks.

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X