Faema Carisma S1?

[cafelazio]

Definitely the way to go excee ,if one wants to adjust brew pressure on the Carisma at the time replace with a quality expansion valve that can be regulated-as you've done.
Have to point Greenlai on my previous post i meant 9 bar as the generally accepted ideal brew pressure.

[excee]

Just curious as to why you think the OPV will not hold to adjustment. It does look like a PITA to adjust though so I have yet to adjust mine.

Definitely do not try to adjust the OPV unless you plan to replace it. Mine has not worked properly since I played with it.

I have relocated the OPV to be more accessible so I think the next move is to replace it with a third party model. Does anyone know if this is a suitable replacement Expansion Valve 1/8".

Thanks to the revival of this thread I finally replaced my OPV with the model I discussed earlier. It was nice to get a steady pressure reading again with the new valve, I have adjusted it to 10 bar with a blind filter and it sits there nicely. I've yet to make a coffee with it and don't expect any huge improvements but the extra consistency can only help.

In addition to the valve above you will also need the following items to replace the OPV:

https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/shop/p/elbow-1-8MF/
https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/...cone-pipe-6x9/

So for around $50 of parts, plus teflon tape, and a couple of hours work I was able to fit the adjustable OPV, should have done it ages ago.

[cafelazio]

Hello Greenlai, re opv its the conclusion i came to after a lot of reading about expansion valves and users experiences. I was initially going to adjust brew pressure to the generally accepted 8 bar. But found it was close enough when checked at the group. the Carisma s1 brew gauge is connected at the pump outlet so i thought it wise to calibrate group pressure with brew gauge reading.
Because it is difficult to access, if and when i need to adjust it i could put a type that is adjustable.The one that is factory fitted can be altered but is not an adjustable type - to my understanding. An adjustable opv or expansion valve should be able to be finely regulated. I thought anyway having it a bit over 8 bar OK, vibe pumps as they wear lose efficiency and at some point in time will be perfect any way hope i made sense. aldo@cafelazio.

[Greenlai]

Hi cafelazio, curious as to why you think the OPV will not hold to adjustment. I agree access is a PITA hence I've yet to adjust mine but plan to at some stages

[Greenlai]

Hello fellow faema carisma s1 owners i have had mine for close to 2 years and it is an excellent machine.
Re: the opv it is not user adjustable and as a result will not hold to adjustments well. Also pita to access, therefore if one wants to play around with brew pressure might be an idea to to replace with adjustable opv in an accessable location. I think the Carisma s1 makes absolutely fantastic coffee as is.
Also with the boiler pressure on the lower side it does not need cooling flush; for that matter even on the higher side it is not needed, depending on ones work flow. The Carisma s1 grouphead has thermosyphon restrictors.
I have to mention how i made a quantum leap in the quality of my coffee was by having the freshest roast when i started home roasting on my Behmor 1600 P.
I was constantly trying to improve shots put roasting my own was a revelation.
aldo @ cafelazio

Hi cafelazio,
Just curious as to why you think the OPV will not hold to adjustment. It does look like a PITA to adjust though so I have yet to adjust mine.

[cafelazio]

Hello fellow faema carisma s1 owners i have had mine for close to 2 years and it is an excellent machine.
Re: the opv it is not user adjustable and as a result will not hold to adjustments well. Also pita to access, therefore if one wants to play around with brew pressure might be an idea to to replace with adjustable opv in an accessable location. I think the Carisma s1 makes absolutely fantastic coffee as is.
Also with the boiler pressure on the lower side it does not need cooling flush; for that matter even on the higher side it is not needed, depending on ones work flow. The Carisma s1 grouphead has thermosyphon restrictors.
I have to mention how i made a quantum leap in the quality of my coffee was by having the freshest roast when i started home roasting on my Behmor 1600 P.
I was constantly trying to improve shots put roasting my own was a revelation.
aldo @ cafelazio

[Greenlai]

I just wonder about the value of adjusting/lowering the OPV. I've lowered the brew pressure on a Silvia and I didn't really taste a difference to my untrained palate. From reading other posts, the OPV adjustment seems a pain on the S1. The boiler temp/pressure is easy to adjust without having to open up and adjust the pressurestat like in other machines. But agreed, great machine so far and looks great too.

[sharkroman]

I had a Carisma A1 in my care for a short while and have to say the Faema build quality is definitely top of the line
In addition to the S1, the A1 also features volumetric dosing with digital display of the ML to single digit, and programmable automatic steam wand featured on high-end commercial la cimbali/Faema machines.

[Greenlai]

Just picked up a Carisma S1 the other week and am really happy with the machine. My portafilter pressure gauge is reading 12bars but haven't adjusted the OPV yet, plan to at some stage. It doesn't seem to need a cooling flush compared to other Hx machines I've used so its pretty convenient.

[excee]

Check the size first, chances are you might not be able to fit it in due to the limited space.

I don't think the size will be a problem. The thread is definitely 1/8" bsp and I have relocated the OPV so that the length won't be an issue.
The old OPV location was terrible but understandable given it isn't adjustable. I swapped the supply from the pump with the OPV and added an elbow so now the OPV sticks straight up and can easily be adjusted without dismantling anything.

[symphonie]

How is everyone going with their Carismas? I just recently bought a 2016 model from Gumtree that had a faulty vacuum valve. I replaced the valve and cleaned up some minor corrosion from the frame and it has been running well except for the OPV. I tried adjusting the OPV to 9 bar but it is not very stable so during a backflush it jumps from 10 to 8 like it is sticking or not seating properly. I have pulled it apart and have not seen any scale or other issues with the valve but I don't think they are designed to be adjusted. I have relocated the OPV to be more accessible so I think the next move is to replace it with a third party model. Does anyone know if this is a suitable replacement Expansion Valve 1/8".

Check the size first, chances are you might not be able to fit it in due to the limited space.

[cafelazio]

Hello excee, my Faema Carisma is a really good machine; i stopped mucking about with cooling shots, as i realised it compromised the shot quality. RE opv i came to the same conclusion I decided not to adjust the opv. The person in WA that i purchased it from told me it had been set up and bench tested; it pulls great shots and temp on it is very stable; i realised. How are you taking the grouphead/portafilter pressure readings ? I think the machine gauge is just reference point as it is connected at the pump so would differ from the portafilter.
-lazio.

[excee]

How is everyone going with their Carismas? I just recently bought a 2016 model from Gumtree that had a faulty vacuum valve. I replaced the valve and cleaned up some minor corrosion from the frame and it has been running well except for the OPV. I tried adjusting the OPV to 9 bar but it is not very stable so during a backflush it jumps from 10 to 8 like it is sticking or not seating properly. I have pulled it apart and have not seen any scale or other issues with the valve but I don't think they are designed to be adjusted. I have relocated the OPV to be more accessible so I think the next move is to replace it with a third party model. Does anyone know if this is a suitable replacement Expansion Valve 1/8".

[cafelazio]

Hello Cafelazio thanks for replying.... Water goes through the group head and the steam wand when pump kicks in to maintain pressure/temp. The pump does not kick in when the group head lever switch is activated. I do not see any wires that are loose. I did change the dip settings to 0-0-0 to allow me to change the boilers temperature if required. I returned it back to original 1-0-0 setting but still no joy.

IT seems it has something to do with the micro switch ie not engaging or it's faulty.I thought the dip settings are for celsius/farenheit and setting parameters and adjusted by the importer.Boiler temp is only changed using front panel +,-,OK.
Hope you get it sorted...Cafelazio.

[AlishaM]

Hello Cafelazio thanks for replying.... Water goes through the group head and the steam wand when pump kicks in to maintain pressure/temp. The pump does not kick in when the group head lever switch is activated. I do not see any wires that are loose. I did change the dip settings to 0-0-0 to allow me to change the boilers temperature if required. I returned it back to original 1-0-0 setting but still no joy.