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Assistance with original Izzo Vivi (no PID) machine

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  • Assistance with original Izzo Vivi (no PID) machine

    Hi,

    Wondering if anyone could help me with a Izzo Vivi machine I recently purchased? It was a bit of an impulse buy from an op shop, and while it is not currently working, it was very cheap and came with a couple of E61 portafilters and an Isomac Professionale grinder in good working condition - so I figured that even if the machine is cactus I will still be ahead. The unit in question is a very early model (I think it is a Mark I but also has some features that appear to be associated with a Mark II - for example the hole in the lid for adjusting the pressurestat is in the correct place).



    Unfortunately its water reservoir (and possibly an associated water level float/reed switch if this model had one) is missing. Rigging up a temporary water tank and turning on the machine results in noise from the pump but no decrease in water levels from the reservoir and eventually it beeped so I turned the machine off. The red and green indicator lights on the front of the machine remain off.

    At the bottom of the space where the water reservoir would normally fit is a white unit with a line that joins into the output of the vibe pump underneath the boiler...I don't understand what this is for (particularly as it seems to consume space that appears to be occupied by the reservoir in later Izzo models e.g. the Alex)? Any ideas?



    Suggestions for how to troubleshoot the water supply problem, and where I can obtain any of the following, would be greatly appreciated:

    1. Circuit diagram and exploded parts diagram (I can find these for the later models but not this one);

    2. Parts in general - but specifically a replacement water reservoir (e.g. would https://www.vanpommeren.nl/onderdele...-v3-tf335.html fit if I can relocate the white thingy above?) and associated water level sensor and wiring (e.g. https://www.vanpommeren.nl/onderdele...ank-el-82.html - but not sure if this can be wired into the existing Gigar controller? A related article (Convert Izzo machines to electronic low water detection - Coffeetime Extra) suggests it should be possible - but an actual circuit diagram for the Gigar controller would be helpful.

    Thanks in anticipation.

    Cheers, Simon

  • #2
    Probably best to call or email Casa espresso Simon. I believe they have a share in the importation of Izzo machines now (could be wrong).

    If nothing else They should be able to tell you where to look for parts etc.

    Comment


    • #3
      Remove the pump out put hose and then turn on pump.
      Possibly the fill solenoid is stuck closed so will not open?

      Id be just jerry rigging any sort of a water reservoir till you get it working.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for your suggestions Lukemc and Jackster.

        Comment


        • #5
          Generally the water float switch and reservoir present switch will be a no contact. So to delete these features you join the wires.

          I have ordered a 1/4 push fit float. So if i mount that inside my reservoir and connent my filtered water to it, (with pressure reducer) its effectively plumbed in.

          Comment


          • #6
            Simon,

            Give me a call if needed

            Antony
            (03) 9530 8992

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks for offer to call you

              Antony,

              Thanks for the offer - much appreciated.

              I am usually based in Canberra - but currently living in Switzerland. As this is 8 hours behind Oz, if I do call it will probably need to be late afternoon your time...

              Thanks, Simon

              Comment


              • #8
                Some progress (but no cigar yet)

                Just a quick update. Took the case off today and had a bit more of a look around.

                Eventually realised that the white thingy at the bottom of the space where the cold water reservoir would normally be, is in fact a water inlet solenoid of some sort - so it looks like the unit was directly plumbed to a water line previously. This would explain why the cold water reservoir was missing in the first place (and presumably the two disconnected wires going to the gigar unit would normally be going to the water level sensor in the water reservoir).


                Click image for larger version

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                After removing the solenoid, I rigged up the temporary tank again, and was very hopeful that this time I might actually get some water going into the unit.

                Click image for larger version

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                No such luck unfortunately (same symptoms as before). I guess the next step will be to remove the water pump for disassembly, clean/check? Like the machine, the pump is old (see 2003 date stamp) so I do plan to replace it....but if I can get the old pump going to at least start checking the rest of the unit that would be good.

                Click image for larger version

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                As before, any suggestions for the best plan of attack would be appreciated.

                Thanks,

                Simon
                Last edited by Snig; 17 April 2018, 11:37 PM.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Undo the pipe that comes out of the pump. Then turn the pump on.

                  I have no pics yet. I think you need another post or 2 and they will show up

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                  • #10
                    Your links are bad Snig.


                    Java "We no-see-um" phile
                    Toys! I must have new toys!!!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Nup...
                      This is the dead link from one of the pics:
                      https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sx...9-w742-h989-no

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Snig
                        ...sorry do you mean the pictures aren't appearing (which is what Jackster is referring to - I will do some dummy posts to get my post count up and hopefully this will fix it)...
                        Your pictures are visible to no one other than yourself as you're viewing your private google account. This has nothing to do with your post count and as such your dummy posts have been removed. Rather than linking to pictures on your google drive post the pictures directly on here by uploading them. If you need help with this have a gander at this post.


                        Java "Pics" phile
                        Toys! I must have new toys!!!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          No we can't.


                          Java "Nope!" phile
                          Toys! I must have new toys!!!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            OK thanks for the clarification Javaphile - and apologies for my user error.

                            I was using the WYSIWG editor and because it let me copy and paste directly from my Google Image library I hadn't realised it was in fact embedding a private link to the image (I was hoping to avoid having to download and then upload each image). I will fix the links for those posts I can still edit...

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                            • #15
                              ...and FYI here is a picture of the complete beast (as I stuffed up the link in my first post and can no longer edit it)...

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