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Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

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  • #16
    Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

    Its good to hear about the success others are having with this grinder, and I can affirm most of what has been said already - clean, quiet etc.  The main benefit for me has been consistency in mass, and therefore the elimination of a variable.  I bought a little electronic scale. and for a few weeks was weighing each grind.  I got sick of it in the end, becasue the answer was almost always within 0.2g.  

    At the moment, I have "dose singola" (call me a wally for changing the display language to Italian) set at 4.1sec, and "dose doppia" set at 7.6.  Why is the double not "double"?  Not sure, but perhaps theres a startup/winddown overhead.  Works consisently with my Elektra Leva, which is sensitive to over-dosing.  I do call on "dose continua" sometimes - I think the "lie of the beans" sometimes affects things - rarely happens, and only then when the hopper is nearly empty.  Perhaps Im imagining that.  

    I read somewhere that a user set the single on 0.1 sec to clear the chute of stale grinds, and then used the double setting as his sole timed grind.  Ive measured the amount of grinds in the chute at <0.3g, which is perhaps not worth wasting a setting on.

    Here in inland Tassie theres possibly not as much variation in temperature/humidity as elsewhere.  I find adjustments are necessary with different beans, or rather, with different seat-of-pants-popcorn-roasted batches of the same beans.  Never more than 0.2 sec either way, or 2 steps.  The point is that at least you know the timing with some precision, and can therefore keep a better track of what youve done.

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    • #17
      Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

      Has anyone experienced occasional motor stalling during the grind? I have had it happen 2 or 3 times now.

      The only changes I have made is to adjust for age (normally only a turn of micrometric adjuster). I have only had it a couple of weeks so there hasnt been that much coffee ground - perhaps a kilo.

      Ron

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      • #18
        Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

        Originally posted by rong link=1213487719/0#16 date=1214642646
        Has anyone experienced occasional motor stalling during the grind? I have had it happen 2 or 3 times now.

        The only changes I have made is to adjust for age (normally only a turn of micrometric adjuster). I have only had it a couple of weeks so there hasnt been that much coffee ground - perhaps a kilo.

        Ron
        Everything is working fine with my grinder Ron
        I have put just under 1kg through it
        However I have the stepped version but that should not be any different to yours

        The only way an electric motor will stall is if it’s under stress so if the beans (ground or whole) are holding or wedging the two grinder blade surfaces to tight it will cause it to stop

        I would back off a little on the dial and see how that goes

        KK


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        • #19
          Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

          Originally posted by Koffee Kosmo link=1213487719/0#17 date=1214655553
          Originally posted by rong link=1213487719/0#16 date=1214642646
          Has anyone experienced occasional motor stalling during the grind? I have had it happen 2 or 3 times now.

          The only changes I have made is to adjust for age (normally only a turn of micrometric adjuster). I have only had it a couple of weeks so there hasnt been that much coffee ground - perhaps a kilo.

          Ron
          Everything is working fine with my grinder Ron
          I have put just under 1kg through it
          However I have the stepped version but that should not be any different to yours

          The only way an electric motor will stall is if it’s under stress so if the beans (ground or whole) are holding or wedging the two grinder blade surfaces to tight it will cause it to stop

          I would back off a little on the dial and see how that goes

          KK
          Hmm Rong- are you saying the motor stops or the motor continues and that the grind stops...

          If its the former, keep an eye on it and please come back with your observations. If its the latter- look for oily beans or too fine a grind....

          regards

          Chris

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          • #20
            Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

            The grind was stalling (motor still running, but under load). At first I thought it may have been the odd bean (would have to be hard) that was sticking and jamming the works. I have backed off a bit on the grind, and just get faster pours. It doesnt happen all the time and I havent had any problems since the post.

            When determining the setting, where do you read the number on the carrier? At the front, by the settings button or at the back by the micrometric adjuster?

            Do you think I should empty, wind in to stop then wind out and redial in the grind? What setting are you on (as a guide - read from where)?

            Ron

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            • #21
              Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

              Originally posted by rong link=1213487719/0#19 date=1214809667
              The grind was stalling (motor still running, but under load). At first I thought it may have been the odd bean (would have to be hard) that was sticking and jamming the works.  I have backed off a bit on the grind, and just get faster pours. It doesnt happen all the time and I havent had any problems since the post.

              When determining the setting, where do you read the number on the carrier? At the front, by the settings button or at the back by the micrometric adjuster?

              Do you think I should empty, wind in to stop then wind out and redial in the grind? What setting are you on (as a guide - read from where)?

              Ron
              Hi Ron,

              Id suggest that you be a little careful about winding the burrs into contact and backing off as its too easy to leave burrs in contact with the very fine adjustment of the micrometric drive. If I was to do this, Id remove the drive with an allen key and do it with a gross adjustment of the grinder collar by hand to make sure I got it right. Its too easy to kill a set of burrs

              FWIW, I am a grind setting of exactly 7 (read at the centre of the silver button)- however this is for my grinder and my batch of beans. Oily beans will tend to stall as well- so that could be a factor.

              I recommend that you go back to a continuous grind and dial in your grind again for your beans and dosing technique and then experiment with time from there.

              regards

              Chris

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              • #22
                Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                Thanks, Chris.

                The beans are not oily and not what I would class a dark roast. Strangely enough this morning I wound back another 2 full turns and just near the end of the second grind (of 2xsingles) it almost stalled again. I am at a loss as to what could be the problem. It seems pointless to keep adjusting the grind coarser, as the coffee suffers as a result.

                Is there something obvious that I am missing?

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                  Hmmm,

                  Sounds to me that the motor capacitor is open circuit or wiring to it is open somewhere . Id suggest that it should be returned for inspection and repair if required.....

                  Mal.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                    All sounds not well Ron,

                    I have contacted the importer for an opinion but that doesnt sound normal...

                    I think it will need to be looked at and have emailed you.

                    regards

                    Chris

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                      Wasnt shipped by the dreaded TNT was it Chris? If it was dropped or treated roughly in some other way, they may have caused the capacitor to break loose or dislodged a connection.... :-?

                      Mal.

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                        Everything is still shipped by the dreaded (and aptly named) TNT, Mal. What they seem to do best is explode things into shrapnel :...

                        It seems we live in a country where 10k+ each year in freight is not of interest to any other freight company...I continue to work on it

                        Chris

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                        • #27
                          Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                          Must drive you to distraction mate.....
                          :-?
                          Mal.

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                          • #28
                            Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                            Originally posted by Mal link=1213487719/20#26 date=1214990778
                            Must drive you to distraction mate.....
                            :-?
                            Mal.
                            Youre not bald are you Chris >
                            because I see you in my minds eye pulling your hair out

                            KK

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                            • #29
                              Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                              Glad I found you guys. I have just purchased both the Giotto Premium and the Macap M4D - and seem to have very little idea of what I am doing. Bare in mind, Ive had a huge leap from the Sunbeam Cafe series machine and burr grinder. Ive had a private lesson, but only on the Giotto.

                              My question here would be what is the factory grind setting for the micrometic? I pulled it out of the box and then fiddled with it and now am so lost its not funny.

                              I will try to attempt the instructions given by Chris, as thus far I am not able to fill the pf scrape off the excess and then tamp, I seem to get enough in the pf without doing this - is this bad??

                              Does anyone else get a whooping noise when the brew lever is pulled on their Giotto?

                              Would appreciate any advice as now I have the toys, I need to produce the goods!!!

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Macap M4D/M5D use and care tips....

                                Originally posted by twistiebrinkley link=1213487719/20#28 date=1226696942
                                Glad I found you guys.  I have just purchased both the Giotto Premium and the Macap M4D - and seem to have very little idea of what I am doing.  Bare in mind, Ive had a huge leap from the Sunbeam Cafe series machine and burr grinder. Ive had a private lesson, but only on the Giotto.

                                My question here would be what is the factory grind setting for the micrometic?  I pulled it out of the box and then fiddled with it and now am so lost its not funny.  

                                I will try to attempt the instructions given by Chris, as thus far I am not able to fill the pf scrape off the excess and then tamp, I seem to get enough in the pf without doing this - is this bad??

                                Does anyone else get a whooping noise when the brew lever is pulled on their Giotto?  

                                Would appreciate any advice as now I have the toys, I need to produce the goods!!!
                                Hi twistie and welcome to the Giotto club.

                                Best bet is to get some quality training....Also, have a look over Scotties training materials http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1226534950 which will head you in the right direction.

                                My advice is dont even think about the timer function on your grinder until all other factors are in place and you are producing good coffee...

                                Attending a reputable course really will help a heap. Just beware of the stencilling spatula guys with the 1.5L jugs ;D

                                Enjoy the ride

                                Chris

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