Behmor 1600 (2012) not roasting to 1st crack even

[b]

My 8 year old Behmor 1600 will not even roast 200g all the way through on the 1lb setting. I presume that it's not getting up to temperature, though the elements appear both be working.

It's never been able to roast a full 450g, and in recent times I've done 250g. I've now even started pre-heating for 2 minutes. But now, even with all of this it won't roast all the way through.

The temperature diagnostics don't seem to be available on that model (?).

Any ideas or do I buy the AB? Thanks

[ev]

Have you cleaned it out recently? If not, might be worth a try.

Evan.

[Andy]

Is this a thread only for users with short names?

8 years old is very old and the fact you say lb's means it's well before the Metric 1600 Plus model with manual override which has now been replaced with the Behmor AB 2020SR

Did you check the afterburner?
https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equ...roaster/page40

[b]

OK, nothing from the afterburner. Will look at that tomorrow.

I'll give it a clean, which gets done occasionally but definitely not to schedule.

Thanks for the advice. Does the manual override in the Plus mean that I can (if in attendance) extend the roast time beyond the max? (ETA: assuming that I add the panel to my current machine if I get it running properly.) It is the one annoying thing about my machine.

[b]

You are right Andy it is very old, and I am super impressed that something that is in a hot, smoky and oily environment so often has roasted close to 200kg of beans (looking at my CS history) without issue till now. Would recommend.

[Andy]

OK, nothing from the afterburner. Will look at that tomorrow.

I'll give it a clean, which gets done occasionally but definitely not to schedule.

Thanks for the advice. Does the manual override in the Plus mean that I can (if in attendance) extend the roast time beyond the max? (ETA: assuming that I add the panel to my current machine if I get it running properly.) It is the one annoying thing about my machine.

Behmor Model History:
The first Behmor 1600 model had pounds on it. They called it a 1 pound roaster (mostly for USA marketing reasons as it struggled to do a pound). We never really felt the need to call it a 1 pound roaster so when the metric panel was made it became 100g / 200g / 400g which is closer to it's true ability and besides, who here is old enough to know what a pound is anyway (I'm old and I'm a metric baby)

When we rewrote the software for the Behmor 1600 Plus model we had many certification constraints, drastic changes would cost many thousands in recertification so we had one hand behind our back. We did manage to include manual overrides to the inbuilt profiles (I personally never liked the inbuilt profiles much) and that gave CS'rs the ability to get really creative and do far more on the roaster than was ever possible including extending the time at the end. We also had to add an "unattended countdown" that comes in at 75% of the roast, requiring the user to press [Start] to say "I'm still here and I'm awake". The 1600 upgrade panel available in BeanBay will bring a really old roaster up to Behmor 1600 Plus spec.

The Behmor AB (2020SR in our voltage) is the latest model, the software was copied from the 1600 Plus then fudged by the factory to suit the new chipset. I've not seen the actual software in this one but it was meant to be coming here (one day... maybe). The Behmor AB has a beeper for the "unattended countdown" in it, faster drum motor, double pane glass and is black. It uses a different side circuit board and different front panel and has a different transformer in it. The only noticeable software change I've noticed is some different pulse patterns on the scroll fan during the first minute and a half of the cooling cycle. The Behmor AB costs a lot more, part of that expense is the design changes but most of the cost is the recertification to suit C-Tick in the EU.

One day, we might have upgrade kits from Behmor 1600 and Behmor 1600 Plus to the Behmor AB (2020SR) but they will require an electrician to change the power wires from spade clips to screw-through to suit the new board. Don't be tempted to ask "are we there yet?", when they exist they will be in BeanBay.

As for your afterburner, open it up and have a look. It might be fixable or you can get a replacement afterburner in BeanBay. Typically these fail when the door is accidentally slammed (strong spring) and the heater wire is way more brittle when hot. It's a pretty easy change-over and as long as the rest of your roaster is okay, an afterburner and a front panel is a pretty cheap upgrade from a 1600 to a 1600 Plus and apart from going beep, will be pretty close to the new spec. Of course, if you need elements, afterburner, drum, front panel and other parts then maybe a new one under warranty is better value. You can do the math.

[b]

The afterburner wire had come off at the end, and was brittle as, so I have zero desire to try a repair. So, afterburner and metric 1600 Plus control panel ordered! Plus a light bulb which has been bust for about 5 years. Thanks!

[dak61]

I just replaced the afterburner on mine as it had crumbled to dust.

I would strongly sugget yopu do one or two cycles outside as the new afterburner produced a lot of smoke as something was burned off.

[Andy]

Good tip, I've not heard that before but it makes sense.

[ev]

Is this a thread only for users with short names?

8 years old is very old and the fact you say lb's means it's well before the Metric 1600 Plus model with manual override which has now been replaced with the Behmor AB 2020SR

Did you check the afterburner?
https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equ...roaster/page40

Hey Andy, I can assure you, my name's alot longer than yours! 🤣

After reading your comment, I now have this uncontrollable urge to check the afterburner on my 8 y.o. Behmor. You're killin' me mate!

b, you will really benefit from the 1600 Plus upgrade. Way more control with the manual override. I always find myself bumping up the temp before first crack or it's too slow. Is this a sign of a dead afterburner? About to find out....

Evan.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Just check the afterburner as per the advice linked in post #4. Hit 'cool'. It either works or it doesn't. It's basically an 'old kettle' element (ok, maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration). If it doesn't work there's a very small chance that the connecting tabs have come loose when moving the roaster, so you could check that out after opening the roaster up...but it's more likely shot and not worth trying to reconnect the burnt out wire.

[ev]

Just confirmed that my afterburner was also shot. I've repaired it for now but will replace it ASAP.
Andy, any other parts you'd recommend replacing while I'm at it?

Evan.

[Andy]

(Lag on reply because continuing a discussion on a public forum thread days later is like talking when everyone left the room.)

If you repaired it then use it.
If it later dies you know where to get another one.
No point in changing anything if it's working.

...and if you still have a burning desire to spend money then just deposit all your spare cash into my bank, I'll find something to do with it

[ev]

Thanks Andy but the guide rope is stuffed. If it ever lets go, the live element might short to the frame. I'd prefer to bite the bullet & replace it. Fortunately for us coffee lovers, you can't leave the country with all that cash now!

[b]

So I took my old afterburner out and it just about crumbled to dust in my hands. Farewell old friend. New one installed.

Next problem, I am installing the 1600 Plus panel and... The old panel has 2 x 7 pin connectors plus a 12(?)V power connector. The new Plus panel has 1 x 8 pin connector

And I feel like an idiot for not being able to find the answer either here, Behmor or youtube. The US non-metric videos and instructions have the same connectors, and there are too many pages here for me to find it.

[ev]

b, any chance that the new panel is in fact an AB panel & not a 1600 Plus? The side of it looks black in the photo. The 1600 plus is brushed stainless, just like the old one. I reckon you've mistakenly received the control panel from the 3 piece AB upgrade kit. The kit includes power board & high speed motor: https://beanbay.coffeesnobs.com.au/V...ab-upgrade-kit

[Andy]

Please read your emails "B".
Paula shipped the wrong one so I emailed you yesterday and resent the correct one express (which arrived today).

[b]

I was so busy looking at the back I didn't look at the front, or my emails.

Can I just say that the service from CS Andy is just outstanding and I will not shop anywhere else. Also, I really like a machine that you can repair and upgrade rather than just throw away.

Edit to add I should actually get round to changing my profile name.

- Keith

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Well, well, Mr UrBan. The secret is out.