[Jollybean]

Great machine there Rob. Looks like you will have a lot of fun getting to grips with it

 

[rob177palmer]

So day 2 and I was definitely late to work due to too much coffee time!

Finished my Django beans (decided they weren't my favourite, so looking forward to my next batch from them - 1 kg of los Pirineos rested and read to go), and moved on to some Milk Buster that Bella Bariata threw in to the deal on my machine. Not my usual roast but I was astonished at how clearly I could detect the tasting notes mentioned on the packet.

My Classic shots tasted lovely, but I was seldom able to pick up subtle flavours / tasting notes. The lever has made these immediately clear.

I have also been working on coarsening up the grind to speed up my PI and shots. Still early stages but the results seem to be positive - I would have expected under-extracted shots at this grind size and that yet the results have tasted superb.

Now back to full filter coffee at work - nondescript tasting notes of "coffee"

 

[jlarkin]

Now back to full filter coffee at work - nondescript tasting notes of "coffee"

Sounds like you need to up your work filter coffee game next? ;-)

 

[Stanic]

Did you look at the Cafelat lever group seal kit?

It is a simple upgrade with seemingly good value

 

[rob177palmer]

Did you look at the Cafelat lever group seal kit?

It is a simple upgrade with seemingly good value

Not the group seal - I have seen that kit exists - but I have asked B.B. if they can supply me with a PF Cafelat seal as the one they installed doesn't allow the PF ark low easily at 6-o'clock without a lot of effort.

I saw the group seal is an easy process - what do we think adding higher quality silicone seals will bring to the party?

Thanks

 

[rob177palmer]

One question for people who know this machine - should

It have a low tank level indicator?

I have unexpectedly run dry twice now. There is no visual water level indicator and I have not seen any light that would indicate it is running low.

If there isn't anything already on the machine, I have seen some 9v powered alarms on eBay and I though about fixing the sensor wires inside the tank at the right minimum level?

Thanks

 

[4515]

Mixed reviews.

Theres a thread on the silicone seals. I tried them and they didn't work for me. Others use them without issue. It all seems to depend on the tolerance of the piston.

If they work then they shouldn't need replacing as often as the rubber seals and they are easier to install due to the softer nature of silicone.

 

[4515]

If you want to give the silicone seals a go, pm me your address and I'll send you my seals (used for about 3 months so as new). No charge - theyre just cluttering up the kitchen right now

 

[4085]

One question for people who know this machine - should

It have a low tank level indicator?

I have unexpectedly run dry twice now. There is no visual water level indicator and I have not seen any light that would indicate it is running low.

If there isn't anything already on the machine, I have seen some 9v powered alarms on eBay and I though about fixing the sensor wires inside the tank at the right minimum level?

Thanks

Cannot remember now....ask BB

 

[rob177palmer]

Thanks Dave - have fired off an email to David and also asked for their usual machine guide, which i haven't been given yet.

I'll see what happens. Now glad I didn't get a rotary pump, given I've already run dry twice so far!

 

[4085]

Thanks Dave - have fired off an email to David and also asked for their usual machine guide, which i haven't been given yet.

I'll see what happens. Now glad I didn't get a rotary pump, given I've already run dry twice so far!

try lifting the water tank out. There ought to be a sensor (if there is one) near the bottom and simply relocating the tank might help. If not, then is there a wire hanging off which looks like it ought to be connected to the water tank?

 

[rob177palmer]

So I'm not sure this is equipped with a low water warning system - nothing obvious in and around the tank.

Here is the reservoir:

The external screw relates to this weird structure on the bottom corner inside of the tank? Do we know what that might be?

Can't see any cables or sensors in the reservoir "bay":

Focussing on the area next the screw and weird internal structure:

I do think this needs something to warn that you are about to run out of reservoir water as the tank is so far away from the user it is hard to regularly check. Is it common for such a machine not to have an alarm?

 

[Stanic]

looks like a magnetic float albeit without sensor

 

[grumpydaddy]

That "bolt" in the side of the reservoir, does it line up with a contact of any kind on the housing?

 

[rob177palmer]

looks like a magnetic float albeit without sensor

That's what I thought - it rattles when empty so seems to have some movement - sure it must be supposed to be a sensor.

That "bolt" in the side of the reservoir, does it line up with a contact of any kind on the housing?

I will look again tomorrow but don't think the bolt does line up - certainly can't see anything on the photos. The area around the tank was surprisingly free of any sensors or wires.

 

[christos_geo]

Wires may be under that base plate. Might be spring loaded like on my Izzo which detects the weight of the tank. If that base plate moves when pressed that's probably where your sensor will be, if there is one there.

 

[rob177palmer]

So a slight distraction whilst my wife was busy having baby #2 these last coupe of days. I suspect I'm going to be relying on the Veloce for some serious caffeine fuel these next few weeks!

after contacting some former owners on the forum, it looks like QM have gone for the cheap option and just used the Verona reservoir but not installed the associated low water alarm system. Looks like I'm going to have to engineers something. Working plan is to see if there is an external metal anchor point on the base also - then I can attach the sensors from this sort of thing - http:// https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F121153706974 - externally on the tank, and when the water level subsides it will break the circuit.

That is assuming there is a similar "screw" on the base.

Alternately I would need to affix the wires on the inside of the tank at an appropriate height. Not sure how I feel about these wires marinating in the espresso tank water? Any thoughts strongly against this backup idea?

 

[rob177palmer]

On the espresso front, Soll kindly gave me some hints about using the machine.

The cooking flush is new to me. from my very unscientific testing mine seems to benefit tatewise from a c. 50ml flush before I prepare the dust basket of the day.

I haven't been purposefully flushing between shots except for using the group water to wash the p/f.

From my Classic days, I tend to wash the p/f straight after the shot whilst it is cooling to drinkable temp but, given I am now on a Hx, I might be better served by drinking the espresso and then doing a combined wash-and-flush just before preparing the next, so there is less time for the brew water to sit in the thermosyphon and potentially overhead again.

 

[ashcroc]

So a slight distraction whilst my wife was busy having baby #2 these last coupe of days. I suspect I'm going to be relying on the Veloce for some serious caffeine fuel these next few weeks!

after contacting some former owners on the forum, it looks like QM have gone for the cheap option and just used the Verona reservoir but not installed the associated low water alarm system. Looks like I'm going to have to engineers something. Working plan is to see if there is an external metal anchor point on the base also - then I can attach the sensors from this sort of thing - http:// https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F121153706974 - externally on the tank, and when the water level subsides it will break the circuit.

That is assuming there is a similar "screw" on the base.

Alternately I would need to affix the wires on the inside of the tank at an appropriate height. Not sure how I feel about these wires marinating in the espresso tank water? Any thoughts strongly against this backup idea?

Would it be possible to fit the required circuitry from a verona into your machine to utilise the sensor you already have?

Oh & congarts on the new arrival.

 

[rob177palmer]

Would it be possible to fit the required circuitry from a verona into your machine to utilise the sensor you already have?

Oh & congarts on the new arrival.

I hadn't thought of that. I am sure either Soll or another thread mentioned that the Verona alarm links to the PID? Not sure if that is likely now I think about it, but might be an option tho.

I'm planning to investigate the tank properly and open up the machine sides this week to see what I have to play with.

I had hoped to get a simple machine so I wouldn't need to use my laughable electronic skills, but hey ho!