It's a 2012 model and wasn't running quite how I wanted so we did a few mods to bring it to WBC spec:

- fitted the group caps to disable the soft infusion system (which was also causing the groups to drip a bit between shots)

- fitted 0.5mm flow restrictors to bring the flow rate down (was 380ml is in 30 secs before; now closer to 220ml)

- fitted 1.5mm thermosyphon restrictor to bring the group temperature down

It runs a lot better now but the volumetrics can still be a bit flaky. Don't think it was descaled as thoroughly as made out so hopefully a strip down and acid bath will sort that, but that's a job for later.

 

If you find a squatter under your counter in the morning... It's just me... My children will be wrecking your shop after we've driven through the night to worship at your counter... I'll be asleep, so wake me gently with an Ethiopian natural and some cake. You have my permission to superglue the kids to the floor.

Honestly, that is absolutely stunning. Though it makes me think of Lady Penelope.

 

If you find a squatter under your counter in the morning... It's just me... My children will be wrecking your shop after we've driven through the night to worship at your counter... I'll be asleep, so wake me gently with an Ethiopian natural and some cake. You have my permission to superglue the kids to the floor.

Honestly, that is absolutely stunning. Though it makes me think of Lady Penelope.

Pink is the new purple? [emoji16]

 

The HX circuits (HX tubes, flow meters, group heads, etc) can be acid descaled without dismantling the machine. ( Most Scottish espresso engineers don't know how, due to the soft scottish water....)

 

The HX circuits (HX tubes, flow meters, group heads, etc) can be acid descaled without dismantling the machine. ( Most Scottish espresso engineers don't know how, due to the soft scottish water....)

A couple of people I spoke to said it would be best to just strip it down completely - think it would be worth just doing the hx circuit?

 

Depends where it came from / was used most: If from a very hard water area & a so-so water softener system, then a full stripdown + acid bath may be preferable.

(Drifting touchpad settings are a sign of scale buildup in the HX circuits).

An HX acid descale takes about 1 hour on-site....

If the machine is just being used for coffees & not for lots of teas, then the main boiler should be OK scalewise.

 

Think it lived down south - it was supposed to have been fully stripped and descaled before coming up to me. The boiler and pipes were that sort of pink colour as if they'd been dipped, but when changing the thermosyphon restrictors there were visible deposits so maybe it hadn't been given enough time.

 

Looks clean enough.

Might be worth looking inside the flowmeters: Is the magnet on the wheel clean, does wheel spin freely, are inlet & outlet ports clear ?

 

PS won't do any harm to put a teaspoonful of descaler acid into the open flowmeter body to remove any scale lurking in the pipes/ports.

 

Hi,

Could you tell me where you got the colour change covers or did you guys just spray it yourselves?

Much thanks!