The S1 Cafe - Helping Your Espresso Dreams Become Reality

scot

I'm on my third safety valve, and it is starting to leak again as of today, one year after the last replacement. Pressure is in the normal range for the unit, and it is leaking even after going down to low pressures, so its just failing. That being said, I wouldn't in any other case consider an over...

scot

I see where t#3 is. Yeah, that would be a total pita to remove, basically a total system disassembly, though maybe with the right tools it could be done, since it is right there. Darn Italians, they design wonderful things that just don't like to be taken apart easily. I've turned the pressure up to...

scot

Looking at the pressure gauge, after I pull a shot the pressure drops back to the house pressure, then slowly increases as the unit sits vs staying on house pressure which it used to do. This happens even if the temperature is not going below the set point. As soon as I hit the button, the pressure ...

scot

So a few weeks ago my girlfriend heard a hissing from the s1v2. It was slight, but enough to know there was a problem. I checked it out, and it seemed to be the vacuum breaker, but I wasn't sure. Took off the case, powered it back up and sure enough there was a leak on the breaker top. I pulled the ...

scot

Yep, first I cleaned it all out pretty well, finding some "stuff" in there but it didn't solve the problem. Then the second time I pulled it apart I sprayed some food save silicone lubricant in every opening I could find, spun it around, more lube. Spin a bunch more, lube. Repeat for a whi...

scot

the surface between the pump and the housing (basically spray or otherwise put lube in every crevice where movement occurs. Not the shaft where it slides into the motor though, that should remain dry. My guess is that the pump is not being perfectly held by the bearings, or that the bearings themsel...

scot

After a year and some my pump is still flawless after pulling it and doing my work. I think this is just an issue where they didnt lubricate enough (thats always a problem!) from the factory. Take it apart and put some food safe lubricant in there. Spin it around, put more in, spin it some more, put...

scot

bearings are definitely replaceable, the question is if you would want to. I would venture to bet that would change the adjustment of the pump itself. Leave it to someone who knows how. I'll probably buy a new one and have this one rebuilt as a spare.

scot

Definitely a bit of galling and scale (not hardness scale, but related to the galling.) My guess is that with all the changes in the water system around here we had some air in the system. Sounds simple enough but it can do a doozy on anything hooked up to the line. It acually blew apart part of my ...

scot

And one more follow up. Still bone dry. I also use a quick spritz on the group head gasket after backflushing with cleaner and the portafilter fits better plus is easier to get on and off, not to mention never has that odd single drip out around the edges when under pressure. Pump is going out, but ...

scot

Yes, every foot you run a pressurized system you lose some amount of pressure. If you want to really get into it, check into proper pressures for beertaps. Gets complex real quick :D Basically the larger the pipe, the lower the friction and the higher the pressure. I would use 3/8" on any run o...

scot

I haven't had a chance to call yet, been out of town. Got back and of course tried to pull another shot. Nothing. Crap. Ten tries later and out came my luscious brown goo :) Yum. So this morning, based on inspiration (ie turkish coffee) I decided to pull the pump off to see if it was leaking. Easy j...

scot

Wouldn't doubt a dirty connection, but the question is where. The main button is obviously working since the solenoid is opening. Thats where I am a bit confused.

scot

I have had an issue for a long while (say last summer) where randomly if I hit the either of the buttons to pull a shot, I hear the click of the solenoid opening the water flow valve, but the motor doesn't run (water does flow though, however very slowly). Hit the button again to shut it of and agai...

scot

another month, still bone dry. it is official, the stock rubber needs some food safe silicone grease. http://www.northernbrewer.com/gas-handling.html Scroll down to the sprays, that is what I have. 8 bucks and enough to last basically a lifetime. If you get bored and want to do more with it, pick up...

scot

Would the "warming gel" version of ky add to the temperature stability of the s1v2?

scot

Niko wrote:All right...it's been a week, the suspense is killing me!
How's it holding up?

Dude, that post was after over a month of it working! :D

Still high and dry. It's all good.

scot

Looks like I have a "new" drip fix. For background, my unit had the normal every couple minute drip and I had been planning on picking up the pressure reducer from chris, but haven't gotten around to it. This means I am still using the stock house pressure of around 55lbs. The bypass valve...

scot

I just did the same on my machine. completely dryrotted gasket would leak no matter how much force I put on the basket. Honestly it seems like a poor quality item, there are many environments requiring much hotter and tougher operating environments than this. This one I lubed up with food safe silic...

scot

I have a whole house water softener, and an additional one that I acquired at some point, but truthfully don't remember how and a RO filter. To fully test, I tried stock water through the main water softener. It registered at 5. I manually kicked off a regen cycle and tested again, still came out as...

scot

I think the strips are useless. They show I have between 4-5 grains of hardness. That would be great, if I was measuring hard water. That is POST water softener. If I measure the regular water, I get 4-5 grains of hardness when I know it to be 10-15. I wouldn't go by those strips at all, get someone...

scot

Just wanted to update the group. First, it is not as simple as it sounds to remove the temp sensor. It isnt difficult by any means, but it is packed in there pretty tight so some creative use of tools is required. If you have one of those wrenches that are open in the middle, that would be perfect (...

scot

Ok cool, just looking at the unit it appears pretty easy, but I learned long ago working on race cars, italian motorcyles, and other vehicles, appearances can be deceiving. :)

scot

They saidthey would try to get it out on friday, so it should be here in the next day or two. Looking at the old sensor on the boiler, it looks different from the first edition of the machine. Anyone done this job on the s1v2?

scot

Since they are not blinking I am guessing the temp probe is toast. Is the best way to verify that is the problem to check for continuity between ground and the probe? Or is there some other way to check?

scot

If you use a thermometer in your milk, watch out. The steaming is so darn fast that if you pull the milk at 160, it will actually probably be 180. I stretch till I see about 50 deg on the dial, then coast up to 135. Pull it and BINGO perfect microfoam and watch the temp hit 155-157 every time. It is...

scot

Cold during shipment/delivery. Probably tested, boxed still somewhat warm and as it cooled off as it went out the door.

If it comes back, then you have an issue.

scot

Post up a picture of what you have, and we will give you some advice. What I will say is that plumbing is actually quite easy, once you get past the initial learning curve. My guess is that you will be able to tap directly in to the cold water line at the sink then run the line over to the machine, ...

scot

the left dial also shows the pressure of the water line, so 10 o'clock sounds correct.

I would vote for the "gunk in the flow meter" problem as being the first place I would check.

scot

Niko: if you come down in the morning and find 2 cappuccino's sitting there nice and hot with proper latte art waiting for you, take it as a sign that the coffee gods approve of your machine choice. Drink and enjoy!

scot

I'll see what I can do about pics, but if you take the top off, look down. On the left you will see the boiler, there are two "things" on the top. The one on the left with two wires is a pressure sensor. The one in the back (but on top of the boiler still) has only one wire attached. That ...

scot

I noticed that my pressure was getting well into the red zone the other day, and figured that was a bad thing. Tried to bleed off some of the extra pressure and it spit water out at me. Ran water through till it was dry, then let it all heat back up. All seemed normal, but in a few days it was back ...

scot

I would never leave mine on, unused with no supervision for a few weeks. Seems like you are just asking for problems with that. I would think that the temperatures involved in espresso making would kill anything in the unit, so leaving it for a few weeks shouldnt cause any issues. I would flush out ...

scot

What you may want to do is, if your cabinets have a 2" lip, put a 2" peice of hard insulation in the square. Mineral wool or the like should work, as would expanded foam. As long as it is 2" or less thick, you won't be able to see it without looking up from underneath, and it should d...

scot

I'm using the wood one that Chris sells. Its cheap (compared to the rest at least) looks great, and fits perfectly.

I have no complaints.

Scot

scot

I like my sc/co with a third party motor shoved in it. Roasts over a pound with nary an issue, and is fairly quiet. Somewhere inbetween the iroast and a GC. (I own neither, just an HWC. Just trying to lay a comparison down) Only issue is that it is a pure manual unit so it is a PITA to have to stand...

The S1 Cafe - Helping Your Espresso Dreams Become Reality

Search found 36 matches

S1-V2 - Safety Valve failed (again)

Re: s1v2 increasing brewhead pressure

s1v2 increasing brewhead pressure

s1v2 multi year update (11/2006 till 1/2013)

Re: Pump not turning on (sometimes)

Re: Pump not turning on (sometimes)

Re: Pump not turning on (sometimes)

Re: A new drip fix

Re: A new drip fix

Re: A new drip fix

Pump not turning on (sometimes)

A new drip fix

19-20-21 are alive and looking at me

High steam/hot water boiler pressure (not a failure per se)