Mini Vivaldi steam boiler autofill issues

[applepod124]

I have a Mini Vivaldi which has intermittent problems with autofilling the steam boiler. After using hot water or steam, the machine does not consistently refill the boiler. Instead, it simply heats up without filling. Sometimes it does refill properly. If the machine is off for several hours, it may refill once it is turned on, which takes several seconds. As this is a very inconsistent issue, I'm not sure how to diagnose it. I took it to a local repair service, who cleaned the autofill probe, but the issue persists. I spoke to Chris coffee, and they suggested it could be the autofill probe. I disconnected the autofill sensor cable and turned on the machine, which did not cause the pump to run in order to fill the boiler. I understand that it could be the autofill probe itself, the cable connecting it to the main CPU, or the CPU itself. I was told that the next step would be replacing the CPU since disconnecting the autofill sensor doesn't allow it to fill, but as this is an expensive part to replace, I'd like to explore other possibilities, and I'm looking for guidance on how I should proceed.

Thanks!

[chas]

You may want to check out this thread: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2416.This guy was having the opposite problem (overfill). However, the basic troubleshooting steps are the same.

[chas]

Unfortunately, if you have unplugged the water level sensor from the circuit board and the problem persists, the issue probably is on the controller board. Something on the board seems to be at least partially shorted to ground. There are actually 2 or more parts in-line with the sensor before the signal gets to the computer chip. You may want to pull the board out to see if something has gotten on the board that can be cleaned off. Otherwise, you my be in need of a new board.

The fact that it works when you first turn it out but not later may indicate that the issue is either with a bad capacitor or a heat sensitive component.

BTW: Needing to clean or replace the sensor is usually only an issue when the boiler fills until it overflows and won't stop. The water level "sensor" is really just a metal rod so there isn''t much to go "bad".

[Cdrake39]

I have a Mini Vivaldi which has intermittent problems with autofilling the steam boiler. After using hot water or steam, the machine does not consistently refill the boiler. Instead, it simply heats up without filling. Sometimes it does refill properly. If the machine is off for several hours, it may refill once it is turned on, which takes several seconds. As this is a very inconsistent issue, I'm not sure how to diagnose it. I took it to a local repair service, who cleaned the autofill probe, but the issue persists. I spoke to Chris coffee, and they suggested it could be the autofill probe. I disconnected the autofill sensor cable and turned on the machine, which did not cause the pump to run in order to fill the boiler. I understand that it could be the autofill probe itself, the cable connecting it to the main CPU, or the CPU itself. I was told that the next step would be replacing the CPU since disconnecting the autofill sensor doesn't allow it to fill, but as this is an expensive part to replace, I'd like to explore other possibilities, and I'm looking for guidance on how I should proceed.

Thanks!

Hey there, were you ever able to diagnose the issue? I have the same problem with my machine but it isn't intermittent, the boiler simply never refills ((Here is the topic - https://www.s1cafe.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2456) I purchased a Rocket so my Spaz is just sitting. Would like to get it back up and running but not at the expense of a new control board.

[applepod124]

Hey there, were you ever able to diagnose the issue? I have the same problem with my machine but it isn't intermittent, the boiler simply never refills ((Here is the topic - https://www.s1cafe.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2456) I purchased a Rocket so my Spaz is just sitting. Would like to get it back up and running but not at the expense of a new control board.

Hi, I was never able to fully diagnose the issue. In my case, the issue resolved itself after some time. Luckily I didn't need to purchase a new board. Recently I had a problem again with the boiler not filling after using hot water, but I was able to get the machine to refill by disconnecting the fill probe and turning on the machine for a moment. When I initially had the problem described in my original post, disconnecting the fill probe did not cause the machine to start filling. I'm not sure what the cause of that issue was. Apologies that I couldn't be more helpful, as I am not very experienced with fixing the machine. I hope that you are able to get the problem sorted!

[Cdrake39]

Hey there, were you ever able to diagnose the issue? I have the same problem with my machine but it isn't intermittent, the boiler simply never refills ((Here is the topic - https://www.s1cafe.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2456) I purchased a Rocket so my Spaz is just sitting. Would like to get it back up and running but not at the expense of a new control board.

Hi, I was never able to fully diagnose the issue. In my case, the issue resolved itself after some time. Luckily I didn't need to purchase a new board. Recently I had a problem again with the boiler not filling after using hot water, but I was able to get the machine to refill by disconnecting the fill probe and turning on the machine for a moment. When I initially had the problem described in my original post, disconnecting the fill probe did not cause the machine to start filling. I'm not sure what the cause of that issue was. Apologies that I couldn't be more helpful, as I am not very experienced with fixing the machine. I hope that you are able to get the problem sorted!

I have somewhat resolved the issue - but introduced another in the process. Initially the boiler wouldn't fill, but now the boiler won't stop filling. I'll update my original forum post (https://s1cafe.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2456)