The S1 Cafe - Helping Your Espresso Dreams Become Reality

Hey all! I've read through several posts since getting a Dream T over a year ago, very helpful info here.

This is a 2019 model that sat on display for some time, not used much, has done ~2 shots/day for 2 years. I use softened/filtered water in it and have been careful with its care.

This week it started tripping the breaker. Starts up fine, heats both boilers (20A mode), will run the pump w/o issue (boiler fill), can use hot water or steam without issue. As soon as I hit the shot button, it trips the breaker, but it's a bit temperamental. Fuses are fine. 2 nights ago I was able to run a couple shots, otherwise no good. I had the same issue 1 month ago, I swapped the supply cables to the solenoid board just in case, but I couldn't find anything abnormal. I do have a spare solenoid board in case that's the issue, but I've heard these tend to be rock-solid. I had this thing entirely apart last month, the jacket of the 3-way solenoid is pulled back some but the wires themselves are fine.

Any suggestions? I can't think of anything other than pump that would initiate at the start of the shot. I'm thinking the 3 way solenoid should only energize at the end of the shot, or am I mistaken? I do intend to pull it apart again this weekend.

So I think it is the 3-way solenoid. There was a little residue under the connector, but it's old and I don't think the cause. Solenoid has appropriate resistance, no continuity to ground plug. However the cable does have continuity between ground and neutral. No visible issues with the connector, so I'll take it apart further this weekend to check it from the other end and see what's going on. I've noticed it often doesn't trip when first turned on, only once heated up. We had some weather come through recently so I wondered if humidity was a factor.

To conclude, it was the solenoid, and it only tripped once heated up. Replaced, all is well, no cable issues. I did have to rotate the plug housing but otherwise all is good now.

To conclude, it was the solenoid, and it only tripped once heated up. Replaced, all is well, no cable issues. I did have to rotate the plug housing but otherwise all is good now.