Plumbing

Post by **Niko** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:57 pm

Now to fix my dad's stupidity...he "kindly" helped me install the S1 last year - only now I realized that he left out one of the John Guest shutoff valves, the one right after all the filtration is missing (right before the S1). It just dawned on me when I layed out the current setup to re-connect the other machine, this time both are getting installed! Did you guys install your second shutoff after or before the regulator? Also, since I just remembered again, should I go back and pop the other one on the VII to fix dad's mistake or would you wait until it's filter changing time down the road?

Now I know why I had trouble removing the filters recently and why I had to carefully loosen the braided hose form the S1 to relieve the pressure so the filter housings would open.

Now I'm a dead man if my old man sees this post...

Post by **Martin** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:32 pm

The couple of places around my house where I've had a major plumbing work, including sprinklers, I've invested in a ball valve wherever I could imagine using one. And not just where "needed" but where convenient. So the same goes for Viv II. I've got 4 JGs installed between the source and machine (including one on each side of the water filters and one for flushing the filters).
Martin

Post by **Niko** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:52 pm

Now I really feel inadequate with only one shutoff valve!

Martin, what extra benefit would I gain by adding the several extra shutoff valves? I'm not being a wise guy, I'm really curious and willing to add them if you think it's better.

Post by **Martin** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:16 am

Niko wrote:Now I really feel inadequate with only one shutoff valve!

Martin, what extra benefit would I gain by adding the several extra shutoff valves? I'm not being a wise guy, I'm really curious and willing to add them if you think it's better.

Without going into my whole kitchen set-up and water feed (photos, one day) here's the locations:
1. The source is from under the sink. first shut off is right after the the "T" to split off main cold water, ice, insta-hot and sink carbon filter. I did this for an in-house shut0off without having to cut off all the other uses.
2. The VivII line then goes throught the wall (outside!) to my carbon filter/ softener cartridges, and I have a shut off right before them.
3. after the cartridges (still outside) I have a T so I can flush a new filter directly outside, and that requires a shut off.
4. Whe the line re-enters the house, I have a shut off very close to the woven orig equip. feed so I don't drain the machine when I open the system elsewhere.

So, for an extre few bucks, I can fiddle with the line from in front of the machine, outside where the filters are, or under the sink.
Like I said, above, this does not come from any espresso expertise, but from years of barely competent plumbing and learning that a handy shutoff is my best friend.
Martin

Post by **Niko** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:37 am

Now you're making me rethink my whole rig.
I've got the JG shutoff on the counter next to Spaz as a reminder to finish the job.
I cannot place mine outside like you, sounds nice but it's not possible here.
So your setup allows you to change the filtration (both cartridges) and purge the new set without disturbing the VII in any way? By cutting the water off at the appropriate areas in the lines, you don't have to activate the S1 pump to release pressure for a few seconds to make the filter holders "un-screwable"? - sorry about the grammar (it's late).

I'd love to see some pics of the setup you have.

Post by **Martin** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:34 pm

The beauty of JG is that you can start with "default" shutoffs next to the machine and next to the source. From there, it's all cut and paste for whatever strikes your fancy and whatever mistakes you plan to make.

Martin

Post by **Niko** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:27 pm

Rather than stress my Spaz out (my back really), I'll wait until the next filter change to update the plumbing. This won't be for another year hopefully, unless I run into problems that'll require the machine to be disconnected from the plumbing. I won't be messing with this just yet. I do plan on adding the other shutoff after the last filter (right before the regulator) but in addition, using your setup as an example, adding another "T" will be in order so I can flush new filters without disconnecting the machine.
One thing I learned is that the less I disconnect the S1, the better off life will be, last time I did this the old S1 had issues for a few days. Air got into the system and the pump sounded funny for a while.