I haven't replaced mine and I don't have it close by to look at anymore. I'm sure Ben or Ira will chime in to give you advice. I'm pretty sure Ben replaced his.
Herman On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 10:07 AM, Howard Griffin <[email protected]> wrote: > That's what I was thinking. How do I replace the whole thing? I'm new to > Brewtus repairing, but I have found Todd's videos very helpful. > Unfortunately there's not one on how to replace the solenoid/fill valve. > > On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 10:04 AM, herman dickens <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> The whole thing. It sounds like the valve is sticking. >> >> On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 10:04 AM, Howard Griffin <[email protected] >> > wrote: >> >>> Just the solenoid? Or the valve too? >>> >>> On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 10:01 AM, herman dickens < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Sounds like you need to replace the solenoid. >>>> >>>> Herman >>>> >>>> On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 9:59 AM, Howard Griffin < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I think I have made some progress. I examined the fill sensor and it >>>>> seemed clean so I left it alone. I then proceeded to test the fill valve >>>>> solenoid as outlined in Todd's WLL video (beginning at 18:08 here: >>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIiLeRdVWAU). >>>>> >>>>> I disconnected the fill sensor and the pump and switched the power on >>>>> and off to see if the solenoid clicked the valve open and shut. >>>>> >>>>> I could not hear the solenoid clicking. >>>>> >>>>> I took the solenoid off the valve and measured the resistance across >>>>> the solenoid with an ohm meter, getting a reading of 369 (see photo). In >>>>> his video Todd got a reading of 400, and I don't know if my lower reading >>>>> of 369 indicates a problem. >>>>> >>>>> Before re-coupling the solenoid to the valve I rewired it and tested >>>>> its magnetism with a screwdriver, and it seemed to have plenty of magnetic >>>>> strength. >>>>> >>>>> I reattached the solenoid to the valve and, lo and behold, the valve >>>>> started clicking again when power was applied! Even though all I had done >>>>> was removed and reattached the solenoid to the valve. I put the machine >>>>> back together and it worked fine for the rest of the day. >>>>> >>>>> The next morning the problem was back: the pump would not stop running >>>>> after powering up the machine. I did manage to finally get the pump to >>>>> stop >>>>> running after repeatedly turning the power on and off and raising and >>>>> lowering the brew lever between power cycles (about 15 times before the >>>>> pump went silent and the machine began to heat up). >>>>> >>>>> What does this suggest? To this noobie it seems like the fill valve >>>>> may be sticking. If it needs to be cleaned or replaced, how do I do that? >>>>> I >>>>> can't find any instructional videos or guides for that. In his video, Todd >>>>> simply says that if, after verifying that the solenoid is good, you're not >>>>> getting water through the pump, then you have to take it apart and clean >>>>> it >>>>> out or replace it. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for your help. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, May 15, 2017 at 10:49 AM, Ben McCafferty <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Yes, that's the ground. Usually you can just clean it but no harm in >>>>>> replacing. >>>>>> Best, >>>>>> bmc >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>> >>>>>> On May 15, 2017, at 07:46, Howard Griffin <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Yes that makes sense. Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful >>>>>> explanation. I am committed to figuring this out and fixing it myself. I >>>>>> assume that the "ground probe" is this part:<level probe.jpeg>. When I >>>>>> ordered the new vacuum valve I also ordered this part too, but didn't >>>>>> install it after the machine started working again. So I guess my next >>>>>> step >>>>>> is to install the new probe. I will let you know how that goes. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Mon, May 15, 2017 at 10:18 AM, Benjamin McCafferty < >>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Sorry, one more thing. If all of that fails, and if I’m correct on >>>>>>> the solenoid being fired by relay, there is a chance the relay is the >>>>>>> culprit, which means replacing the giemme controller (this did happen on >>>>>>> mine also—both things failed eventually). I’d wait for someone else to >>>>>>> chime in with more knowledge than me (Todd, Ira, etc.) before purchasing >>>>>>> the giemme. But, for reference, I think the giemme was about $75, the >>>>>>> solenoid maybe $100. So still very worthwhile repairs if the rest of the >>>>>>> machine is doing well. >>>>>>> best, >>>>>>> bmc >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On May 15, 2017, at 07:12, Benjamin McCafferty <[email protected]> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hey Howard, >>>>>>> I think you’re mixing up a couple of causes/symptoms. Here’s what >>>>>>> happens (normally) when the machine comes on. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --It senses whether the steam boiler is full via the ground probe >>>>>>> that sticks into the top of the boiler (and can be adjusted up or down, >>>>>>> by >>>>>>> the way). >>>>>>> --If not, it opens the solenoid (via relay in the giemme controller, >>>>>>> I believe) and starts the pump, until the water in steam boiler reaches >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> ground probe. >>>>>>> --It then stops the pump and the solenoid closes. >>>>>>> --The pump is now available to push pressure on demand through the >>>>>>> brew boiler, which only happens when the lever is lifted to its top >>>>>>> position. >>>>>>> --The steam boiler heats first, and when it’s close to pressure, the >>>>>>> vacuum breaker you cleaned closes and makes a seal to let pressure >>>>>>> build. >>>>>>> --The brew boiler heats second, to a preset temperature. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Now then, if you think about it, the vacuum breaker has nothing to >>>>>>> do with startup (it is not engaged until well after the problem you’re >>>>>>> having). So here’s what you check: >>>>>>> —Is the ground probe in the steam boiler connected and clean? >>>>>>> —If so, you would look to either a stuck solenoid or a >>>>>>> failing/failed pump. >>>>>>> —Since you are developing 10bar of pressure, and the pump won’t >>>>>>> quit, to me that says two things: >>>>>>> —First, your pump is working, i.e. developing pressure in the brew >>>>>>> boiler >>>>>>> —Second, the pump is trying to fill the steam boiler, and can’t >>>>>>> —Because of these two things, I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that the >>>>>>> solenoid is stuck, and so no water is reaching the >>>>>>> steam boiler, and so the solenoid never closes and shuts off the >>>>>>> pump. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Make sense? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> So, check the easy thing first (ground probe and wire, both ends), >>>>>>> and then move on to ordering a new solenoid and replacing it. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Others may have additional thoughts, but I’ve been down this road >>>>>>> and it wasn’t this clear cut. The 10bar in the brew boiler is a dead >>>>>>> giveaway, in my opinion. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Best of luck and keep us posted! >>>>>>> Ben/bmc >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On May 15, 2017, at 06:48, [email protected] wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I thought I had this problem solved after I took apart and cleaned >>>>>>> the vacuum relief valve. It worked fine for the past two week but now >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> issue has recurred. When I turned the machine on yesterday morning the >>>>>>> pump >>>>>>> began to run and the pressure went up to 10 bar. The pump would not stop >>>>>>> running and the pressure remained at 10 bar. I turned it off and tried >>>>>>> starting it again several times thoughout the day but the behavior was >>>>>>> always the same: constantly buzzing pump and pressure at 10 bar. >>>>>>> Eventually >>>>>>> a high pitched squeal developed along with the pump noise and I haven't >>>>>>> turned it on again for fear of burning out the pump or causing other >>>>>>> damage. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Any ideas? I have a brand new vacuum relief valve that I will >>>>>>> install tonight. If that doesn't help I'm stuck. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Howard >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Apr 26, 2017, at 14:59, Howard Griffin <[email protected]> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I have had my Brewtus III-V (vibration pump) for almost seven years. >>>>>>> Its usual behavior upon startup has been to buzz for a few seconds (5-10 >>>>>>> seconds) and then start to heat up. The buzzing usually terminates with >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> very brief uptick in volume before stopping. A typographical >>>>>>> representation >>>>>>> might look like this: [click on] rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRR [noise stops >>>>>>> machine >>>>>>> begins to heat up]. Sometimes there would be no buzzing at all upon >>>>>>> turning >>>>>>> it on and it would begin to heat up right away. This was its normal >>>>>>> behavior until recently. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Now, when I turn it on the buzzing frequently goes on for a very >>>>>>> long time—up to three or four minutes before resolving in an uptick in >>>>>>> volume, like this: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [click on] rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr >>>>>>> rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr >>>>>>> rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRR [noise stops machine >>>>>>> begins to heat up]. Sometimes it still starts up with no noise and >>>>>>> begins >>>>>>> to heat up right away. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Is something about to fail on the machine? What should I check? Any >>>>>>> advice would be appreciated. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Howard >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "Brewtus" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Brewtus" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Brewtus" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
