Thanks. I hope someone can help. On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 10:12 AM, herman dickens <[email protected]> wrote:
> 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. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. 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