I think you're right, even though mine says it takes 230V input, you can see in the attached photo that it has been crossed out and 12V written above.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eghhurejvl8fb5r/image-20-08-20-01-45.jpeg?dl=0 On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 1:28:22 PM UTC+10 OzAaron wrote: > I'd throw that open to someone else to comment on; I don't have much (any) > experience with these controllers. My only concern would be that a learning > PID controller might get upset when the steam boiler takes priority over > heating. The algorithm would think that the element is on, when in actual > fact it is not (until the steam boiler is up to pressure again). This might > cause odd behaviour from the PID. Perhaps it doesn't matter? Or perhaps you > can find a controller that you can manually enter the P I and D parameters > (or at least lock in the current values)? I'll open that up to someone with > more experience to answer. Both options look reasonable to me. > > Also; you might find a new AKO controller might require the removal of the > external transformer. I suspect you might have the transformer because your > AKO controller's internal transformer might have blown up and this was a > repair (mine was the same). Either this, or it is standard for the > Australian market to have the transformer removed from the controller and > an external transformer inserted (seems odd if true, although might have > been a compliance thing. Anyone know about this?). I can confirm my > transformer is missing because I was able to supply DC and it worked fine; > couldn't take it apart due to brittle plastic (would not have worked if > there was a transformer). > > On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 12:26:46 PM UTC+10 [email protected] wrote: > >> I can pickup a new AKO from the UK for $100 AUD delivered, or is it worth >> replacing it with something like this: >> https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=14 >> >> >> On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 12:05:57 PM UTC+10 OzAaron wrote: >> >>> Hi sma, >>> >>> Glad to hear the issue is semi-resolved. >>> >>> I guess it is personal preference. If it works, then it might be worth >>> leaving it? If it is a loose fit, then am I to assume one or both of the >>> little clips on the sides has either just gone hard (and has no spring) or >>> broken? I wonder if you could somehow make a replacement for those clips? >>> >>> Replacement is going to set you back between $250 and $350 in parts; >>> depending on if you replace with AKO, or upgrade to PID, so it depends on >>> if you see value in that. I was lucky enough to have an SSR spare and >>> ordered parts to replace the transformer which only cost me $30 or so; >>> otherwise would probably have persisted with the AKO stock standard. PID >>> should give you much better temperature stability in theory, but the fact >>> that the steam boiler has control over when it takes power away from the >>> brew boiler makes me feel like thermal stability is always going to be >>> somewhat compromised anyway (so is the PID as important?). I think Expobar >>> have planned for this even in the Bii design by making the brew boiler >>> large enough to have enough thermal mass to be relatively stable using bang >>> bang control (AKO) anyway. >>> On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 11:50:09 AM UTC+10 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi OzAaron, >>>> >>>> I tightened up the wiring/connection into the AKO and it seems to have >>>> fixed the problem but the AKO plastic casing started to fall apart on me >>>> as >>>> its become brittle. The display is now loose due to the plastic breaking >>>> away. Do you think its worth replacing even if its working now? >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> >>>> On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 10:52:46 AM UTC+10 OzAaron wrote: >>>> >>>>> Just a quick addition; I have not dealt with the PID units, but from >>>>> screenshots I think I can make out 230VAC input rating, so may not >>>>> require >>>>> the transformer (would use the same wires that supply your current >>>>> transformer direct into the unit). >>>>> >>>>> On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 10:49:31 AM UTC+10 OzAaron wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi sma, >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm currently rebuilding the same model. You can see my posts at: >>>>>> >>>>>> https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equipment/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/836201-expobar-minore-brewtus-ii-repair-rebuild >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> The AKO controller has a traditional relay inside which is a >>>>>> mechanical switch (rather than a solid state relay: SSR). I've just >>>>>> installed an SSR in my unit (for future-proofing) and still using the >>>>>> AKO >>>>>> controller to switch the SSR. I ended up replacing the transformer with >>>>>> a >>>>>> switch mode supply so that I have 12V DC (and 8V DC for the AKO) which I >>>>>> may use in future for a custom controller modification, but for now it >>>>>> takes the heavy lifting out of the AKO (8A seems like almost too much >>>>>> load >>>>>> for such a little controller). >>>>>> >>>>>> If the AKO controller looks OK (all segments are working all the >>>>>> time) and it partially works (i.e. switches the brew boiler on for some >>>>>> time), then I recon the relay inside the AKO might still be OK. I'd >>>>>> recommend problem solving until you are sure it is the AKO (unless you >>>>>> really want to change it anyway) otherwise you might end up replacing >>>>>> the >>>>>> controller only to find something else is the issue (wiring/connection, >>>>>> heating element, over-temperature thermostat). >>>>>> >>>>>> That being said; if you want the kit, I think Jet Black and Dibartoli >>>>>> sell them in Australia. They're both in Sydney, so local for me; but I >>>>>> suspect some other companies might have them in Melbourne too: >>>>>> https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/?rf=kw&kw=minore >>>>>> >>>>>> https://dibartoli.com.au/search.php?search_query=expobar§ion=product >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> You can pick up the stock SSR and newer PID, or even a replacement >>>>>> AKO from them. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 9:51:58 AM UTC+10 [email protected] >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I have a Minore II and wanted to upgrade the AKO Controller to a PID >>>>>>> and install a separate SSR as my model doesnt have one (I think its >>>>>>> built >>>>>>> into the AKO). I'm currently having issues with the Brew Boiler not >>>>>>> holding temperature and it looks like the AKO built in SSR is playing >>>>>>> up >>>>>>> and not sending power to the brew boiler. >>>>>>> I'm in Australia and dont have access to WWL PID Kit. Can someone >>>>>>> please point me into the right direction as to where I can get the >>>>>>> parts to >>>>>>> upgrade? >>>>>>> Also, there is a small power transformer (Powertran M2851L) which I >>>>>>> cant see in the newer machines, what does it do? Do I need to remove >>>>>>> it if >>>>>>> I do the upgrade? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Cheers >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/brewtus/7e6aceff-9aa2-40f2-9a7b-4d091b70fc47n%40googlegroups.com.
