Roger, A few hints. When I added a PID kit to my Brewtus II, I could not remove the temperature probe from the brew boiler. I tried everything including recruiting an auto mechanic.
I drove to WLL in Rochester. They told me that for about a year or so that Expobar was using an epoxy thread locker. An almost permanent seal. WLL turned on the brew boiler, let it rise to operating temperatures and then easily unscrewed the temp probe. Here is another hint for you. If you order the missing tray from WLL that goes on top, also see if they still have the cup guard railing. It should have been standard. But, you always had to know it existed in order to get it. [image: brewtus II.jpg] On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 11:04:35 PM UTC-4 Roger wrote: > Now I realize the gunk around the element is just baked on thread > compound. These didn't really have gaskets I guess. I did run resistance > checks on both elements, steam boiler at 13 ohm and the brew boiler maybe > like 40,000 ohms.. Good reason to find an impact wrench. I guess I'll slow > down while I get an element ordered. Thanks again all.. > > On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 1:58:00 PM UTC-7 Roger wrote: > >> Thanks Westi, Ira, Jpaul. Seems like an impact wrench will be needed. I'm >> not sure if I will remove them or not yet at this point. The seal on the >> elements look terrible, didn't seem to hold up well to heat what ever was >> used (photo). I think is saw some and they come with teflon now. Will >> continue with a few more descaling soaks and see what it looks like inside. >> The Brew boiler doesn't seem as bad, but I didn't remove enough fittings >> yet to have a look. I'll try some of basic electrical tests on the elements >> to see if obviously open or possible short. But if i don't see anything >> obvious, likely will just put everything back in place after descaling to >> see what's going on overall. Not sure if best plan, but that's my direction >> for now. Was just researching the different acids typically used and >> effects on copper and different rubbers. Sometimes a little worried of >> metal corrosion if left to soak at too high of a concentration. I saw one >> reference "chemical resistance guide for valves and fittings" that >> indicates acetic or citric are not great for copper. The citric >> concentration said saturated though (60%w/w) and acetic at 25%. Typically >> would only use maybe 5-10%. Salfamic acid it says is ok for copper at 20%. >> Still not sure what is best from this info.. people use both. I'm trying >> salfamic for nowI know if they use these in big sensitive systems they will >> add a corrosion inhibitor with the Citric or Salfamic. Well have to think >> i've spent 20 hours on this all in all.. Back too it.. [image: >> PXL_20210318_055833496.jpg] >> >> On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 12:04:56 PM UTC-7 jpaul wrote: >> >>> I’ve removed the heating element out of B2 and the key was an impact >>> wrench. Heating may help but since the element is threaded into the >>> boiler, not sure nut buster heating will help. Seems Crem used a very >>> sturdy sealant/glue when assembling. It required significant force to >>> break free. >>> >>> >>> >>> Good luck! >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:* [email protected] <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of >>> *Ira >>> *Sent:* Thursday, March 18, 2021 11:51 AM >>> *To:* RW <[email protected]> >>> *Subject:* Re: Picked up a Brewtus II. Tips on troubleshooting. >>> >>> >>> >>> Hello RW, >>> >>> Thursday, March 18, 2021, 10:43:49 AM, you wrote: >>> >>> hinking what's would be the best way to remove the elements with the >>> boilers out. Don't have a vise.. >>> >>> >>> Never done it, but seems the answer is 1/2" impact wrench. Something I >>> did when I was descaling my 2 group Rancilio was connect the 230V to 110V >>> so the solution stayed warm for in my case days. I wonder if connecting the >>> elements in series on the Brewtus might accomplish the same thing, though >>> it might still get to hot. On the Rancilio there were 3 elements and I only >>> used one or two to keep it warm. >>> >>> -- Ira >>> >>> -- >>> >>> 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/1610263785.20210318115113%40gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/brewtus/1610263785.20210318115113%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- 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/914d5b20-dd6f-4766-9588-339bfa26b592n%40googlegroups.com.
