Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-20 Thread Eric Christoffersen

Ok. I know one thing well now: Espresso satisfies something that I am not 
getting from drip. Same beans but no bueno.

I replaced the 3 plungers and now all is well with the world. I had to dial 
the opv way back so now reads a perfect and steady 9.5 bar and the shots 
are coming up aces.

I had quite a time sourcing the kit. Several places out of stock, one place 
ordered for me, then found the most important plunger was not available, 
would be another week.

Finally I called a place back, desperate, wanted to buy whatever kit they 
had for sale. He found that the exact kit I needed was at a local store 10 
minutes from my house, said they had 4 in stock. I'd called that store back 
on the 13th of april. Went there in person and the guy said they didn't 
have it. Fortunately I availed on him to look more and he found it, a 
little baggy of precious brass plungers for $62 + tax.

Install was trivial and shots now perfect.

So, the real conclusion: if you have trouble with brew pressure, and the 
opv adjustment isn't working, disassemble the big hex nuts on top and 
bottom of group head and see how your plungers look. Mine were horrible. 
After an hour boiling in caffiza it was clear there was not much bushing 
left to seal with. Replacement is about a 2 minute job.

Thanks guys for diagnosing this, I'm back in business.


On Friday, April 13, 2018 at 10:00:19 AM UTC-7, bmacpiper wrote:

> Yeah, not sure. I’ve only ever been able to source the entire kit, i.e. 
> spring and brass bits with seals attached already. I’d check the usual 
> suspects, i.e. WLL, Chris’, Seattle Espresso Gear, 1st Line. 
>
> best, 
> bmc 
>
> > On Apr 13, 2018, at 09:43, Eric Christoffersen  > wrote: 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Good idea to do the top seal too. 
> > 
> > The brew lever seal I’ve done a few times, it’s good. 
> > 
> > Wondering if there’s silicone gaskets I could use instead of more rubber 
> that hardens. Best thing I ever did was get a silicone brew screen seal. 
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > 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 brewtus+u...@googlegroups.com . 
> > To post to this group, send email to bre...@googlegroups.com 
> . 
> > 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-13 Thread Benjamin McCafferty
Yeah, not sure. I’ve only ever been able to source the entire kit, i.e. spring 
and brass bits with seals attached already. I’d check the usual suspects, i.e. 
WLL, Chris’, Seattle Espresso Gear, 1st Line.

best,
bmc

> On Apr 13, 2018, at 09:43, Eric Christoffersen  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Good idea to do the top seal too.
> 
> The brew lever seal I’ve done a few times, it’s good.
> 
> Wondering if there’s silicone gaskets I could use instead of more rubber that 
> hardens. Best thing I ever did was get a silicone brew screen seal.
> 
> 
> -- 
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-13 Thread Benjamin McCafferty
P.S. do the upper spring and seal also, the green one in the video you 
referenced. You’ll also see wear on that (even in the video).
best,
bmc

> On Apr 13, 2018, at 09:13, Benjamin McCafferty  wrote:
> 
> Yeah, that’s a good video; I was just looking for it too. Here’s another, 
> from WLL:  https://youtu.be/5igXx83J_Iw  You can see Todd’s shining face, 
> haha.
> 
> So yes, I’m thinking that perhaps you have a combination of hardened gaskets, 
> and maybe weakened springs, both of which could cause loss of pressure during 
> brewing. It’s a snap to replace all of that; while you’re there, I’d do the 
> seals on your lever too (with some food-grade silicon grease) and also look 
> at wear on the cam (likely is fine, but since you’re going to have it out 
> anyway).
> 
> I’d be stoked for you if this is the solution!
> 
> best,
> bmc
> 
>> On Apr 13, 2018, at 08:56, Eric Christoffersen  wrote:
>> 
>> Yes! Dissembled and the seals in the lower exhaust cylinder are hard like 
>> bakealite. No scale, no tar but seals are done-ski.
>> 
>> While waiting for machine to cool I Found this YouTube video, Seattle coffee 
>> gear: internals of e61 grouphead featuring bill Crossland, describes leakage 
>> when seals harden the exhaust spring can’t hold brew pressure.
>> 
>> https://youtu.be/2jn28YTS3OQ
>> 
>> -- 
>> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
>> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
>> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-13 Thread Benjamin McCafferty
Yeah, that’s a good video; I was just looking for it too. Here’s another, from 
WLL:  https://youtu.be/5igXx83J_Iw  You can see Todd’s shining face, haha.

So yes, I’m thinking that perhaps you have a combination of hardened gaskets, 
and maybe weakened springs, both of which could cause loss of pressure during 
brewing. It’s a snap to replace all of that; while you’re there, I’d do the 
seals on your lever too (with some food-grade silicon grease) and also look at 
wear on the cam (likely is fine, but since you’re going to have it out anyway).

I’d be stoked for you if this is the solution!

best,
bmc

> On Apr 13, 2018, at 08:56, Eric Christoffersen  wrote:
> 
> Yes! Dissembled and the seals in the lower exhaust cylinder are hard like 
> bakealite. No scale, no tar but seals are done-ski.
> 
> While waiting for machine to cool I Found this YouTube video, Seattle coffee 
> gear: internals of e61 grouphead featuring bill Crossland, describes leakage 
> when seals harden the exhaust spring can’t hold brew pressure.
> 
> https://youtu.be/2jn28YTS3OQ
> 
> -- 
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-13 Thread Eric Christoffersen
Yes! Dissembled and the seals in the lower exhaust cylinder are hard like 
bakealite. No scale, no tar but seals are done-ski.

While waiting for machine to cool I Found this YouTube video, Seattle coffee 
gear: internals of e61 grouphead featuring bill Crossland, describes leakage 
when seals harden the exhaust spring can’t hold brew pressure.

https://youtu.be/2jn28YTS3OQ

-- 
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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-13 Thread Eric Christoffersen
Oh! I missed the last part of your post! Spring in brew group? I’ve never had 
that apart, I didn’t know there was a spring in there! If there is it is 
probably clogged with tar and scale. 

-- 
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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-13 Thread Eric Christoffersen

It is not coming out of the tiny spigot, on my machine that shiney little bent 
tube isn’t hooked to anything. Water is coming out of the silver cylinder 
that’s the bottom part of the grouphead, is fed from a big copper pipe.

I’m going to sand the old pressure plunger smooth and install, see if I can 
tease something into working. Damn I miss my espresso, drip isn’t cutting it.

-- 
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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-12 Thread Ben McCafferty
You make a good point, Eric, I had forgotten  you mentioned that. However, 
where is water coming out when it goes to the drip tray? Is it the large hole 
in the bottom of the group, or the small tube just behind that?
The small tube wasn’t used with a vibe pump—over pressure sent water back to 
the water tank and not the drip tray. So I’m wondering if maybe you have a weak 
spring in the brew group, if it’s coming out the bottom of the group? Hmmm...
b

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 11, 2018, at 22:14, Eric Christoffersen  wrote:
> 
> Water currently diverts to the drip tray when pressure setting is 
> overwhelmed. I had a bad pump once, no water went anywhere until it slowly 
> dripped through the puck.
> 
> I can check the pump but its not fun to get at. I believe pump is woking 
> great. Why would pump cause pressure release early?
> 
> Eric
> 
>> On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 8:29:10 AM UTC-7, bmacpiper wrote:
>> Hey Eric,
>> Any chance your pump is failing instead? Before I converted to rotary, I had 
>> similar symptoms each time a vibe pump failed, if memory serves. You could 
>> search (really) old threads from me when this was happening. But if I recall 
>> correctly, the pump would sometimes develop pressure, sometimes not, and it 
>> was maddening until I sorted it out. Similar to what you describe in the 
>> OPV, the sides of the piston in the vibe pump looked totally fine, but they 
>> were worn and binding up, etc. I do think the OPV should be relatively 
>> smooth, but doubt it’s the issue, especially with a new one in there. Scale 
>> could indeed cause any moving part to bind, but a new OPV has no scale on it 
>> of course. You could also have chunks of scale that have broken off and are 
>> fouling the pump intermittently. It’s pretty easy to disassemble the pump to 
>> check for this.
>> 
>> As to why it would develop highest pressure at the midpoint; just taking a 
>> SWAG, but I wonder if that setting is giving just the right amount of back 
>> pressure to a failing pump and letting it work most effectively?
>> 
>> I’d try a known good pump, if possible. You may end up down the rabbit hole, 
>> though, because you might see scale in the end of water tubing, and get a 
>> case of the “while I’m here”s...
>> 
>> Best and let us know,
>> bmc
>> 
>>> On Apr 11, 2018, at 08:19, Eric Christoffersen  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hey Guys,
>>> 
>>> I got about 9 days of bliss from this new unit, now it won't maintain 
>>> pressure, and problem is getting worse.
>>> 
>>> I managed to open up the old unit and it works exactly how I expected, the 
>>> screw presses the top of a strong spring which presses a hexagonal plunger 
>>> with a rubber pad on its end. When pressure in main line is exceeded then 
>>> pad lifts to release water. The metal at the end of the plunger feels 
>>> gritty, is not smooth. Not scaly though, looked pretty clean. The metal 
>>> inside is rough so makes it sticky and together with tolerances the unit is 
>>> a little difficult to reassemble. Could it be there's too much friction? 
>>> Maybe I sand it smooth?
>>> 
>>> Some things to note:
>>> 
>>> - No water into drip tray until pressure reaches an indicated 4 bar. The 
>>> thing does hold some pressure.
>>> - The screw control does sort of control the brew pressure, if I back it 
>>> way off the brew pressure doesn't exceed (indicated) 4 bar or so, if I 
>>> tighten it all the way down I get 6-7 bar. If I leave it 3/4 screwed in I 
>>> get 7-8 bar. Yes I get most brew pressure with spring not fully in. I get 
>>> the same brew pressures when brewing coffee and with blind portafilter.
>>> 
>>> Has anyone experienced this? Doesn't seem right that two parts that look 
>>> fine are both 'defective' in the same way so I'm looking for another 
>>> explanation.
>>> 
>>> I have an accurate bike tire gauge - was sort of thinking to connect it to 
>>> a bike pump and see if I can't read the pressure, but that'd be air not 
>>> water.
>>> 
>>> Dave: You mention scale, have you experienced this issue? Do you know how 
>>> scale causes this? Its been 3-4 years since I descaled so likely there are 
>>> some large encrustations in the boilers. I'm just not seeing how scale is 
>>> causing this.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
 On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:10:26 PM UTC-7, Dave B wrote:
 THAT is caused by SCALE
 
> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 5:28 AM, herman dickens  
> wrote:
> It sounds like you fixed it.
> 
>> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen  
>> wrote:
>> Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to 
>> indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.
>> 
>> Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed 
>> it down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure 
>> rose until 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable 
>> at 9bar.
>> 
>> Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of reme

Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-11 Thread Eric Christoffersen
Water currently diverts to the drip tray when pressure setting is 
overwhelmed. I had a bad pump once, no water went anywhere until it slowly 
dripped through the puck.

I can check the pump but its not fun to get at. I believe pump is woking 
great. Why would pump cause pressure release early?

Eric

On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 8:29:10 AM UTC-7, bmacpiper wrote:

> Hey Eric,
> Any chance your pump is failing instead? Before I converted to rotary, I 
> had similar symptoms each time a vibe pump failed, if memory serves. You 
> could search (really) old threads from me when this was happening. But if I 
> recall correctly, the pump would sometimes develop pressure, sometimes not, 
> and it was maddening until I sorted it out. Similar to what you describe in 
> the OPV, the sides of the piston in the vibe pump looked totally fine, but 
> they were worn and binding up, etc. I do think the OPV should be relatively 
> smooth, but doubt it’s the issue, especially with a new one in there. Scale 
> could indeed cause any moving part to bind, but a new OPV has no scale on 
> it of course. You could also have chunks of scale that have broken off and 
> are fouling the pump intermittently. It’s pretty easy to disassemble the 
> pump to check for this.
>
> As to why it would develop highest pressure at the midpoint; just taking a 
> SWAG, but I wonder if that setting is giving just the right amount of back 
> pressure to a failing pump and letting it work most effectively?
>
> I’d try a known good pump, if possible. You may end up down the rabbit 
> hole, though, because you might see scale in the end of water tubing, and 
> get a case of the “while I’m here”s...
>
> Best and let us know,
> bmc
>
> On Apr 11, 2018, at 08:19, Eric Christoffersen  > wrote:
>
> Hey Guys,
>
> I got about 9 days of bliss from this new unit, now it won't maintain 
> pressure, and problem is getting worse.
>
> I managed to open up the old unit and it works exactly how I expected, the 
> screw presses the top of a strong spring which presses a hexagonal plunger 
> with a rubber pad on its end. When pressure in main line is exceeded then 
> pad lifts to release water. The metal at the end of the plunger feels 
> gritty, is not smooth. Not scaly though, looked pretty clean. The metal 
> inside is rough so makes it sticky and together with tolerances the unit is 
> a little difficult to reassemble. Could it be there's too much friction? 
> Maybe I sand it smooth?
>
> Some things to note:
>
> - No water into drip tray until pressure reaches an indicated 4 bar. The 
> thing does hold some pressure.
> - The screw control does sort of control the brew pressure, if I back it 
> way off the brew pressure doesn't exceed (indicated) 4 bar or so, if I 
> tighten it all the way down I get 6-7 bar. If I leave it 3/4 screwed in I 
> get 7-8 bar. Yes I get most brew pressure with spring not fully in. I get 
> the same brew pressures when brewing coffee and with blind portafilter.
>
> Has anyone experienced this? Doesn't seem right that two parts that look 
> fine are both 'defective' in the same way so I'm looking for another 
> explanation.
>
> I have an accurate bike tire gauge - was sort of thinking to connect it to 
> a bike pump and see if I can't read the pressure, but that'd be air not 
> water.
>
> Dave: You mention scale, have you experienced this issue? Do you know how 
> scale causes this? Its been 3-4 years since I descaled so likely there are 
> some large encrustations in the boilers. I'm just not seeing how scale is 
> causing this.
>
>
>
> On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:10:26 PM UTC-7, Dave B wrote:
>
>> THAT is caused by SCALE
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 5:28 AM, herman dickens  
>> wrote:
>>
>>> It sounds like you fixed it.
>>>
>>> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen  
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to 
 indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.

 Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed 
 it down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose 
 until 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.

 Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar 
 when I replaced before.

 Anyway, all set no.

 I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were 
 destroyed in the attempt.

 On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen 
 wrote:

>
> My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that 
> controls the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never 
> adjust 
> it myself. I replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with 
> plastic flathead some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has 
> a 
> metal flathead fitting.
>
> Today the new pressure control started failing, 

RE: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-11 Thread Jonathan Stroum
Eric,

 

I think Ben’s suggestion has lots of merit. Sounds like everything else is 
working as it should. Vibe pumps are inexpensive and readily available through 
Amazon.

 

JPaul

 

From: brewtus@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Benjamin 
McCafferty
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 8:29 AM
To: brewtus@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

 

Hey Eric,

Any chance your pump is failing instead? Before I converted to rotary, I had 
similar symptoms each time a vibe pump failed, if memory serves. You could 
search (really) old threads from me when this was happening. But if I recall 
correctly, the pump would sometimes develop pressure, sometimes not, and it was 
maddening until I sorted it out. Similar to what you describe in the OPV, the 
sides of the piston in the vibe pump looked totally fine, but they were worn 
and binding up, etc. I do think the OPV should be relatively smooth, but doubt 
it’s the issue, especially with a new one in there. Scale could indeed cause 
any moving part to bind, but a new OPV has no scale on it of course. You could 
also have chunks of scale that have broken off and are fouling the pump 
intermittently. It’s pretty easy to disassemble the pump to check for this.

 

As to why it would develop highest pressure at the midpoint; just taking a 
SWAG, but I wonder if that setting is giving just the right amount of back 
pressure to a failing pump and letting it work most effectively?

 

I’d try a known good pump, if possible. You may end up down the rabbit hole, 
though, because you might see scale in the end of water tubing, and get a case 
of the “while I’m here”s...

 

Best and let us know,

bmc





On Apr 11, 2018, at 08:19, Eric Christoffersen mailto:zakt...@gmail.com> > wrote:

 

Hey Guys,

 

I got about 9 days of bliss from this new unit, now it won't maintain pressure, 
and problem is getting worse.

 

I managed to open up the old unit and it works exactly how I expected, the 
screw presses the top of a strong spring which presses a hexagonal plunger with 
a rubber pad on its end. When pressure in main line is exceeded then pad lifts 
to release water. The metal at the end of the plunger feels gritty, is not 
smooth. Not scaly though, looked pretty clean. The metal inside is rough so 
makes it sticky and together with tolerances the unit is a little difficult to 
reassemble. Could it be there's too much friction? Maybe I sand it smooth?

 

Some things to note:

 

- No water into drip tray until pressure reaches an indicated 4 bar. The thing 
does hold some pressure.

- The screw control does sort of control the brew pressure, if I back it way 
off the brew pressure doesn't exceed (indicated) 4 bar or so, if I tighten it 
all the way down I get 6-7 bar. If I leave it 3/4 screwed in I get 7-8 bar. Yes 
I get most brew pressure with spring not fully in. I get the same brew 
pressures when brewing coffee and with blind portafilter.

 

Has anyone experienced this? Doesn't seem right that two parts that look fine 
are both 'defective' in the same way so I'm looking for another explanation.

 

I have an accurate bike tire gauge - was sort of thinking to connect it to a 
bike pump and see if I can't read the pressure, but that'd be air not water.

 

Dave: You mention scale, have you experienced this issue? Do you know how scale 
causes this? Its been 3-4 years since I descaled so likely there are some large 
encrustations in the boilers. I'm just not seeing how scale is causing this.

 



On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:10:26 PM UTC-7, Dave B wrote:

THAT is caused by SCALE

 

On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 5:28 AM, herman dickens mailto:herman...@gmail.com> > wrote:

It sounds like you fixed it.

 

On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen mailto:zak...@gmail.com> > wrote:

Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to indicated 
4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.

 

Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed it down 
all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose until 12+ 
bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.

 

Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar when I 
replaced before.

 

Anyway, all set no.

 

I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were destroyed in 
the attempt.

On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen wrote:

 

My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that controls 
the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never adjust it myself. I 
replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with plastic flathead 
some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has a metal flathead 
fitting.

 

Today the new pressure control started failing, only getting an indicated 5-6 
bar. Bunch of water goes into the drip tra

Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-11 Thread Benjamin McCafferty
Hey Eric,
Any chance your pump is failing instead? Before I converted to rotary, I had 
similar symptoms each time a vibe pump failed, if memory serves. You could 
search (really) old threads from me when this was happening. But if I recall 
correctly, the pump would sometimes develop pressure, sometimes not, and it was 
maddening until I sorted it out. Similar to what you describe in the OPV, the 
sides of the piston in the vibe pump looked totally fine, but they were worn 
and binding up, etc. I do think the OPV should be relatively smooth, but doubt 
it’s the issue, especially with a new one in there. Scale could indeed cause 
any moving part to bind, but a new OPV has no scale on it of course. You could 
also have chunks of scale that have broken off and are fouling the pump 
intermittently. It’s pretty easy to disassemble the pump to check for this.

As to why it would develop highest pressure at the midpoint; just taking a 
SWAG, but I wonder if that setting is giving just the right amount of back 
pressure to a failing pump and letting it work most effectively?

I’d try a known good pump, if possible. You may end up down the rabbit hole, 
though, because you might see scale in the end of water tubing, and get a case 
of the “while I’m here”s...

Best and let us know,
bmc

> On Apr 11, 2018, at 08:19, Eric Christoffersen  wrote:
> 
> Hey Guys,
> 
> I got about 9 days of bliss from this new unit, now it won't maintain 
> pressure, and problem is getting worse.
> 
> I managed to open up the old unit and it works exactly how I expected, the 
> screw presses the top of a strong spring which presses a hexagonal plunger 
> with a rubber pad on its end. When pressure in main line is exceeded then pad 
> lifts to release water. The metal at the end of the plunger feels gritty, is 
> not smooth. Not scaly though, looked pretty clean. The metal inside is rough 
> so makes it sticky and together with tolerances the unit is a little 
> difficult to reassemble. Could it be there's too much friction? Maybe I sand 
> it smooth?
> 
> Some things to note:
> 
> - No water into drip tray until pressure reaches an indicated 4 bar. The 
> thing does hold some pressure.
> - The screw control does sort of control the brew pressure, if I back it way 
> off the brew pressure doesn't exceed (indicated) 4 bar or so, if I tighten it 
> all the way down I get 6-7 bar. If I leave it 3/4 screwed in I get 7-8 bar. 
> Yes I get most brew pressure with spring not fully in. I get the same brew 
> pressures when brewing coffee and with blind portafilter.
> 
> Has anyone experienced this? Doesn't seem right that two parts that look fine 
> are both 'defective' in the same way so I'm looking for another explanation.
> 
> I have an accurate bike tire gauge - was sort of thinking to connect it to a 
> bike pump and see if I can't read the pressure, but that'd be air not water.
> 
> Dave: You mention scale, have you experienced this issue? Do you know how 
> scale causes this? Its been 3-4 years since I descaled so likely there are 
> some large encrustations in the boilers. I'm just not seeing how scale is 
> causing this.
> 
> 
> 
> On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:10:26 PM UTC-7, Dave B wrote:
> THAT is caused by SCALE
> 
> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 5:28 AM, herman dickens > 
> wrote:
> It sounds like you fixed it.
> 
> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen > 
> wrote:
> Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to 
> indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.
> 
> Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed it 
> down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose until 
> 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.
> 
> Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar when I 
> replaced before.
> 
> Anyway, all set no.
> 
> I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were destroyed in 
> the attempt.
> 
> On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen wrote:
> 
> My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that controls 
> the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never adjust it myself. 
> I replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with plastic 
> flathead some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has a metal 
> flathead fitting.
> 
> Today the new pressure control started failing, only getting an indicated 5-6 
> bar. Bunch of water goes into the drip tray.
> 
> The new pressure control looks like it could be disassembled if my snapring 
> plyers weren't broken but I'm wondering if someone can recommend a better 
> part that will last longer?
> 
> Or do I just order a new one?
> 
> Thanks,
> Eric
> 
> 
> -- 
> 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 brewtus+u...

Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-04-11 Thread Eric Christoffersen
Hey Guys,

I got about 9 days of bliss from this new unit, now it won't maintain 
pressure, and problem is getting worse.

I managed to open up the old unit and it works exactly how I expected, the 
screw presses the top of a strong spring which presses a hexagonal plunger 
with a rubber pad on its end. When pressure in main line is exceeded then 
pad lifts to release water. The metal at the end of the plunger feels 
gritty, is not smooth. Not scaly though, looked pretty clean. The metal 
inside is rough so makes it sticky and together with tolerances the unit is 
a little difficult to reassemble. Could it be there's too much friction? 
Maybe I sand it smooth?

Some things to note:

- No water into drip tray until pressure reaches an indicated 4 bar. The 
thing does hold some pressure.
- The screw control does sort of control the brew pressure, if I back it 
way off the brew pressure doesn't exceed (indicated) 4 bar or so, if I 
tighten it all the way down I get 6-7 bar. If I leave it 3/4 screwed in I 
get 7-8 bar. Yes I get most brew pressure with spring not fully in. I get 
the same brew pressures when brewing coffee and with blind portafilter.

Has anyone experienced this? Doesn't seem right that two parts that look 
fine are both 'defective' in the same way so I'm looking for another 
explanation.

I have an accurate bike tire gauge - was sort of thinking to connect it to 
a bike pump and see if I can't read the pressure, but that'd be air not 
water.

Dave: You mention scale, have you experienced this issue? Do you know how 
scale causes this? Its been 3-4 years since I descaled so likely there are 
some large encrustations in the boilers. I'm just not seeing how scale is 
causing this.



On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 4:10:26 PM UTC-7, Dave B wrote:

> THAT is caused by SCALE
>
> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 5:28 AM, herman dickens  > wrote:
>
>> It sounds like you fixed it.
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen > > wrote:
>>
>>> Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to 
>>> indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.
>>>
>>> Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed 
>>> it down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose 
>>> until 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.
>>>
>>> Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar 
>>> when I replaced before.
>>>
>>> Anyway, all set no.
>>>
>>> I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were 
>>> destroyed in the attempt.
>>>
>>> On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen 
>>> wrote:
>>>

 My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that 
 controls the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never 
 adjust 
 it myself. I replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with 
 plastic flathead some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has 
 a 
 metal flathead fitting.

 Today the new pressure control started failing, only getting an 
 indicated 5-6 bar. Bunch of water goes into the drip tray.

 The new pressure control looks like it could be disassembled if my 
 snapring plyers weren't broken but I'm wondering if someone can recommend 
 a 
 better part that will last longer?

 Or do I just order a new one?

 Thanks,
 Eric

 -- 
>>> 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 brewtus+u...@googlegroups.com .
>>> To post to this group, send email to bre...@googlegroups.com 
>>> .
>>> 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 brewtus+u...@googlegroups.com .
>> To post to this group, send email to bre...@googlegroups.com 
>> .
>> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-03-24 Thread Dave B
THAT is caused by SCALE

On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 5:28 AM, herman dickens 
wrote:

> It sounds like you fixed it.
>
> On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen 
> wrote:
>
>> Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to
>> indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.
>>
>> Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed it
>> down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose
>> until 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.
>>
>> Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar
>> when I replaced before.
>>
>> Anyway, all set no.
>>
>> I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were
>> destroyed in the attempt.
>>
>> On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that
>>> controls the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never adjust
>>> it myself. I replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with
>>> plastic flathead some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has a
>>> metal flathead fitting.
>>>
>>> Today the new pressure control started failing, only getting an
>>> indicated 5-6 bar. Bunch of water goes into the drip tray.
>>>
>>> The new pressure control looks like it could be disassembled if my
>>> snapring plyers weren't broken but I'm wondering if someone can recommend a
>>> better part that will last longer?
>>>
>>> Or do I just order a new one?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Eric
>>>
>>> --
>> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
>> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
>> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-03-23 Thread herman dickens
It sounds like you fixed it.

On Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 2:06 AM, Eric Christoffersen 
wrote:

> Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to
> indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.
>
> Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed it
> down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose
> until 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.
>
> Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar when
> I replaced before.
>
> Anyway, all set no.
>
> I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were destroyed
> in the attempt.
>
> On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen
> wrote:
>
>>
>> My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that
>> controls the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never adjust
>> it myself. I replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with
>> plastic flathead some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has a
>> metal flathead fitting.
>>
>> Today the new pressure control started failing, only getting an indicated
>> 5-6 bar. Bunch of water goes into the drip tray.
>>
>> The new pressure control looks like it could be disassembled if my
>> snapring plyers weren't broken but I'm wondering if someone can recommend a
>> better part that will last longer?
>>
>> Or do I just order a new one?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Eric
>>
>> --
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
> 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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: brewtus 2 brew pressure control failing

2018-03-22 Thread Eric Christoffersen
Got another one form wll. While waiting the brew pressure dropped to 
indicated 4 bar, water just pouring into drip tray.

Installed the new unit and it also brewed with lower pressure, screwed it 
down all the way and got 8 bar. Over the next 4 days brew pressure rose 
until 12+ bar. I backed the screw back and now pressure is stable at 9bar.

Wonder if this is caused by air? I sort of remember something similar when 
I replaced before.

Anyway, all set no.

I'd open the old one but my harbor freight snap ring pliers were destroyed 
in the attempt.

On Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 2:55:07 PM UTC-8, Eric Christoffersen 
wrote:

>
> My Brewtus2 has a hole behind the drip tray to reach a flathead that 
> controls the brew pressure, along with a sticker telling me to never adjust 
> it myself. I replaced that manky broken original that was controlled with 
> plastic flathead some years ago with what looks like a nicer one that has a 
> metal flathead fitting.
>
> Today the new pressure control started failing, only getting an indicated 
> 5-6 bar. Bunch of water goes into the drip tray.
>
> The new pressure control looks like it could be disassembled if my 
> snapring plyers weren't broken but I'm wondering if someone can recommend a 
> better part that will last longer?
>
> Or do I just order a new one?
>
> Thanks,
> Eric
>
>

-- 
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 brewtus+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to brewtus@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/brewtus.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.