8/22/09 ECM Giotto

ECM Giotto

Another home unit suffers from excessive scale...

Notes on this model:

Well known equipment maker ECM of Italy has been selling the Giotto for home users for several years. The components are average quality for the class. Lacks a group pressure gauge.

Reason For service:

Customer has had recurring issues with leaks on boiler fittings. Pressure stat may be bad. Requests to have hot water dispenser removed and to have a group pressure gauge installed.

Diagnostic & Repair:

Found the level probe was not responding, causing boiler to overfill (scale damage). Vac valve leaks (scale damage). Removed hot water assy. and found fittings, tubes fairly choked with scale. Will Descale entire system. Group pressure gauge will require some creativity to mount without awkward appearance. P-stat is operating as it should - i will confirm that customer wants it swapped.

Installed a Group pressure gauge in the hot water opening. works perfect, looks pretty good. I had to cut a piece of pipe to mount the gauge on the surface of the unit...

8/16/09 Tech Log Blog

Elektra Maxi

This week saw a repair on a commercial 2 group Espresso Machine by Elektra.

Some notes on the design:

Elektra (e-61 type) groups

Steam & Water paddle valves (cool)

Retro post modern design

Reason for Service: Owner states left group no flow. Owner wants to sell machine so wants a tune up and complete service.

Diagnostic & Repair: Left Group has completely jammed with mineral deposit. Leaky safety valve, vac valve & mineral stains on exterior of boiler suggest excessive scale build up throughout. Removed L group and completely disassemble & acid bath. Solenoid stem is packed with scale. Group head scale blockage requires careful removal by power drill (nice that Elektra has a purge hole at front of group). WOW that was a lot of scale! R group not as bad with scale - Cleaned out and tested; ok.

Descale main boiler and HX's

Replaced vac valve and safety valve

Test for temp & pressure

8/15/09 tech log blog

Mini Wega

Worked on a mini wega today. This is a single group commercial espresso machine being used by a home barista for home use. The mini wega is a very nicely made unit with a rotary vane pump plumbed in.

Some notes on the design:

e-61 type group

boiler has separate HX for hot water & group

sturdy heavy duty construction

no group pressure gauge

rotary pump

Reason for Service: Owner removed boiler to descale and now it will not heat. Also requests install of Sirai P-stat to replace stock mini stat.

Diagnostic & Repair: Continuity check verifies blown heater. Boiler position requires removal to replace the heating element. Removal is not bad as all fittings are accessible with body panels removed. Installed new heater and replaced boiler. Refill boiler heat up & test fittings for leaks. Replacing Sirai requires re-shaping the copper tubing to a lower position in order to fit. Setting Sirai to produce group temp of 203 f. Test group pressure & Temp.