elektranewbie Senior Member Joined: 2 Nov 2009 Posts: 3 Location: seattle Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Nov 2, 2009, 5:28pm Subject: Looking for help with a 1989 Elektra Micro Casa.
Hello all
I am completely new here and if i am doing something wrong please let me know.
I was just given a 1989 Elektra Micro Casa, it is in need of a lot of love and as a result has not been used in years.
There seems to be a leak coming from the tank somewhere up high (i just got it today) and it seems that leak was there for a while when it was in use as well. There is a lot of rust in the base, and some of the leads look kind of toasted.
i would love any suggestions on where i could get a full electrical replacement kit and basically any manuals or tare down instructions or a schematic or well almost anything that might help with this.
i just got home from work and am really excited to try and get things back up and running again.
i am sure that i have missed a lot of this info out here on the site, but i have done numerous searches and have been very unsuccessful.
The_Shadow Senior Member Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 504 Location: North Carolina Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: NS Aurelia 2 group, 1977... Grinder: NS MDX, NS Grinta, KyM... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: BUNN VPR/LPG Combo Roaster: Leave That To The Pros
Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 8:08am Subject: Re: Looking for help with a 1989 Elektra Micro Casa.
Well first of all be pleased that you were given such a fine machine. I know nothing about Elektras, but it could be something as simple as a boiler to group gasket leak. Worse case scenario would be a pinhole/crack in the boiler. I recommend posting pics if you can as we will have alot more to go on. Later!
Tom222 Senior Member Joined: 3 Feb 2009 Posts: 20 Location: Phoenix Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Rancilio Z11 Omicron3-... Grinder: 4 Mazzers Drip: I dont do drip, only french... Roaster: Local
Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 6:21pm Subject: Re: Looking for help with a 1989 Elektra Micro Casa.
I have a '84 myself. I suggest looking at others' posts about their (and my) machine here on this website and also at home-barista.com. There are several vendor websites whom also specialize in lever machines- espressocare.com orphanespresso.com- they are invaluable resources for keeping and maintaining these exquisite machines. As shadow said, it could be a very simple fix, or not. Do post some pics.
elektranewbie Senior Member Joined: 2 Nov 2009 Posts: 3 Location: seattle Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009, 10:28am Subject: Re: Looking for help with a 1989 Elektra Micro Casa.
Thank you JVBorella, Tom222 and Shadow.
Great help, i have found all the parts i need ( i think or at least for round one)
i am looking to replace the wiring now, not sure what it should look like but i know that it should not look like what i have got. It appears the boiler gasket was cracked for a while and had dripped on the wires and then it looks as if as a result of the leak the water level for the boiler got to low and it over heated and melted most of them, should have taken pictures.
What should wire be? There are 3 gauges i have found in here, some is cloth wrapped and other is the 600v gasoline and oil 10 gauge, then of course there is the 16 gauge light wire.
Also is there a common practice of putting some kind of water proofing on these wires? A couple have the shrink wrap, some do not.
I am going to look around for more wiring info, but just thought i might ask too.
Thank you all once again for your help and i will start taking pictures now and try and figure out how to post them.
orphanespresso Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Troy Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Cremina Faemina Microcimbali... Grinder: Hand Grinders
Posted Fri Nov 13, 2009, 2:46am Subject: Re: Looking for help with a 1989 Elektra Micro Casa.
I have been more or less entranced with PTFE (teflon) coated wires for rewiring espresso machines. that coating is so thin and slick but rated to 600F. I generally do the whole thing in 14 gauge which has an amp rating of about 5 times the requirement of the machine. Not really any big reason to use different color wires if you have the circuit clear in your mind and if you need a color code use some colored sharpies or tape bits to keep track of the circuit. You can handle most any electrical issue in the machine with a spool of teflon coated wire, some female spade terminals and a multitester to check continuities and such.
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