Posted Thu Mar 29, 2007, 9:27pm Subject: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
I'm really enjoying shots from my Wega Mininova that I just finished rebuilding. I've got it set up next to my sink. The water intake hose is connected to a 2.5 gal. water jug that I modified a bit so it is easily refillable by just gluing the top of a water bottle to a hole I cut out of the top. The drip tray has a plastic hose coming out of it that runs right into the sink drain. To refill, all I need to do is pull the head of my sink out (the head serves as a retractable spray nozzle like most sinks have separately) and fill the tank right up. I hope this might give others some ideas that are sick and tired of emptying out that drip tray or constantly having to refill their tiny tank, but plumbing isn't an option.
It's really amazing how much of a difference a real E61 HX machine can make. I'm in heaven. :-D
Beezer Senior Member Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 452 Location: Fresno, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quickmill Anita Grinder: La Cimbali Max Hybrid
Posted Fri Mar 30, 2007, 1:18pm Subject: Re: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
Nice work! I'd do something like that on my Anita, except my wife would kill me if I had that big bottle and tubing cluttering up her kitchen counters.
Sleepless Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 129 Location: New York Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 VII Grinder: Mazzer SJ, KA Pro Line Drip: Braun FlavorSelect Roaster: Behmor 1600, HotTop
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2007, 1:33pm Subject: Re: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
I purchased a small float valve which I installed in my Saeco Classico water tank. I then ran some plastic tubing from under my sink (I drilled a hole in my countertop in an inconspicuous place), connected to a two stage filter on the cold water supply. I no longer need to keep filling up every day or so. But I do periodically dump out and clean the tank This is MUCH less of a hassle than worrying about an empty water tank.
- Steve
"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by" - Douglas Adams
alsterling Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 682 Location: Dana Point, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 (Had Expo) Grinder: Macap M4 & Gaggia MDF Vac Pot: Not yet... Drip: Capresso MT-500 & Melitta... Roaster: Hottop Digital
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2007, 3:21pm Subject: Re: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
You did what I was about to do with my Expobar Pulsar Office....... but then I sold it when I purchased my next setup, which I ultimately fully plumbed. I'd guess that a float valve accessory would carry alot of liability for a reseller? Someone screws up the install, floods their floor, and then blames the mfg or distributor. I opted for manufacturing my own drain kit for the S1, and found after calling my supplier, that even their after-market kit had issues. I found it related to the inside diameter of the drain hose and also the point at which one connects to the drain. If you connect a small hose too high and close to the tray, there isn't enough "drop" for the water to auto-siphon and drain properly.
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2007, 7:17pm Subject: Re: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
Beezer - thanks. Might you be able to keep the tank under the cabinets perhaps? But then you'd still have to run the tubing somehow..
Steve - I agree, plumbing in would of course be the least hassle but this was intended to be the next best thing for those of us who can't drill holes in our countertops. I only need to fill up every 3 or 4 days anyway.
Al - very nice. I was considering the float valve thing but figured there really wasn't any advantage. And there would always be that slim chance that something would fail and my kitchen would be flooded while I was gone. Not good.
I've got a web album up for those who might be interested in the rebuild process.
alsterling Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 682 Location: Dana Point, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 (Had Expo) Grinder: Macap M4 & Gaggia MDF Vac Pot: Not yet... Drip: Capresso MT-500 & Melitta... Roaster: Hottop Digital
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2007, 7:57pm Subject: Re: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
Jordan, I did your slide show on the Wega. I was impressed. I wonder how trips to "Graingers Supply" you had to make? I don't have that kind of patience anymore! Obviously, you're now this machine's "Primary Care Physician." I hear about used commercial rigs that can be had for a few bucks and then restored, but I've yet to try it. While I've got the tools and background, again, I don't think I've got the patience or am willing to take the time.
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2007, 11:55am Subject: Re: As close as it gets to plumbing in, except not
Al, most of the parts came from various online espresso shops (Chris, EPNW, cafeparts). I got a few bits from McMaster-Carr. The main issue is the fact that everything in these machines is BSP and it's very difficult to get those parts without special ordering them. I actually bought the machine as working, but whoever packaged it did a really bad job (understatement)... and it arrived like it did. I don't know how many feet up it was dropped from for that to happen, but miraculously, the frame absorbed all the damage and the boiler and everything inside was just fine. It was a long process but in the end it was totally worth it. I got a commercial grade machine for about the price of a new Silvia!
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