Well, I have tried to get as much existing information as possible on this, but I can't really find a comprehensive how-to, so I thought I'd start a thread:
How does someone go about adding a front panel-mounted pressure gauge to their Silvia? Also, is there a way to create a mechanism to control the pressure without opening the machine?
I've seen some pics but no real step-by-step about how this can be accomplished. I have added a Watlow PID to my Silvia and did the front-panel mounting of my controller thanks to the guidance of Jim Gallt and his fantastic PID kits. I soon plan on installing a cooling fan to regulate the temperature of the controller. I would love to work on the pressure gauge next, and I would absolutely adore it if I could figure out how to create a mechanism to change the pressure without opening the machine. I know I could just order a portafilter with pressure gauge attached, but I would much prefer going the long route and having another project to look forward to.
Has anyone done this? If so, any chance I could get some pics and some kind of thorough idea of all the materials/alterations necessary?
You could install a calibrated knob. I use a fixed resister tuned for a 9 bar double. This method is forgiving enough for a fairly wide brew pressure window (8-10 bar easy) but I would go for a 2 position switch: one tuned for doubles and one tuned for singles/ristretto's.
For the brew pressure gauge, they are definitely handy for dialing in your grind and diagnosing taste. Can't help you with the Silvia install there, my Venus has one already.
This seems like a really good idea. I read that thread, and it looks like Jim Gallt hooked his Silvia up to a dimmer and was successful. But what exactly is a dimmer? Is that the same thing as a dimmer on a light? I'm thinking of a device that slides up and down to control the amount of voltage allocated to a light fixture, to dim it or make it brighter. So do you hook up a small one of those to the pump mechanism on Silvia and somehow mount it to the back of the machine or something? How would someone do this sort of thing? How do you go about hooking up something to change the pump voltage? Whether that be fixed resister or dimmer. I don't even know what a fixed resister is. Let's start from the very beginning. =-)
thanks for the heads up...this method sounds promising.
Still welcoming any other suggestions....still looking for info on how to install the pressure gauge!
Just T between your pump and the boiler inflow. There are some old posts on a.c that explain why you can do it there instead of post boiler, but the point is that you can do it on the cold side and that eliminates a lot of concerns.
If you are on a vibe pump (and it sounds like you are), make sure you get a snubber (the cheapest option will do) and have the gauge prefilled with glycerine - this kills out a good amount of the vibe. Get a gauge where
I'd do a Google Groups search on alt.coffee, seems to me that is where I got suggestions on sources and choices. I shopped at the Gauge Store and liked them a lot: http://www.gaugestore.com/
Fantastic. It sounds like your Silvia has a pressure gauge mounted to it, then? At least, you sound like you've done this. Yup, I have read in other threads that I will need the glycerine-filled gauge to deal with the vibrations. I will definitely get one of those, and thanks for the link to the Gauge Store.
Can you afford me some more details about what it means to T between my pump and boiler? What parts do I need? What steps do I take? Some of this might seem obvious, but I am just getting started in my understanding about this project. I am guessing I need some kind of T part that splits the pressure mechanism partly to the gauge. But if you could give me a brief walk-through with some good details, that would rock.
This seems like a really good idea. I read that thread, and it looks like Jim Gallt hooked his Silvia up to a dimmer and was successful. But what exactly is a dimmer? Is that the same thing as a dimmer on a light? I'm thinking of a device that slides up and down to control the amount of voltage allocated to a light fixture, to dim it or make it brighter. So do you hook up a small one of those to the pump mechanism on Silvia and somehow mount it to the back of the machine or something? How would someone do this sort of thing? How do you go about hooking up something to change the pump voltage? Whether that be fixed resister or dimmer. I don't even know what a fixed resister is. Let's start from the very beginning. =-)
thanks for the heads up...this method sounds promising.
Still welcoming any other suggestions....still looking for info on how to install the pressure gauge!
That would be a big project for me. I would need to write course material for Electrical 101, crimping, soldering, elect. tech 101 ;^) Maybe there is someone local to you that can give you hands on help through all thes mods.
Ok, cool. I'll look into it, or since I'm still in school, maybe I'll take Electrical 101 next semester. =-) Thanks for your recommendations, and I'll talk to Jim Gallt more about what he did.
I did a quick mock up of the dimmer switch pump control last night. I used a leftover dimmer switch from when I installed a bunch of can light a few years ago. The dimmer switch I have has a low level trim adjustment that looks like it will work well for that lower limit lockout concern. I'll do some more testing tonight, snap a few pics. If you have hooked up one of Jim's PID kits, this will be an easy install.
Panel mounted gauge is now high on my list with these questions in mind:
- Best tee in location (steam tubing or pre-boiler?). I haven't read the posts CupaJoeKid refers to, so more research is needed there. - Tee in method (solder, compression fitting, adapters, etc.). Must be able to easily disconnect gauge for later front panel removal, which I will no doubt be doing many more times! - Best/easiest way (also with an eye on cost) to cut the front panel hole.
Gauge will be 2" dial, 0-300 psi (with bar units) and liquid fillable. Higher accuracy than 3-2-3 (+/- percent depending on location in scale) would be a plus. UPDATE: This Wika gauge http://www.gaugestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=38340 has 2-1-2 accuracy and reasonable cost.
You are an engineer indeed: threw that dimmer project together in no time. Pics would be awesome.
I can at least tell you how Jim recommended I cut my hole for my Watlow PID controller. I followed his method, and it worked very well with no blemishes to Silvia.
materials:
Dremmel tool #409 sanding disks (these are very thin...they come in a pack with lots of them...you'll have to go through a handful of disks to get the job done) blue painter's tape
I first drew the square hole on Silvia. Then, I used the painters tape to outline the hole. This way you have a guide that also protects the stainless steal. If, as you are cutting, the tape begins to sear, or if it gets frayed, no big deal. Just reapply some tape every once in a while. I used about 2 inches of tape all around the area to be cut out. Then, with a #409 disk attached to your Dremmel, begin making light scores in the stainless with the disk's edge. Never push the disk very hard while cutting. You are scoring lines until they go through the front panel. Gradual! Wear eye goggles and maybe even something to protect your respiration. The circle hole would be more challenging than a square, but it would follow the same general principal. You'd probably want to first cur out an amorphous area slightly smaller than the circle. Then you could use the disk's surface or maybe even a different Dremmel part to go in and sand down the edges until you had a pretty good circle to fit the gauge.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 