MOSFET Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 376 Location: Long Island, NY Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Linea Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Hoover Drip: Post-nasal Roaster: Perdue Oven-Stuffer
Posted Fri Jan 2, 2004, 7:04pm Subject: Expobar with Gauge
To satisfy my friend Dan, here is a primitive still of my suped-up Expobar. He has not yet bought me a digital camera so this is from an old camcorder. Reference a previous recent thread on "Silvia's Pressure Regulator?" to see the gauge up close. It's from this site and only costs $26 and works perfectly: Wika Pressure Gauge 0-200 PSI. The flanged version is easy to install and here's the stroke of luck: The ugly water viewing slot on the Expobar is 2.75" tall. The flange on the gauge is 2.8", so it covers the entire slot if you cut open the rest of the space required for the gauge.
I don't know if this modification would have been possible had I not removed the tank. I'm using the well-known float kit, but I relocated the pump, tank, and flowmeter to the basement, from which the filtered water comes. It pumps the water upstairs via high pressure tubing to the machine in the kitchen and has no trouble. The result is a very quiet, accurate machine. I'm amazed at how a little deviation in tamp and coffee quantity can affect brew pressure. I'm much more aware of my shot quality using the gauge.
Posted Fri Jan 2, 2004, 7:27pm Subject: Re: Expobar with Gauge
Everyone please offer a big "CoffeeGeek Welcome" to Keith! He has been sharing his tinkering exploits offline over the past few weeks and I convinced him to join up. Believe me, his espresso machine modification coolness is without bounds (I may have to add a dual pressure gauge, if only as a feeble attempt to keep up). :-)
Below is a closeup of Keith's sporty new pressure gauge (dual scale for PSI / bars). Would you clarify for all our Expobar friends how you tapped into the pump's line for the gauge? Would the gauge fit on the righthand side for those who want to keep the tank as-is? And why the heck didn't you put in a dual pressure gauge while you had it open? :-p
MOSFET Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 376 Location: Long Island, NY Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Linea Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Hoover Drip: Post-nasal Roaster: Perdue Oven-Stuffer
Posted Fri Jan 2, 2004, 7:52pm Subject: Re: Expobar with Gauge
This is by far, the most fun I've had voiding a warranty.
Would you clarify for all our Expobar friends how you tapped into the pump's line for the gauge?
A simple tee connection. I am usually wary of any quick-connect fittings, high pressure or low, even the famed John Guest. I like brass compression fittings and copper tubing. But now that I have more experience with the plastic, I'm comfortable. You just have to avoid careless layout and the tubing should be secured, and the joints under no stress from bends or weight. I removed the plastic tube that connected the Ulka pump to the boiler inlet and replaced it with John Guest 1/4", keeping the original fittings. Then I just cut into the tubing and used a quick-connect tee off to run to the gauge. I also bought a 7 dollar snubber to go with the gauge, but I don't know if it's necessary because it's oil-filled. The snubber serves to dampen vibratory effects.
Would the gauge fit on the righthand side for those who want to keep the tank as-is?
It would almost undoubtedly fit on the right, but it is a little tighter because that's where most of the copper tubes and wires are.
And why the heck didn't you put in a dual pressure gauge while you had it open?
Seriously considered it. But when I saw the 2.8" on the drawing (which gaugestore.com so nicely includes on-line) and measured the 2.75" slot, I couldn't resist the opportunity to make the job look neat. There's always more room for another gauge! Like you said, probably on the right. If I find a good dual gauge that would swap neatly with the one I have now I'd do it. Also, to me (at least for the moment) if I had to chose brew pressure or steam pressure I'd choose brew.
Keep in mind, you obviously have to punch or cut a nasty big hole in the beautiful sheet metal. Think of it as a surgeon would: your HELPING the patient.
MOSFET Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 376 Location: Long Island, NY Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Linea Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Hoover Drip: Post-nasal Roaster: Perdue Oven-Stuffer
Posted Sat Jan 3, 2004, 2:29pm Subject: Re: Expobar with Gauge
Welcome Keith!!
Very nice looking machine; I wouldn't know the "guage" wasn't "original equipment..
Jeff B.
thanks Jeff! I very briefly considered the 5" monster gauge they had available, and putting on the left wall of the machine. Would have been hilarious to look at (like a giant eyeball), but not as practical! And I really wanted to cover over the water view slot.
MOSFET Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 376 Location: Long Island, NY Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Linea Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Hoover Drip: Post-nasal Roaster: Perdue Oven-Stuffer
Posted Thu Jan 8, 2004, 4:39pm Subject: Re: Expobar with Gauge
Primitive still updated to digital camera shot. 75Mb doesn't do justice. (c'mon Mark.) I finally borrowed a digital camera.
So, fellow Expobarians, spruce up your machine! Bargain HX plus custom gauge equals envy from everyone!
I thought espresso machines were fun. Do you know what's really fun? Digital cameras! Is there a camerageek.com? I may convert.
I'm going to put a steam pressure gauge either below the brew pressure gauge or on the right side. Or I'll swap this gauge with a dual. Still looking for the best one.
Yes and no. No need for a steam temperature gauge per se since I added a digital temperature controller and extra piping that lets me tune in the temperature very finely. See this thread:
Start by drawing the outline, then drill holes in each corner or along one side if it's a circle. The holes have to be larger than the blade width you're going to use. Then if I had one I would have used a jig saw, being sure to protect the shiny surface with tape or something, but I used the blade from a hacksaw to cut it by hand, then a file to fine-tune. Come to think of it, a jigsaw would probably have been too bulky.
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