Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 12:03pm Subject: Astra Pro manual
Hi, I just picked up a used Astra Pro this week, of course there was no manual. I thought I read on another thread where someone had a manual in PDF. I can't seem to find that thread so if someone has a manual in PDF and could email it to me I would really appreciate it.
You can call Astra and they will get you one. I have an Astra and the manual leaves a lot to be desired, so ask quetions on the phone as they are very helpful. 818-340-1800 Also, their website should have some specs
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 7:58am Subject: Re: Astra Pro manual
Agreed, the manual isn't really going to give you much help, but they've been pretty helpful when I've called. One thing that's not in the manual is that don't screw the water resavoir cap on tight; it's seems pretty obvious but I didn't figure it out at first as well as a couple other people I know too. There's been a recent "epidemic" with a bad batch of pumps, but you may not run into that problem.
What would be the symptoms of that? I have a relatively new Astra Pro, and love it, but I'm not so sure about the Fluid-O-Tech pump. It has a very low rate out of the grouphead compared to other machines I've used. I haven't measured brewing pressure yet. Also, it's a noisy pump, even as vibratory pumps go.
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 9:40am Subject: Re: Astra Pro manual
What I (and some others) have had is low pressure/flow from the group. When working properly I get roughly 1oz of water every 10sec w/o the PF. When my pumps have gone out it's about half that; I think it was about 2oz in 30sec. if I remember correctly. There wasn't enough pressure to even push the water through the puck even when I loosened up the grind ALOT. I'm on my 2nd machine and my 2nd pump on hte 2nd machine (so that's 2 failures). So the 2pumps I had go bad just went out on me w/o any warning. The sound of the pump changed to more of a low drown/hum than the more "jackhammer" oscilating sound from a healthy pump. Talking w/ the pump rep, it's most likely either a broken spring or a clog based on my description.
My guess if this pump is louder than others youve had it has more to do w/ the framework/design of the actuall machine. The pump itself really doesn't make that much noise it's the vibration that gets transfered through the machine that makes it louder. If you're able to pull a shot there's probably nothing wrong w/ the pump (yet). As far as volume goes, that will most likely vary with every machine and machine design. Ultimately the puck is what controls the water flow when actually pulling the shot so I probably woudn't worry about it too much if it's pulling shots well.
The fluidotech pumps are a better pump on paper w/ 70watts and are more expensive so it's not that richard is going the cheap route w/ these machines. The other posibility is that it's not thepumps but rather the OPV that are failing. I've been told that these OPVs aren't the best. I have another OPV on hand to try that theory out if/when the same problem occurs.
Aside from the pump/opv failures, it's an outstanding machine with higher end parts. Astra has stood by the machine and have taken care of me no questions asked, so that's the upside to this whole ordeal.
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