Posted Sat Feb 19, 2011, 9:30am Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
Bikerbob Said:
I have loosened the OPV and achieved a dribble. My question is when pulling a double shot (25 secs and bit better than 2 oz shot) I get about a 1/4 oz of dribble; is this normal or should the OPV be tightened to the point of just no dribble.
That sounds about right. I was getting a dribble when pulling a shot after adjusting my OPV to 9 bar. Have you measured the volume of water released by the OPV with a blind basket (I use a circle cut from a silicone pan liner as a blind basket insert, inserted into a standard Saeco double basket)? According to my measurements it should be about 109ml.
Dana Leighton - Espresso hack and CoffeeGeek moderator
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,281 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Sat Feb 19, 2011, 10:37am Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
dana_leighton Said:
That sounds about right. I was getting a dribble when pulling a shot after adjusting my OPV to 9 bar. Have you measured the volume of water released by the OPV with a blind basket (I use a circle cut from a silicone pan liner as a blind basket insert, inserted into a standard Saeco double basket)? According to my measurements it should be about 109ml.
very glad you're watching this, Dana! I never did measure that...
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
HowdyMr Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan's U.P. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Solis Crema SL70, Bialetti... Grinder: Spong, Deines Drip: Mr Coffee Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Sat Feb 19, 2011, 1:52pm Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
Thanks for the test. I've been wondering how to test mine to see if I have enough pressure and if the valve is adjusted well.
Without the filter in place I'm only getting about 2 oz in 10 seconds. I was told that's a little slow. I've put the Brew Rite and citric acid through it. Maybe I should try again? Would the test with a blind basket insert help reveal issues in this regard? That's a 25 second test, right?
In case anyone else isn't as familiar with ml, here's a conversion to oz. 109 milliliter = 3.686 ounces [US, liquid]
Today I pulled 3 doubles. Each one was a little slow and tasted sour. I still don't know what a great espresso tastes like, so am searching a little blind anyway. But we're having fun and enjoying both the challenge and the beverages. I made a latte for my daughter-in-law this morning. She knows even less than I do, so she was delighted. Either that or she was just making me feel good. :P
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,281 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Sat Feb 19, 2011, 4:28pm Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
afaic, if you like it, it's "a great espresso"! if sour try the steam switch trick. turn steam switch on for 5 secs, then off, then do pull, and every 5 secs run the steam switch on for 5 secs. this will raise the temp of the head during the pull and change the taste. Substitute different numbers for "5"
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
HowdyMr Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan's U.P. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Solis Crema SL70, Bialetti... Grinder: Spong, Deines Drip: Mr Coffee Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 10:26am Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
HowdyMr Said:
After some investigating I realized my switches weren't oriented the same as those in the manual. Down is on and up is off for both the pump and the steamer. It was designed this way as the symbols are correct.
I was able to find an answer to this. Apparently they changed the switches later in this machine's run. The old (narrow) ones would break more easily, sometimes only lasting a year. The new (wider) ones apparently never break and are oriented opposite, with on in the down position.
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,281 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 12:26pm Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
HowdyMr Said:
I was able to find an answer to this. Apparently they changed the switches later in this machine's run. The old (narrow) ones would break more easily, sometimes only lasting a year. The new (wider) ones apparently never break and are oriented opposite, with on in the down position.
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
HowdyMr Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Michigan's U.P. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Solis Crema SL70, Bialetti... Grinder: Spong, Deines Drip: Mr Coffee Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 9:01pm Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
Still trying to figure it out, but so far they're mediocre. I'll try some more next week, but likely won't do much this weekend.
I found out that the water flow is exactly what it's supposed to be. Apparently it's a little lower on these than other machines. So, as far as I can tell now, this machine is like new, but with the OPV adjusted.
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,281 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 10:20pm Subject: Re: The Solis SL70 Espresso Machine Thread
HowdyMr Said:
Still trying to figure it out, but so far they're mediocre. I'll try some more next week, but likely won't do much this weekend.
I found out that the water flow is exactly what it's supposed to be. Apparently it's a little lower on these than other machines. So, as far as I can tell now, this machine is like new, but with the OPV adjusted.
Very odd, but definitely nice! that someone adjusted the OPV for you!!!
try the heating trick I gave above, or initially you can start your pull just when the heater goes off (I forget if the light goes on or aff after it heats up the water...)
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
jackalope Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 21 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio S-25 Grinder: Fiorenzato T80
Posted Thu Mar 3, 2011, 4:53pm Subject: Solis parts?
Hey this is a great thread, thanks Kristi for sharing all the Solis information! Do you know of a source for parts? It looks like I need a boiler gasket. Did some poking around online but couldn't find anything at my usual espresso machine sources.
I have an SL70 that I used for several years but then it sat for a while when I decided to take up a lot more counter space with a Rancilio S-24. I just took my Solis and companion Rocky to the office and fired up the SL70 only to discover water leaking out. Took it apart (using great information that I found here in your thread... I was having a hard time figuring out how to get started) and saw that water would spew out of the left side of the boiler when it started to heat, right at the junction of the upper and lower sections. I removed the four corner bolts and without pulling it completely out the red o-ring looks okay, so I'm hoping the boiler didn't suffer some kind of warping when it was sitting in the garage during one of our rare winter freezes. I had drained it but not totally sure if I drained it thoroughly enough. Anyway I see no sign of a crack, which is what I'd expect, but I'd like to finish taking it apart, clean it up and replace the gasket, see if that does the trick. Maybe the gasket just got too brittle or something... I hope.
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,281 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Thu Mar 3, 2011, 6:10pm Subject: Re: Solis parts?
Hi, I would re-read this whole thread as I suspect someone has asked that before. I've done a bit of googling and can find nothing. I wonder if the O-ring for the Saeco would work, but I have no idea of measurements, etc. You could also check your local hardware stores... Click Here (www.seattlecoffeegear.com)
Also, when you put it together, coat the ring with a little high heat/pressure grease also avail in hardware stores.
Hope you find a solution! Sorry I can't be of more help...
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
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