schert Senior Member Joined: 4 Dec 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Auckland NZ Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 15, 2012, 3:00pm Subject: E61 Rocket Boiler refill / Heating Problem
This problem seems to only happen 1st thing in the morning or if the machine has been off for probably more than 5 hours. When I first turn it on the pump starts (only briefly) but the boiler does not heat ... a few things seem to trigger the pump to kick in again such as turning the machine on and off a couple of times and also if i move the water level probe in the top of the boiler... after these actions the pump gives a bit more water and the boiler heats up and all is fine. When fully heated and up to pressure the machine seems to work as it should with the boiler refilling fine.
So from my understanding is the boiler is not getting enough water from the initial refill on the start up or could it be a control box issue. The pump was replaced 1 year ago and has been de scaled also I have cleaned the probe and checked all connections. Also if the machine is turned off only for a few hours it starts up fine... seems to only happen when its stone cold.
Sorry for the long winded explanation but any help guidance would be appreciated.
schert Senior Member Joined: 4 Dec 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Auckland NZ Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 15, 2012, 9:55pm Subject: Re: E61 Rocket Boiler refill / Heating Problem
I have since been told that the element and pump refill are independent (older rocket made in 2000) so the repair person over the phone is leaning towards element or control box. Any other areas I could check before dropping off would be appreciated .. I like mucking around with the machine but if it interrupts the coffee flow at home for too long I will have to take her in.
I agree, the fill level and the heater are two completely different things. It should heat regardless of where the water level is, it should maintain the water level regardless of if the boiler is hot or not.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
While they're independent, it could still be water level causing the heating element to not start. With both my astras they go through a diagnosis when you first turn on the machine. It will fill the boiler prior to the heating element to come on. It's possible you machine has a similar feature. Water level sensors arent known for failing per se outside of heavy scale. You can pull the probe and see if there's heavy scale. Obviously it could be a myriad of things that would cause this from wiring to the control box like you said.
You can test the heating element by checking the resistance. Not sure of your voltage in nz but the formula is voltage x voltage / heating element watts. So if you have 120volt with. 1200 watt heating element you'd want 12ohms reading across the terminals. If the heating element has low or no resistance it's obviously failing.
Removing the water level probe wire from the probe should cause the pump to run and the boiler to fill continuously at any time. Grounding the wire after removal should keep the auto fill from running at all. With the machine unplugged, check for corrosion or loose connectors at the control box and pump. Feel the various related wires for internal damage (broken wires inside the insulation near connectors) or swollen areas which would be a sign of corrosion.
MoffeeCoff Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Australia Expertise: Professional
Posted Sun Apr 22, 2012, 11:06pm Subject: Re: E61 Rocket Boiler refill / Heating Problem
Hello! I am having the same problem as schert had. Thankfully, I got some great suggestions here. I hope more discussions will further help me. Thanks!
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