Gig103 Senior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2012 Posts: 204 Location: Arizona Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: French press!
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 12:26pm Subject: Plumb-in off a refridgerator line?
Hi all,
I am considering upgrading to an Expobar Office Lever Plus, which has a vibratory pump but also the ability to plumb in OR tank. The only water along the wall with our countertop appliances is the fridge line which I think is 1/4". I realize the plumb kit is a 3/8" BSP stainless line, and comes with a 3/8" flare fitting. Also, the line would have to go through about 18 feet of cabinets before coming up to the machine, if that makes a difference for water pressure.
If I put a tee on the fridge line where it comes out of the wall (before going to the fridge) and run 3/8" line all the way, would it work? Or if I run a 1/4" until I get to the machine and then use a fitting to expand to 3/8" would it work?
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,683 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 12:40pm Subject: Re: Plumb-in off a refridgerator line?
Do what ever you need to. I am running my light commercial machine on a 1/4 inch plastic line about 15 feet long. It may take a second more to top the water in the boiler than it would with a larger line but in the 4 + years I have run it this way, there are no problems. Rotary pump but that should not be a big deal.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Gig103 Senior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2012 Posts: 204 Location: Arizona Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: French press!
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 2:35pm Subject: Re: Plumb-in off a refridgerator line?
Thanks for the reply. I should ask though if the ECM you have is a dual boiler or HX? As I understand the technology, the HX pulls water for the shot from the tank / water line, so it might be more a concern than just the refill.
Jmanespresso Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2,108 Location: Westchester NY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II Grinder: Compak K10 - Vario Vac Pot: Yama-SY5/SY8/TCA5 Drip: V60, Beehouse, CCD Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 2:55pm Subject: Re: Plumb-in off a refridgerator line?
Well on a plumbed in HX, the water comes direct from the feed line. On a dual boiler, its more or less the same idea. Your taking from boiler, which is being filled from the feed line at the same time. His ECM is an HX.
As to using 1/4in, try it out and see. Some people have had issues, many more have not. And with it being vibe pump and not rotary, the sheer volume of water the pump can pull is considerably lower than a rotary, so there is less chance of the pump outrunning the feed. I would probably just run 1/4in plastic tube(John Guest, or Watts brand whatever is your local store carrying. Chris Coffee sells John Guest, HomeDepot, Watts. If your unfamiliar with the stuff, it is plastic, but the connections are secure and safe. I had some 100 feet running through my house at one point, with plenty of junctions and bends and whatnot)all the way from the fridge to the machine, and then right when you get the machine, adapt it however you need to get it to hookup.
You'll know the instant you turn on the pump to fill the boiler if there is any issue. Either it will cavitate horribly loud(you couldn't mistake it if you wanted too), or it'll be fine.
Follow Your Bliss
Coffee makes your constantly overcome your prejudices and re-evaluate your own "received wisdoms" when it comes to judging cup flavors. -Tom Owen, SweetMarias
tijolima Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 10 Location: Mayotown, MN Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Rancilio Rocky
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 5:41pm Subject: Re: Plumb-in off a refridgerator line?
I just bought a plumbable Oscar and plan to "T" it off of my 1/4" fridge line as was suggested by the service folks at Chris' coffee. One catch I've found is that the inline filter on this line for the fridge is only rated for 0.5 gpm and my Oscar requires 35 gph so the current filter flow rate comes up a little short. I plan on switching to a different filter set-up that has a flow rate of 1.0 gpm.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,683 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 6:48am Subject: Re: Plumb-in off a refridgerator line?
Yes it is a HX and there is no issue with water flow. A shot is 1 oz, a double is 2 oz and the time for a shot is about 30 seconds. How much water do you think will come out of the end of your 1/4 inch line in 30 seconds if you just turned the water on and let it flow?
More than 2 Oz I would wager, more like half a gallon or more depending on water pressure.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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