jpc Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2008 Posts: 22 Location: madison, ct Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: rancilio sylvia Grinder: la cimbali, adapted by chris Vac Pot: cona Roaster: alpenroast
Posted Sun Jan 20, 2013, 11:51am Subject: Want to Buy: pressure gauge that attaches to portafilter on Rancilio Sylvia
I perpetually struggle for sweet syrupy shots with my pid'd Sylvia. Despite long practice with bottomless portafilter, frequently get channeling and spritzing.
I read about Sylvia sometimes having brewhead pressure set on the high side and that it can be beneficial to adjust it down to 9 bars. i followed youtube instructions on doing this and have not gotten a drinkable shot since!!! (eeek!)
I cannot imagine I am the only Sylvia owner who would wish to check or re-set the brew head pressure. but these gadgets cost $50+ (e.g. Portafilter Pump Pressure Gauge Kit from Espressotec) which i can't see paying for a "one-shot" adjustment.
I am hoping that someone has bought one and wants to sell it for less than a new one. OR, that a few others like myself who are interested in sharing the cost might collaborate and share this tool.
Listing Details Asking / Suggested Price: 25. Seller Name: John Corwin Seller Location: Madison, CT Sale Type: Wanted to Buy
jpc Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2008 Posts: 22 Location: madison, ct Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: rancilio sylvia Grinder: la cimbali, adapted by chris Vac Pot: cona Roaster: alpenroast
Posted Sun Jan 20, 2013, 7:42pm Subject: Re: Want to Buy: pressure gauge that attaches to portafilter on Rancilio Sylvia
dear rapidcoffee, thanks for your suggestion. local hardware will hopefully be open on martin luther king day tomorrow and will see if i can emulate your solution. john
Posted Sun Jan 20, 2013, 11:27pm Subject: Re: Want to Buy: pressure gauge that attaches to portafilter on Rancilio Sylvia
Before committing to that design, take a look at the threads that discuss the benefit of being able to simulate shot flow with a needle valve. I was able to buy a complete setup with the valve from this forum, and it's been fantastic to have. It's gotten a good amount of use and I can post pictures for you if interested.
In my experience, a needle valve is overkill for most home applications, and an inexpensive pressure gauge is sufficient to put you in the ballpark of 9 bar. I ran some tests a few years ago, and IIRC the readings for blind filter vs. 1ml/sec flow were within 0.25 bar. YMMV.
jpc Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2008 Posts: 22 Location: madison, ct Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: rancilio sylvia Grinder: la cimbali, adapted by chris Vac Pot: cona Roaster: alpenroast
Posted Mon Jan 21, 2013, 10:01am Subject: Re: Want to Buy: pressure gauge that attaches to portafilter on Rancilio Sylvia
hey rapidcoffee and others, thanks for your suggestion about adapting inexpensive hardware store pressure gauge to measure brew head pressure on rancilio silvia. was able to find one. but am running into a problem. hoping maybe you or someone else may have encountered the problem.
basically the pressure builds up to point (about 150) that water escapes around the seal between the portafilter and the gasket. i just replaced the gasket a month ago! so it should be fresh and resilient. i am cranking this thing just about as hard as i can to tighten it. i have the basket in place. i figure that helps makes the seal. suggestions? thanks john c.
Cafedenda Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 13 Location: Socal Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Brasilia Mini Classic,... Grinder: Wega Conical, Mazzer SJ
Posted Mon Jan 21, 2013, 3:59pm Subject: Re: Want to Buy: pressure gauge that attaches to portafilter on Rancilio Sylvia
I recently built one to measure the pressure output of my Livietta. The needle valve I bought from Ace Hardware doesn't have enough range so this valve is kinda either on or off for me. Not worth it unless you find something with more range. Also, I didn't know til I saw the HB link that the thread out of the portfilter spout is a 3/8" parallel. I am getting leakage from my 3/8 NPT to 1/4" NPT adapter. With the leakage and the needle valve shuts off, I think I am close enough to make pressure adjustment.
jpc Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2008 Posts: 22 Location: madison, ct Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: rancilio sylvia Grinder: la cimbali, adapted by chris Vac Pot: cona Roaster: alpenroast
Posted Mon Jan 21, 2013, 9:25pm Subject: Re: Want to Buy: pressure gauge that attaches to portafilter on Rancilio Sylvia
hello all, i'm about ready to throw up my hands, spend too much money packing up this bloody sucker (silvia) to send it to some repair person to see if i haven't ruined it. this pressure gauge measurement has me in fits.
first, even without the basket in the portafilter and despite the fact that i tighten the heck out of the portafilter, as soon as the pressure builds up, water pours around it. second, the pressure gauge seems to read all over the map. after some adjustments pressure builds gradually up to 210 or 150 for one second, falls and then settles anywhere from 90 to 120. after another adjustment, pressure doesn't measure at all. or measures at just 30. trying to approach 130 again, it shoots to 150 and leaks all over the place.
thought i had screwed the pooch when i worked inside the housing having forgotten to turn off power, big spark flew, machine went dark. but turned out house circuit breaker just needed to be flipped back on. machine seems to still function!!!
whenever i try running the pressure up, water drips out of the pressure release valve. even after removing the full portafilter with gauge water drips for quite a while from out of the sides of the bottom of the portafilter.
time to go to bed. would like to hear if any of this makes sense to anyone out there. thanks in advance. forgive my current state of frustration and confusion. i do appreciate the help people have already offered. john c.
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