Adding an OPV to Olympia Maximatic

#1: Post by **SJM** » December 5th, 2014, 7:16 pm

I'm guessing that finding the correct OPV might be the hardest part?
Or maybe routing the return water?

I have the portafilter gauge mostly put together; I just need a compression fitting which I can pick up tomorrow.
Then if the pressure is high, I will want to dial it down.

I'm not sure what I need to know to source an appropriate OPV; any advice will be appreciated.

Susan

#2: Post by HB » December 5th, 2014, 7:19 pm

Contact Johnny at Cerini Coffee & Gifts, he has everything you need.

December 5th, 2014, 7:23 pm

Well dang me, I just did that.
Thanks.

December 6th, 2014, 4:24 pm

Johnny suggests NOT adding an OPV but replacing the pump with a "new" pump which the new Maximatics are being equipped with.

I just tested the pressure with the gauge and it's definitely more than 10 bar.
Seems to me an OPV gives you the option of changing the pressure whereas a new pump gives you a better but "fixed" pressure.

Hmmm...decisions decisions decisions....

#5: Post by **another_jim** » December 6th, 2014, 4:38 pm

SJM wrote:I'm guessing that finding the correct OPV might be the hardest part?
Or maybe routing the return water?

I added an OPV to the Elektra Semi using one sold by Chris Coffee, and short circuiting the return water into the hose that fed the pump via a tee. The set up worked fine for adjustung pressure, but it was very noisy. For the Semi, it made almost no difference in the taste (although adjusting the OPV on an E61 made a huge difference). So my two cents is that it's worth a try, but that it may be more noise than good shots.

#6: Post by **algue** » December 6th, 2014, 4:49 pm

Jim,
as you know I have a semi and OPV is something I'm thinking about.
what do you mean exactly with the word "noisy"?
and, how can the pressure be regulated without a gauge?
alberto

December 6th, 2014, 5:10 pm

Building a pressure gauge is probably the easiest part of this endeavor.

December 6th, 2014, 6:25 pm

Two questions.
I can see that this is a Fluid-O-Tech pump. I can't see what the model or specs are. Do you know? Can you tell me how to find out?

This picture is where I am guessing an OPV would go, right?

Thanks

#9: Post by **roadman** » December 6th, 2014, 7:13 pm

There's a thread about adding an OPV to a Maximatic Olympia Maximatic. Stick to old or change to new? that might be helpful.

December 6th, 2014, 7:36 pm

That is an excellent thread.
It is part of how I got to this point....

)