Adding a three way valve

by **mariobarba** on Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:45 pm

So, I have an espresso machine that does not have a three way valve. However, it seems that there may be holes in the casing for where a three way valve and associated tubing may go. I believe my machine is an Italian mercenary brand that I have seen under different makes and configurations. One may have been with a three way valve and so the casing reflects that.

My question is, has anyone ever attempted to add a three way valve to a machine that didn't already have one. Is this even possible and if so, is it scary?

by **allon** on Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:52 pm

Three way valve isn't too hard from a wiring perspective, at least on a semi-auto machine - the brew switch needs to be a double-pole switch, and activate the 3 way valve along with the pump. That's it. Electrically, anyway.

For plumbing you'd need a tube to feed the exhaust to the drain tray.

Have Pictures? If the group has a provision for a 3-way-valve, it will need to have a cover over it, or it will spew water - is there such a cover?

by **mariobarba** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:52 am

I didn't notice anything around the group but here are some pictures in case I missed something. My only concern may be space. My machine has a very small footprint and things are pretty cramped as it is.

by **allon** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:33 am

mariobarba wrote:However, it seems that there may be holes in the casing for where a three way valve and associated tubing may go.

Got any pictures of the holes in question?

by **sweaner** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:22 am

It does not seem to me that it would be worth the effort.

by **allon** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:38 am

sweaner wrote:It does not seem to me that it would be worth the effort.

Going on the original premise that the 3-way valve was an uninstalled option, if easy, it would be a reasonable level of effort. However this does not seem to be the case, looking at the pictures.

Anyway, "worth the effort" is highly subjective...I mean, one could just swing by a local coffee shop.
Much of the effort spent hacking machines is more for the fun of learning and doing the hack than it is to get a result that could just as easily be purchased.

by **mariobarba** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:15 pm

in the pic from the back of the machine you can see a small hole that leads to the drip tray. The drip tray itself seems to have an indentation on one side to allow for a tube to be inserted. Another concern is my tray filling up fast. It is rather small and having never used a machine with a 3way valve am not sure how much water comes out with every whoosh, is it a lot?

by **mariobarba** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:19 pm

allon wrote:If the group has a provision for a 3-way-valve

It seems the group is bolted directly to the boiler so I cannot see if there is anything on the inside but there is definitely nothing on the outside that looks like a cap.

by **allon** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:55 pm

Then it is unlikely to be simple in any way.

by **mariobarba** on Mon Oct 17, 2011 2:18 pm

Thanks for the input anyway. Live without it or save my pennies I guess.


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