Is it possible to adjust the gauge on the Elektra T1? Mine reads about .15 bar (boiler side) when it is unplugged and cool. I would rather not have to replace it ($87.50 + shipping), but I guess I could just count it at zero and work from there. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks.

Assuming the gauge isn't sealed and you're deft with small tools, you could reseat the needle (i.e., remove it and reseat it pointing at zero). However, speaking from the voice of (bad) experience, I would not fuss with it unless I was fully prepared to buy a new one. But before doing all that, it would be worth attaching a test gauge to the steam arm to see if the onboard one is really "wrong" and by how much.

I have popped open a couple of gauges, I always had a replacement ready and needed it every time. I would be tempted to not worry about it until it gets much worse. Since it is the boiler gauge, it is really not needed once the pressure is set but is handy to have.

I managed to fix my Anita pressure gauge but that was after installing the new one. Guess there was no big deal if I messed it up. My Elektra has the same problem but only 1/2 as much as yours... I'm not opening it up.

Mark

HB wrote:Assuming the gauge isn't sealed and you're deft with small tools, you could reseat the needle (i.e., remove it and reseat it pointing at zero). However, speaking from the voice of (bad) experience, I would not fuss with it unless I was fully prepared to buy a new one. But before doing all that, it would be worth attaching a test gauge to the steam arm to see if the onboard one is really "wrong" and by how much.

All of the pressure gages on our machines are of the bourdon tube type and doing a "Google" on "bourdon tube pressure gage" would reveal their inner workings. Removing the needle from a gage this small (the Elektra) MIGHT be accomplished with some small jeweler's screwdrivers but more correctly requires the use of a tool called a hand gage puller. The needle is a slight press fit on the shaft and working on a gage this small will LIKELY be a "bad experience" as Dan said and as I can also personally confirm.

Testing the validity of an existing gage is very easy because the steam tip threading on lots (not all) of machines is an M10 x 1.00 male thread. This thread is very close to US pipe size 1/8-27 NPT - see this site for a thread comparison: http://mdmetric.com/tech/tict.htm

The parts needed to attach an accurate pressure gage to your steam wand can be found here:
http://www.swagelok.com/ and would be readily available from your local Swagelok dealer. Parts needed are B-200-7-2 (screws onto the steam wand), B-200-7-4 (screws onto the pressure gage of your choice), and a couple of feet of 1/8" PFA tubing - also available from a Swagelok dealer. Total parts cost would be ~ $10 plus the gage cost.

If it reads accurately going up
i will not worry a lot of gauges with the time will lose the springy return action

Thanks for all the great information. I'll probably do as Stefano says and leave it alone and run it a few days after I plumb it in and see what happens. I just received a shipment from Stefano today (thanks) and if need be, I know where to pick-up the new Elektra gauge also.