Advice with install of PID for Gaggia Espresso

by **pravspresso** on Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:56 pm

Hi.

I've looked at the gaggia and rancilio PID install forums.

I'm still not clear on where my hook ups will go and what is positive and what is negative for my power source
from the PID.

I've included a picture detailing what i believe to the proper area for connection.

I've also included a pic of the front view of the unit.

After reading the instructions, I assume I should leave this on auto setting.

I'm still not clear on how to program the unit for temperature settings, so unless i hear otherwise it's back to trial and error.

Please advise.

Thanks a mil!

by **erics** on Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:30 pm

The power source for the PID is NOT polarity sensitive, i.e. you have it correct or you could reverse it and it would still be correct.

Thermocouple gets attached to terminals 4 & 5 and is polarity sensitive - the red colored lead on the thermocouple is negative. What type of thermocouple and where are you attaching?

Power PID with a nipped and stripped 18 gauge extension cord until you get the kinks worked out.

Test/"calibrate" your thermocouple in a pot of vigorously boiling water - you will likely enter a correction factor of up to ±4 degrees F. Your "Sv" for the Gaggia could start at 228 F but I defer to another Gaggia PID'er. Initiate autotuning of the PID when Pv is around 200-205.

It's an adventure and, seriously, happy brewing.

Eric S.

by **pravspresso** on Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:05 am

Housing of the probe: 13 mm long, stainless steel with. M6 x1.25 or 1/4-20 thread.

Cable: 1 meter long

Maximum working temperature: < 400C (780F)

I provided a pic. showing what i believe to be the proper connections.

thx a mil. for the suggestions.

journey forward!

by **erics** on Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:57 am

That stainless steel thermocouple is specifically designed for installation in a thermowell. It has very loose 1/4-20 threading (M6 x 1.25 is NOT a standard metric thread in any sense) IMO as an attempt to prevent galling when installed in a SS thermowell.

While I am not familar with Gaggia, I thought it had/has button style thermostats like Silvia and I suppose you are going to try to clamp this thermocouple onto the boiler surface?

The better solution would be to buy a Type T washer style thermocouple with Teflon insulation from: http://www.omega.com as many have done with Silvia.

Eric S.

by **pravspresso** on Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:44 am

Here is a pic.

I was told the threads are not western iso type.

So, this is a spare brew thermo...I'm just going to put the washer through

this thread and lock back into place..i will of course render the existing brew thermo. useless first.

thx once again to all who are helping me to figure this out.

I have very, very limited knowledge of electronics.

I was an industrial designer by trade so i'm slightly familiar with process and applications.

by **erics** on Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:16 am

Sounds like a great plan - use a little thermal grease on all contact surfaces. That Gaggia brew thermostat has threading just like Silvia's "safety" thermostat ( 165 C) which is screwed into the side of her boiler at the top.

Eric S.

by **pravspresso** on Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:51 pm

how exactly do i ...or rather.

what buttons am i too press? for my PID?

i got no instructions and have no idea. i assume it's the "set" button...when i hit the optimum temp. from boiler water.

by **JimG** on Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:49 am

I think you will have more success mounting a washer t/c probe if you scrap the existing button thermostat, and then use a short, matching machine screw in its place to secure the washer. Otherwise, I think you'll find that a washer probe is not flat enough to be "clamped" below the tstat.

[Anybody know what the size/threading is on the Gaggia thermostat stud?]

Secondly, I suggest that you watch the temperatures closely when you autotune your controller. I had one of those "run away" on me once and had to shut down the machine. If you see temps getting above 280F while autotuning, then that is probably a sign something has gone wrong and you need to abort before tripping the thermal fuse.

Jim

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · by **erics** on Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:24 pm

"how exactly do i ...or rather.
what buttons am i too press? for my PID?
i got no instructions and have no idea. i assume it's the "set" button...when i hit the optimum temp. from boiler water."

Huh? :cry:

Email me offline or email Auber Instruments and he will send you the manual for your PID.

I think I have the manual for that PID on my website under /PID

http://users.rcn.com/erics/

by **pravspresso** on Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:18 pm

okay.

i downloaded the pdf..and well..i'm completely lost and confused due to my own lack of knowledge.

thx a million though.

I think i'll just pass on installation.

Maybe i can find someone in Toronto who does installations.

Cheers


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