I have an ECM Giotto that won't heat. everything else appear to work. I bypassed the boiler safety thermostat, the heating coil checks out, the water level is bypassed. I have power on both sides of the pressure stat switch. I directly wired the heating coil and it works. It all points to the controller being bad. Am I mssing some thing?

Thanks Ted

Just to make sure that all "bases are covered", I would syphon a cup or so of water out of the boiler (remove the vacuum breaker valve & use small flex tube) and make sure that the autofill system still works as originally intended.

If "yes", then there are several options, depending on your skill level, which looks pretty high.

Sounds like you have it sussed..

What controller is being used ?

Shame ya not next door as I have just repaired one for another Giotto user here....

If you Do Not get it repaired and you buy a new one...

Let me know as I may be interested in buying for parts.. Mind you postage to Australia may mean there is little in it for you.

Hard to Trouble shoot with out it being on the bench and in some cases it is obtaining the right spare that is the problem..

Let us know how you go.

Anger

The controller is a Giemme. This is an Ebay purchase that the seller is paying for the repair on. I want to do it myself, but I prefer to be a mechanic, as opposed to a parts changer even on someone else's dime. It's a very clean machine no scale just in great shape.

It's does seem that autofill works I took the wire off the boiler level probe and it filled the boiler to the top, I drained it again. And it fills on start up.

Thanks, Ted

Then, in that case, I see several options.

a. Replace the 16 amp relay on the Giemme control board
b. Install an SSR in the machine and let the existing pstat control it
c. Install a Sirai/Parker pstat to control the heating element directly
d. Replace the Giemme controller

A wiring diagram for the ECM Giotto is available in the parts manual here: http://www.home-barista.com/downloads/ROCKET-CATALOGUE-13.03.09.pdf . To the extent that it exactly replicates your machine is unknown.

Sounds like the transformer could be faulty..

Make sure there is no power supplied / plug removed etc and then remove and checkout the brain box.

The relay can be checked as far as the driving coil as not being Open cct.

Same for teh transformer.. Look at the two inputs and it should not be open cct.

Also any Caps that might have blown / bubble tops. They should be flat, so to speak.

After that, it can be much harder to fault find without having power applied and when your working live it is too easy to hurt / kill your self let alone be agents the law unless your qualified and risk management processes in place.

Seen too many dogdy jobs by people who were skilled by Google etc. If in doubt, give it to a professional.

Great advice, thanks again. What's the best source for ECM parts in the US?


Ted

What's the best source for ECM parts in the US?

Of course, it will probably depend on the part but any of this site's advertisers are pretty good at parts:
See the Resources section - http://www.home-barista.com/resources.html
Chris' Coffee, 1st-Line, Stefano's EspressoCare, Espresso Parts in Olympa, WA, and Cafe Parts - http://www.cafeparts.com/dynamicIndex.asp . If you are thinking of the control box, you're going to need the "R" number from the box.

Hey right on with the 16a relay, burned contacts. I tried a little clean up some spray, and 300 grit, but not unexpectedly it was a no go. So it's a box I'm after.
Next question Anyone put in a ProElind brain Unit in their Giotto?

Thanks,Ted

Get a new relay...

http://www.farnell.com/

If ya buy a new brain box.. How much for ya dead one ?