I would like to thank all of you for the help in selecting my machine; by reading so many experiences I was able to narrow and select my combination.

Two weeks ago, I bought a Macap M4 and a Isomac Venus. For two weeks the journey of discovery has been fun and I am getting better at pulling nice shots...

Until this am, after making a latte for breakfast, I returned for a second only to feel that the machine is not hot, after a few minutes the whole group turned cold. The lights are on, the pump works but no heat, the water tank was full..

In researching, I have seen similar problems related to pressure/thermo stats to descaling to heating elements, since it is two weeks old I am discounting the scale issue.

I have left a message for the vendor, which is reputable and we have not connected, but any suggestions, comments are welcome.

It is never pleasant to have a pricey (to me) new equipment fail, specially one that was performing so well..

Your input is welcome,

Many thanks,

Don't know the machine, but perhaps there is a thermal fuse that was tripped?

Grady -

It seems as though it may be a "bad" steam thermostat which got stuck in the closed position and caused your safety thermostat (as Matt suggested) to open. The safety thermostat typically has a small red "pop up" button and is easily resettable.

HOWEVER, it may be prudent to wait for the call back from your vendor to see if there are some additional troubleshooting steps he wants you to take.

Hoping you are prepared to "open her up" -

Skol,

Eric S.

the venus has a safety tstat on the boiler

if you open the cover, its on the 'back' of the boiler ( the side closest to the water tank ). red button, 1/2 way down the boiler

a bit hard to get to, because its really packed in tight over there. the box should have been 2" deeper.

I appreciate the help, will wait for the vendor to get in touch tomorrow. It appears that it is not serious.

I wonder what cause the "trip" on the safety tstat, there was nothing out of the ordinary during operation. Maybe a bad stat as described by Matt and Eric, thanks 2xlp.

Grady wrote:I wonder what cause the "trip" on the safety tstat, there was nothing out of the ordinary during operation.

That is, if, in fact, the safety thermostat tripped - which could be your case. When I steam with Silvia, nine times out of ten, I remember to turn the steam switch off after steaming is complete. On those occassions when I forget, I return to the machine in 30 minutes or so wanting to make another cappy and see that the steam light is still lit. I turn it off and flush about 3 to 4 ounces and I'm ready to go. So, if something failed after I completed steaming or during the latter stages of steaming, I would not know it until time for the next shot and had zilch heat - i.e. nothing out of the ordinary.

Another possible cause is a steam thermostat that failed in the "open" position, i.e. will not close on falling temperature. All power for the heating element flows through the steam THERMOSTAT regardless of the steam SWITCH position.

Eric S.

Grady,

Have you been able to fix the problem? I seem to experience exactly the same issue with my Venus.

The red thermostat button isn't exactly 'pushable'. One can only barely retract it back (1 mm or so) and then it goes back to its original position. Any other ideas?

Help!

Ingvarr wrote:Grady,

Have you been able to fix the problem? I seem to experience exactly the same issue with my Venus.

The red thermostat button isn't exactly 'pushable'. One can only barely retract it back (1 mm or so) and then it goes back to its original position. Any other ideas?

Help!

Ingvarr,

It was something electrical caused by a surge, a filament broke. They had to pick the machine up, fix and resend. But certainly not a "stat"

Hope this help, it has been working great since...

Don't know if this would have prevented it but Espresso machines and grinders should always be on surge protectors.