darilon wrote:EDIT: Well, I figured I'd put it in place and then when I knew better I'd connect the electrical. Turns out it doesn't even fit. Starting to get frustrated with this whole process. Hope Bravo cross ships the new one. I want espresso by the weekend, damn it.

Hmmm. The new element that you have is the newer style used in current Cimbali Juniors. I don't know if the flange on the new style element will physically fit on your machine or not, but from what you are saying it sounds like it doesn't. I could answer your electrical questions, but it won't help you if this element flange is different.

Sounds like you need the old style element #442-501-001 instead of the newer one that they sent. I hope that you can get a replacement element quickly.
.

Yep, newer element type. Bravo's been great to deal with and even offered to pay the return shipping. I'll probably just send it back on my dollar to keep things going as fast as possible.

The new Gicar box looks exactly like this one: http://www.cafeparts.com/productDetail1...emID=63741 but is 110-120V and carries the slightly different part number 591-691-308, so it's probably just an updated 300 I hope. Certainly the minimalist schematics on it match those of my old box, despite the different connector arrangement (mine has all 9 connectors in one row all lined up whereas this one has 5 on one row spaced out and 4 on the bottom together, just like the one in the link). Of course, until the new element arrives I can't check how it works. Crazy expensive little box for what it does (but my wife saved so much on diamond rings by purchasing on ebay she told me it's not a problem). I highly recommend 2 new half carat diamonds for any wives that are blocking new espresso gear purchases.

IT'S ALIVE.

Ok, I'm pretty stoked. Got the new heating element today and popped it in. Then the interesting part - installing the new Gicar box. Now the wires are attached somewhat differently on the new one than the old one. The new one looks a lot like (exactly like) the 230V part I linked at some point from cafeparts. The hardest part was having the patience to double, triple and quadruple check everything to make sure it was correct - don't want to fry a $320.00 part!

So it fired up fine first go and the boiler autofill worked perfectly. As I type this I hear the happy clunk of the pstat as it goes through it's first temperature cycle. Time to warm up the group and pull a shot I think. Also time to see if the newer steam tip is better than the old one (can't be worse, that's for sure!).

edit: for posterity, the new gicar has a COD of 9.1.19.79G (whatever COD means?).

Well done & hope that you can enjoy some espresso now!

I certainly will. And thanks again so much for all the advice and offers of help along the way. You are a good man.

Oops, didn't see page 2.

Ira