Leaks from new Expobar Brewtus III-R

by **Michal** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:26 pm

So my brewtus arrived today... I turned him on and let him warm up when I walk back into the kitchen there is a nice puddle under the machine/ on the cabinets/ floor. Water was dripping from the back right corner. Is this normal? I heard hissing so maybe just condensation from the ride over? only happens when the machine is on??? I haven't plumbed it in yet just hose to a bucket on the ground.

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:28 pm

the anti-vacuum valve will usually only hiss when the boiler is coming up to steam but hasn't pressurized enough to close the valve. I have seen it make drops shoot out, but nowhere near puddles.

I'd open it up, and look around for leaks. Of course, open it at your own discretion, don't electrocute yourself, etc etc.

by **Michal** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:30 pm

It drips but it was heating up for 45 minutes

. Eventually created a puddle. I'll call WLL and see what they suggest, just wanted to make sure it wasn't something completely obvious.

by HB on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:38 pm

Assuming you are comfortable with checking for leaks, I would bet on the connection between the wrapped stainless steel inlet hose and the rotary pump. A wrench and some plumber's tape should fix it.

PS: As I recall from our offline e-mail exchange, you don't have a pressure regulator. That may contribute to the likelihood of things going drip drip. Most vendors recommend ~25 PSI inlet pressure to avoid dripping from the fill and group solenoid valves.

by **Michal** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:41 pm

Michal wrote: I haven't plumbed it in yet just hose to a bucket on the ground.

I'll check for leaks tommorow :evil:

by HB on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:44 pm

Then it's obviously a loose fitting.

by **Michal** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:51 pm

Okay i'll look tommorow. That might also explain 6 bar pressure.

by **Arpi** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:53 pm

Michal wrote:So my brewtus arrived today... I turned him on and let him warm up when I walk back into the kitchen there is a nice puddle under the machine/ on the cabinets/ floor.

Hi Michal!

Did you fill up the boilers first thing? You have to pull a long shot till you see water out, then you can let it warm up. Otherwise something may have overheated.

Is it leaking from the bottom of the tray?

Cheers

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:57 pm

Michal wrote:Okay i'll look tommorow. That might also explain 6 bar pressure.

I assume you mean when brewing. This is because rotary pump's brew pressure is offset by the incoming line pressure. So one would add mains pressure to the bypass valve's pressure setting to get the appropriate brew setting. WLL benched the rotary with some type of inline pressure (3 bar's worth - which is a high, in my opinion, 45psi) and dialed it in for 9bar.

by HB on Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:58 pm

Michal wrote:Okay i'll look tommorow. That might also explain 6 bar pressure.

No, it's 6 bar because rotary pumps add to the inlet pressure. Evidently the folks at Expobar are assuming an inlet pressure of approximately 2 bar. Keep in mind that although a rotary pump can run without inlet pressure, some vendors will void the warranty if you do. See Can a rotary pump suck up from a bucket? for the longer explanation.

EDIT: Damn! People are answering fast tonight...

Chris Nachtrieb, Chris' Coffee Service wrote:I would like to make something clear here. I have never condoned the running of a rotary pump from a bucket. Will it work? Yes, it will work. Is it good for the pump? Absolutely not. In fact, I will not warranty a pump that has been used in this manner. If you run the pump dry for only a short period of time, you run a very good chance of destroying the pump. I am really not interested in hearing any rebuttals either. You can do what you want, but if your pump burns up, it IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY...


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