Hey,

The machine in question is my Quickmill Anita.

Lately, since about a week ago, I have been having an issue with my machine. Idk if its an annoyance or a problem. Shot routine hasnt changed except for flush technique. Used to be flush and wait, now its flush and go.

When I go to brew.. Lift the lever. It takes about 5-7 seconds for the chamber to fill, and then NORMALLY the machine would ramp up to 9.7BAR, and QUIET DOWN to a low hum. Now, what happens.. The chamber fills in the same time, machine ramps up to the same pressure, 9.7BAR, but it doesnt quiet down. It stays just as loud, UNLESS, the heating element is working. It often clicks on during a shot, so half the shot is loud, and half the shot is the low hum it always has been.

The ONLY thing I could think of was I wasnt putting enough coffee or grinding improperly to let the machine fully pressurize at 9.7BAR. But it hits that pressure everytime. AND the extractions have been fine. Backflushing exhibits the same thing.

Anyone got any ideas? Should I give the OPV a fiddling-with?

{edit} Title changed to better reflect the question

Its not the OPV squeal.. Which does happen now and then.

I can do a video, but IDK If I can do it tonight. My buddy has my camera.. Ill see if I can get it back tonight.


I was just as my machine pulling a couple of shots. Out of the five I pulled, it happened on 3 of them.

Im going to turn the machine off in a bit to let it cool down, and Im gonna lower the brew pressure down to 9.0... Maybe that will fix it.

I think its the OPV thats causing the sound.. Sometimes during a shot, when the pump quieted down, it would make the sound its making now, but in little 1-2 second spurts. Now its like constant. Im sorry, the sound is so hard to describe in words. Ill report back when the OPV is adjusted, and hopefully I can get some video up tonight.

J...is the sound a wee bit like a screeching?
Strangely, that's what I heard, before my Pstat when bad on my former Anita (after about 3 years, though)

Hey Rob,

Its not a squeaking sound, its very hard to describe. And of course, i cant get in touch with the person who has my camera right now.

HOWever... Cruisin youtube, I found a video, of the same machine, with the same "sound". Actually, its TimEggers' Video, on HIS QM Anita. Makes me think it might be nothing. IF anyone is also interested, I emailed Chris, and he said a lot of times noises coming from machines with a vibe pump are more annoyances then problems. In any case, hes sending me a replacement seat for my OPV to see if that fixes it.

Heres the Video

The sound can be heard in the begining of the video.. but starting at exactly 31 seconds, the "sound" starts and lasts for a little while.


Again, the video IS NOT mine.

J... the grinding sound is not one I'm familiar with, but the little "screech/squeal" as I mentioned above, I am (I said screech earlier, not "squeak") get some reading glasses.
I'm stumped, and just wonder if something needs to be tightened down. How long have you had your Anita?
I'm sure others here a bit more technically oriented (that would be....about everyone) might be able to suss it out hearing the video. Not sure the pour would be indicative of anything.

Rob,

The shots have been fine.. Ive been getting some bitterness the last day or two, but thats my fault, ive raised the boiler to cycle between 1.15-1.35, and Im just getting used to it. When the flush is right, I can use the flush and go method much more accurately. This of course has absolutely NOTHING to do with my inquiry

Dan,

I think you are correct here. The sound is like that of which would happen if you grind the coffee too coarse and the machine doesnt get to the full pressure you have it set at. However, ive got it set at 9Bar, and it ramps right to 9 on the dot every shot, and the pours have been perfect.. well.. perfect for me anyway.

I think my OPV is just malfunctioning. Chris is sending me a replacement valve seat, and the guys in the service department sent me a diagram. That will go out tmrw, so Friday ill put the new seat in and see what happens. Ive got a feeling it will solve the "problem".

If it doesnt, and the noise stays.. Looks like I might be upgrading to that rotary pump DB sooner then I thought. Whats sad is thats the BEST justification Ive come up with as to why to upgrade.

Jeff

I will hear just that group of sounds from my Anita though infrequently and as far as I can recall only when pulling tight ristrettos and come to think of it when using a triple basket (which I've not used in a LONG time.). I believe its from the OPV valve and if you happen to look at your water lines returning to the reservoir you will see a significant amout of hot HX water flow back into the reservoir.

Today, I noticed that the sound does not happen if the heating element is on. Weird huh? But, ive seen a BUNCH of youtube video of the Anita, and almost every single one of them has the same sound, either throughout the whole shot steadily, or intermittent. Annoying? For sure. A problem? Unlikely.

My replacement valve seat will be here tmrw, so that will go in and Ill report back on what happens.

Also, I just finished reading a thread on reducing noise in a vibe pump machine, and the QM's were mentioned quite a bit.. Pictures, examples.. Really good stuff. I might look into some of the options, quiet is nice. For more info, see, Eliminating noise from vibration.

As much as I love Anita, it will be a fine day when I have a rotary pump driving my extractions.