hi there, i'm new to this forum so hopefully i've got this posted in the right place. i've done a load of searching and not come up with much so i'm hoping someone can help.

I've recently purchased a pasquini livietta off ebay - firstly, is this likely to have an asbestos insulation? i'd thought for some reason the dangers of asbestos were understood in the 70s so it wouldn't have been used in the 80s?!.

Secondly, as the subject suggests, i'm in the UK and i'm wondering about converting the 110v parts to 220-240v so i can use it in the UK where i live without having to use a transformer.

has anyone on the forums done this?

i guess the easiest option is to use a transformer:

1. transformer, step down UK voltage to US voltage. i'm guessing it should be a decent sized transformer so i'm probably looking at spending around USD75 for that.

Another option is to
2. swap out the 110v parts for UKv parts.
Has anyone done this? I have chatted briefly to OE and it seems I can just swap out the 3 way valve for a UKv part and then either replace the heating element with a UK part I source or use the Olympia 240v part.

Apparently it's only the 3-way valve and heating element that need to be swapped out. the other 110v parts (including the pump?) will work ok.

FYI this is the list of 240v parts available, so i had assumed i'd need to swap them all out.

FLANGE WITH HEATING ELEMENT AND VALVE 240V 1000W
06.3100.30.40

VIBRATING PUMP 1/8-1/8 240V WITH CONNECTION
05.1100.40.20

SOLENOID VALVE COIL 240V
06.0300.10.20

SOLENOID VALVE 3 WAY -6KG-240V
05.0600.30.20


Anyways, hopefully someone in the euro/uk world has made this conversion and can lay my mind to rest?

thanks for your help

john

Although converting the machine over to 220-240V might be cleaner I think you could find a 1000W step-down transformer for less than $50 USD. Maybe even find one used for less?

The current flange from Olympia could lead to wiring harness modifications as the terminals are not in the same position/spacing as the older machines.

Another possibility for the element is using the existing flange and ordering a 220V heating element from OE. That part is listed under Cremina on their website but the flange is the same on the Maxi/Livietta.

Anyway, good luck with the Livietta!

thanks for your response. i'm a little worried a 1kva transformer will make too much noise in the kitchen. although i am tempted by the simplicity of using the transformer i have to say.

i've contacted an espresso repair guy in the uk and he can get hold of most of the parts. he's suggested replacing the pump with a 240v Ulka EP5. i just need to check that's not going to impact the quality of the espresso.

If you search around a bit in the forums I think you might find a number of recommendations for a Fluid-O-Tech pump rather than the Ulka. Something to look into.

thanks, i need to find some time to do some proper research.

well, just to keep any future convertors up to date, here's how it's looking so far:

conversion to 240v of the pump and 3 way valve:
Beckwith - Fluidotech 240v coil £14.50 plus VAT and carriage.
Avalco - ODE solenoid coil £15.52 plus VAT and carriage

other costs:
replace the heating element with a 240v element

Sorry, slipped up on the need for 220v pump, but others have gotten you sorted out on this.

Using a transformer is a fairly neat solution though as it can be installed under a counter or generally hidden as they are not bright shiny objects by any means but a large enough transformer (about 6 inches square in size) rated for the wattage involves some heavy shipping costs, likely less than the conversion parts though. The transformers we have used make no noise on their own but they are ON all the time so an additional line switch or wall switch is good to use .

Thanks doug. Yeah it's difficult to choose between the two methods. I don't think I'd ever be able to resell this machine profitably to the US so hopefully converting it will make long term sense. We'll see. I plan to hold onto it for a good few years in any case.

Can't wait to get a shot from it.

Cheers

John

ok, thought I should post a quick update for anyone in a similar situation. I have converted the pasquini to 220v, however there seems to be another problem with it, takes a minute to get an espresso out of it. so i've got to work on that. but that's another bit of investigation to do another time when the house is finished!



Peter Bradley, http://www.spanglefish.com/avicennassol...eid=240390, did the conversion for me. peter fixes coffee machines for a living and specialised in la pavoni machines. if you're doing a conversion i really would recommend he gets the parts and seals for you, it'll save you alot of bother dealing with suppliers.
I was just going to get him to get the parts and fit them myself. but then my girlfriend gave birth early so i figured it best to concentrate on getting a working kitchen in place instead! so, Peter did the conversion with parts direct from suppliers in the UK (not olympia). i think the heating element was one he already had in stock.

here's what was charged:
Spare Parts Qty Ea Price VAT Total
ODE 3 way valve 240v coil £18.62
ODE postage £3.60
FluidOTech 240v coil £20.47
FluidOTech postage £6.00
Supply and fit 240v element £34.99

There is a company in UK who deal in FluidOTech.
http://www.becktech.co.uk/fot_overview.php

ODE have a distributor in UK
Avalco LTD
02476 350958
http://www.avalco.co.uk
240v Coil pack for ODE 31AV1AV26-33 3 pin out, max temp 120DegC. Also seal kit for same

so, the three parts he change wire, the ODE 3 way valve coil, the pump coil, and the heating element.
please note it's the coil and not the whole parts that were replaced.

hope this helps, PM me with any questions as for some reason i don't get notifications from HB.