I recently purchased an Isomac Rituale. When I turn it on to prime the boiler the heat element "on" light comes on and the pump runs for a little over 2 minutes and then the light goes out and the pump stops running. I have checked the water level probe by simply disconnecting it put the pump does not come unless I turn the machine off wait a few seconds turn it back on and then the pump runs for about 2 minutes again. 1st line has supported this effort without complaint and have replace the Giemme controller and the pstat neither had any impact on the problem. I have checked voltages all over the machine but it is not clear what could be the problem. I forgot to mention that the green light on the power relay lights when I turn on the machine but goes off when the pump stops. It seems to me that the only possibility is that there is something wrong with the power relay. Any suggestions because I need all the help I can get and I really need a shot of coffee! Thanks

I forgot one other thing. When I lift the lever to create a shot the pump works fine. Also when I release the steam pressure the pump does not come on.

jduvivier wrote:1st line has supported this effort without complaint and have replace the Giemme controller and the pstat neither had any impact on the problem.

If your espresso machine is under warranty, I recommend that you continue working with 1st-line's service department. As an aside, unless it has changed in more recent models, your Isomac has a ULKA vibe pump and it needs one minute of rest for each minute running to avoid overheating.

HB wrote:As an aside, unless it has changed in more recent models, your Isomac has a ULKA vibe pump and it needs one minute of rest for each minute running to avoid overheating.

It doesn't matter how long I wait it never comes back on. the only way I can get it to come back on is to turn the machine off and then back on again. Additionally the heating element is off at the same point in time. I really appreciate how supportive 1st-line has been but I feel like they are at the end of their rope. For clarity I purchased a demo machine, I am not sure that it is significant. Thanks

No worries, we are not at the end of our rope. The second heating element was overnighted yesterday.

Please try and lift the boiler refill sensor - metal rod in boiler. Call me when you get the new heating element installed, but before you turn on the machine.

What does get me is that this machine was tested by myself for close to 6 hours of running time, and this was not expected to fail upon arrival. We will do what it takes to get you up and running.

Jim

Jim
I want to restate what I said before. You guys have been great I couldn't ask for any more help and I hope I didn't imply anything else. I am totally confounded by why it is not working so I was trying to see if anyone has had a similar problem. I now have wiring diagrams, water flow diagrams, translation of the Italian on the controller and have read a few hours worth of trouble shooting posts by others. I believe I understand how the machine runs at this point and given that I have followed all of your instructions the only other item seems like it is related to how the pump/heating elements are getting their power. I will look forward to receiving the heater and will give you a call. Thanks again.

jduvivier wrote:When I turn it on to prime the boiler the heat element "on" light comes on and the pump runs for a little over 2 minutes and then the light goes out and the pump stops running...

I forgot to mention that the green light on the power relay lights when I turn on the machine but goes off when the pump stops.

Are you sure that you reconnected all the wiring properly when you swapped out the controller? I'm not familiar with the Isomac's wiring, but it seems reasonable that if the pump + heating element wires were swapped this type of behaviour could occur.

jduvivier wrote:Jim
I want to restate what I said before. You guys have been great I couldn't ask for any more help and I hope I didn't imply anything else. I am totally confounded by why it is not working so I was trying to see if anyone has had a similar problem. I now have wiring diagrams, water flow diagrams, translation of the Italian on the controller and have read a few hours worth of trouble shooting posts by others. I believe I understand how the machine runs at this point and given that I have followed all of your instructions the only other item seems like it is related to how the pump/heating elements are getting their power. I will look forward to receiving the heater and will give you a call. Thanks again.

Fantastic! No worries! Call me when needed! We are here for you.

Jim

LordFoo wrote:Are you sure that you reconnected all the wiring properly when you swapped out the controller?

I am quite sure. I took a pict before I removed them and I have a wiring diagram and translations of the connectors on the controller and where they go. This was the behavior before I changed the controller as well except that then the pump stopped working altogether. Replacing the controller fixed that problem but now we are back to the original problem described earlier.