Hi guys,

I'm currently building my own single boiler machine and trying out various ideas for PID/power switch placement. Because 'under the drip tray area' is the safest place to put all the electronics, cables and controls I was thinking of putting the PID/switches there, but it feels a bit odd and not very comfortable to use. I know that Synesso uses a similar approach on their machines and I always found it odd to see all the displays and temperature controls hidden away somewhere under the machine.

So if you can please answer me this, do you think that having to reach under the machine to change the brewing temperature is indeed annoying/silly/weird/uncomfortable or perhaps something that doesn't really bother you?

I wanted to place the PID somewhere quite visible on the front plate of the machine, but most controllers are freakishly long (90-100mm) and would end up very close to the actual boiler, something that I would very much like to avoid.

Regards,
dsc.

It is mildly annoying, at worst.

I have no limitations which would make bending down and looking at display/adjusting temperature difficult. For individuals with pain or mobility restrictions, it might be more burdensome.

I like the fact that the electronics box is not heated by the boilers, and is away from the hot water under pressure!

IIRC, the Speedster has the PID display and electronics underneath as well.

-Mike

You know, Provided you're reasonably spry, that is if you can squat down without excessive exertion, it's really not half-bad. I'm usually not super-fiddly with my temperature setting on the GS3 (though I really do appreciate how easy it is to manage/check on up top), and I don't really care to check it obsessively--don't need constant access to the temperature readout. I'll start with a blend with a roaster's recommendation (or if absent, whatever I was on before) and adjust by taste from there, usually being happy within 1-3 adjustments. If I'm just using one coffee over several days, then most days I don't even change it or check it at all.

So, given my usage pattern with my own GS/3 and my experience pulling shots on the Synesso, I know I'd be happy with one and unbothered by the fact that the control box is below the drip tray. Given your situation (a stock PID with an integrated display), I wouldn't put that PID (or the SSRs/controller board) anywhere inside the machine other than underneath the boilers. Keep the electronics cool and they reward you by living longer, seems like. Synesso and LM both do this, as far as I know (certainly with the GS3 for LM), except LM is big on putting the control interface displays up high, which is nice, but not a necessity IMO.

Hi guys,

thanks for the replies, I think I will go with the 'under-the-tray' approach for now and perhaps change it if it's too problematic. Who knows I might switch to a totally separate PID display and a simple link between that and the bottom box.

Regards,
dsc.