Scace thermofilter alternative from Nuova Ricambi

by **galileo** on Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:32 am

Has anyone seen/tested this:
http://www.nuova-ricambi.de/shop/de/620900
http://www.nuova-ricambi.de/shop/de/Zub...S/Blatt-17

If that valve on the bottom allows the fine regulation of the flow, it could be a "cheap" scace alternative.

Update:
I have sent them an email requesting some further details.
I have also asked them to join the thread, I just hope that they are more cooperative than Italians :wink:

Update2:
Just received a reply.
Unfortunately the valve is just an on/off.
The thermo probe is sealed with a EPDM-Seal (some form of rubber), a threaded socket would be better but I guess they didn't think of that.
I could probably modify that?

by **Bob_McBob** on Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:31 pm

Seems like pretty much a knock-off of the Scace 2. $128 vs. $500 makes it a lot more realistically accessible, though.

by **stefano65** on Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:36 pm

does it have a thermocouple ?
or measures only brew pressure?

by **gscace** on Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:09 pm

galileo wrote:Has anyone seen/tested this:
http://www.nuova-ricambi.de/shop/de/620900
http://www.nuova-ricambi.de/shop/de/Zub...S/Blatt-17

If that valve on the bottom allows the fine regulation of the flow, it could be a "cheap" scace alternative.

Tain't the same thing.

-greg

by **Bob_McBob** on Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:11 pm

"Filterholder with manometer and probe thermometer connection to measure water's temperature and pressure"

4mm diameter probe connection.

by **galileo** on Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:55 am

Bob_McBob wrote:Seems like pretty much a knock-off of the Scace 2. $128 vs. $500 makes it a lot more realistically accessible, though.

It serves the same purpose but it doesn't look like a knock off to me.
It looks like you can actually make coffee if you remove the valve.
I will have to contact them and ask for some details about the product.

As for the price I actually think that this should be cheaper.
nuova-ricambi.de is a German representative for the Italian company and their prices seem a bit off.
Unfortunately the Italians don't do business with customers from Serbia and they referred me to them.
I will have to ask some friends from Italy to contact them directly and find out what's the price in Itally.
I just found out that there is a representative for the US at: http://www.nuovaricambi.us/.
It would be great if some of them posted a video and some detailed description of the device.

by **galileo** on Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:59 am

stefano65 wrote:does it have a thermocouple ?
or measures only brew pressure?

The description states that it accepts a 4mm thermo probe. Look at the picture, there is a place for the probe near the top.

by **galileo** on Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:01 am

gscace wrote:Tain't the same thing.

-greg

I presume you meant: "That ain't the same thing" ?
Do you care to explain a bit further ?

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · by **erics** on Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:42 pm

The pressure gage associated with this device is, as far as I'm concerned, of dubious quality at best. Keep in mind that this is one example that I happen to have but still . . . The gage has no name on it whatsoever, comes equipped with a mechanical snubber (ouch) and, for this one example, has about a 10% error in readings.

The temperature port may be speced at 4.0 mm but that would be a real tight fit. I'm not saying it would not work but you would need to be a little gentle with that particular thermocouple. The temperature gage that was offered with this device (probably an option) is about on the same level as the pressure gage, well, maybe a little worse.

Flow is regulated by a ball valve discharging into a standard (?) espresso machine hot water wand end piece. It is a little tough to regulate (as you would expect) but can be done and is a nice feature.

The portafilter base is a standard E-61 and would be a questionable fit on your Ellisse and/or other Bezzera like groupheads.

In summary, save your monies and buy the real thing.

by **AndyS** on Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:15 am

In addition to Eric's observations, there appear to be other differences between the Nuova Ricambi and Scace devices:

1. Scace's fixed thermocouple measures temperature in exactly the same spot each time. The N. Ricambi device doesn't have a fixed thermocouple, so its reading may vary depending on how far you insert the probe.

2. Scace's 1/16" thermocouple will react about 3 times faster than a 4mm probe used with the NR.

3. Scace has a fine filter that helps prevent clogging of the orifice, while the NR does not appear to have a filter. NR's ball valve on the means one can easily clear the clogs, but it will be tedious to return to the original flow setting after doing so. Inexperienced personnel will fail to take necessary care in resetting the valve.

4. Different flow settings will result in non-reproducible pressure readings. But as Eric said, the ball valve allows you to use a "custom" flow rate in making your measurements.

[disclaimer] These are obvious points derived from looking at the pictures and reading the descriptions. I haven't used a NR device.


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