Expobar Pulser is dead

[SteveN]

Well, it's not totally dead. It turns on and the pump runs, but does not heat up anymore.

It worked fine yesterday but I turned it on this morning got my workout in then found the machine was still cold. Any help on where to look? I am a pretty mechanically inclined person and don't have any problem taking it apart to fix it. I just need help diagnosing the problem and some guidance in what needs to be done to fix it.

BTW, I tried searching both here and on alt.coffee but I don't think I hit on the right search terms so if you have a link to the fix send it on....

Thanks,

Steve Nash

[cannonfodder]

Sounds like a thermal fuse or breaker. If the machine gets to hot there is a fuse or breaker that will trip to keep the heating element from burning up. It is usually in line with the heating element. You will have to take the covers off (unplug the machine first) and follow the wires that hook to the heating element. If it is a breaker, you can just push the reset, if it is a fuse you will need to check it for continuity to make sure it is blown. If it is, you simply replace it with another and you are back in business.

It could also be a blown heating element, or a dozen other possibilities, but the fuse is the most common given the symptoms you describe.



Black housing with the red dot is a thermal breaker


Blown Thermal fuse from my Isomac

[SteveN]

Sounds like a good place to start.

I had the cover off a few weeks ago to add some Dynamat for sound damping but didn't pay to much attention to the inner workings. My son is gonna love taking it apart tonight.

Thanks,

Steve

[cannonfodder]

My problem (the burnt up fuse) came from aluminum backed ceramic boiler insulation. The aluminum got to close to the spade and arced. If you look closely you can see some of the white insulation fibers embedded into the burnt plastic spade. I pulled the aluminum backing off the insulation after that.

You can get thermal fuses from your local appliance repair shop. A lot of appliances (like dryers) use thermal fuses. Just make sure you get the correct fuse. The colored end caps are standardized for temperature. If you put too high a fuse in you can cook the espresso machine, to low and they will constantly blow.

If the fuse tests good, take your meter to the heating element ends. You should get some resistance, if it shows infinite than you element is cooked.

Since you were in there adding some sound proofing, you may want to check all of the spades to make sure nothing came loose. Sometimes those spades are loose and a light brush or wire wiggle can pull them off.

[Fullsack]

Well, it's not totally dead. It turns on and the pump runs, but does not heat up anymore.

It worked fine yesterday but I turned it on this morning got my workout in then found the machine was still cold. Any help on where to look? I am a pretty mechanically inclined person and don't have any problem taking it apart to fix it. I just need help diagnosing the problem and some guidance in what needs to be done to fix it.

BTW, I tried searching both here and on alt.coffee but I don't think I hit on the right search terms so if you have a link to the fix send it on....

Thanks,

Steve Nash

Read: "Expobar Office Lever will not get hot" on the bottom of page 2 of this H-B Espresso Gear forum.

[cannonfodder]

Here is the direct link to the thread

Expobar Office Lever will not get hot

[MickeyC]

Make sure there is enough water in the boiler before you check the break.

[SteveN]

Sure hope I don't need any parts after reading that thread.

I'll report back after I open it up and check for a breaker or fuse.....

Here is the direct link to the thread

Expobar Office Lever will not get hot

[SteveN]

IT LIVES!!!!!!

That was as easy as they come. It was just the thermal breaker.





This pic shows the small red button on top of the boiler (between the red wires). One quick push and I was back in action.

-Steve

[cannonfodder]

Glad it was an easy fix.