Help with new Elektra T1 - Slow-to-no flow from Group Head

[zin1953]

I hate to have my first post in learning how to use my new Elektra T1 to be one of problems, but . . . that's the way it goes.

In contrast to Dan's picture of "Dragon Breath" coming from the grouphead of the Elektra
(from the Ekeltra A3 buyer's guide)

this "dragon" is a pussycat! Yes, it flash-boils, but it comes in drips and drabs . . . taking 60 seconds or so (with no portafilter in place) to squeeze out 100ml of water. This seems much slower than my La Valentina.

(Note: This was at 6:30 this morning, after having the machine on for 2 hours -- thank god for timers!)

I was concerned enough yesterday (Friday) to call Chris' Coffee and speak with a service tech. But the pump pressure and boiler pressure are "in the green" and show no signs of "surging," "pulsing," or "struggling" to pump -- even under the load of having a blank in the portafilter. (At the time of this call, I'd yet to even attempt to pull a shot, so his advice was -- basically -- pull two and call him in the morning on Monday.)

I took his advice, and began to attempt to dial in some fresh Vivace Dolce on my Cimbali MaxHybrid for the Elektra. At first I choked the machine at the setting the La Val loves. But after dialing up to "5" (up from just over "1") and only getting 1/2 oz or so in a 30 second pull . . .

There's plenty of hot water through the tap, and loads of steam. In fact, steaming milk this morning -- first time out -- was a breeze compared to the La Val . . . but it was a bit odd to pull shots on the La Valentina while steaming milk on the Elektra.

Also, although the manual (yes -- I read it!) says if all the lights on the T1's control panel are blinking, it's not getting water, I've noticed that -- after 30-45 seconds or so, the water coming from the group head virtually stops -- even fewer drips -- and eventually the green light over the pump's main On/Off button begins to blink -- but only that one, and not over any of the other six volumetric dosing buttons (haven't programmed them yet) . . .

Any ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions? All cheerfully welcomed . . .

[shadowfax]

I believe in Mark's thread you said you have the filter setup from Chris' Coffee (the 10" softener & carbon filter pair). I assume this is right on your water line, right? How is inlet pressure? if you unhook the water line from the machine and fill a cup of water with it, how fast is the delivery? It would seriously suck if the plumber had left one of the gate valves half-open or something. If it were, it would let the inlet get up to pressure, but it would restrict the flow when the pump was on.

[mhoy]

The John Guest fitting are SO nice to use, press the collar back toward the fitting and the piping will come right out. Be sure to turn off the water to the filter before you do this... put the tube in a jar or something and slowly turn on the water. It should gush out at a fairly high rate (at least it does so on my system, I have 3 elements in a row: pre-filter, softener, carbon).

The Elektra inlet has a small metal inox filter. Did the guy hooking this up flush the carbon out of the system before hooking up the machine to the output? If not, the filter might just be clogged. If this is the case, you might be able to backflush it to clean it. If not, I can lend you my new Inox filter if need be.

You could also fill up a couple gallon tank with water and put a tube from the inlet of the Elektra into the tank. This would then rule out internal blockage of the system.

Mark

BTW: [Edit] I just found the same files on the CD that Elektra sent me, search for 10-03_ric_div_bar_sixties_1gr.pdf in the pdf folder of the Elektra CD. If you need the file, send me your private email and I'll send it to you. [/Edit].

[mhoy]

Just grabbed a quick shot of the filter and the inlet to my Elektra for you. [Edit] On my system the filter doesn't not fit snuggly in inlet so it's possible they come in more than one size or something [/Edit].



Mark

[cannonfodder]

What is you input pressure? What size waterline did you plumb the machine with?

[zin1953]

Sorry for the delay(s) in getting back to people . . . I had to fly down to LA Saturday morning for a wedding (flew back Sunday night), and haven't had much of a chance to check things out.

The lines are 3/8" as supplied by Chris' -- both gauges are "in the green" (8-9 bars and 1-1.2 bars, respectively). All the gate valves are fully open, but I'll check the pressure and the filter inside the machine later today (after work).

Thanks . . .

Cheers,
Jason

[shadowfax]

Jason,

On my Vetrano, when the pump is off, or for that matter, when the machine is off, the brew pressure gauge reads just over 4 bar. That is the inlet pressure. Does your brew pressure gauge show anything when the pump or the machine is off?

[zin1953]

Jason,

On my Vetrano, when the pump is off, or for that matter, when the machine is off, the brew pressure gauge reads just over 4 bar. That is the inlet pressure. Does your brew pressure gauge show anything when the pump or the machine is off?

It's approximately 2 bar . . .

<EDIT> However, after I switch on the pump and let some (tiny amount of) water through the group head, and then turn it off, the pump pressure reads 4.5-5 bar and stays there.

[shadowfax]

That sounds like your line pressure is good--around 4-5 bar--and maybe the pump resists water flowing through it when off. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. I don't even know if that's the correct diagnosis, it's just the thought that I had.

Man, what aggravation, huh? You spend that much on an espresso machine, only to have a ridiculous problem. I know that Chris Coffee will right by you though, if you can figure out the problem and it requires some repair. Hopefully you don't have to send Elektra back.