The existing PID control scheme is a legacy of the control systems available in the 60's, very basic relay log. The solution to your concern is easy to implement with a slightly-better-than-rudimentary control scheme. Simply put the heaters on an "OR" circuit. The sequence changes. 1. Hit brew switc...

You know, I love how much I'm learning by doing this project! This little min-course on electrical and sensor engineering is bit off topic, but I hope it's instructional to other readers too. You're certainly right about car wiring! Cars use the chassis to as the common or return and have no separat...

Obviously, they had to dumb things down for me. I was told that current should never flow through the ground circuit. The Germans learned to make allowances for Americans, especially ME's!

So, a sensor signal is transmitted through the grounded frame? There's a reason I couldn't even conceive of the sensor circuit. When I worked for Siemens Automation, I can just visualize German engineers with their heads exploding as I explain that I want to wire this sensor "circuit" to a PLC! I'm ...

Rats, after looking over the machine again, I hoped to edit out my dumb comment before some one noticed the tribow is on the steam line, not the HX loop (duh!). I STILL don't understand how the boiler fill sensor works! Taking another look at the heater, I noticed it only has two wiring connections

{image} {image} When I saw the braided SS flex lines, I thought some bonehead must have replaced the motor and decided to sub flex lines for bent brass tubes. Imagine my surprise when I saw similar flex lines on Alan's machine. I notice his HX plumbs with water entering on the bottom and exiting on ...

Time to Figure Out the Plumbing! Now, for the part I love the mechanical engineering. I labeled the top view of the plumbing, including the broken tube fitting. It provides a good understanding of the primary water flow paths. {image} [*]What is that strange device that uses magic smoke to manage th...

The Magic Smoke Test Many times, I've experienced the magic that makes electronic devices work leaves after I see the "magic smoke". Unfortunately, the wizards who make them never explain how they get the magic smoke INTO them. Fortunately, espresso machines use very little magic smoke. Since I have...

First Looks {image} {image} Here it is before destroying--er, rebuilding--anything. I can already picture it with a PF handle & steam knob made out of ironwood or some other wood with bright reds and dark black grains! "Custom Wood for your Espresso Machine" I thought of Dave's work when I tried to ...

I spent a couple hours looking for citric acid yesterday. Since it was after 6:00 PM Fermented Solutions as already closed for the day. Trader Joes: Nope Smart and Final: Dead end Whole Foods Market: Nothing in bulk; Whole Life (health & beauty ministore inside) had 4 oz bottles for > $5.00. Orchard...