I just picked up a second-hand Rossi RR45 and I'm very pleased with it. Problem is, I want to use it without the mondo hopper in place and it refuses to run without the hopper. I tried unscrewing the clear plastic funnel from the black plastic base/collar and inserting just the base/collar, but that didn't do it. Apparently there is some sort of "safety" switch at work here. Since the RR45 is such a common grinder, I was hoping one of y'all would have already run into this and come up with a fairly straightforward fix. Anyone?

BTW, I posted this query on coffeegeek (here), too, but haven't received much response as yet.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge with a n00b!
~Aden

I believe it has a magnet in the hopper and a reed relay or somesuch on the grinder body. If you understand wiring, this would be trivial to bypass.

Thanks, allon,

I'm not an electrician, but I can follow directions. I was hoping some intrepid home barista out there had already blazed the trail and could provide a bit of a tutorial. Anyone out there performed this mod?

cheers,
Aden

If you make it up to the NoVA area, I'd be happy to hack it for you.

I was given an RR45 years ago and I had the same issue. From memory if you position a magnet somewhere near the doser lid sensor thing, it should fire up. Not what you would call convenient but should get the job done in the short term.

@framey, thanks for that tip. I'll dig up a couple of magnets and commence to fiddlin'.

@allon, I do get up to NoVa from time to time, so perhaps we can get together. We can take this off-forum--contact me at: aden@adennichols.com. Thanks for your generosity.

ahem... I've also discovered that the adjustment collar is frozen in place. I need to disassemble this puppy so I can clean 'er up--what's the best way to dissolve the crud that's no doubt gluing it in place? Should I up-end it and drizzle some Cafiza solution around the bottom of the collar, attack it with an oil filter wrench or???

Thx,
Aden

Umm, you sure it's frozen?
Did you depress the button on the left side next to the collar that releases it so it can turn?

Also, simple green is a degreasing agent that does a great job on coffee oils, but you need to be careful using it on aluminum.

Yep, I sure did depress the button to disengage the detent for the steps, and that collar won't budge. Will see if I can find some Simple Green and give that a try.

Not saying it's the best thing it breaking the stuck part, but for overall cleanup, first scrape away the coffee cement/fudge with wooden implements, like bamboo skewers, toothpicks, Popsicle sticks, etc., then brush with simple green, rinse well.

Simple green is non toxic, and smells of sassafras.
Still, wouldn't drink the stuff.


http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/MSDS_EN...leaner.pdf

Two options.

1: start playing with and cutting out the magnetic sensor - can be dangerous if done incorrectly

OR

2: get a small rare earth button magnet and a drop of glue and fix to the end of the sensor.


Option 2 is safe and can be easily reversed; if and or when you might want to return the unit to its standard config.