I am sorry to report that my much-modified rotary Cimbali Jr. DT1 has gone to heat-exchanger heaven. This is a machine that figured prominently in several "research studies" that I participated in, including the blind tasting studies we did on freezing coffee, and others. The machine had been modified with a delay on make timer and an input pressure regulator, to provide pre-infusion, per suggestions given me by Michael Teahan. I believe that this modification may have led to some degree to the inclusion of pre-infusion in the new Cimbali Jr. Casa model that Chris is currently selling. In addition, it was PID'd with the assistance of Barry Jarret, and I posted many Scace temperature curves obtained from this machine after I PID'd it and came up with a low temperature/low flush volume regimen that produced fairly tight shot temperature control from this heat exchanger machine, at the beginning of the "double boiler epoch" we are now in the midst of.

After I replaced this machine with my first GS/3, I put the machine downstairs in the basement, unfortunately next to a window I leave open in the winter. I thought that the fact that this basement maintains around 50 degrees F. year round would protect it, however the open window unfortunately allowed the machine to freeze during a cold spell at some point. The freezing not only ruined the front panel pressure gauge but also fractured the heat exchanger, unfortunately to an extent that it could not be extracted in spite of about 5 or 6 hours of my efforts to do so (with every implement known to man). Perhaps a machine shop could get the tennis ball sized blown up HX out of the boiler, but I think I have already done so much damage to the machine that it is no longer worth the effort. I also reactivated my long latent tennis elbow and cut up one hand in the attempt. Sometimes you need to know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em. I folded. The take-home message is that you should not allow your espresso machine to freeze; if you do, you will probably regret it.

Instead, I have taken out the parts that were more advanced/better/nicer on this machine and transplanted them on my old vibe pourover Cimbali that has previously been more or less converted to a plumbed in machine. I will use the remains for parts and possibly part out a few pieces such as the frame if it seems worth doing. I did get 6 years or so of daily use out of the thing, and very much enjoyed modifying it. I definitely feel like I got my money's worth out of the machine, in spite of its early demise.

I've been looking at buying a tiny condo in the "big city" a few hours drive away from my town, where I have some business interests. If I do get such a tiny condo/crash pad, I'll consider buying one of the new Casa machines from Chris, as it would be fun to play with and seems to address many of the issues I had with the machine as it came from the factory in its earlier iteration.

I wish this former machine happy times in the hereafter.

ken

Condolences for your loss sir.

-Jon

Ken, i can feel your pain.

I really do love my machine... wife says i spend too much time with it but likes the cappas enough to overlook my affair

Noooooo !!!!!

J

jknotzke wrote:Noooooo !!!!!

J

Elle est morte!! But I do like the way the vibe looks now, with the nicer steam arm, steam tip, water wand, and plastic parts scavenged off the rotary.

ken

Hello Ken:

Ken Fox wrote:... my much-modified rotary Cimbali Jr. DT1 has gone to heat-exchanger heaven.

I'm very sorry to hear that.
The DT/1 is a lovely rig.

It helps that it does not freeze in BA, but had it happened to me, I'd surely be in a fit of proportions.
I don't have a GS/3 waiting for me upstairs... =-)

Ken Fox wrote:... modified with a delay on make timer and an input pressure regulator, to provide pre-infusion, per suggestions given me by Michael Teahan.

I'll do a search but I'd be very obliged if you'd point me to where it all is so I can try it with my own plumbed in (vibe pump) D/1.

Best regards,

CIV

civ wrote:Hello Ken:

I'll do a search but I'd be very obliged if you'd point me to where it all is so I can try it with my own plumbed in (vibe pump) D/1.

Best regards,

CIV

Hi,

Those old posts on these mods are scattered throughout this board (home-barista.com). I think if you use the search function you can find them. I am headed out of town in a couple of hours and don't have the time to look for them myself. Use search terms such as "pre-infusion" or "preinfusion" and "PID" along with my name, perhaps also with the word "Cimbali"

ken

Hello Ken:

Thanks a lot for the quick reply.
Much appreciated. =-)

Ken Fox wrote:if you use the search function you can find them.

Indeed ...
I've already found a few.

Best regards,

CIV

Take comfort in knowing she was an organ donor and that you cared for her till the end,,going the extra mile,,,injuring yourself trying to bring her back. The memory and spirit continues to live on. sorry for you loss.