maxbmello wrote: Right now, the heating element does not come on using a plug converter. I haven't started testing the electronics on it yet, and was focusing on the mechanicals first, getting it all cleaned up.

How long did you leave it on? If you're using the original 220v element and a converter for your 110v outlet, I'd expect the element to heat up quite slowly and not to it's fullest (not red hot like an electric stovetop element) - but still warm. As many have said, if you're adding boiled water with a plug converter/adapter, the element will keep it hot but not bring it back to boil.

I didn't leave it on for very long, but the red indicator light didn't come on either. Could be a bad bulb, or a break in the circuit somewhere. I will try turning it on and leaving it for a bit to see if I am getting any current running through the element.

I would recommend replacing the group gasket. For whatever reason, the piston gaskets are often still usable but the group gasket just becomes hard as a rock and can't seal properly. I would advise against removing the tiny o-ring unless you are certain you have a leak there. I took my Caravel 1.0 piston apart so as to replace everything, and the new seal was leaky for a few weeks before it finally settled in. In retrospect I should have taken an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach. If you have the seal kit, you can always replace things as they fail. I would leave originals intact where possible (except for the group gasket).

The front light may only come on very dimly if you are running a 220v element on 110v. You might try plugging it in, in a dark room or area so you can see if the light does come on faintly. At least then you will know if it is an issue with the wiring or just the current.

The shower screens are pretty much unobtanium, but I suppose you could cut down a larger screen. The originals are just flat discs, held in place by a circular spring clip. You can find many photos on Francesco's site.

agree completely- if it works why replace it? Except for the group head gasket- there is nothing like the nice soft spongy feeling of a fresh silicon gasket, and the handle locks in earlier in its arc. This applies to many machines- the group head gasket can continue to work long after it works ideally... other gaskets in lever heads need to be replaced as soon as they leak generally.

I think the piston seals are pretty good actually - might give them a little dow 111 to condition them more, but sounds like the group gasket is a lost cause, so I will be placing an order with OE soon.

As for the shower screen - would one from a moka pot work if cut down? They are readily available and cheap, so I thought that might be a good option. It seems like most machines have a center hole for the screen to be screwed in, so I would need to find one that clips in. Maybe search thrift shops for junk machines that show up there? If I can't find a screen, would I still be able to pull shots with it?

You could also email Thijs to get a quote for his silicone gasket set shipped to you. It's fewer gaskets than the OE kit, but it's the ones that most people seem to replace in their ownership and it would seem that everyone is quite happy with the silicone counterparts over the stock rubber. I found him quite responsive and friendly, I just still haven't yet installed his gaskets because I'm lazy As a Caravel fanatic and vendor, perhaps he knows something we don't about shower screen replacements - but I'm still gonna guess they're extinct.

Ok, I may look into that since that should be the only gasket I need.

Maybe Peacecup could chime in since he has both machines - but do you think a shower screen from a PV Export would work? I know the basket sizes are similar, and 1st line has them in stock. Something worth thinking about..

You might look at some of Francesco Ceccarelli's Caravel photos for machines on sale. He shows the shower screens unassembled and assembled. If you cut a grate like that to the proper size you would need to fashion a spring clip to hold it in place. My Caravel is a version 1.0 and the shower screen in place looks like this:

Thanks for the picture drgary! Mine is a version 1.1, so according the site, should be held in place with the clip, and not permanently fastened in there. Now just to find one...

If anyone wouldn't mind - could you give me the measurements of your shower screen so I could possibly cut some sort of grate to fit? I imagine I could find some sort of C clip to fit as well, as I doubt I could make one that would work well.

Also, no one has answered, and probably because no one has experience trying this, but could I make shots WITHOUT the shower screen in place?

You will want a shower screen. It disperses water more evenly and keeps coffee grounds out of the cylinder. The inner diameter of your cylinder above where the clip fits should give you a close approximation of the shower screen diameter.

You might be able to fashion a crude clip out of the springs used to keep portafilter baskets in place.